The first stage driver was George Lancaster, who drove the stage from West Union to Bradford connecting at West Union with the stage from Dubuque.

Part of this Bradford and West Union Road,  near the residence of Mr. H. H. Bailey, was swampy and quicksand.  This extended for about half a mile,  and Mr. Bailey put up signs at each end of this swamp warning travelers of the condition of the road.

Some of the travelers,  however,  disregarded the warning,  and usually got stuck.

Mr. Bailey lived nearby and did quite a little business in entertaining overnight people who got stuck in that swamp,  and in helping them out of the difficulty the next morning.

Ref:  History of Chickasaw and Howard Co. (1919) Vol. 1, Chapter 12, Page 262, Transcribed by Leonard  Granger