Coaching Notes
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The driver’s box was eight inches lower than the roof of the coach and was open to the sky. (No back support for the driver.)
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A passenger was allowed 15 inches of seating room.
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The smaller coaches held 9 passengers whereas the larger coaches held twenty; five rode with their backs to the driver, ten passengers sat back to back on a bench that ran through the center of the coach, and the remaining five passengers sat facing that center row of uncomfortable passengers. Occasionally, passengers rode “up top” between swing stations, and even less often, especially with Charley, a passenger was invited to sit in the box with the driver.
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Passengers had to “dovetail” to accommodate each other’s legs—not a popular position with the ladies.
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Coaches were pulled by either 4 or 6 horses depending on the grade.
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The tear weight (empty) of a concord coach was as much as 2500 pounds and cost $1500.
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The two oxen-leather thoroughbraces that gave the coach its swaying motion were designed to be used instead of springs to absorb the shock of rough “corduroy” roads, giving the horses and passengers a more comfortable ride. Each ’brace weighed 50 pounds and cost $1.00 per pound.
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Wheels were made of seasoned white oak and fitted to the rim so expertly that the jointure was unperceivable.
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No two coaches were ever painted alike. There was even gold-leaf scrollwork on the inside.
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Most stage “runs” were approximately 60 miles long with a change of horses at a swing station every 15-20 miles or so. On occasion, some stage drivers, like Charley drove a double run and covered 100 miles in 24 hours.
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Mail sacks weighed as much as 250 pounds and were generally stored in the “boot” at the back of the coach.
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Wells Fargo treasure boxes were green and were stored under the driver’s seat. They weighed between 100-150 pounds when loaded with gold and such.
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Passenger baggage was often limited to 25 pounds per person.
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The boot held the passenger luggage and the mail sacks, and, on occasion, a sleeping passenger.
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Stage drivers were paid between $40.00 to $75.00 per month and board. Good pay in those days. Messengers were paid $62.50 a month and free meals on the road and had to sit next to the driver.
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Coaches traveled at an average of about 15 miles per hour.
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Ben Holladay spent $500,000 to buy stock for his stage line. (2750 horses @ $180.00 = 1375 spans or pairs.)
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The 1200-1250 pound wheelers were the largest and most dependable span of a six-horse team. They were harnessed closest to the coach and were responsible for slowing the coach to a stop. The swing or middle team of a six-horse hitch weighed in at about 1100 pounds. The leaders were the lightest at about 1000 pounds.
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“Showboating” was the term used when a stage driver whipped up the team to come into town and stop with a flourish at its designation.