Pioneer Line of Stages

Auburn Free Press, August 29, 1828

Auburn Citizen, Nov. 24, 1911

                                Relics of Stagecoach Days

Cayuga Patriot, Auburn

Wed., April 1, 1829

 The Pioneer Line of Stages has been represented as furnishing the most respectable  mode of conveyance, especially for females, who were traveling and protected - here they might be sure of hearing the most unexceptable language, and finding the best company. Influenced by these representations, a lady of this village, having occasion to go to Canandaigua, and it being inconvenient for her husband to accompany her, took the Pioneer Line, supposing she would thereby secure good treatment, and be protected from every thing of an offensive character.

    Her husband advanced the fare for her passage out and her return home. Nothing of importance happened on the passage to Canandaigua. She started to return, accompanied by an elderly female relative - the remainder of the load consisted of seven men, all drunk, whose deportment was disgusting, and whose language was shockingly profane and highly indecent - insomuch that the ladies felt compelled to leave the stage at Geneva, and were subjected to the expense of remaining one day at a public house, besides the disappointment of themselves and friends, in not reaching home at the time expected. Whilst at Geneva they saw Mr. Bissel, who professed to regret the circumstance, said it was owning to reducing the fare, and must be prevented in the future. Still we are inclined to think there is no improvement, and believe the Pioneer has no uniformity of prices. 

    Since the above case, two of the Pioneer passengers called into a grocery in this place, somewhat intoxicated, and procured their bottles filled with real raw whiskey. On being questioned, one of them said that he paid but seven shillings for his passage from here to Rochester. - Thus whilst the respectable traveller pays full fare, he is liable to be associated with a sett of drunken black-guards, who pay almost nothing.

    This is Pioneerism! Religion connected with a  money-making business! Holy stages, ornamented with pictures of Angels, and drunken passengers belching forth profanity and lewdness! Can Religion gain by such an association?

    Our first statement is published by request of the injured. If the friends of the Pioneer can say any thing in contradiction or extenuation,  we offer them the use of our columns.

Auburn Citizen, August 4, 1914