As an
historical western author, I am constantly researching factual information to
weave into my fictional stories. As I’m sure other historical authors will
agree, it can be both interesting and time-consuming, even becoming an
obsession to the detriment of getting the book written!
In Destiny’s
Journey, Book 2 of my Wheels of Destiny Trilogy, a secondary character works
for the Wells, Fargo and Company Stagecoach Line as a stagecoach driver. Of
course, I found a wealth of information about the history of stagecoaches and
in particular, Wells, Fargo and Company. However, I had to delve deeper to
better understand the extremely difficult job of driving a stagecoach as well
as appreciate the man holding the reins.
Drivers were
often called nicknames such as, “whip,” “jehu,” and reinsman. The name, “jehu”
came from the biblical King Jehu in the Old Testament who was known for driving
his chariot fast and furiously. The jehu’s profession required excellent
horsemanship, driving skills and often demanded great courage traveling through
hostile Indian country and the possibility of being threatened by highway
robbers.
Many of the
stage routes traveled over rugged roads, wheels sinking into deep sand or thick
mud; other routes wound through mountains, the trails hugging the sides of steep
and narrow cliffs. Stagecoaches averaged about 5 miles per hour, depending on
the terrain. On some routes, the driver would have his own section, driven over
and over, usually covering about 50 miles. A driver could make a good salary,
sometimes as much as $125 a month, plus room and board. Average age for most
drivers were under the age of 40.
The nickname,
“whip,” is self-explanatory. Many stagecoach drivers considered their whips as
badges of honor. They took pride in them, some handcrafted with silver layered
over handles made of hickory. The whips
had buckskin lashes, usually 11 to 12 feet long. Unlike the way they were
depicted in the movies, stagecoach drivers seldom used cracking of the whip.
They were concerned the sharp sounds could not only startle their passengers
but worse yet, spook their horses.
Obviously,
most important were the two or three pairs of reins the driver held in his
hands, depending on a four or six-horse team. Sensitive to the driver’s lead, the
horses responded to the slightest movement of the reins and depended on the
driver for continual guidance. Often shouting commands, the reinsman just as
often soothed his horses with soft spoken words to encourage them along
precarious mountain trails.
Among the
most daring and legendary who rode the “box,” were Clark Foss, George Monroe,
Henry “Hank” Monk, and Charlie Webster. Although they were mostly men drivers,
there were also women, namely Charley Parkhurst, Mary Fields and Delia Haskett
Rawson. Tobacco-chewin’ Charley
Parkhurst, who was well-known throughout California for being one of the best
jehus in the stage business, to everyone’s shock, was discovered to be a
biological woman when her body was prepared for burial.
Noted whip of the Gold Rush days.
Drove a stage over Mt. Madonna in
early days of valley. Last run
San Juan to Santa Cruz. Death in
cabin near the 7-mile house,
revealed "One Eyed Charlie",
a woman. The first woman to vote
in the U.S. Nov. 3, 1868
Erected 1955
Pajaro Valley Historical Ass'n.
Stagecoaches
were not just for passengers. They often carried legal documents, large bank
deposits, company payrolls as well as the U.S. Mail. When carrying valuable
freight, for added protection, “shotgun messengers” rode beside the driver, armed
with their trusty double-barreled shotguns.
Even though
trains were being used more and more for transporting both passengers and
cargo, they were still confined to their tracks. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s when the
introduction of the automobile actually led to the end of the stagecoach.
