A Ghostly Ballad of a Bad-Ass Lady

A poetry form known as the ballad has a long history.  It is defined as "a type of narrative poem with roots in an oral tradition.  Originally intended to be sung, a ballad uses repeated words and phrases." Some of the most famous ballad poetry was written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, whose famous ballad poem about Paul Revere's ride was taught to generations of school children.

My ballad poem here is based on a story about a woman  who, to escape an orphanage, dressed herself as a man and became a celebrated stagecoach driver during the Gold Rush. Born Charlotte Parkhurst, she called herself Charley.  Charley was one bad-ass driver, taking on tough coach runs filled with bandits and thieves, many of whom met bullets from her guns.  She eventually gained employment with Wells Fargo, and was entrusted to transport large sums of money.  After retiring, she ran a ranch and did other jobs, always as a man.  She died in 1879 at the age of 67 from mouth and throat cancer.

According to Dennis Hauck's book "The National Directory of Haunted Places" it was reported in the late 1980s that a ghostly vehicle was driving around on local roads of Santa Ynez, CA.  Most said the fast moving coach emerged from a dark cloud and rushed silently past them.  There was a report of lanterns on the side of the coach, illuminating a woman inside.

The Ballad of the Charley Parkhurst and the Ghostly Stagecoach

It flew with speed
from long ago
a phantom coach
down Solvang Road

Dressed as a man
from the orphanage
she'd go
apprenticed as a stableboy
a driver's life
she'd come to know

When gold came in '51
she drove the Mother Lode
a safe and rapid driver
Her reputation, it did grow

She drove those frightening
winding roads
from San Jose
to Santa Cruz,
she shot and killed
thieves and robbers
She never liked to lose

She retired to her cattle ranch
soon after the railroads came
Working till she passed away
Her secret did remain

And how she's found a new mode
An apparition from the clouds she goes
Her coach and four black horses
have returned to ride
down Solvang Rd.