Horace Greeley went over this road once.

When he was leaving Carson City he told the driver, Hank Monk, that he had an engagement to lecture in Placerville, and was very anxious to go through quick.

Hank Monk cracked his whip and started off at an awful pace.

The coach bounced up and down in such a terrific way that it jolted the buttons all off of Horace's coat, and finally shot his head clean through the roof of the stage, and then he yelled at Hank Monk and begged him to go easier--said he warn't in as much of a hurry as he was awhile ago.
But Hank Monk said, 'Keep your seat, Horace, and I'll get you there on time!'-- and you bet you bet you he did, too, what was left of him!" Ten miles out of Ragtown we found a poor wanderer who had lain down to die.

He had walked as long as he could, but his limbs had failed him at last.