Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1896 — DOWN THE “DEVIL’S INCLINE." [ARTICLE]

DOWN THE “DEVIL’S INCLINE."

An Old Stage Driver’s Story of a Ride When the Brake Broke. Bill Henderson, who now lives quietly near Pomona, Cal., was many years ago one of the most famous of drivers on the San Diego stage line. He never drove fewer than eight horses and frequently ills team numbered ten fleet,

half-wHd animals. Ha has many stories of adventure to relate, one of which is tlie following: I never lost my nerve but ofice; then my heart was iu my mouth for two or three minutes. We were descending the Devil’s Incline, a long, straight, smooth hill, with twenty-two passengers on board, two of them ladles occupying outside seats. One of the ladies sat behind me; the other, a handsome young married lady, was between her husband and me. When within a quarter of a mjjp Xrpm the bottom of the lull my brake broke, and I knew that within a second the coach, with Its load of passengers, would dash forward upon the team was in a swinging trot, and legs, arms and possibly necks would bt> broken if the passengers should attempt to jump off, as they would be certain to if I gave them warning of their danger. There was not an instant to lose, so I grasped my whip, shouted to my leaders, and cried. “Hefe is.jyhere we,make time*” and down the long, smooth' hill we went on a run. If a horse should stumble or fall it meant death- to more than one passenger on board; but fortunately the road was smooth, and the animals kept their feet. I plied tlie lash, and again shouted to the leader as the big coach began to gain upon them. The passengers grew frightened as the vehicle reeled and rocked undef* the tre-

meadous speed. Several cried, "Stop! Stop!” but this was just what ’ could not do. The young husband believed me insane for the moment, and drawing a pis'tol, cried, “Now, hold up, or by heaven I will put a bullet through your heart.” Instead of attempting to comply I again lashed my team, for in a moment or two the danger would be over. The young man sternly repeated his threat, but just then his wife struck the pistol and knocked it out of his hand. With a wild yell at the team, which made them all spring forward out of the reach of the mighty wheels, we dashed out upon the plain at the foot of the hill, and I soon was in a position to pull up and explain our danger. The young married woman, who had been quite cool up to that instant, fainted dead away, and came near falling from the seat. On reaching the end of our journey the passengers clubbed together and bought me a handsome gold watch, but I assure you that I would not take that ride again for all the watches on earth*