A common thread of history exists which unites our area communities. Join me in this brief visit back to the Wild West.

In 1888, entrepreneur William H. Spiers purchased a stage coach line and won a contract for mail delivery. His Calistoga-Clear Lake Stage Line brought visitors to the county’s popular resorts and spas.

It took three hours to travel the 17 miles from Calistoga to Middletown. The Clear Lake line included stops in Coyote Valley, Guenoc, Lower Lake, and Clear Lake. Another line branched off from Lower Lake and served Kelseyville and Lakeport.

Travelers were carried in the California “mud wagon,” which was built in Sacramento for $500. This unique carriage accommodated 20 passengers, their baggage, mail sacks, and a Wells Fargo strong box containing gold for the Great Western Mine payroll.

What account of the wild west would be complete without an outlaw?

The life of Lawrence Buchanan “Buck” English compares with that of Billy the Kid. Buck English “graduated” from San Quentin in 1882 and walked the streets with a six-shooter strapped to his side.

At age 18 he robbed a Lower Lake stage and took the booty from its strongbox. For 20 years, he and his brothers roamed our countryside rustling cattle, stealing horses and robbing solitary travelers.

Note: For many years, Martha Webster contributed these historic accounts of our community in the Middletown Days edition of the Times Star. She contributed to me in many ways as a mentor during her membership with the Middletown Area Town Hall.

Martha passed away last winter following a lengthy illness.

Mike Tabacchi lives in Middletown, Calif.