Before the railroad connected with Pagosa Springs, most of the freight and mail and many of the visitors reached town by way of a stage coach running between Pagosa Springs and Amargo. The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad ran through Amargo on its way to Durango.
Pagosa Country’s last stagecoach holdup took place three miles south of town in September of 1892.
Seventeen-year-old Alfred Black was driving the mail wagon, a hack, bound from Pagosa Springs to Amargo. Frank Spickard was a passenger on the stage. The holdup took place near the present junction of U.S. 84 and Hot Springs Boulevard.
The Pagosa Springs News reported:
“On Wednesday morning, three miles out from Pagosa, the mail carrier was unceremoniously invited to hold up his hands. Frank Spickard was a passenger and the request was also directed at him. Alfred Black was driver that morning. As the two gentlemen looked down the barrel of a large six-shooter they unhesitatingly, though unwillingly, complied with the slight request.
The full version of this story is available in the print edition and e-edition of the Pagosa Springs SUN. Subscribe today by calling (970)264-2100 or click here.
