 Charlie Parkhurst
Stage Coach Driver: "Charlie Parkhurst"
(Frontier Stories)
During the Civil War years, the Overland Stage route passed into the north, where Charlie Parkhurst was gaining renown, driving the six-horse teams across the High Sierras with nerves of steel and the skill to bring even the wildest animals under control. Word was that as a youth, Charlie had run away from a New Hampshire poorhouse and had been hired as a stable boy. With his affinity for horses Charlie was considered an expert reinsman and came to California to drive for a stagecoach line. Old Charlie won a reputation as one of the fastest and safest stagecoach drivers in California. He drove passengers and gold shipments over the most dangerous routes in the mother lode country.
Charlie was well liked and respected by the other drivers; he smoked cigars, chewed tobacco, drank moderately, and frequented saloons and gambling halls, but never used profanity. He was generally a sociable but very private person. Although he was slight of build and short in stature, no highwayman had dared hold up a stage driven by Old Charlie. It was well known that the first two who tried were shot dead in their tracks.
After almost thirty years of stage driving Charlie went into the cattle business and, as he got older, lived alone and quietly. In 1879 visiting neighbors found Old Charlie dead at home. When his body was being dressed for burial, it was discovered that Charlie Parkhurst was a woman.
"Shed not for her the bitter tear
Nor give the heart to vain regret
Tis but the casket that lies here
The gem that filled it sparkles yet
~Belle Starr~  | 
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