During the days of the Republic, few stage lines operated in Texas. John S. Harrison and William H. McCulloch ran stage lines from the Gulf Coast to Central Texas as early as the mid-1840s, transporting immigrants arriving on steamers from New Orleans and other major ports of entry. Their routes included service from Austin through Manchaca Springs, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Cibolo, now Selma, to San Antonio; from Gonzales through Bellville, now Belmont, Seguin, and New Braunfels; and from Indianola through Victoria and Cuero to Gonzales.