'Reminiscences of Old Stage Road: Coaches, Coach Drivers and Incidents'

Historical marker at Midway, Ala. 

(The following article was originally published in the Aug. 6, 1914 edition of The Monroe Journal newspaper in Monroeville, Ala. Written by George W. Salter Sr., it was titled “Reminiscences of Old Stage Road: Coaches, Coach Drivers and Incidents.”)

Recent agitation of the project for the restoration of the Old Federal Road revives many half forgotten incidents and memories connected with the old road when it was the principal overland route between Mobile and Montgomery, at a period when the present main line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad was merely a dream of the future.

Stage coaches carrying the United States mail, passengers and light parcels, were operated over this road as far back as 1846, to my personal knowledge. Although but 10 years old at that date, I remember distinctly seeing the stages pass our home near the road night and morning.

The stage from Montgomery reached Stockton early in the morning where the mail and passengers were transferred by boat to Mobile, a distance of some 30 miles via the Tensaw River. The boat returned to Stockton late in the afternoon, and after the necessary transfers, with a blast from the bugle and a crack of the whip the stage departed on its northward journey. It is a little singular that in those days the stage journeys were almost invariably made at night. A coach left Montgomery at about the same hour as the one from Stockton, the two meeting at Midway, the halfway ground, where passengers and mail were exchanged.

Stage coaches were quite unlike our present day hacks; they were handsome vehicles, closed up on all sides for the protection of travelers, and having glass windows for the purpose of light and ventilation. They were often elegantly upholstered. The body or traveling compartment was supported both by springs and heavy leather bands, which made them very comfortable conveyances, accommodating 10 or 12 passengers. At the rear was a “boot” in which baggage and parcels were carried.

These vehicles were drawn by four fine large horses, the swiftest best and that could be obtained, and with their brightly polished harness and silvery mountings the turnout made quite a handsome appearance.

Stage stands were located at distances of five to 10 miles apart, owing to the character of the country. In level sections the stands were often 10 miles apart, but in heavy hilly country the distance was much less. At each of these stands relays of horses were kept always in readiness. On arriving within half a mile of a stage stand the driver blew keen blasts upon his bugle which was a signal for the hostlers to have the relay in readiness. Detaching the weary team and replacing it with a fresh team was the work of a moment, and the stage was off again on its journey.

At convenient points houses of entertainment were kept where travelers could obtain lunches and other refreshments. Passengers could be taken aboard only at regular stage stands and then only in case there was room. To make certain of accommodation it was necessary to book passage in advance. The uniform rate for passage was 10 cents per mile, which seems high in comparison with the present passage rate on railroads.

Coaches traveled an average of about 10 miles per hour, the speed being determined somewhat by the condition of the road, whether hilly or otherwise. The roads were kept in first class repair and the stage always had the right of way. The schedule maintained was remarkable regular, arrival at a given station rarely varying more than a few minutes.

The first stage contractor within my recollection was Ward Taylor, another was William Kitchen, better known as “Colonel” Kitchen, whose family is well known in Baldwin County. He was succeeded by Wade Allen and he by E. Simmons who ran the line up into the early fifties at which time I left Stockton and removed to Mobile and lost sight of the regular succession thereafter, but I know that the stage line was kept up until it was superseded by the Mobile and Montgomery Railroad.

The stage drivers in those days were a jolly lot of fellows, and I remember how nice and clever many of them were to me as a boy. Among the names that I now recall were Charley Tichnor, Hank Kelly, John Jenkins, Gilbert Cruit, Lomax, Snowden and Brandenburg. The driver did not sit among his passengers, but upon a seat in front and on the outside. He was always ready to play off jokes on his passengers, and the tedium of many a journey was enlivened by his ready wit and resourcefulness.

A little incident occurred on one occasion that made a lasting impression on my mind, and which I will endeavor to relate.

As I have already said, the quickest mode of travel between Mobile and Montgomery was by stage. On one occasion the judge of a high court was on his way to Montgomery. He was quite nervous and seemed in great fear of accident, annoying the driver no little by continually urging him to go slower, and would swear most vehemently because he would not do so. The driver assured him there was no danger. On a long slant not far from Pine Orchard, the driver concluded to have a little fun at His Honor’s expense, and started down the declivity at a brisk gallop, and on making a sharp curve at the bottom, ran against a tree, upset the coach, threw the judge against a black jack sapling and bruised him up severely. The judge was removed to the house of a citizen, who, thinking the injuries might be dangerous and there being no doctor within reach, called in a minister with the hope that though he might not be able to render physical aid, he might help the judge spiritually.

The minister, knowing the judge to be notoriously profane, began a cautious approach by inquiring:

“Well, Judge, when you came to yourself after being thrown out of the coach, did you not have some serious thoughts?”

“Yes, Parson,” replied the judge between grunts. “I did have some most serious reflections.”

“Well, Judge, would you mind telling me what those reflection were?”

“Not at all,” replied the judge.

“Well, what were they?”

“Well, Parson, I thought that if I could have got to that blankety-blank driver, I would have wrung his ---- neck.”

This terminated the interview and the next day the judge went on his way to Montgomery a sadder, if not a wiser, man.

Sometimes I pass over portions of the Old Stage Road and never without being reminded of some vanished scene or forgotten reminiscence of my boyhood as the kaleidoscope of memory flashes them again into view.