The Deadwood Stage
The Deadwood Stage, a name synonymous with the romantic and often perilous era of the American West, evokes images of daring drivers, rugged landscapes, and the allure of gold. More than just a mode of transportation, the Deadwood Stage became a symbol of progress, connecting burgeoning settlements and carrying dreams, fortunes, and sometimes, despair across the vast territories. This article delves into the history and legend surrounding one particular Deadwood Stage coach, a vehicle that transcended its utilitarian purpose to become a piece of living history.
A Concord Coach is Born
The story begins in 1863, at the Abbott-Downing Company in Concord, New Hampshire. Renowned for their craftsmanship, Abbott-Downing coaches were considered the pinnacle of stagecoach design. The company’s meticulous attention to detail and innovative use of thorough-brace suspension – leather straps acting as springs – provided a smoother, more comfortable ride across rough terrain. This particular coach, destined to become the legendary Deadwood Stage, was meticulously crafted, embodying the quality and durability that made Concord coaches the preferred choice for stage lines throughout the West.
From Coast to Rockies
The newly built Concord coach embarked on a long and arduous journey in 1864, not westward across the plains, but southward, around Cape Horn, to San Francisco, California. This lengthy sea voyage was a common route for transporting goods to the West Coast before the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Once in California, the coach began its service in the rugged mountain regions, likely carrying passengers, mail, and supplies between remote settlements and bustling towns.
As the frontier expanded eastward, so too did the reach of the Deadwood Stage. Eventually, the coach found its way across the Rocky Mountains, into the possession of a stage company operating in the volatile and promising territories of eastern Wyoming and the Black Hills of South Dakota. This was a region undergoing rapid transformation fueled by the discovery of gold and the influx of fortune seekers.
The Black Hills Boom and Bandit Country
The Black Hills gold rush created a vibrant, albeit lawless, environment. Towns like Deadwood sprang up almost overnight, filled with prospectors, merchants, gamblers, and outlaws. This boomtown atmosphere made the stagecoaches, especially those carrying gold shipments, prime targets for bandits. The Deadwood Stage soon found itself navigating a landscape fraught with danger, where the threat of ambush was a constant reality.
Among the notorious highwaymen who plagued the region were figures like Pegleg Bradley, Dunk Blackbird, Bill Price, and Charley Grimes. These men and their gangs preyed on the stagecoaches, hoping to intercept the flow of gold leaving Deadwood. The Deadwood Stage was no exception, and its history is punctuated by daring robberies and narrow escapes.
Baptized in Fire
The Deadwood Stage’s first encounter with violence occurred in White Wood Canyon. During this harrowing event, the driver, John Slaughter, was fatally wounded by buckshot. Despite the driver’s demise, the team of horses, startled by the gunfire, bolted and ran, carrying the stagecoach and its contents to safety at Greeley Station, successfully thwarting the bandits’ attempt.
This was just the beginning. The Deadwood Stage would face numerous attacks, each adding to its legendary status. On one occasion, a traveling salesman from Chicago was killed, and his companion injured during a robbery attempt. Native American tribes also occasionally tried to seize the stagecoach, adding another layer of danger to its journeys.
A Treasure Stage and Shotgun Messengers
Recognizing the value of its cargo, the stage company transformed the Deadwood Stage into a virtual treasure chest, specifically designated to transport gold from Deadwood to the nearest railhead. To protect these valuable shipments, the company employed "shotgun messengers" – armed guards known for their deadly accuracy and willingness to use force.
Men like Gail Hill, Jesse Brown, Jim May, Boone May, and Scott Davis, all renowned for their skills with firearms and their reputation for toughness, were tasked with safeguarding the Deadwood Stage and its precious cargo. Despite their presence, the bandits were relentless in their pursuit of gold.
The Cold Spring Tragedy
The most devastating incident in the Deadwood Stage’s history was the Cold Spring tragedy. The bandits, demonstrating cunning and meticulous planning, first seized control of the Cold Spring station, a vital stop along the stage route. They eliminated the station keepers and lay in wait for the unsuspecting stagecoach.
When the Deadwood Stage arrived, driven by Jean Barnet, he was unaware of the danger that awaited him. As he pulled the horses to a stop at the stable door, the bandits unleashed a devastating volley of gunfire. Hugh Stevenson and Gail Hill, two of the shotgun messengers, were killed instantly, and the other guards were wounded, rendering any resistance futile. The outlaws made off with over $60,000 in gold, a significant sum at the time.
Calamity Jane’s Heroism
Amidst the tales of robbery and violence, a legend was born, intertwined with the Deadwood Stage. In another attack, after the driver was killed by the initial volley, a woman named Martha Canary, later known as Calamity Jane, stepped forward. Displaying remarkable courage and skill, she seized the reins, whipped the horses into a gallop, and, despite being under fire, managed to guide the stagecoach safely to its destination. This act of bravery cemented Calamity Jane’s place in Western lore and further enhanced the mystique surrounding the Deadwood Stage.
Military Service and Buffalo Bill’s Acquisition
The Deadwood Stage also played a role in military operations. General George Crook, a prominent figure in the Indian Wars, used the stagecoach during his 1876 campaign against Native American tribes. Buffalo Bill Cody, serving as Crook’s scout, also utilized the stagecoach on several occasions.
After the campaign, Buffalo Bill learned that the Deadwood Stage had been abandoned during an Indian attack and left neglected in hostile territory. Recognizing its historical significance, Buffalo Bill organized a rescue mission, retrieving the stagecoach and bringing it back to camp.
Buffalo Bill eventually acquired the Deadwood Stage and incorporated it into his Wild West shows. The stagecoach became a central prop in reenactments of overland staging and daring robberies, captivating audiences across America and Europe.
From the Wild West to the Smithsonian and Beyond
The Deadwood Stage, having traversed hundreds of thousands of miles across the plains and Rockies, carried mail, passengers, and soldiers, and survived countless attacks, became a symbol of the American West. It traveled extensively with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, exhibited in both America and Europe, and even carried royalty.
Recognizing its immense historical value, the Deadwood Stage was initially placed in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., for preservation. However, its journey did not end there. Today, the iconic coach resides at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, now known as the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Cody, Wyoming.
The Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Line
While the Deadwood Stage is often considered a singular entity, it was part of a larger operation known as the Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Line. Established in 1876 by Captain F.D. "Frank" Yates and W.H. Brown, the line aimed to provide a reliable transportation route between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Deadwood, South Dakota. Overcoming initial challenges due to Indian attacks, Yates successfully launched the service on September 25, 1876, with Dave Dickey as the first driver.
The stage line changed ownership several times in its relatively short existence. In 1878, it was sold to Jack Gilmer and Monroe Salisbury, who later hired Luke Voorhees as their superintendent. Voorhees eventually acquired the line himself around 1882. Russell Thorp, Sr. became the next owner, operating the line until its demise.
The arrival of the railroad in 1886 signaled the end of the Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Line. The Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad extended its reach into central Wyoming and the Black Hills, providing a faster and more efficient means of transportation for passengers and goods. The final stagecoach run took place in February 1887.
Despite its brief run, the Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Line played a crucial role in connecting communities and facilitating commerce in the region. The Deadwood Stage, as a symbol of this era, continues to capture the imagination and remind us of the challenges and triumphs of the American West.