The classic image of the stagecoach might be the Concord model, but for crossing the rough western trails, passengers were often switched to lighter celerity or mud wagons.
John Butterfield chose Abbot-Downing for his stages. It was because of their suspension technology that was best suited to the low relative humidity of the Southwest. Their wheels were the only ones that wouldn't fall apart.
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Celerity Wagon
Much lighter, often with a canvas roof and wooden sides. More common in the Southwest. Leather side curtains rather than glass windows, and seats that broke down so one could sleep. Could run on a four-up hitch, but they were built for speed — most often run with six-up hitches for that reason.
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Mud Wagon
The lightweight and less expensive third type. An extremely lightly-built coach with canvas sides and roof, extremely wide wheels, and iron tires. Used primarily in bad weather, when the mail absolutely had to go through.
The stage stations were located twelve to fifteen miles apart, and fresh horses were hitched to the stage. Teams were made up of four or six horses.
The driver's run was about fifty miles, then a new driver picked up the reins. His next shift, after resting, would be to make the run fifty miles back in the opposite direction.
The Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach could travel about 110 miles in a 24-hour day — a little over four and a half miles per hour on average. It wasn't too mountainous until they reached New Mexico and Arizona.
At its peak, the Butterfield Stage Line owned over 1,000 horses and mules. Coach fare from St. Louis was $100, and the trip took an average of 23 days. Butterfield's contract was cancelled in 1861, at the outbreak of the Civil War.
