Stagecoach Rules

Charley Parkhurst began driving stagecoaches for the Birch Stagecoach Company upon her arrival in Sacramento in 1849. By 1850, the Birch Company merged with Wells Fargo to create the Wells Fargo & Company Overland Stage, and Charley was put in charge of a brand new Concord Stagecoach, longer runs and more treacherous routes than ever.

Along with more responsibilities, came the following stipulations for a pleasant ride aboard the new Wells Fargo coaches that all drivers were expected to provide to the passengers:

Wells Fargo Stagecoach Rules of the Road

Adherence to the Following Rules will Insure a Pleasant Trip for All

Abstinence from liquor is requested, but if you must drink, share the bottle. To do otherwise makes you appear selfish and un-neighborly.

  Abstain entirely in cold weather – you’ll freeze twice as fast under the influence.

  If ladies are present, gentlemen are urged to forgo smoking cigars and pipes as the odor of the same is repugnant to the Gentle Sex. Chewing tobacco is permitted, but spit with the wind, not against it.

 Gentlemen must refrain from the use of rough language in the presence of ladies and children.