In their continuing efforts to entice everyone to join them on June 28 & 29, the Mantorville Stagecoach Days committee presents its second installment of news about this re-invigorated event.
In addition to the Sunday tractor pull and the living history demonstrations that started this festival years ago, Carla Webster will be holding class in the one room school at the Dodge County Historical Society. On Saturday from 9-11 a.m. and again on Sunday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., she will give youngsters a taste of schooling before white boards, Power Point and hot lunch programs. Come on up and see how the community’s grandparents and great-grandparents learned the Three R’s.
Present day grandparents also may have taken part in Maypole Dances. These dances have been part of May Day celebrations for centuries and through the 1950’s were part of physical education classes. Avin Honecker Sherman will teach the techniques for winding ribbons around the maypole and for weaving web like designs with the ribbons. The trick is then to retrace the steps and unwrap the ribbons. You will find her at the Restoration House on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m.
While a bicycle may not have been much fun (or much use) while crossing the prairie, the family trail ride set up by the Dodge County Trails Association will be great. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on 6th Street East below the courthouse. Collect “stamps” at stations along the Sunset and Sunrise Trails while you enjoy the scenery. Learn how these trails will someday connect with Mantorville’s Stagecoach Trail from Rochester to Owatonna. Stick around for a bike rodeo in the afternoon.
A quick course in stagecoach lingo: your driver (Brother Whip, Whip or Charlie) rode on the box (driver’s seat). He drove his team of four to six horses using the reins (ribbons). While fast, wild rides in a stagecoach are seen only in movies and television, the driver was sometimes called a Jehu after a biblical character who liked to drive chariots fast and furiously. The conductor was the man who collected fares, took care of passengers and was responsible for the mail. He rode next to the driver (shotgun!). Hangers-on also rode on top of the coach. China seats were on top and faced backwards, named after the Chinese migrant workers who often chose the least expensive tickets for their travels. Luggage was stowed in a covered compartment at the back of the coach (boot). Rest stops were principally for the horses and called stations. A tired team could be replaced by a fresh team in about two minutes by hostlers at the station.
Next week, readers will be amazed with a quick view of the entire weekend and some rules for stagecoach travelers as put forth by early stage companies. Meanwhile for more information about Mantorville Stagecoach Days, go to www.mantorvilletourism.com.
