We were the first private sector organization in the U.S. to operate on a national scale. Relates the history of the Pony Express from when it began to carry messages across the American West in April 1860 until the telegraph replaced it in October 1861. The Pony Express reduced that time by more than half, making mail delivery in 10 days or less possible for the first time. Pony Express summary: Three men in the mid-1800s had an idea to open up a mail delivery system that reached from the Midwest all the way to California. Describes the efforts of individuals to deliver mail from the time of the Revolutionary War to the Pony Express in the 1860's. The firm would soon monopolize western freighting and start a mail-passenger service to both Colorado and Utah by stagecoach. Some mail also was hauled by stagecoach across country, beginning on September 15, 1858, when the Post Office Department issued a contract to the Overland Mail Company, operated by John Butterfield. Heritage Delivering a farm-to-table revolution 100 years ago. A Pony Express rider stops to help a family in need at Christmas despite his mission to deliver the mail without delay. Although the advertised traveling time was 24 days, as a practical matter cross-country stagecoach mail service was often delayed for months. The Pony Express was in operation for only 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861. Pressure mounts from citizens, businesses, and miners alike for its elected U.S. government representatives to get faster communication between the east and the west. Riders changed horses every 10 to 15 miles. In operation for only 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861, the Pony Express nevertheless has become synonymous with the Old West. Found insidePony Bob had traveled more than a hundred miles. July 1859: Gold is discovered at Pikes Peak. The adventures of the riders of the Pony Express. The Pony Express Used Over 190 Stations. The company had spent its brief history bridging the gap between the Eastern and Western telegraph lines, but it was finally rendered obsolete on October 24, 1861, when Western Union completed the transcontinental telegraph line at Salt Lake City. In his autobiography, the famed frontier showman William “Buffalo Bill” Cody claimed that he served as a Pony Express rider at the age of 14. The incident sparked the Pyramid Lake War and the ensuing hostilities would put major delays on mail delivery. Studded with 153 stations, the Pony Express trail used 80 riders and between 400 and 500 horses to carry mail from the settled Midwest to the new state of California. Cheap Essay Writing Service One Click Away. Postal Service. A Rare Pony Express Artifact (Smithsonian Magazine, May, 2010) A letter that took two years to reach its destination evokes the hazards of the Pony Express. Then, head toward Camp Floyd State Park Museum, which occupied the same time period in history as the Pony Express. Under the terms of the contract, the mail was carried by ship from New York to Panama, where it was taken across the Isthmus of Panama by horseback or rail, and then put aboard ships bound for San Francisco. Although he and Waddell had initially opposed the project, once his firm was pledged to the Pony Express, Majors committed his energies to the project's success. The Pony Express Route was an offshoot of the 1859 Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Co., which became about a year later the well known "Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Co". Mail delivery on horseback was created by Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Company under William H. Russell, Alexander Majors and A judge later acquitted both. In this case, specifically Arkansas and Texas. Letters were wrapped in oil silk to protect them from moisture. Answer. Kansas becomes the 34th slave-free State of the Union. Shortly after the contract was awarded, the start of the American Civil War caused the stage line to cease operation. July 1860: A rider is killed while trying to cross the Platte River in Nebraska. At it's peak, the original quick mail service had important . Despite its enduring place in Old West legend, the Pony Express never turned a profit during its year and a half history. It opened on April 3, 1860 and closed on October 24, 1861. Washington, DC 20002. The Pony Express started in April 3, 1860 and ended in October 24, 1861 with the completion of the Transcontinental Telegraph. "A woman on Plum Creek in Nebraska Territory started a store across from a Pony Express station. 8 reviews of Bradley's Pony Express "I got my fence replaced and had 84 ft worth of wood panels that needed to be hauled away. Children (4-6) He even alleged that he once rode a record 384 miles in a single run. Those people were determined to have the delivery time of their mail improved. The firm set up the route that would travel from Missouri, through Kansas, and now known as Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. The company's personal best came in March 1861, when riders carried the inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln from Nebraska to California in just seven days, 17 hours. Due to growing problems with north and south sentiments in St. Joseph, public schools are shut down until October, 1864. It was a vital system for sending notes east to west prior to the birth of the . It took a Pony Express Rider to deliver the company's first mail 10 1/2 days, half the time it took the stage service to do the same. Although it lasted less than two years, the courage, stamina and resourcefulness of its young riders, careering day and night across prairies, mountains and deserts, heedless of storms, accidents and dangerous Indian country, gave the Pony Express a lasting place in the history and . Trains, canals, and stagecoaches created more interconnected communities and economies. Sunday: 11am to 4pm, Adults Set in 1860 as the first wagon trains rumble into the American West, this adventure-filled novel centers on a frontier girl and the beloved pony she tries to save Born in the back of a covered wagon traveling west from Vermont, Annie Dawson ... Twice a week we compile our most fascinating features and deliver them straight to you. The Pony Express Museum is a transport museum in Saint Joseph, Missouri, documenting the history of the Pony Express, the first fast mail line across the North American continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific coast. The Pony Express was in business for only 19 months. 4 likes. The riders carried the mail in the four pockets of a mochila which fit snugly over the saddle and was quickly switched from one horse to another. Fortunately, the U.S. Cavalry was nearby and was able to ward off the attacks before anyone was killed. The Pony Express was founded in 1860 by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express (COC&PP), a freight company that supplied goods to the western part of the United States. By contrast, only a handful of riders—six, according to the National Park Service—died in the line of duty during the entire history of the Pony Express. After gold was discovered in 1848 in Sutter's Mill in California, prospectors joined with homesteaders flocking westward. Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, traveled with the mail stage from Laramie, Wyoming, to Placerville, California, in 1859. It was also the Pony Express who would deliver the inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln in 1861. Russell hoped to prove that his company was an able competitor to John Butterfield's Overland Mail Company, and win away the exclusive government mail contract. However, the government ordered the firm to hand over the western half of the route to the Overland Mail Company who operated the Butterfield Line in the south. Community Rooms available for rent, Cindy Daffron, Executive Director To achieve this remarkable speed, company owners William H. Russell, William B. Waddell and Alexander Majors set up a string of nearly 200 relief stations across what is now Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. 2. Ficklin suggests the use of fast horses, riders and relay stations to deliver mail in less time to California. I highly recommend him if you are looking to get rid of any junk." But throughout July, the military continued escorting riders in the Nevada-Utah deserts. August 1, 1861: Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens) encounters a Pony Express rider in western Nebraska. She made cheese which she sold at 25 cents a pound and travelers paid as much as $2 for the good meals she prepared." * | Tags: People That's no pony, that's a big horse Monday - Saturday: 9am to 4pm May 7, 1860: While Russell, Majors and Waddell were enjoying their successful enterprise, an incident at Williams Station in Nevada would occur to disrupt the mail service. Russell starts up a stagecoach passenger service to Denver. Once at the river, Fry boarded a ferry which took him and his horse Sylph across the river to Kansas where he rode at breakneck speeds for 90 miles before another rider took over. January 11, 18, and 23, 1861: Russell voluntarily appeared before a select congressional committee investigating the case. Russell, Waddell and Majors designed a system that spanned a number of over one hundred stations, each approximately two . Found insideAn authoritative history of the Pony Express discusses its myths, dangers, and most noted riders, describing the challenges that prompted its employers to advertise for adventure seekers without families. Reprint. 17,500 first printing. As pioneers moved out West on the Oregon and California trails, they needed a way to stay in touch with the East. Butterfield's stages used the 2,795-mile "Southern Route" between Tipton, Missouri, and San Francisco. Fax: 816-233-9370, © 2020 Pony Express National Museum | Terms of Use. Unfortunately, the government contract stipulated the service be discontinued after the Overland Telegraph Company completed its construction of the telegraph line. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Russell, Waddell and Majors designed a system that spanned a number of over one hundred stations, each approximately two . Initially, six orphaned teens answer the call to join the Pony Express as riders, based in the town of Sweetwater. The surprising start of Wells, Fargo, & Co. 32 likes. T he Pony Express made its first run on April 3, 1860 and immediately captured the imagination of the nation. Traveling from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., he was aware of the truth behind one of the jokes of the periodâthat the terms of the western members of Congress might expire before they even reached the District of Columbia. We guarantee high quality essays and our stats shows that we never compromise on quality. Once the race to connect the telegraph had ended, with both ends expected to meet at Salt Lake City, the Pony Express would no longer be needed. December 1860: An inexperienced rider of German ancestry freezes to death after losing his way near Fort Kearney, Nebraska. Meticulously researched and gorgeously illustrated, Michael P. Spradlin and Layne Johnson's Off Like the Wind! brings to life an adventurous journey, full of suspense and excitement, that celebrates America's can-do attitude and pioneering ... & PP Express Company to be turned over to Wells Fargo & Company. With riders traveling at an average pace of 10 miles per hour around the clock, the 1966-mile route passed through eight modern-day states in 10 days. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Once the mail arrived there, the train rolled across the state at a record speed to St. Joseph. Wenatchee, Washington. March 2, 1861: Congress and President Buchanan agree to spend $800,000 dollars to keep the Pony Express going despite the woes of Russell, Majors and Waddell. In exchange for their $100-150 monthly salaries—a substantial sum for the time—Pony Express riders were expected to take a loyalty oath that read: “I do hereby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God.” Those who broke the rules risked being dismissed without pay, but it appears that few Pony Express employees followed the pledge to the letter. Eventually the indictment was quashed. From there, the messages were dispatched to San Francisco. Found insidePresents a nonfiction companion book to "Stallion by Starlight," discussing the history of domesticating horses and explaining why Alexander the Great's horse was so famous. St. Joseph was the perfect choice since it was connected to the east by railroads and the telegraph. Found insideJim DeFeliceâs brilliantly entertaining West Like Lightning is the first major history of the Pony Express to put its birth, life, and legacy into the full context of the American story. The price of a letter was $5 at first, and reduced to $1 per half-ounce by July 1, 1861. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It featured four padlocked pockets—three for mail and one for the rider’s timecard—and was capable of holding up to 20 pounds of cargo. Express Company. Goddard Bailey, the man who loaned Russell the bonds, was also indicted including Secretary of War John B. Floyd. It had been established to provide a speedy method of delivering mail over a two thousand mile route that stretched between St. Joseph Wanting a mail contract from the government, Russell embraces the idea and convinces his partners to go along with the venture. Being a Pony Express rider 150 years ago wasn't easy. "Where did the Pony Express begin and end?" is an example of a(n) _. essential question inquiry question topic. Pony Express riders switched horses every 25 miles to keep moving quickly. 7 likes. Gwin proposes a bill to congress for the government to provide the mail service. June 25, 1860: With Indian hostilities lessening, mail was delivered to California from St. Joseph without delay. An expertly written and keyword-optimized resume What Was The Pony Express Essay that sets you apart. Complete with dozens of illustrations, several maps, and appendixes of riders and relay stations--including stations the reader can still see today--The Saga of the Pony Express proves there's a reason some legends endure. Many people may be surprised to learn that the historic Pony Express operated for only 19 months. The company’s personal best came in March 1861, when riders carried the inaugural address of Abraham Lincoln from Nebraska to California in just seven days, 17 hours. What Patee House is Today. August 1860: A rider is presumed dead when only his horse arrived at the Carson City station. Did an 1860 ad for Pony Express riders say "Orphans Preferred"? Every third station was a home station, where extra ponies, firearms, men, and provisions were kept. The Pony Express was a business. In 1952, Herkimer borrows $200 to start making crepe-paper pom-poms in his garage. COC&PP wanted the Butterfield Overland Mail Company's million-dollar government contract, so it set out to prove that the shorter Central Route could actually be . (November 1 thru March 1) Ayres is doing her best to hold on to the gracious habits of a gentler era and Caroline seems cheerfully prepared to continue doing the work a team of servants once handled, even if it means having little chance for a life of her own beyond ... At twilight on April 3, 1860, a small batch of letters and newspapers was unloaded from a train in St. Joseph, Missouri, and given to the first rider in the . The citizens of Los Angeles, for example, learned that California had been admitted to the Union fully six weeks after the fact. The horses averaged about 14 1/2 hands high and weighed less than 900 pounds. April 12, 1861: South Carolina troops fire on Forth Sumter. The first Pony Express riders set off on April 3rd, 1860. Yes, it was literally the use of the pony to deliver mail and packages from one part of the country to the other. The Pony Express is one important part of the US history. Learn more about it by reading this book today! The #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of American Sniper brings the Pony Express to life in this rich and rollicking new history. Over 400 horses are purchased and relay stations are built and staffed 10-15 miles apart. Open Friday through Tuesday, With precision and expertise which would be envied by any military tactician, Alexander Majors arranged for the purchase of over 400 ponies; the building of 200 stations in desolate, uninhabited areas; the hiring of station masters to staff them; the stocking of provisions; and, of course, the hiring of the riders themselves. Buffalo Bill and Wild Bill Hickock work to establish the Pony Express and fight Indians and California Separatists who seek to destroy it. A color, topographical map of the entire Pony Express National Historic Trail.. Because the nearly 1900 mile long trail covers eight states, this map measures approximately 50" x 11". Found insideA story about Buffalo Bill and his exploits as a pony express rider. Nevertheless, the Pony Express has become synonymous with the Old West. Many Californians preferred the Pony Express as opposed to slower stagecoach service. Gwin found the answer to his concerns in William Russell, a stage express company owner. January 1, 1855: Alexander Majors joins the firm as a partner. This was a dangerous ride for Haslam. Senator William M. Gwin of California was among those who saw the need to improve the timeliness of mail service to the West. This volume touts the Pony Express as "the most remarkable mail service ever in existence," and it could be right. Children (under 4), Tour group price available Afterwards, head out on the Pony Express National Historic Trail. The Pony Express was in operation only from April 3, 1860, to Oct. 26, 1861. A history of always looking forward. January 29 1861: Russell is indicted by a grand jury for the District of Columbia for cheat, defraud and impoverishing the United States. Many were located in remote sections of the frontier, making them extremely vulnerable to ambush. The Union would not pay any company on a mail contract that would take the route through a state that has seceded. But Bill had things mixed up. Here, the mail would be handed over to a new rider. April 26, 1861: Under pressure, Russell resigns as president of the C.O.C & P.P. The Pony Express—which celebrates its 150th anniversary next year—was a big step forward in carrying the mail. Answers: 1. A gunfight ensued and three men, including McCanles, were shot dead. 1854: Benjamin Ficklin, an employee for the firm, travels with California senior Senator William Gwin while heading east. Following is Jan's explanation: "This is an area of the route that I struggled with a great deal. In October 1861 the Pony Express was officially terminated. The Pony Express started in the beginning of April 1860 and ended October 24, 1861. Just past Mile 1588, the Pony Express trail veers to the right from the road. 2003 marked Ford's 100-year anniversary, so the timing was perfect. Bradley was one of the few businesses opened on a Sunday that answered my call, came out, gave a quote, and hauled away my junk the same day. In March it had been announced the rider would leave St. Joseph and Sacramento on April 3rd and deliver the mail in a record ten days. But, the service is too costly for most people heading to the the Rockies in search of gold. Pony stations were generally located between 5 to 20 miles apart. For a second thing, much more important, he never did make the famous ride. A Paiute Indian was brutalized and the incident ended with four white men dead at the hands of the Paiutes that same day. The Pony Express announced its closure on October 26, 1861, two days after the transcontinental telegraph reached Salt Lake City and . October 24, 1861: Both the east and west coast are finally linked up by the trans-continental telegraph line. The Pony Express, a private venture, was formed and delivered the mail between St. Joseph, Missouri (where the train system stopped) to Sacramento and San Francisco in a whopping 10 days. The service operated from . Richardson was branded a coward. December 24, 1860: A surprised William Russell is arrested on Christmas Eve for suspicion of embezzlement by a U.S. Marshall in New York City. May 1861: Pony Express rider Johnny Fry quits and joins Union forces in Kansas as a courier. 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