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stagecoach driver

Stagecoach driver for Tomah Stage Lines[1] in 1875. (January 17, 1835 – July 28, 1875)[2]

In July of 1875,[2] the stagecoach driver was driving his west-bound stage along the Tomah Stage route towards the Packsaddle Station[1] in northern Nebraska.[2] His passengers were Linda Harris, McLean and Dave and Ella Taylor. As the stage approached the station, the driver noticed what looked like the tracks of a renegade Sioux band, so he raced for the station, overly taxing his horses.[1]

When Packsaddle passenger agent Simmons noticed the team of horses overly sweating, he admonished the driver for treating them badly. The driver told Simmons about the Sioux tracks, but Simmons refuted the suspicion, believing that of there were any Sioux between the Packsaddle Station and the Black Hills, his right thumb would start aching. The driver told Simmons he was getting old, and blamed his aching thumb on rheumatism.[1]

After Simmons hitched a fresh team of horses to the west-bound stagecoach, the driver took McLean and the Taylors on towards Twin Bluffs. Just before they crossed Beaver Creek, the driver was killed by the Sioux, his body burned along with those of his passengers and stagecoach.[1]

See: Stage West