Stagecoach Kings in the Old West

Statesmen and warriors, traders and the rest,
May boast of their professions and think it is the best;
Their state I’ll never envy, I’ll have you understand,
Long as I can be a driver on the jolly “Overland.â€

— Nat Stein, 1865

The romanticized image of the Old West often conjures visions of cowboys, gunslingers, and lawmen, but a less celebrated yet equally vital figure was the stagecoach driver. These individuals, commanding teams of horses across vast and often treacherous landscapes, were the linchpins of transportation and communication in a burgeoning nation. While not always perceived as dangerous as other occupations like cowboying or soldiering, the role of the stagecoach driver demanded a unique blend of skill, resilience, and courage. The narrative of the Old West is incomplete without acknowledging the contributions of these unsung heroes, the Stagecoach Kings in the Old West.

From the earliest days of stage-coaching, the men and women who took up the reins were known by a variety of colorful nicknames, including "whip," "Charlie," and "jehu," a biblical reference to a furious charioteer. These drivers were often likened to the Roman chariot racers of antiquity, tasked with controlling powerful teams and navigating challenging routes with precision and speed. Excellent horsemanship was a prerequisite, but drivers also needed unwavering resolve to face the perils of hostile Indian territory and the ever-present threat of bandits. The Stagecoach Kings in the Old West were more than just drivers; they were navigators, protectors, and vital links in the chain of westward expansion.

The stage routes themselves were a testament to the ruggedness of the American frontier. They carved paths through diverse terrain, from the deep sands of deserts to the thick mud of river bottoms and the steep inclines of mountain passes. Navigating these challenging landscapes required not only skill but also an intimate knowledge of the land and the capabilities of the horses. The journey was often arduous, demanding long hours in the saddle and a constant vigilance against potential dangers. Despite the hardships, the Stagecoach Kings in the Old West persevered, driven by a sense of duty and the promise of connecting distant communities.

While the profession was predominantly male, women like Charley Parkhurst, Mary Fields, and Delia Haskett Rawson defied societal norms and carved their own paths as stage drivers. Regardless of gender, most drivers were relatively young, typically under the age of 40, possessing the stamina and reflexes necessary to handle the demands of the job. Some routes were divided into sections, with each driver responsible for a specific leg, often around 50 miles, which they would traverse repeatedly, becoming intimately familiar with every twist and turn.

The tools of the trade were simple but essential. Drivers controlled their teams using reins and whips, often customized to their individual preferences. If the stagecoach carried U.S. Mail, the driver was required to swear the "Oath of Mail Contractors and Carriers," a solemn pledge to uphold the integrity of the postal service. In regions with valuable freight, particularly around mining camps, shotgun messengers accompanied the stagecoach to protect the cargo and passengers from potential threats. The Stagecoach Kings in the Old West were often the first line of defense against those who sought to disrupt the flow of commerce and communication.

Behind the drivers were the owners and operators of the stage lines, the "Stagers" who risked their capital in the hopes of profiting from the burgeoning transportation industry. However, the staging business was fraught with financial peril, and many entrepreneurs faced bankruptcy due to the high costs of maintaining equipment, hiring personnel, and competing with rival lines. Despite the risks, some companies, such as American Express and Wells Fargo, adapted and diversified, evolving into the financial institutions that continue to thrive today. These companies owe their origins to the vision and determination of the Stagecoach Kings in the Old West.

Stagecoach Companies and Drivers:

The following is a glimpse into some of the key players who shaped the history of stage-coaching in the Old West:

• A. J. Oliver & Co.’s Bannack & Salt Lake Express (1862-1866): Founded by A.J. Oliver, E.A. Conover, and Ed House, this company initially operated between Bannack and Virginia City, Montana. It expanded to include mail and passenger service between Salt Lake City, Utah, and Bannack. In 1864, it secured a mail contract between Virginia City and Helena, Montana. The line was eventually sold to Holladay Overland Mail & Express Company in 1866.

• Ackley and Morrison (1849-1850): Originally known as Maurison & Co.’s Express, this line ran from Stockton, California, to the Stanislaus Mines in 1849. In 1850, it became Ackley and Morrison and began operating between San Francisco and San Jose, California.

• Abbot Downing Company (1827-1847, 1865-1919): This company was the renowned manufacturer of the Concord Stagecoach, a vehicle synonymous with stage-coaching in the American West. They produced thousands of stagecoaches over their long history.

• American Express (1850-present): Formed by the merger of three competing express and stage companies in 1850, American Express expanded into new markets and continues to operate as a global financial services company.

• Alexander & Banning Stage Line (1851-1860s): Phineas Banning established the first stage line in southern California in 1851, running between Los Angeles and San Diego. He partnered with D.W. Alexander and extended the line to San Buenaventura (Ventura), Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Wilmington. Banning continued the business after Alexander sold his interest in 1855 and became a well-known figure in the industry. By the 1860s, Banning’s wagons traveled to Salt Lake City, the Kern River goldfields, Yuma, Arizona, and San Bernardino.

• Barlow & Sanderson Company (1862?-1881?): This company began in Missouri during the Civil War and later concentrated on Colorado during its mining boom.

• Phineas Banning (1830-1885): As the co-operator of the Alexander & Banning Stage Line, Banning oversaw a successful freight and stage line in the Los Angeles area, extending its reach to Yuma, Arizona, and Salt Lake City, Utah.

• John Braden (18??-1896): Braden worked for various stagecoach companies for several decades before settling in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He died a hero after saving several people from a burning wagon.

• John Butterfield (1801-1869): Starting as a stagecoach driver at 19, Butterfield’s business acumen led him to own and operate American Express and the Overland Mail Company.

• Butterfield Overland Despatch (1865-1870): David A. Butterfield established this line in 1865 on the Smoky Hill Trail, running from Atchison, Kansas, to Denver, Colorado.

• Butterfield Overland Mail Company (1858-1861): Conceived by John Butterfield (no relation to David A. Butterfield), this stage company was owned by American Express and held the largest mail contract ever granted by the U.S. Government.

• Cannonball Stage: Operated by Donald R. "Cannonball" Green, the Cannonball Stage Line connected the railroad to towns across southwestern Kansas and into Oklahoma.

• Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express (C.O.C. & P.P.) (1860-1861): This company carried mail, freight, and passengers between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado. It was also the parent company of the Pony Express.

• Cheyenne & Black Hills Stage Line (1876-1886): More commonly known as the "Deadwood Stage," this route ran between Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Deadwood, South Dakota.

• William “Buffalo Bill” Frederick Cody (1846-1917): Before his fame as a showman, Buffalo Bill was a freighter, cattle driver, Pony Express rider, stagecoach driver, Civil War soldier, buffalo hunter, and army scout.

• Mary Fields, aka Stagecoach Mary (1832-1914): Born a slave in Tennessee, Fields was one of the first women entrepreneurs, stagecoach drivers, and pioneers of the American West.

• Clark “Old Chieftain” Foss, aka Old Foss (1819-??): A boisterous and colorful driver, Foss ran a stage through Napa Valley, California, during the 1860s and took sightseers to the geysers in the Calistoga and Geyserville area.

• George “Baldy” Green: Green was a popular stage driver in the Sierra Nevadas, but his stages were so frequently robbed that he was eventually dismissed.

• Charles C. Haynes (1837-??): Haynes was a prominent driver on the Overland Stage Line for 20 years.

• Ben Holladay (1819-1887): Holladay established several stagecoach routes and became known as the "Stagecoach King."

• Holladay Overland Mail and Express Company (1866): Ben Holladay purchased the Overland Mail and Express Company in 1866 but sold it to Wells Fargo just months later.

• Leavenworth & Pike’s Peak Express Company (1859): W.H. Russell of Majors, Russell, and Waddell founded this company to serve prospectors during the Colorado Gold Rush. The line failed due to financial difficulties and Indian attacks.

• Majors, Russell, and Waddell (1854-1862): This freighting and staging firm, based in Lexington, Missouri, was a partnership between William Hepburn Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell. It supplied military posts in the American West and later operated stagecoach services, private express mail service, and the Pony Express.

• James Wales Miller: A stagecoach driver for Wells Fargo who saved a $30,000 payroll from robbery.

• Henry James “Hank” Monk (1833-1883): One of the most famous stagecoach drivers in the American West, Monk became renowned in 1859 for giving Horace Greeley a wild ride.

• George “Alfred” Monroe (1844-1886): Born a slave, Monroe became a skilled "whip" and drove stages for United States presidents.

• Charley Parkhurst, aka One-Eyed Charley, Mountain Charley, Six-Horse Charley (1812-1879): Parkhurst was a female tobacco-chewing, cussing, gambling California stage driver.

• Charles “Charlie” E. Parks (18??-1907): Parks was a faithful Pony Express rider before becoming a long-time defender of Wells Fargo stages.

• Delia Haskett Rawson (1861-1949): Rawson became a driver at 14 and was likely the first and youngest female stage driver to carry the U.S. mail in California.

• William Trotter (1836-??): Trotter drove stagecoaches for two decades before settling down and running a hotel.

• Wells, Fargo, and Company (1850-present): Henry Wells and William Fargo, New York businessmen, recognized the opportunity in the West following the discovery of gold. They had helped found American Express in 1850 and officially created Wells Fargo & Co. on March 18, 1852, focusing on transportation and banking. The company diversified and continues to operate today.

The era of the stagecoach may be long past, but the stories of these Stagecoach Kings in the Old West continue to resonate. They represent the spirit of adventure, the drive for progress, and the unwavering determination that shaped the American West.