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Pony Express Pony Express National Historic

National Park Service Bureau of Land Management Official Map & Department of the Interior Forest Service Guide - Large Print Department of Agriculture Formatted for ADA standards at 11” x 17” print size. The pony-rider was usually a to get a message from little bit of a man, brimful of President James K. Polk spirit and endurance. to . By the — late 1850s a half million people had migrated Overland West, and they wanted The idea behind the Pony up-to-date news from Express, a horseback home. Something had to relay mail service, goes be done to deliver mail back to at least ancient faster and to improve Rome and Persia. In communication in the 13th-century China expanding nation. Marco Polo described a [captions] “system of post-horses Russell, Majors & Waddell in 1860: by which the Great Khan Entrepreneurs of the Pony Express. sends his dispatches.” A mochila fit over the saddle. Four, locked pockets held mail. Bible inscribed: “Presented Oregon missionary by Russell, Majors & Waddell.”

Marcus Whitman in 1843 Johnny Fry, 1860, one of first westbound Pony proposed using horse riders. © Joseph Museum, Mo./Russell, Waddell, relays to deliver mail Fry, saddle and mochila; © Majors Historical Foundation/Majors; © Joe Nardone Collection/ from the River Bible to the Columbia River © St. Joseph Museum, Mo./stamps signature. © Bank/poster, © Gilcrease in 40 days. But in 1845 Museum, Tulsa, Okla./Coming and Going of it still took six months the Pony Express, 1900, Frederic Remington

Rev. 02/01/13 News from Home! The government struggled to improve transcontinental mail service. In 1855 The emigrants who moved West in the mid­ Congress even appropriated $30,000 to see 1800s anxiously awaited mail from home. if camels could carry mail from Texas to But mail took months to arrive, and by then California—they proved impractical. John the news was old. Westerners demanded Butterfield won a $600,000 contract in 1857 better mail service. Congress established that required mail delivery within 25 days. postal service to the Pacific Coast in 1847 His overland service began in and, in 1851, set the rate for a half-ounce 1858 on a 2,800-mile route that left Fort letter at three cents for delivery if less than Smith, Ark. and reached via 3,000 miles and six cents if it went farther. El Paso, Tex. and Yuma, in Arizona Territory. Private contractors handled the business, Despite its length and scarcity of water, no which required huge government subsidies. snowbound mountains blocked this route. With the discovery of gold, followed Powerful southern political interests kept by statehood, California’s population government subsidies on these southern mushroomed, increasing the urgency for . With civil war threatening to close better communication. In 1848 the U.S. southern routes, northern politicians sought Post Office awarded a contract to the Pacific a central route. Benjamin F. Ficklin had Mail Steamship Company to carry mail carried U.S. Army dispatches from to California. The mail traveled by ship Territory and proposed that the government from New York to Panama, moved across could provide express mail service using a Panama by rail, then by ship again to San horse relay. California Sen. William Gwin Francisco. The goal, getting a letter from the backed the idea. East in three to four weeks, was seldom met.

Planning the Pony but to the dismay of his partners, Russell committed to opening the express mail Express: Seize the service on the central route in April 1860.

Opportunity The three partners started a new firm, the William H. Russell of the freighting firm Central Overland California & Pike’s Peak of Russell, Majors & Waddell created the Express Company (C.O.C.& P.P.)—the Pony Express almost by accident. Russell, official name of the Pony Express. Russell William B. Waddell, and raised money in New York and political were Missouri business partners with vast support in Washington, D.C.; Majors experience hauling cargo and passengers— managed daily operations; and Waddell and a great interest in government mail ran the home office. The company had 67 contracts. Their firm already provided days to hire riders, station keepers, and mail mail and stagecoach service between the handlers and buy horses, food, and other and . supplies and distribute them to stations across the route (some were not yet built or Russell felt that a horse relay, a Pony even located). Express, would promote his company and gather congressional support to win Majors organized the route into five the mail contract for a central overland divisions, numbered east to west. The first route. He was confident this expensive leg ran from St. Joseph, Mo., to , advertisement would pay off in the long Territory on the . The run, although Majors and Waddell were not second went to Horseshoe Station near Fort so sure. With the backing of Senator Gwin Laramie, Territory. These traced the route of the Oregon and California C.O.C.& P.P. established home stations trails, with a dip into today’s at every 75 to 100 miles (to house riders Julesburg. The third took the emigrant trail between runs) and smaller relay stations to and the Salt Lake Valley in every 10 to 15 miles (to provide riders with Utah. The fourth, to cross the , fresh horses). The names of some of the followed a route opened in 1858 by James Pony stations—Kearny, Chimney Rock, Simpson that ran south of the Great Salt Scotts Bluff, Fort Laramie, Sweetwater, Fort Lake desert to Roberts Creek Station, north Bridger—were already famous in of today’s Eureka, Nev. The fifth leg was the history. Many were upgraded from existing toughest of the trip, crossing the stagecoach stations, but some stations were desert and rugged , finally built from scratch. The operation expanded arriving at Sacramento and San Francisco, from 86 stations on the Pony’s first run to Calif. 147 stations by mid-1861.

God Speed to the Boy Pony employed some characters—not all living up to the pledge of obedience and and the Pony abstinence befitting a gentleman. Division Superintendent Jack Slade ran wild when “Men Wanted! . . . Men familiar with the drunk but “kept the road cleared of robbers management of horses, as hostlers or riders and horse thieves.” Some say Assistant on the Overland Express Route via Salt Station Tender James Butler “Wild Bill” Lake City. . . Wages $50 per month.” Hickock shot agent David McCanles Sacramento Union, March 19,1860 and two others at in Nebraska. “” Cody never rode So announced newspaper ads. Hires ranged for the Pony Express, but he used his Wild from teenagers to about age 40. Weight West Show to promote the Pony’s legend restrictions were strict. Riders had to weigh and romance. less than 120 pounds and carry 20 pounds of mail and 25 pounds of equipment. Horses were selected for swiftness and endurance. Russell advertised for “200 Some riders were given an inscribed leather grey mares, from four to seven years old, Bible (see far left). Employees took this not to exceed fifteen hands high, well oath: “While I am in the employ of A. broke to the saddle and warranted sound.” Majors, I agree not to use profane language, The company bought 400 to 500 horses, not to get drunk, not to gamble, not to treat many thoroughbreds for eastern runs and animals cruelly, and not to do anything California for western stretches. else that is incompatible with the conduct Horses averaged 10 miles per hour, at times of a gentleman. And I agree, if I violate galloping up to 25 miles per hour. During any of the above conditions, to accept my his route of 75 to 100 miles a rider changed discharge without any pay for my services.” horses eight to 10 times. The job was exacting and not for the faint of heart. Mail traveled in four, locked leather boxes sewn onto the corners of a leather The company employed between 80 and mochila (knapsack) that fit over the saddle. 100 riders and several hundred station The design allowed for fast removal and workers. Riders earned wages plus placement on a fresh horse. The exchange room and board. They joked that the of horses and mail was more casual than company’s initials, C.O.C.& P.P., stood legend has it. Riders often stopped to eat for “Clean Out of Cash & Poor Pay.” The or drink and stretch their legs, but Mark Twain wrote that the “transfer of rider and and the swift phantom of the desert was mail-bag was made in the twinkling of an gone before we could get our heads out of eye.” Twain also reported that from his the windows.” stagecoach he “heard only a whiz and a hail,

Great Race Against people turned out to watch the Antelope arrive with the first mail. The crowd lit Time: The First Rides bonfires and held a boisterous celebration.

On April 3, 1860, after weeks of frenzied The Pony Express charged five dollars per preparation, the day for the first rides half-ounce for mail (about $85 in today’s arrived. The St. Joseph Daily Gazette money), later reducing the fee to one dollar. declared it would “forward, by the first At first the Pony ran once a week in each Pony Express, the first and only newspaper direction. Starting in July 1860 it ran a which goes out, and which will be the first second weekly trip, delivering mail in 10 paper ever transmitted from the Missouri to days or fewer between St. Joseph and San California in eight days.” This Pony Express Francisco. Edition also announced, “The first pony will start this afternoon at 5 p.m. precisely.” Only once did the mail not go through. The The westbound rider actually left at 7:15 service suspended operations from May to p.m. reportedly carrying five telegrams, late June 1860 during an Indian uprising. 49 letters, and newspapers printed on Over the winter Paiutes in Nevada endured lightweight paper “as airy and thin as gold harsh weather and faced starvation. They leaf.” The eastbound mail left San Francisco blamed the thousands of miners who at 4 p.m., traveling by the paddle steamer destroyed Indian food and water sources Antelope to Sacramento. From Sacramento, as they dug for gold and silver. Tensions rider Sam Hamilton blazed east, changing grew, and the Pony became a target. Paiutes horses six times, and passed the mochila razed relay stations, killed employees, and to Warren Upson who took the mail over drove off horses. The disrupted service the Sierra Nevada in a blizzard. East and brought heavy financial losses to the already westbound riders passed each other on struggling company. April 8, west of today’s Farson, Wyo. Bands, banners, bells, and occasionally “a wild The greatest challenge to the Pony proved cavalcade of men” greeted riders along to be not Indians but winter weather. the way. After covering nearly 2,000 miles, Freight roads to the Nevada mines kept the eastbound mail reached St. Joseph on Sierra Nevada passes open during much April 13. The reception was tumultuous, of the winter, but snows that buried the with bands and cheering people lining the high country between Salt Lake and Fort streets. In Sacramento a mounted escort Laramie often proved too much for a single and cannon fire greeted the Pony rider. The rider. Still, delivery continued even during westbound mail arrived in San Francisco January with only a four- to six-day delay. about 1 a.m. on April 14. Thousands of An Enduring American By early 1861 war between the North and South seemed certain. Whether California Legacy: Risky Business— decided to remain in the Union depended, in part, on policies presented in Abraham Legendary Payoff Lincoln’s inaugural address. The Pony The Pony Express was as risky a venture as delivered Lincoln’s March 4 message to any taken on the frontier. Russell, Majors California in the fastest time ever—seven & Waddell had survived on loans made days and 17 hours—bringing news that against its government debts since 1858, helped the state stay loyal. In April 1861 and the company was essentially bankrupt the Pony delivered word of the outbreak of when it launched C.O.C.& P.P. Russell the Civil War. Until the Pony’s last run in counted on winning the central overland November 1861 it brought news of battles mail contract to revive the company’s and lists of dead and wounded to anxious fortunes, but Congress adjourned in June westerners. 1860 without taking action. Russell tried to save the business by secretly borrowing In its 19 months the Pony Express captured bonds through a friend in a government the hearts and imagination of people agency. The story became public in around the world and marked a milestone December 1860, leading to a scandal and in our nation’s communication system. Russell’s arrest. He beat the embezzlement The abiding fascination with the Pony’s charges, but the troubles spelled disaster story is one of its enduring legacies. The for the Pony Express. With the start of the Pony Express lives on today—in books and Civil War in 1861 Congress appropriated movies and with thousands of people who money to support the overland mail, after love its history. Each year since 1978 the the secession of Texas closed the southern National Pony Express Association rides routes. But the contract went to Butterfield’s the trail in a 10-day, round-the-clock, non­ Overland Mail Company not to the Pony stop event. More than 500 riders follow a Express. 1,943-mile route that is close as possible to the original trail. Today Pony riders use Officially the Pony Express ceased shortwave radios and cell phones to spread operations with the completion of the the news of their journey. transcontinental telegraph on October 26, 1861. The Pony made its last run on In 1861 newspapers paid tribute to the November 20, 1861. It completed some Pony’s accomplishments: “You have served 300 runs each way over 600,000 miles and us well.” The Sacramento Daily Bee bid carried more than 33,000 pieces of mail. “Farewell Pony!” and saluted the “staunch, wilderness-overcoming, swift-footed The Pony’s achievements in spreading news messenger” that had “dragged in your train and uniting the nation were significant. the lightning itself.”

[photo caption] [photo caption] Chimney Rock was one of the most famous Devils Gate, a cleft carved by the Sweetwater landmarks along the trail—a wonder of River, is 370 feet deep, 1,500 feet long, nature and an important milepost, 556 miles and about 50 feet wide. Riders passed this west of St. Joseph, Mo. © Jeff Gnass Wyoming Territory landmark at milepost 829 on their way west. © Jeff Gnass [photo caption] The Pony Express station at Rock Creek, [photo caption] Nebraska Territory. © California State Library The Pony Express station at Rock Creek, Sacramento [photo caption] [photo caption] Fish Springs Station, Utah Territory © Utah , © Northeastern State Historical Society Nevada Museum, Elko

[photo caption] [photo caption] Four riders from the Pony Express. © St. © Wells Fargo History Museum Joseph Museum, Mo. [photo caption] [photo caption] The was a welcome sight East of Fort Churchill Pony riders and horses for a westbound rider. Here h handed off endured a treacherous expanse with no the mail to a messenger on a waiting paddle water. © Outsite/Thomas Hallstein steamer who delivered it to San Francisco. © David Sanger

Here Comes the Pony! 1769-1807 The Pony Express has fascinated Americans James Watt perfects the steam engine. since its first riders hit leather in April 1860, becomes first Postmaster heading west from St. Joseph, Missouri, General under Continental Congress. and east from San Francisco, California. Robert Fulton’s steamboat Clermont begins This innovative overland mail service lasted passenger and mail service on the Hudson only 19 months, but it created an immediate River. sensation and won a permanent place in the history of the American West. The legend of 1830-1832 “the Pony,” as it was affectionately known, may overshadow its brief history, but the U.S. rail service begins from Baltimore to bold founders and brave riders of the Pony Ellicott’s Mills, Md., 16 miles west. Steam Express helped spread important news, locomotive sets record speed of 30 miles shrink a continent, and bind a nation that per hour. Mail delivery by rail begins in was being torn apart by civil war. Pennsylvania.

Spreading the News 1837-1844 Samuel Morse develops telegraphy, a For millions, email and the Internet have method of sending electronic messages replaced letters and newspapers. But, how over wires. Morse patents dot-and-dash did we communicate 50, 100, or 600 years alphabetic code. First ago? At right are highlights of some key U.S. news sent by telegraph: Henry Clay is people, inventions, and technologies that Whig party nominee for President. changed how we spread the news.

1454 1860-1861 Pony Express begins mail service April Johannes Gutenberg invents a printing 1860 between St. Joseph, Mo. and San press with metal, movable type. The press Francisco, Ca. Transcontinental telegraph enables the mass production of documents lines completed, October 1861. The Pony that spread news and exciting ideas of the delivers last mail November 1861. Renaissance. voice by radio. Woodrow Wilson, calling 1868 San Francisco from White House, says, ”It First successful telegraph cable operates appeals to the imagination to speak across between England and Canada, with land the continent.” lines to U.S. Transatlantic news is delivered at speed of two words per minute, beating the next fastest method—10 days by 1926-1927 steamship. Sparton Corporation introduces electric radio. AT&T demonstrates television— 1869 team in New York hears and sees Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover from Union Pacific and Central Pacific connect Washington, D.C. Hoover says, “I am glad rails at Utah’s Promontory Summit. to welcome television as the latest product Transcontinental train service begins for of scientific discovery.” passengers and mail. 1876-1877 1946-1948 Researchers build ENIAC, the first all Alexander Bell invents telephone. Thomas electronic digital computer with input, Edison records and plays back sounds output, and memory; it has 18,000 vacuum cut into grooves on a wax cylinder. First tubes and fills several rooms. First live recorded words: “Mary had a little lamb.” telecast of baseball’s World Series: New Eadweard Muybridge demonstrates high- York Yankees beat Brooklyn Dodgers. speed photography. Scientists invent transistor, setting stage for microelectronics. 1896-1901 Guglielmo Marconi tests and patents 1960s wireless telegraphy (radio); transmits signals “Live via satellite.” Telstar 1, first active from England to Newfoundland. Proves telecommunications satellite, ushers in messages can be sent on electromagnetic era of real-time global TV transmissions. waves, roughly at speed of light. Valdemar Department of Defense develops Advanced Poulsen develops magnetic recordings, basis Research Projects Agency Network for today’s data storage on disk. (ARPANet), an information networking system, precursor of the Internet. 1903 Pres. Theodore Roosevelt sends first 1970-1980s public wireless message (to England’s King Altair Microcomputer Kit—first personal Edward VII), sparking a revolution in global computer—is marketed to home communication. Orville and Wilbur Wright enthusiasts. Radio Shack introduces first take turns flying first motor-driven airplane fully assembled personal computer with at Kitty Hawk, N.C. Last flight of the day: keyboard and monitor. BITNET (Because 852 feet in 59 seconds. It’s Time NETwork) provides file transfers and email. 1906-1915 Lee DeForest invents triode vacuum tube 1990s amplifier; makes possible long-distance Computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee telephone calls; paves way for sending develops World Wide Web. Entire encyclopedia stored on CD-ROM. Wireless 2002-2003 applications allow access to the Internet via cell phones. Instant messaging skyrockets. In U.S. more email messages sent than Millions worldwide use email and the postal mail. FCC reports 122.4 million Internet. wireless phone subscribers in U.S. Networks send more than six trillion bits of data per second over fiber-optic lines, about one million images per second.

More Information

The Pony Express National Historic Trail, authorized by Congress in 1992, is administered by the and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and private landowners. Forest Service National Park Service Intermountain Region Federal Building Office 324 25th Street Ogden, UT 84401 www. 324 South State St., Suite 200 fs.fed.us Salt Lake City, UT 84111 www.nps.gov/poex.

Bureau of Land Management National Historic Trails 1501 North Poplar Casper, WY 82601 www.blm.gov