The Romance of the Stage Line?

Riding a coach was a challenge.

Rafael Pumpelly was a travel writer who hitched a ride on the Butterfield Overland Mail Line traveling cross country to Arizona in 1860. His description:

“The coach was fitted with three seats, and these were occupied by nine passengers. As the occupants of the front and middle seats faced each other, it was necessary for these six people to interlock their knees; and there being room inside for only ten of the twelve legs, each side of the coach was graced by a foot, now dangling near the wheel, now trying in vain to find a place of support.”