Butterfield Overland Stage, Cabin #9

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The Butterfield Stage service, although very short lived, was considered one of the most colorful stories of the old west. Even though it was well known that travel from St. Louis, Missouri to the booming gold rush city of San Francisco would be risky business, the U.S. Government felt a stage coach line for passengers and mail service should be established.

In 1857 bids were taken and 57 year old John Butterfield was awarded the service for the price of $600,000. Butterfield went about the difficult task of buying coaches, animals and hiring personnel to not only man the coaches but run the 139 relay stations along the 2800 mile stretch. The line would run from St. Louis through present-day Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California to its final stop in San Francisco.

The time allowed for this very uncomfortable trip was 25 days at a cost of $200 per passenger one way. Our guess is that after those 25 days of dusty, muddy, cramped and possibly dangerous travel, no one would be inclined to make this a two way trip. Nine passengers were crammed into the Concord or Celerity Wagons, often with baggage or mail in their laps. Depending on the time of the year travel could be in subfreezing temperatures or heat pushing 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The warning issued on the Butterfield Stage “specific instructions” might have said it all:

“A good lookout should be kept for Indians. No intercourse should be had with them, but let them alone; by no means annoy or wrong them. At all times an efficient guard should be kept, and such guard should always be ready for any emergency.”

Still the promise of riches and a better life out west provided enough business to keep the line going from September of 1858 to March of 1861, when it was abandoned for better northern routes run by Wells Fargo.

Butterfield was very proud of his stage line and especially his tough Texas mules, which pulled the coaches. It was this pride which led to one of the most famous wagers and resulting races in American history. Butterfield, while imbibing spirits at a New York City tavern, was challenged to a race by Captain Harrison of the Great Eastern Steamer. This 679 foot steamer generating 11,000 horse power was considered a marvel of its time and even though its travel from New York to San Francisco was around the southern most tip of South America called Cape Horn, Harrison still was convinced that he could beat Butterfield stages leaving from St. Louis at the same time. It turned out to be a $100,000 beer for Mr. Harrison, as the Butterfield Stage rolled into San Francisco a full 36 hours ahead of the steamer.

Wildcatter Ranch country was not left out of this story as the stage line had two stops in Young County. One was called Murphy’s Station and the other was the old historic Fort Belknap. If you study our local history in more detail you will be aware of the infamous Salt Creek Prairie where many pioneers died at the hands of Indians, including the famous Brit Johnson and the unfortunate teamsters manning the Warren Wagon Train. The Butterfield ran through this prairie and travel continued along the old route even after the abandonment of the stage line.

Now in the 21st Century travel from St. Louis to San Francisco can be achieved in only a few hours by plane or not much more than a day by automobile. We have come along way from those tortuous days on the Butterfield and to think some still call those the good old days. If you care to read more about the Butterfield, we invite you to visit our library and of course directions to Fort Belknap are in the back of our information book.