August Fransal

The story

One of the many fearless stage drivers who traveled on the Ben Ficklin Overland Mail Line from San Antonio to El Paso. On this dangerous route, threatened by wild Apaches, Fransal regularly drove his mule-drawn stage. He served as a Texas Ranger 1881-1882 and in 1883 under Capt.

George W. Baylor. He was also a teamster at Fort Davis.

Later he was a hunter, selling fresh game (a welcome substitute for dried, cured meat) in El Paso.