This stage line ran the 86 miles from
Ozona to San Angelo until about 1910. It ran from Ozona to the
High Lonesome stand, then up to the stage stand in Sherwood, Texas, on
to Knickerbocker, Texas stage stand, Then into San Angelo. The
"Hacks" as they were called did not resemble what Hollywood
usually uses as a "Stage Coach" They were more
utilitarian vehicles that carried as much mail and freight as passengers.
Stage stop locations were chosen for the proper distance a team of
Horses could go before being change out and the availability of
water.
Each stage stand had 10 horses and facilities for
shoeing the horses. The teams were changed at each stop and the
horses shoed every 6 weeks.
Passenger included whiskey drummers (peddlers),
preacher, and lighting rod salesman. Passengers often found
themselves riding on top of freight and getting out of the Hack to
lighten the load and push through muddy roads during wet weather.
The introduction of motor vehicles and trains put these
regional stages out of business. This line was one of the last
running in Texas when it went out of business in about 1910.
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