The annals of the Old West are filled with tales of brave and colorful characters, and among them stands Curly Dan, a stage driver whose reputation was as distinctive as the mountainous routes he traversed. Known for his impeccable manners and professional approach, Curly Dan carved out a notable career, yet an unusual personal affliction set him apart, causing both amusement and distress to those around him: an astonishingly powerful snore. This article delves into the captivating life of Dan, from his gallantry and heroism as a Wells Fargo agent to the infamous, earth-shaking snore that became his enduring legacy.
In the rugged era of pioneering stage drivers crossing the formidable Sierra Nevada mountains, one figure consistently stood out: Curly Dan. He was a man of remarkable charm, handsome and universally popular, distinguished by his highly professional methods and pleasant demeanor. Dan was often described as a Chesterfield, a paragon of politeness, whose gallantry towards ladies rivaled that of an ancient knight. He captivated them with ease, becoming a firm favorite. However, a peculiar pattern emerged in his romantic pursuits: despite his widespread appeal, Dan never quite managed to deepen his acquaintances to the point of marriage. Women invariably, after a brief initial connection, shifted to a relationship akin to “being a sister to him.”
The secret of his perpetual bachelorhood eventually leaked out. The root cause was an auditory phenomenon of epic proportions: Dan snored. His snoring was not merely an annoyance; it was a profound, unearthly symphony of moans, snorts, groans, and treble whistles, punctuated by choking flutters that instilled genuine fear and deprived all within earshot of sleep. Accommodations for Dan at every home station became a consistent logistical challenge. He had to be provided with a bed in the most remote part of the house, and if that proved insufficient, he was relegated to the barn. Even the livestock suffered; horses within earshot of Dan’s nightly calliope invariably appeared tired and dejected by morning, as no creature could find slumber amidst such a cacophony.
From Driver to Division Agent and a Brush with Death
The Heroic Pursuit of Stage Robbers
Despite his nocturnal peculiarities, Curly Dan was an exceptionally skilled whip, a talent that quickly propelled him up the ranks to become a division agent. His expertise soon brought him to a prominent position on the Montana line, running from Salt Lake City to Helena. In 1868, a stagecoach near Naiad station was robbed of a large sum of money and gold bullion. Upon its arrival at Malad, Curly Dan was present and hastily organized a party, which he led in pursuit of the robbers.
The pursuit led Dan and his men into a canyon densely covered with underbrush. While crawling through this on his hands and knees, Dan heard a suspicious noise. Raising his head and body to see through an opening in the brush, he was confronted at a few yards distance by one of the robbers who deliberately fired point-blank at him with a Henry rifle. The ball struck Dan near the center of the breast and went directly through him.
A Miraculous Recovery
Curly Dan fell and knew no more until rescued by his companions and removed from the brush. He was thought to be dead, and one of the rescuers said pathetically, “Dan, I never snore anymore.” But to the surprise of all, Curly Dan was revived, carefully nursed, and cared for by Wells, Fargo & Co., whose employ he was at the time, and finally recovered. It was supposed by all that he would also be cured of his snoring because of the character of the wound, but to the surprise of his old friends, he snored worse than ever. It seemed impossible, but such was the case. His comrades regarded Curly Dan as a holy terror, and he always had room to himself.
The Pioche Incident – A Night of Terror
The Unforgettable Night in Pioche
Some years afterward, his duties brought him into Pioche, Nevada, late one night when, for some cause, he could not get a bed. The keepers of the lodging houses all knew him, it seemed, and in a moment of absent mind, this writer tendered him a share of his bed, then in the second story of the express and stage office. It was midnight when the office duties ended, and Dan sat by the stove until the work was all finished. We went upstairs and retired, and Dan went to sleep.
He softly began to snore within a minute, but this was only preliminary. He soon settled down to regular work, and, to be brief, he fairly raised the roof. Efforts to awaken him were utterly futile. He had ridden without stopping from Salt Lake City, 225 miles, and tired out; he was as dead as if dosed with morphine. I shook him and talked to him, but it was useless. One might as well have talked to the Sphinx. Sleep was utterly out of the question with me, although so weary that my eyes ached. I then got mad and began to kick him, but as that had no effect, I tried to roll him out of bed, but he was on the back part of it, and I couldn’t turn him over. By this time, I was thoroughly exasperated and at my wits’ end, for I could think of no relief, and while he was sleeping as sound as a log– or a whole raft of them, for that matter–I was doomed to lay awake all night and listen to that frightful menagerie of unearthly sounds. For three hours, this continued, and my nerves were racked so that I was trembling. At that moment, to my great relief, the fire bell rang and jumping to my feet, I viciously yelled Fire! Fire!!! At the top of my voice and grabbing my clothes, I ran downstairs, dressed, and started running for the scene of the fire, up at the Pioche Phoenix Mine, three-fourths of a mile away. I stayed until daylight, working to keep awake.
The Wells Fargo Agent’s Verdict
When I returned, Dan was still snoring. The early stages were dispatched at 6 o’clock, and, continuing until 8 o’clock, a constant racket was kept up in the office, but above it all, Dan’s snores were as regular as the beating of the surf. At 9 o’clock, the banking department of Wells Fargo & Co. opened in the same office. The general agent appeared on the scene, and the cashier, teller, and bookkeeper were busy getting the vault open and moving out books and trays of coin. The noise from upstairs then attracted their attention. I was mum and unconscious of any unusual sound. I was gloating for revenge.
Curly Dan was doing his level best, evidently on the home stretch, and the choking groans were horrifying. The agent listened. He knew Dan and recognized the snore, and dashing down his pen, he sang to the porter, “Go put that man out or kill him.” Such was the indelible impact of Curly Dan’s legendary snore.
The Enduring Legend of Curly Dan
The story of Curly Dan is a vibrant thread in the tapestry of the American West, painting a portrait of a man who was both a respected professional and a figure of unique, almost mythical, annoyance. His unwavering gallantry, his bravery in the face of danger during the stagecoach robbery, and his miraculous recovery from a gunshot wound speak to the resilient spirit of the era’s pioneers. Yet, it is his legendary snoring, a force so potent it could drive men to the brink of madness and horses to despair, that truly cements his place in history. From the Sierras to Montana and the mining camps of Nevada, Curly Dan’s legacy is a testament to the fact that even the most heroic figures can possess quirks so profound they overshadow their daring deeds. His tale serves as a humorous, yet authoritative, reminder of the colorful characters who shaped the frontier, each leaving their own unforgettable mark – some, quite literally, with a resounding snore.
