“Git up Thar”

The Adirondacks are the paradise of the stagecoach driver. A peculiar genius is this Adirondack driver, as a rule. He does not at all suggest the immortal older Weller. If ever there was a distinctly American type, it is he ; but he belongs to his coach as much as Sandy in the old song belonged to his mill. He is essentially a product of the region. There is nothing conventional either in his speech or his appearance. The only concession he is known to make to the generally accepted social decalogue is in the matter of smoking. An Adirondack stage-driver smokes continually, but he never appears on the roof of his coach with a pipe in his mouth ; that would be beneath his dignity. He smokes cigars, and he smokes them from the time he gets up in the morning until he goes to bed at night. In all other respects he has contempt for the dictates of fashion. His topboots and big straw hat are picturesque, but they do not convey any impression that their owner is oppressed with ideas of order ; in fact, they look hot and uncomfortable. Moreover, he drives in his shirt-sleeves, — a proceeding which would have horrified the older generation of English mail-coachmen… (Link)

Stages through the ages
BY COACH AND BUCKBOARD TO BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE.
TWO HIGHWAYMEN ROB AN ADIRONDACK COACH
“The Great Stagecoach Robbery”
Stage Coach in Hamilton county, 1910 (jpg)
Stage Coach in Hamilton county, 1910 up close (jpg)