R.ESEAR.CH JOURNAL OF EARLY ViTESTERN MAILS

VOLUME XX NO . I VV'"estern Cover Society JANUARY 1970

Express Territo rial

Ocean JY.Iail Statehood

Overland Postal Rates

Post Offices Postal History

Pages CONTENTS Preside nt's Message ...... •...•. 1

Editor •s Corner ...... 2

Membership Changes ...... •...... •.•..•.•....•.. 2

Available Back Issues Of Express ...... ••.•.•.••.•. 3

Coraville I 's First Post Office By f!'he Late) Parker Johnson ...... •..... 4-10

Survivipg Cora ville 1 K. T. Covers - By David L. Jarrett ...... ll

"Steam" Marki ngs To 1 1864 - 187 5 Br w. scott Polland I M . D ...... 12-14 The Truman Expresses - By Burton W. Cahoon ...... •... 15-17

Nineteenth Century Post Offices 1 Part II - Clatsop County - By Richard W. Helbock •...... ••.. 18-31

My Observations - "Free J. C. Fremont" By W. Scott Polland I M .D •...... •...... 32

Newsdealers And Booksellers As Expressmen By A. Jay Hertz ...... • . . . • ...... • ...... • • . . 33-36

Auction Action - By Robert Lewenthal ...... • ...... • • . • . . . . 3 7-44

Advertisements ...... 45-47

Supplement - Roster· Of Members - January 1, 19~0 48-57

P~EASE ADDRESS all communications intended 'for WESTERN EXPRESS to the Editor, M. C. Nathan, 94 Biscayne Dnve, San Rafael, 94901. Advertising copy and payment therefore should also be sent to the editor but inq~irie~ regarding membership should be sent to M. C. Nathan, Jr., Room 1010, 9 Sutter Street, San Franci,sco, Cahforn1a 94104. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 1 ------

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

We are about to enter a new decade and I would like to restate the objectives of the Western Cover Society.

First: To maintain and develop our Society as a national organization. There is intense interest in our fascinating subject throughout the entire country even though the subject happens to be provincially western.

Second: To carry on and extend our research activities.

Third: To develop and enlarge Western Express whenever possible so that all original source material submitted by our members may be permanent­

ly recorde d by our able Editor 1 Mel Nathan.

To be a member of this Society one must be greatly in trigued by the thrilling romance always associated with the courageous pioneer of the early west.

"Western Express" i s our showpiece and indicates that our organization wants facts and information instead of guesses and opinions. Through this journa l our

Society is contributing to the discovery of knowledge I the conserva tion of know­ le dge and the transmission of knowledge.

Editor Nathan has done an outstanding job in bringing "Western Express" to its

pre sent high state of development. His patience 1 intuition 1 imagination and instinct for teamwork all combine to produce a kind of theme - "putting knowledge to work".

Obviously, research demands patience 1 and that is a virtue belonging to the strong. The person who truly wants something does not grasp hastily. He carries on systematic inquiry and is grateful if he is able to draw aside a corner of the veil that hides the truth .

During the decade ahead let us rededicate ourselves to the principles of our Society. We are eager to disclose more and more original research findings through the pages of Western Express. We can if you will supply material directly to our Editor. There isn't a member who cannot contribute something worth while on his particular phase of our hobby. There isn't a member who doesn't enjoy reading such contributions. So let us join together and supply your fellow member with that which you know and he may not know.

As I have said before, c. s our members gather at shows, exhibitions and other meetings, keep in mind our Society and its aims. I am appointing each one of you an emissary to promote "Westerns" and the romance of western lore.

In order to have the general affairs of the Society run in a businesslike manner, I have appointed various standing committees.

May all your experiences during the coming year be rich and fruitful.

Basil C. Pearce WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 2 ------

EDITOR'S CORNER

Included with this issue is the new roster of members. The collecting interests of the members are indicated by a coded marking whenever the information is available from them . This data has become of value to the collector, the dealer member and particularly to the editor, as it enables him to determine the type of articles that will interest as many members as possible.

Speaking of "New", this is the first time in many years that there are no "New" members to report in the current issue . This is not a reflection on our alert membership committee. They are constantly trying to interest new candidates, but all of us should consider ourselves ex-officio members and work to get more collectors to join. In order to continue the progress that Western Express has made all during the years, and keep up the standard of the journal, we must have funds to pay for it. Only by signing up more members can we keep a pace with ever increasing costs.

I joyfully start the 14th year as editor with the Seasons Greetings to you all. ****************

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

CHANGES OF ADDRESS

#37 William C. Aichele, 1621 Cienega, Hollister, Ca . 95023 #118 R. B. Keusch, P.O.Box 2485, Greenville, N . C. 27834 #252 Yale Univ. Library, Attn. Mr. A. Hanna, New Haven, Conn. 06520 #256 Robert A. Hanson, 107 Estates Dr. , Orinda, Ca. 94563 #283 Dr. S. H. Dike, 1009BradburyDr. S.E., Albuquerque, N.Mex. 87106 #457 Cliff Horst Jr., P . O. Box 3478, Fremont, Ca. 94538 #458 Richard C. Wilkerson, P. 0 . Box 2142, Carmel, Ca. 93921 #466 Robert C. Kinne, 1619 Pas eo Del Cajon, Pleasanton, Ca. 94566 #492 Mrs. Emily Moorefield, P. O.Box 2066, Seal Beach, Ca . 90740 #502 George E. Hargest, 1700 - 45th Ave., Vero Beach, Fla. 32960

RESIGNATIONS # 98 Fred Faulstich, 3 7 Inwood St., Yonkers, N.Y. 10704

NECROLOGY

#71 Edward D. Cerruti. Our sincere sympathy to his family. WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 3

AVAILABLE BACK ISSUES OF WESTERN EXPRESS

Write to Mel C . Nathan, Jr. Sec'y 9 Sutter St. , San Francisco, CA 94104 Price $2.50 per is sue Year Volume # Issue# CoJ2ies on Hand June & September ... 1952 2 3 2 October & November II 2 4 1 July ...... 1953 3 3 2 January ...... •... .. 1954 4 1 3 October " ...... 1955 5 4 1 April ...... •. 1956 . 6 2 3 July ...... II 6 3 2 October ...... II 6 4 2 January ...... 1957 7 1 2 April • ...... •. II 7 2 3 October ...... " 7 4 3 July ...... 1958 8 3 2 October ...... II 8 4 6 April •...... 1959 9 2 8 July ...... II 9 3 2 October ...... II 9 4 8 October ...... 1961 11 4 6 January ...... 1962 12 1 8 or more April ...... II 12 2 " " II Oct ober ...... " 12 4 II II " April ...... •... 1963 12 2 4 July ...... 1964 14 3 1 October ...... II 14 4 2 January ...... 1965 15 1 7 Apri l ...... II 15 2 1 July ...... II 15 3 8 or more October ...... II 15 4 II " " April ...... 1966 16 2 II " II II July ...... 16 3 II II " II October ...... 16 4 II " " April ...... 1967 17 2 II " " July ...... 17 3 " II October ...... " 17 4 II II II January ....•...... 1968 18 1 II II II II April ...... 18 2 " I " July ...... " 18 3 October ...... " 18 4 II II January ...... 1969 19 1 " " April ... . •...... " 19 2 " • ;I " July ...... 19 3 II II " October ...... 19 4 " " WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 4

CORAVILLE, DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE By (the late) H. Parker Johnson *

Editor's Note: This article appeared in the Colorado Magazine 1 XXIV (January 1 1947) pp. 37 - 43. Through the courtesy of the State Historical Society of Colorado written permission has been extended to David L. Jarrett to have the article reprinted in Western Express.

The discovery of the envelope herein illustrated and postmarked

"Coraville, K.T. 1 June 22" (1859) leads to this recording of an obscure but interesting chapter in the postal history of our early period.

A CoraviZZe, K.T. straight"line handstamp, originaUy on a strip of three 1¢ 1857s.

Our early gold seekers have been described as a heterogeneous lot coming from all walks of life and from all professions from lawyers to gamblers; however 1 all those that came here were anxious to establish communication with the outside world. In those days communication meant the United States mails I or express service 1 for there were no telephones or telegraph.

*Mr. Johnson is a member of this society and is a collector of such

Colorado historical items as old envelopes 1 railroad time tables and passes 1 and books. His collection of Colorado Ghost Town and Express Company covers is pro­ bably the most extensive in existence. Mr. Johnson is Deputy State Bank Com­ missioner. - Ed. WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 5

CORAVILLE I DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE (Cont'd)

The nearest post office was some 200 miles to the north 1 at F.ort Laramie I and the 58ers at first were dependent on anyone going or coming from that remote post office to carry the mail. Finally an old trapper named Jim Saunders was persuaded

to carry the mails from the Cherry Creek towns of Denver City 1 Auraria (the West

Denver of today) and Montana City to Fort Laramie. On November 23 1 1858 1 the

first trip was made 1 which was completed January 9 1 1859. The "Saunders Express" charged SO¢ per letter carried and history records his arrival back in Denver as a signal for celebration and rejoicing. The 50¢ charge for letters was apparently

of no great importance 1 due to the eagerness of the miners to receive letters and news ftom home. Saunders made several other trips before Jones & Russell got their Lr avenworth and Pike's Pea~:press company into operation.

' .

Leav'n City & Pikes Peak/Express Co. handstamped frank, 1859. Collection of David L. Jarrett.

As we shall note later on in this story 1 the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Co . and the Cora ville Post Office are closely allied 1 thus it is important to record here a short sketch of this Express Company 1 which later on was to become the operator of the famous "." The freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell had long been active in freighting throughout the far West and had WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 6 ------CORAVILLE, DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE (Cont'd)

been carrying freight and supplies to the army posts in Utah during the Mormon rebellion. Russell was by nature visionary and a speculator. He had been im­ pressed with the stories of the gold discoveries around Cherry Creek in the fall of 1858 and foresaw a great rush to the ne w Eldorado after the passing of winter. He conceived the idea of establishing an express company to run from the Missouri River to the Pike's Peak gold region and tried to sell the idea to his partners, who were pessimistic over the financial possibilities unless a mail contract could be made with the government. Russell went to Washington to endeavor to get a mail contract but was unsucce ssful, due mainly to the fact that the Postmaster General in those days was one A. V. Brown, a Southern sympathizer who wanted to link any communication system with the West through Southern territory rather than through Central or Northern. However, Russell was given the exclusive right to carry the mails to and from the Missouri River and the gold fields and the post- rna ster at Leavenworth, Kansas, was instructed to turn over the mails destined for the Rockies to the Express Company when established. With no mail subsidy, Majors and Waddell refused to join Russell in the enterprise, so Russell interested another freighter by the name of John S . Jones and together they busied themselves during the rest of the winter and early spring in preparing and equipping the express

company, which entailed an expenditure of over $100 1 000 . It was a large enter­ prise as stage lines went.

The mails in the me ~ ~while were brought to the embryonic towns at most irregular

intervals and at excessive fees 1 which resulted in demands of the people that the government establish a regular U. S. Mail. This was just what Jones & Russell wanted and were preparing to provide . About this time an obscure and almost mean­ ingless news item under the date line of Washington, March 2 8, 1859 appeared and read as follows:

"A Post Office has been established at CORAVILLE 1 in the Pike's Peak

Region and Mathias Snyder 1 formerly of Virginia 1 has been appointed postmaster. A contract for a daily mail to Cora ville has been given to Major Ben McCullough and B. K. ficklin. The contract for carry­ ing the mail from Leavenworth to Coraville Pike's Peak Region was made under the Act of 1825 authorizing the establishment of Special Post Offices to be sustained from their net proceeds and such is the arrange ment in this case, that the compensation is in no event to ex­ ceed $500 per annum . If the post route bill had passed and the con­ tract made under it, this service would have cost $30,000 to $40,000 a ye ar. The contractors will be mainly compensated for their outlay in the carrying of passengers . " 1 Note 1

Obviously, the establishment of the Coraville post office under these terms was absurd, and needless to say McCullough & Ficklin never carried the mails under such terms, which leads to the query as to why such a post office was established and who was responsible?

Note 1 Quoted from Rocky Mountain News of May 7, 1859 . The Post Office Department in Washington has verified the facts contained in this news item with the statement, "The Post Office of Coraville Kansas

Territory, was established March 22 1 18 59, with Mathias Snyder 1 J;. 1 as post­ master. He served until his successor Richard Edes was appointed April 22 1 1 1

1859. Office was discontinued June 25 1 1859 . " WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 7

CORAVILLE 1 DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE (Cont'd) As stated earlier in this article, the records and history surrounding the Coraville post office was obscure 1 thus the answers to the questions are mainly a matter of conjecture. In arriving at an opinion there is one premise to start on 1 namely 1 that any post office in order to operate and be of service is dependent upon trans­ portation by which mails can be sent and received. In this case there was no means of carrying the mails the 600 odd miles between the Cherry Creek towns and the Missouri River 1 which was across lands that were uncharted 1 and totally uninhabited for a large portion of the way except by Indians. As far as thE: post office was concerned there not only was no means of getting the mails transported but no posibility of being able to contract for such transportation in view of the fact that transportation expenditures would have to be paid from the receipts of the office I which would be wholly inadequate to interest anyone in making a con­ tract for such work. Thus it appears that the Coraville office was established for some reason other than for practical usage. This conclusion brings us back to the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Company, which was still i n the pro­ cess of being organized. Russell had been unsuccessful in negotiating a mail contract, which meant that his Express Company would have to carry the mail as express matter and make a charge for it at a figure considerably in excess of the three cent postal rate. The people in the area were asking for a regular U . S. Mail thus Russell doubtless reasoned that "window dressing" in the form of a regularly established post office would add the necessary "officialdom 11 to his private en­ terprise if used in conjunction therewith. The Express Company's charge of 25¢ a letter could be more easily explained to the people if it came from "official post office sources II as representing the cost of transportation which was not otherwise provided by the Post Office Department.

In the meantime Spring had come, and to the Rockies flocked gold seekers by the thousands - the Pike's Peak or Bust rush of the Spring of '59 was under way and Jones and Russell had guessed right. They had been able to get their equipment of fifty-two Concord stage coaches and 800 horses and mules; they had charted their course through northern Kansas and across the Great American Desert and on

May 7 I 1859 I the first coach bringing mail and passengers arrived in Denver City. Its arrival was met with great acclaim and celebration; it was in fact, one of the outstanding event s of our early history.

The Coraville post office was located in and apparently operated as a part of the

L. & P. P. stage office 1 which was located on what is now 14th and Larimer Streets. An example of how this post office operated is illustrated by the following recordings taken from the diary of Charles C. Post as he arrived in the Pike ' s Peak region via the Arkansas River route . The entry was dated June 2 7, 1859 and reads:

We came to town at half past eight o'clock . We left the main road and came down Cherry Creek bank and crossed to Auraria on west side. We were very much disappointed to find so large and flourishing

towns 1 we saw lots of men, women and children all busy and apparent- ly as contented as people are in Decatur. What a great and sudden change 1 eight months ago not a single tent or habitation had been seen

on the town sites; now a moving 1 living and energetic people are building WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 8 ------CORAVILLE, DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE (Cont'd)

a great metropolis. I broke to the post office (meaning Auraria); no letter. Went to Denver and at the CORAVILLE post office found six letters, thirty cents each and four newspapers at ten cents each; so much for Jones & Russell's U.S . Mail contract. (Mis­ statement for L . & P. P. did not operate · under a mail contract.) Well I was glad to get the letters and did not judge the money a t all. . .. 2

Thus far we have seen no evidence that the Coraville Post Office ever acted in its normal capacity of a post office by permitting dispatch of letters at the established postal rate of 3¢. Illustrated, however, is a cover which was post­ marked Cora ville, K. T., June 22, 18593, and apparently mailed and carried at the regular 3¢ rate . (One of the stamps has been removed and lost, although a por­ tion of its postmark cancellation remains.) How did such an envelope come into being if the Coraville office had no means of dispatching other than through the facilities of the L. & P . P. Express Co., at express rates of 25¢? The answer to this lies in a peculiar series of mistakes based on misinformation received by J. N. Fox, the Denver general agent of the express company .

It was soon evident that the receipts of the Express Company were not sufficient to meet the high operating costs, so Russell again renewed his efforts to secure a mail subsidy. The mails to were under contract to Hockaday & Leggi tt for $130,000 per annum. Those operators were likewise having fi nancial diffi culties and the service they were rendering the Mormon colony was poor. Russell concluded that the L. & P . P. could successfully handle the Salt Lake run in conjunction with the Denver route; that the mail contract a t $130,000 would aid his finances, and that by handling the Salt Lake mail he would be in a

Note 2 The entry from Post's diary was taken from Sou thwest Historical Serie s, XI, 53-54, edited by Le Roy R. Hafen . Mention is made of a post office in Auraria NVest Denver of today). It is true that a post office was established there but was short- lived due to the fact that they had no means of transporting the mails other than the L. & P. P. Express and at express rates of 2 5¢ . This is another story and will be written u p a t a later date.

Note 3 "K. T." means Kansas Te rritory, which was used in the postmark because Denver was in the Territory of Kansas in 1859. Colorado Territory was not establish­ e d until February, 1861.

It is important to note that Mr. Po st paid 30 cents for each letter received This charge was made from 25 cents express charges plus 5 cents for advertising undelivered let ters. The Rocky Mountain News carried lists of letters advertised as undeliverable because the addressee was unknown to the Express Company. This also shows that the main function of the Coraville P. 0. was to hold such tin­ deliverable letters i n official U . S. P. 0. capacity. It also indicates the close re­ lationship between the Express Co. and the Cora ville P . 0. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 9 ------CORAVILLE, DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE {Cont'd) favorable position to obtain an additional contract for a branch line to the gold regi ons. With these plans in mind, he purchased the Salt Lake contract, includ­ ing all express equipment, in late May, 18 59, for $144,000 I and immediately moved the course of the route to the Platte River. The Denver office was informed of the mail contract and the change of route and Mr . Fox, the manager , concluded that the mails would henceforth be carried as U. S . Mails at the 3¢ rate and not as express matter. 4

The Coraville post office immediately became a dispatching office instead of an office used merely to hold letters not deliverable by the Express Company and to adverti se such letters. Three mails originating in the gold regions were dis patched East as U. S. Mail and carried in the coaches of the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak

Express Co. The letters sent thus were postmarked "Cora ville K. T . II and were sent for the regular 3¢ rate. As soon as the Leavenworth office noticed the mail coming through in this manner they immediately advised Mr. Fox of the Denver Office that a mail contract had not been secured for the mails originating in the gold regions and that henceforth mail should be sent as express matter. Mr. Fox attempted to inform the people of the region through the Rocky Mountain News and in the July 8, 185 9, issue, his statements were carried to the effect that he, Fox, had contemplated that the mail would go as regular U . S . Mail for 3¢ and believed that arrangements had been so effected. After three mails had been dis­ patched i n this manner he was informed that a mail contract from Denver had not been granted and then the L. & P. P . was forced to go back to the 25¢ express rate.

Thi s c over was one of the few mailed during that short period . It is of course a very rare item and is the only one known to exist today.

Di scouraged by his inability to obtain a mail contract for the Pike's Peak Region, Russell concluded that the Coraville Post Office had served its purpose. In a Rocky Mountain News item in the issue of July 23, 1859, appeared the statement :

"We understand that the Coraville Post Office has been discontinued .. . . II This bri ngs to a close the story of Denver's first post office - a government agency used

Note 4 Another reason that doubtless influenced Mr .Fox in concluding thus was the fact that he was under considerable pressure from the people to have his Express Company carry the mails at regular 3-cent postal rates. The Rocky

Mountain News of July 8 1 1859, editorialized at considerable length on the subject of mail rates and printed various letters written in protest about the mails. In one letter written by a group of miners they ask, How is it that the postmaster of Coraville i s also the postmaster of Denver City and as such charge s 2 5 cents extra for let ters going to the States and 30 cents for those coming out and at the same time is an employee of the Express Company? 11 This again bears out the close re­ lationship between the Express Company and the Coraville P.O. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 10

CORAVILLE 1 DENVER'S FIRST POST OFFICE (Cont'd)

for the benefit of a private enterprise. However 1 it may be said in favor of the Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Co. that it formed the only real link between the gold region and the nearest established towns which were along the Missouri River . The owners lost a fortune in bringing the mails when the Express Company should have been granted a subsidy in the same manner as the Butterfield Company which served the California area. The L. & P . P . continued to bring the mails to Denver I Auraria and the newly formed mountain towns even at a financial loss until

early 1860 . Denver was without a post office until August 1 1860 1 and in the mean­

time was served by privately owned express companies 1 the Central Overland California & Pike's Peak Express Co. (this company was the L. & P. P. reorgan­ ized) and by the competing Western Stage Lines over which ran the messengers of Hinckley's Express Company.

~e Central Overland California (sio) & Pke's Peak Express Company~ Denver C~ty K.T. frank on oover originating at Mountain City in 1861. Co~~ection ,----.._ of David L. Jarrett. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 11 ------· • SURVIVING CORAVILLE K. T . COVERS

By David L . Jarrett

To my knowledge there are only four Coraville covers existing, one manuscript marking and three straightline handstamps. Of the three straight- line townmarks, there are two distinct types, one with the spelling "Coravill" and two with the spelling "Coraville. ·" It is interesting to note that one of

"Coraville" types was used on the same day as the "Coravill" type.

They are all great territorial classics and are companion pieces to the more famous but more common Auraria K. T . straightlines. The four known

Coravilles are as follows:

1. 11 Coraville KT . June 8t paid 3 cts 11 (1859) in mss. on a stamp1ess,

forwarded cover. Illustrated in Western Express on January 1951.

Collection Paul Rohloff.

2 . "CORAVILL. K. T/JUNE 17 11 (1859) in two straightlines and a

large "PAID 3" on a stampless. Illustrated in Samuel C . Paige's

Darlington December 1956 sale, lot #365. Sold for $775 to Robert Baughman.

3. "CORAVILLE . K. T/ JUNE 17" (1859) in two straightlines on a

3¢ 1857 adhesive. Tracing illustrated in Postal Markings on

May 20, 1934, p . 294, as a part of the Stephen D. Brown collec-

tion . Sold i n the Brown sale (Harmer, Rooke & Co. , Ltd. October

31, 1939, lot# 835) for $17 . 00 to 11 Lawrence," according to a

marked catalog in the Collectors Club library. Present owner

unknown.

4. "CORAVILLE . K. T/JUN 22" (1859) on two 1¢1857 adhesives

(one missing). Ex Chase , H. Parker Johnson (illustrated) . WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 12 ------

"STEAM" MARKINGS ON MAIL TO SAN FRANCISCO IN 1864 - 187 5 By W . Scott Polland M . D .

Illustrations :!!:I 1 II 1 III and IV show a variety of hand stamp markings of Steam­

Panama I Acapulco 1 Mazatlan and Manzanillo; used in the 1864 - 187 5 period.

Those from Panama are the most common, those from Acapulco are fairly scarce 1 those from Mazatlan are rare 1 and those from Manzanillo are very rare. Now what do they mean?

IUustration #1 Author's CoUeation

I Uustration #11 Author's Collection WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 13

"STEAM" MARKINGS ON MAIL TO SAN FRANCISCO IN 1864 - 1875 (Cont'd)

IUustration #111 Author's Collection

Illustration #IV Author's Collection

According to Ashbrook the word Steam 1 which was evidently used by many places 1 meant exactly as the word Way, except that the carrying agent was on a steam train, or steam boat. In other words Steam cancellations are merely a subdivision of Way cancellations. After the Act of March 3, 1863, Way fees were abolished and this applied to all carriers on a mail route; so that these markings had no monetary significance. It is my opinion that these marks were applied either by WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 14 ------"STEAM" MARKINGS ON MAIL TO SAN FRANCISCO IN 1864- 1875 (Cont'd)

the San Francisco Post Office 1 or by the captain 1 or his agent on a Panama Mail steamer on mail handed to him at various ports on the Pacific Coast where Pacific

Mail steamers were known to stop 1 either to take on passengers I cargo or to refuel. If the former, the captain upon receipt of the letter later identified it at the San Francisco Post Office as to its origin, and it was then struck with the

I proper marking. On the other hand 1 if each boat had its own set of hand stamps they would have had to be identical, as I have seen no variation in the strikes on the envelopes. It seems reasonable to believe that each type came from indi­ vidual hands tamps which were probably applied at the San Francisco Post Office 1 after proper identification of the l etter by the captain, or his agent .

The most common marking of those illustrated would be where the greatest amount of mail was brought 1 and this would be Panama. On the back of Illustration #I are markings showing that this letter originated in Callao 1 Peru.

One of the main stops of the Pacific Mail steamers between Panama and San Fran­ cisco was Acapulco, because of its wonderful harbor and coaling station. Illus­ tration #II shows a letter originating there . Note that beca use of this mark, "Steam Acapulco" the San Francisco Post Office claimed a Due 7 to makz the prope" rate. Without this mark 1 it would have gone for a 3¢ fee.

Mazatlan also had a good harbor and coaling station where steamers could refuel. Illustration #III shows a letter originating at this port and rated collect 10.

The rarest of all these markings is "Steam Manzanillo". Manzanillo was a small hn.rbor 1 but had a coaling station 1 and also was the center of a rich silver mining industry. The letter is unusual in that it originated in Hava~a 1 Cuba 1 'lnd must have been taken originally to Manzanillo 1 by error 1 and remailed privately.

In conclusion it seems to me that these markings show not only the route 1 but also the source of the letter 1 and that these letters were picked up by contract mail vessels and handstamped either by the captain of the steamer-or by the San Francisco Post Office. WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 15 ------

THE TRUMAN EXPRESSES

by Burton W . Cohoon

All information in this article relating to the expresses was obtained from J . C . Truman's diaries for the years 1863 and 1864 . The Pomona Public Library is the depository for some 3 5 diaries kept by Truman from 1856 to 1913.

Thrilling stories have been told of the many expresses that operated in California beginning in the gold rush days . There were expresses that were carried by stage coaches 1 pony expresses 1 pack mule expresses and a snowshoe express but pro­ bably the first express in California that used a railroad for transportation was the Truman express that carried express matter on the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad in 1864 .

James Christopher Truman was born June 12 1 1841 at Butternuts 1 Otsego County I

New York. He was a school teacher at 16 and was married June 6 1 1863 at New

York City to Serena Wilbur of Fall River 1 Massachusetts.

Truman and his bride of five months arrived in San Francisco November 27 I 1863 on .the steamship Golden City from Panama . After trying to make a living selling bibles and history books door-to-door he got a job at Redwood City making shingles . While there he became interested in the railroad that was being built between San Francisco and San Jose . Shortly after the railroad was completed in January I 1864 he conceived the idea of operating an express on the line serving all of the towns along the right of way. His plan was to have a messenger ride the train each way so that a round trip could be made every day. The regular train schedule aided his plan as the train left San Jose 7:10am. and arrived San Francisco 9:20 am . In the afternoon the train left San Francisco 4 pm . arriving in San Jose at 6:10 pm . During most of his operation the family lived in San Mateo and when Truman acted as messenger his wife met him at the station.

He discussed his plans for the express with Mr. Houston of the railroad who agreed to carry the messenger for $17.50 per week . Truman planned to have dray­ age service in San Francisco and San Jose and to have agents in the towns along the railroad. On February 9 he bought 500 prepaid envelopes in San Francisco for $16 . 00 and took them to a Mr. Stenet to be printed. {While he does not say so these are undoubtedly the envelopes showing "J. C . Truman's Express" in the corner card). On this date he also ordered a sign painted for his San Francisco office which he had not yet established. While talking with businessmen in connec­ tion with his planned express, he was told that Wells 1 Fargo were going to put him out of business. Item in diary for February 9: "Heard that Wells 1 Fargo & Company were going to s top the express . Let 'em. ! "

On February 10 he began establishing offices along the route of the railroad. He opened agencies in Belmont 1 San Mateo, Redwood City and Searsville . On the same day he talked with a Mr. Grip at Woodside as a possible agent there . On February 13 he learned that Mr. Grip had started an express in competition with him! WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 16

THE TRUMAN EXPRESSES (Cont'd)

On February 12 he opened an office in Santa Clara with J. H. Cameron as agent. On the same day he opened an office in San Jose with A. Waldteufel agent and hired a Mr. Wells to do teaming for him in that city. In Santa Clara he had a talk with Mr. Chapman about a partnership with him after the 7th of March.

February 13 he opened his San Francisco office at 34 Montgomery Street and ordered 250 envelopes printed. On that date he delivered his first express letter to San Francisco. On February 16 he took Mr. Chapman for a partner and the company name was changed to Truman & Chapman's Express. On the following day Mr. Chapman said he would give $50 if he was out of the express business! On February 18 he established an agency at Almaden Mines.

On March 1 he bought 1, 000 prepaid envelopes (these were probably imprinted "Truman & Chapman's Express"). March 18 his diary shows "Made up my mind to quit the business." March 22 he considered buying Dougherty & Martin Express but decided not to.

Extracts from his diary give a colorful picture of his express:

April 1 Removed office to 3 04 Montgomery Street April 8 Mr. Polk wants to go in partnership with us. April 30 Total receipts to this date $762 .16. Total expenses paid $684.00. Aug. 23 Appointed Captain Fagg agent at Redwood City . Sept. 12 Made arrangement to carry the mails to and from the railroad at this city (San Francisco) at $100 per month. Sept. 2 8 Wrote my bid for carrying the mail dated the 29th. Sept. 30 I engaged to carry the mail for the railroad company both here and in San Jose at $150 per month in legal tender commencing tomorrow morning. Oct. 1. The cars changed time of running. Commenced carrying the mail. Took the oath, etc. Truman had been negotiating with a Mr. Gould who wanted to buy the business from him. Oct. 20 Got a memorandum of mail contract from railroad company. Mr. Gould paid me $500 in U.S. gold coin towards the express business. Oct. 24 Mr. Gould commenced operations today. Oct. 25 Wells, Fargo & Co . threaten to leave the road. Oct. 28 Had a talk with Mr. Houston and Postmaster Perkins regarding express letters. Oct. 29 Visited Mr. McWilliams of Fast Freight Express. Advised Gould to remove the express office to corner of Front and Washington. Oct. 31 I saw McWilliams in regard to the express business between this point and Portland. Nov. 20 Truman & Chapman's ~opartnership dissolution appeared in the morning Call this morning. Nov. 21 Changed the name of the express to Grumont Company. So ended Truman's venture into the express business. He had much trouble with his partner Chapman and many problems with other e mployees so he was overjoyed to get out of the business but he left his mark in the pages of philatelic history by reason of the few covers that have been rescued from oblivion and now grace the pages of collectors of express material. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 17

ILLUSTRATIONS OF TRUMAN'S EXPRESS FRANKS

Courtesy of B . C • Pearce WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 18 ------

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II

By Richard W. Helbock

CLATSOP COUNTY

Post Office Page # Post Office Page #

Ahlers 29-3 0 Je well 22 Astoria 18-19 Kindred 28 Barbra 27-28 Knappa 21 Ben Holladay 26 Lexington 19 Cannon Beach 27 Lower As tori a 20 Chadwell 24- 25 Medley 25 Clatsop 28-29 Melville 26 Clifton 21-22 Mishawaka 23 Denver 25 Olney 22 Elsie 28 Port Clatsop 19 Push 31 Fern Hill 24 Seaside 25 Flavel (1) 29 Seaside House 21 Flavel (2) 30 Skipanon 20 Fort Clatsop 23 Summer House 21 Fort Stevens 30- 31 Svensen 29 Gearhart 30 Upper As tori a 23 Graham 24 Vesper 24 Grand Ra!)ids 28 Vinemaple 27 Hammond 30 Warrenton 27 Hare 26- 2 7 Westport 2 0 Hopkins 2 6 Wise 29

Clatsop County was formed from Clatsop District which was created by the pro­ visional legislature in an act passed June 22 1 1844. The county is named for the Clatsop Tribe I a group of Chinook Indians who lived at the mounth of the and ranged as far down the coast as Tillamook Head. Clatsop Cou nty has a land area 820 square miles and is located in the extreme northwest corner of the state.

ASTORIA. Established March 9, 1847. Astoria was the first American post office to be established on the Pacific Coast. The town was named for of New York, who had organized the Pacific Fur Company which established the first commercial settlement of Americans on the Pacific Coast in 1811. Astoria is located on a peninsula between the Columbia River to the north and Youngs Bay to the south in township 8 north 1 range 9 west. WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 19

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II (Cont 'd)

19th Century Postmasters: John M. Shively; John Adair, Nov. 8, 1849; Butler Anderson, Nov. 11, 1850; Samuel A. Seymore, June 27, 1852; Truman P. Powers, June 28, .1858; Adam VanDusen, March 5, 1859; Charles L. Parker , May 28, 1861; William Chance, Dec. ll, 1873; John C. Bell, Jan. 20, 1886; John H. D. Gray, Jan. 20, 1890; James W. Hare, May 16, 1890; Herman Wise, May 8, 1894; Charles McDonald, July 19, 1898.

Status: The Astoria post office is currently operating; ZIP code - . 97103.

Relative Scarcity of Astoria Postmark Dates: 1847-1852T ----- ** 1853-1859T ----- 50.0 1859-1865 ----- 21.0 1866-1867 ----- 13.0 1868-1869 ----- 12.0 1870-1873 ----- 10.5 1874-1875 ----- 8.5 1876-1889 ----- 6.0 1890-1899 ----- 2.0

LEXINGTON. Established November 28, 1850. Lexington was the name of an early post office located on the west shore of Youngs Bay near the southern limits of the present day town ofWarrenton in township 8 north, range 10 west.

19th Century Postmasters: David E. Pease; Fernando Sweezey, April 3, 1856; Alexander C. Wirt, Aug. 16, 1857.

Status: Lexington was not in operation between February 24, 1853, and April 3, 1856. The office was discontinued September 18, 1857 .

Relative Scarcity of Lexington Postmark Dates: 1850-1853T ----- ** 1856-1857T----- **

PORT CLATSOP. Established March 10, 1852. A certain amount of confusion surrounds the name of this office. Postal records indicate the form PORT, but Lewis A. McArthur points out the fact that the first postmaster was known to be an early resident of Fort Clatsop. The discrepancy may never be cleared up unless a cover from this early office i s discovered. Whichever style was actually used by this early office, it was probably located at the site of Fort Clatsop which is about three-quarters of a mile south of the Oregon Coast Highway and west of the Lewis and Clark River.

19th Century Postmasters: Thomas W. Shane; Franklin D. Shane, Feb. 18, 1854.

Status: Port Clatsop post office was discontinued February 15, 1855.

Relative Scarcity of Port Clatsop Postmark Dates: 1852-1855T ----- ** WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 20 ------NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II (Cont'd)

LOWER ASTORIA. Established January 17, 1857. Lower Astoria post office was a short-lived establishment which was located probably a very short distance down river from the original Astoria post office.

19th Century Postmasters: Joseph Jeffries.

Status: Lower Astoria was closed April 2 1 1858.

Relative Scarcity of Lower Astoria Postmark Dates: 1857-1858T ----- **

WESTPORT. Established December 18 1 1863. Westport was named for John West, who settled there in about 1850 and eventually operated a sawmill and salmon cannery which provided the bulk of the employment in the town. Westport is located on Plympton Creek less than a mile from its junction with the Columbia River in township 8 north, range 6 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Silas B. Plympton: John West 1 April 2 5, 1864; David West, Jan. 26, 1889.

Status: Westport post office was converted to a rural station of the Clatskanie post office in 1950. It is currently operating as such.

Relative Scarcity of Westport Postmark Dates: 1863-1865 -----65.0 1866-1869 -----55 . 0 1870-1871 -----45.0 1872-1873 -----28.0 1874-1875 - ----22 . 5 1876-1887 -----15.0 1888-1899 ----- 9.0

SKIPANON. Established August 8 1 1870. Skipanon was a simplification of the Clatsop Indian name Skippernawin, which is said to have referred to a point at the mouth of the Sldpanon River. The Skipanon post office operated in the same area that the Lexington office, and later the Warrenton office did on the west shore of Youngs Bay.

19th Century Postmasters: David E. Pease; George W. Siferte 1 Feb. 17, 1876;

Eveline Siferte 1 Aug. 19 1 1881; Orner B. Wirt,June 20 1 1899.

Status: Skipanon post office was discontinued April 23 1 1903 1 mail to Warrenton. Rei ative Scarcity of Skipanon Postmark Dates: 1870-1873 ----- 60.0 1874-1875 ----- 55.0 1876-1877 ----- 45 . 0 1878-1879 ---- - 36.0 1880-1881 - ---- 20.5 1882-1885 ----- 15.0 1886-1891 ----- 10.5 1892-1894 ----- 12.0 1895-1899 ----- 17.5 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 21

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II (Cont'd )

SUMMER HOUSE. Established December 1 1 1871 . It seems that Summer House 1 or

as the community is presently known 1 Seaside 1 has always been somewhat of a resort area . The name of the first post office in the community certainly reflects this characteristic. Summer House post office was located near the Necanicum

River in township 6 north I range 10 west.

19th Century Postmasters: A. J, Clontire.

Status: The name of this office was change d to Seaside House July 23 I 1873 .

Re lative Scarcity of Summer House Postmark Dates: 1871-1873 -----60.0

I KNAPP A. Establishe d June 2 7 1 1872. Knappa was named for Aaron Knapp 1 Jr. a pioneer settler and the community's first postmaster. The post office was

located near the bank of Columbia River across from Karlson Island in section 8 1

township 8 north 1 range 7 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Aaron Knapp 1 Jr.; Phoebe F. Knapp 1 June 30 1 1892.

Status: Knappa post office was discontinued in April 1943 1 mail to Astoria. Relative Scarcity of Knappa Postmark Dates: 1872-1873 -----60.0 1874-1875 -----27 . 5 1876-1881 -----21.0 1882- 1887 -----14.0 1888-1899 ----- 8. 0

SEASIDE HOUSE. Established July 23, 1873 1 by change of name from Summer House . The name of this office was changed to call attention to Ben Holladay's famous resort hotel I the Seaside House . See Summer House for locational information.

I 19th Century Postmasters: Charles H . Dexter; Samuel K. Stanley 1 Nov. 16 187 4; Charles H. Bacon I Aug. 3 I 1881; · James P. Austin Feb. 15 1882. 1 1

Status: On March 29 I 1882 the name of this office was changed to Seaside. Relative Scarcity of Seaside House Postmark Dates: 1873-1882 ----- 60 .0

CLIFTON. Established January 6 1 187 4 . Clifton is a descriptive name referring to the steep cliffs above the Columbia River at this site. The post office was located near the bank of the Columbia across from Tenasillahe Is land in section

51 township 8 north 1 range 6 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Vincent Cook; James 0. Spencer April 14 1897. 1 1 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 22 ------NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II (Cont'd)

Status: Clifton post office was converted to a rural station of the Clatskanie office

prior to 1960 I and discontinued September 30 1 1966.

Relative Scarcity of Clifton Postmark Dates: 1874-1875 ----- 37.5 1876-1881 ----- 25 . 0 1882-1887 ----- 20.0 1888-1893 ----- 12.0 1894-1899 ----- 9.0

JEWELL. Established December 23 1 1874. This post office was named for Marshall Jewell, postmaster general of the United States from 1874 to 1876. Jewell post office was located on Fishhawk Creek about a mile from its junction with the Nehalem River in section 11, township 5 north, range 7 west.

19th Century Postmasters: William K. Kirkpatrick; John W. Hobson 1 Dec. 8, 1875;

Isaac N. Foster, May 26, 1876; 'James W. Walker, Dec. 10 1 1887; Charles A.

Bottom, Oct. 27 I 1888, Isaac N. Foster 1 July 17, 1889; Flora Robbins, June 19, 1890; GeorgeS. Burkhead, July 21, 1892; Charles A. Bottom, July 20, 1893; William

H. Servis, May 28 1 1895; William A. Foster, Nov. 29, 1898.

Status: The Jewell post office was converted to a rural station of the Seaside

office in fiscal year 1964 1 and finally discontinued June 16, 1967. Relative Scarcity of Jewell Postmark Dates: 1874-1877 - ---- 65.0 1878-1880 ----- 60 . 0 1881 - 1883 ----- 50.0 1884-1885 ----- 35.0 1886-1887 ----- 24.0 1888-1891 ----- 30.0 1892-1899 - ---- 16.0

OLNEY. Established March 12, 187 5. This community was named for Cyrus Olney 1 supreme justice of from 1853 to 1857. Olney post offi ce was located near the Klaskanie River about two miles above its junction with Youngs River in township 7 north, range 9 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Mrs. Mary A. Gray; Christian Peterson 1 Jan. 31, 1882;

M. Leahy, May 18, 1887; Christian Peterson, Aug. 6 1 1887; Frederick Olson,

July 2 1 1895.

Status: Olney post office was discontinued during t he fourth quarter of 1950.

Relative Scarcity of Olney Postmark Dates: 1875-1887 ----- &0.0 1888-1889 ----- 50.0 1890-1897 ----- 22.5 1898- 1899 - ---- 15.0

\ WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 23

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II (Cont'd)

FORT CLATSOP. Established March 8, 1876 . The establishment of the Fort Clatsop post office may have be en a re-establishment, but Post Office Department records do not so indicate . It i s assumed here, however, that the offices called Port Clatsop and Fort Clatsop served the same area. See PORT CLATSOP for locational information.

19th Century Postmasters: William H . Smith; Louisa Stevenson, May 10, 1880 .

Status: The Fort Clatsop post office was discontinue d September 2 8, 1881.

Relative Scarcity of Fort Clatsop Postmark Dates: 1876-1879 --- -- 65.0 1880-1881 ----- 60 .0

UPPER ASTORIA . Established March 19, 1877. Upper Astoria post office was about a mile and a half east, or upstream, from the central part of Astoria, and its name was obviously descriptive.

19th Century postmasters: Christian Leinenweber; William H. Shields, Aug . 5, 1878; Truman P. Powers, March 4, 1879; James Bell, Jan . 21, 1886.

Status: The Upper Astoria post office was not in operation between July 9, 1878, and August 5, 1878; and between November 17, 1879, and January 21, 1886 . The office finally closed September 17, 1886.

Relative Sc:arcity of Upper Astoria Postmark Dates: 1877-1878 - - --- 60.0 1879 ------21.0 1886 ------55 .0

MISHAWAKA . Established March 26, 1878. This office was apparently named for Mishawaka, Indiana, but the reason behind that choice is not known. The post office was located near the Nehalem River not far east of the present community of Elsie in township 5 north, range 7 west.

19th Century Postmaste rs: James F . Kimberlin; Mrs . Minerva J. Kimberlin, Dec. 4 , 1882, Jeremiah J. Lynch, Sept. 23, 1884 .

Status: The Mishawaka post office was discontinued March IS, 1901, papers to Vinemaple.

Relative Scarcity of Mishawaka Postmark Dates: 1878-1879 ----- 60.0 1880- 1883 ----- 55.0 1884-1887 - ---- 40.0 1888- 1889 ---- - 33 . 0 1890-1891 --- -- 17 . 5 1892-1897 ---- - 20.0 1898- 1899 --- -- 30.0 WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 24 ------NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES- II (Cont'd)

VESPER. Established January 30, 1879. Vesper post office is said to have been named by its first postmaster for the evening star. The office operated in the Nehalem River Valley near the Clatsop-Columbia border. In fact, the Vesper post office shifted between Clatsop and Columbia Counties depending upon the residence of the current postmaster.

19th Century Postmasters: WilliamJohnston,Samue1 T . Gosa, Aug. 1, 1879; Charles J. Lindell, October 3, 1884; Charles J . Lindell, April 1, 1886; John Sherbeck, June

14, 1888; Charles J. Lindell, June 22 1 1890; Ella A. Carl, Nov. 29, 1895 .

Status: Vesper post office was operated in Columbia County between April!, 1880, and July 10, 1884, and between January 2, 1885 1 and April 1, 1886. Between July

10, 1884, and October 3 1 1884, the office did not function . Vesper post office was discontinued November 20, 1919, mail to Birkenfeld.

Relative Scarcity of Vesper Postmark Dates: 1879-1885 ----- 65 . 0 1886-1889 - ---- 50 . 0 1890-1891 ----- 40 . 0 1892-1895 ----- 22.0 1896-1897 ----- 10 . 5 1898-1899 - - --- 7 . 5

FERN HILL. Established October 24 1 1879 . This office name was undoubtedly descriptive of the heavy fern growth in the northwest corner of Oregon. Fern Hill post office was located about 8 miles east of Astoria near the Columbia i n the western part of township 8 north, range 8 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Mrs . Mary A. Dennis .

Status: Fern Hill post office was discontinued April 11 1881. Relative Scarcity of Fern Hill Postmark Dates: 1879-1881 --- -- 65.0

GRAHAM . Established November 8, 1880. The location and the origin of the name of this short_: lived post office a:-e unknown.

19th Century Postmasters: Carlton B. Allen.

Status: The Graham post office was discontinued June 24 1 1881. Relative Scarcity of Graham Postmark Dates: 1880-1881 ----- 85 . 0

CHADWELL. Established February 20, 1882. This office was named for the former home of its first postmaster, Chadwell, England. Chadwell post office was located on the Lewis and Clark River south of Astoria and about four miles south of Miles Crossing .

19th Century Postmasters: William True; Chris Ebsen, March 16, 1892. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 25

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES ...: II (Cont'd)

Status: The Chadwell post office was discontinued July 271 18981 papers to Melville.

Relative Scarcity of Chadwell Postmark Dates: 1882-1883 ----- 60.0 1884-1885 ----- 55 . 0 1886-1891 ----- 50.0 1892-1898 ----- 52 . 5

SEASIDE. Established March 29 1 1882 1 by change of name from Seaside House.

After about nine years of operatfng with the longer name 1 it was decided that this abbreviated version was a better choice 1 See SUMMER HOUSE for loca tiona! information.

19th Century Postmasters: James P . Austin; Augusta Steabb 1 Nov. 10 1 1888; Augusta

S. Anderson I March 23 1 1891; John H. Johannsen I Feb. 28 1 1894; Sherman Case 1

Sept. 28 1 1898.

Status: The Seaside post office is currently operating; ZIP code - 97138.

Relative Scarcity of Seaside Postmark Dates: 1882-1883 ----- 40.0 1884-1885 ----- 24 . 0 1886-1889 ----- 18.0 1890-1895 ----- 7.0 1896-1897 ----- 4. 5 1898-1899 ----- 3 . 0

DENVER. Established May 26, 1884 . Denver post office was named for its first postmaster. It was located in the Nehalem River Valley not far from Jewell.

19th Century Postmasters: William J. Denver.

Status: The Denver post office was discontinued October 31 1 1888 1 paper to Jewell. Relative Scarcity of Denver Postmark Dates: 1884-1885 ----- 60 . 0 1886-1888 ----- 55 . 0

MEDLEY. Established January 7 1 1890. Medley post office was given the family name of its first postmaster. This office was located about three miles up Fishhawk

Creek from Jewell in township 5 north 1 range 8 west.

19th Century Postmasters: William Medley.

Status: The Medley post office was discontinued September 26 1 1900 1 papers to Jewell .

Relative Scarcity of Medley Postmark Dates: 1890-1893 ----- 55.0 1894-1897 - ---- so. 0 1898- ______..;. 42. 5 1899------37.5 WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 26 ------NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES- II (Cont'd)

HOPKINS. Established February 24 1 1890. Hopkins post office was named for its

first postmaster 1 and was located in the Nehalem Valley about six miles northeast

of Jewell in township 6 north I range 6 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Thomas Hopkins; William H. Miller 1 April 10 I 1894.

Status: Hopkins post office was closed between November 15 1 1892 I and April 10 I

1894. The office was discontinued June 20 1 1902 1 papers to Vesper.

Relative Scarcity of Hopkins Postmark Dates: 1890-1892 ----- 60 . 0 1894-1895 ----- 50.0 1896-1897 ---- - 30 . 0 1898-1899 ----- 10.0

BEN HOLLADAY. Established June 13 1 1890 . This office was named after the wealthy adventurer and railroad. builder. Having made his fortune in the overland stage

business I Holladay came to Oregon in 1868 I and turned his attention to railroad

construction . In this field he was not successful. He died in 1887 1 three years before this office was established.

19th Century Postmasters: C. C . Cooper.

Status: The Ben Holladay post office was discontinued April 9, 1891.

Relative Scarcity of Ben Holladay Postmark Dates: 1890-1891 ----- 75.0

MELVILLE . Established February 7 1 1891. Melville post office was named for the oldest son of the first postmaster . It is located on the Lewis and Clark River south

of Astoria in section 3 0 1 township 7 north I range 9 west. 19th Century Postmasters: Wilthea S . Ingalls.

Status: The Melville post office was discontinued November 9 1 1922 1 papers to Astoria .

Relative Scarcity of Melville Postmark Dates: 1891-1892 ----- 32.5 1893-1895 ----- 22.0 1896-1897 ----- 15.5 1898-1899 ----- 10.0

HARE. Established April 25 I 1891. Hare post office operated in a country store

some 8 miles east of Astoria. James W . Hare 1 the Astoria postmaster at the time, arranged for the establishment of the office, and the name was chosen as a compli­

ment to him. Hare post office was in section 22 1 township 8 north 1 range 8 we st.

19th Century Postmasters: Levi Knapp; Victor H. Coffey 1 May 8 1 1893. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 27

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES -·n (Cont'd) Status: The name of this office was changed to Svenson November 7, 1895.

Relative Scarcity of Hare Postmark Dates: 1891-1895 ----- 32 . 0 VINEMAPLE. Established May 6, 1891. This post office was named for the vine maple, a shrub which grows over a wide area in western Oregon. Vinemaple post office was located in the Nehalem River Valley about 6 miles downstream from

Jewell in township 5 north 1 range 7 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Henry V . Birchard; Edward R. Birchard, Sept. 2 I 1899.

Status: The name of this office was changed to Grand Rapids May 12 1 1902 .

Relative Scarcity of Vinemaple Postmark Dates: 1891-1893 ----- 40 . 0 1894-1899 ----- 45 . 0

CANNON BEACH. Established May 2 9, 1891 . A small iron cannon from the deck of the schooner Shark washed ashore here after that ship was wrecked in attempt­ ing to leave the Columbia River in 1846. This incident was responsible for the naming of Cannon Beach. Cannon Beach post office was located at Hug Point near the spot where the old cannon stands and several miles south of the present community of Cannon Beach.

19th Century Postmasters: James P . Austin; Lydia A. Austin, June 26 1 1895.

Status: The Cannon Beach post office discontinued November 2, 1901, papers to Seaside. A Cannon Beach post office currently operates, but that office was created on May 25, 1922, by change of name from Ecola .

Relative Scarcity of Cannon Beach Postmark Dates: 1891-1893 ----- 55 . 0 1894-1899 ----- 40 . 0

WARRENTON . Established February 8, 1892 . Warrenton was named for D. K.

Warren 1 an early settler. This community is located near the mouth of the Skipanon River across Youngs Bat from Astoria.

19th Century Postmasters: Luther Campbell; Noble J. Crain 1 Nov. 26, 1896. Status: The Warrenton post office is currently operating; ZIP code - 97146. Relative Scarcity of Warrenton Postmark Dates: 1892-1893 ----- 12.0 1894-1895 ----- 9.0 1896-1897 ----- 6 . 5 1898-1899 ----- 5 . 0

BARBRA . Established May 24, 1892. Barbra post office was named for the wife of its first and only postmaster. The office was located in the extreme southern part of Clatsop County on the North Fork Nehalem River in section 2 8, township 4 north, range 9 west. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 28 ------NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POSTOFFICE.S -.II (Cont'd)

19th Century Postmasters: Thomas Mitchell.

Status: The Barbra post office was discontinued May 26, 1900, papers to Nehalem.

Relative Scarcity of Barbra postmark Dates: 1892-1897 --- -- 50.0 1898-1899 ----- 55.0

ELSIE. Established November 1, 1892. This post office was named for Elsie Foster, a relative of the first postmaster. Elsie post office was located near Humbug Creek in the southern part of the county in section 31, township 5 north, range 7 west.

19th Century Postmasters: George Gragg.

Status: The Elsie post office was discontinued in November, 1943, mail to Jewell.

Relative Scarcity of Elsie Postmark Dates: 1892-1893 --- -- 50.0 1894-1897 ----- 40. 0 1898-1899 ----- 30.0

GRAND RAPIDS. Established December 28 1 1892. This post office was named for

Grand Rapids, Michigan 1 and at the time of its establishment a lumbering and furniture manufacturing operation was envisioned. Grand Rapids post office was located on the Nehalem River about 4 miles south of Jewell in township 5 north, range 7 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Horace M . Spencer; Robert M. Gaston, Sept. 27, 1893;

James W. Walker, Jan. 6 1 1897.

Status: The Grand Rapids post office was discontinued July 7 1 1897, papers to

Vinemaple. On May 12 1 1902, Grand Rapids post office was re-established by change of name from Vinemaple. This office operated a little over a year and was closed to Jewell on September 21, 1903 .

Relative Scarcity of Grand Rapids Postmark Dates: 1892-1893 ----- 37.5 1894- 1897 - - --- 30.0

KINDRED. Established May 19, 1894. Mabel N. Ford was appointed the first postmaster of the Kindred post office, but the authorizing order was rescinded August 14, 1894, before the office began actual operations.

CLATSOP. Established July 12, 1894. Clatsop post office was named for the county and the Clatsop Indians. It was located near the south end of the Clatsop Plains in section 34, township 7 north, range 10 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Alexander Tagg; Elias T. Stafford 1 Dec. 31, 1898. Status: The Clatsop post office was discontinued July 25, 1919, papers to Warrenton. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 29

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II (Con~d)

Relative Scarcity of Clatsop Postmark Dates: 1894- 1895 ----- 40.0 1896-1897 - - - -- 30 . 0 1898-1899 ----- 20 . 0

WISE. Established June 3, 1895 . This post office was named for Herman Wise, postmaster of Astoria in 1895 , who was of assistance in getting this office established. Wise post office was located south of Astoria near Tucker Creek in section 9, township 7 north, range 9 west.

19th Century Postmasters: Hugh McCormick .

Status: The Wise post office was discontinued May 5, 1903, mail to Astoria.

Relative Scarcity of Wise Postmark Dates: 1895-1896 ----- 40 . 0 1897-1899 ----- 30.0

SVENSEN . Established November 7, 1895, by change of name from Hare. The name of this office was changed to honor Peter Svensen, a seafaring pioneer who settled near this location in early days. See HARE for locational information.

19th Century Postmasters: Victor H . Coffey; Joseph T . Lee, Sept. 27, 1897; Elmer A. Coe, Sept. 12, 1898.

Status: Svensen post office was discontinued during the 4th quarter of 1944 . Mail to Astoria.

Relative Scarcity of Svensen Postmark Dates: 1895-1896 ----- 30.0 1897 ------22 . 5 1898-1899 ----- 10.0

FLAVEL (I). Established November 22 , 1895 . This post office was named for Captain George Flavel, who owned the land upon which the community is situated. Flavel post office was located across Youngs Bay from Astoria in section 9, town­ ship 8 north, range 10 west .

19th Century Postmasters: Ellen M. Lally.

Status: The name of this post office was changed to Hammond June 10, 1897. It is likely that the postmistress lived a few miles west of the community of Flavel, and as the town of Hammond began to develop, that name became a more logical choic e for this post office .

Relative Scarcity of Flavel Postmark Dates: 1895-1897 - ---- 20 . 0

AHLERS. Established January 10, 1896 . Ahlers post office was named for its first postmaster . It was located on the Necanicum River about 12 miles southeast of Seaside in township 5 north, range 9 west. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 30 ------NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES -II. (Cont'p)

19th Century Postmasters. Herman Ahlers .

Status: The name of this office was changed to Push April 13 I 1899.

Relative Scarcity of Ahlers Postmark Dates: 1896-1899 ----- 50.0

HAMMOND. Established June 10 1 1897 I by change of name from Flavel. Hammond is named for Andrew H . Hammond 1 who built the Astoria and Columbia River Rail­ road between 1895 and 1898. See FLAVEL (1) for locational information and the reason for the change of name .

19th Century Postmasters: Ellen M . Lally.

Status: The Hammond post office is currently operating; ZIP code - 97121.

Relative Scarcity of Hammond Postmark Dates: 1897-1899 ----- 4 . 0

GEARHART. Established June 11 1 1897. Philip Gearhart was a pioneer settler who arrived in Oregon in 1848 and settled his claim in the southern part of the Clatsop Plains in 1850. The summer resort of Gearhart is located on part of the original land grant and named for the original owner. Gearhart is about a mile and a half

north of seaside in section 10 1 township 6 north 1 range 10 west.

19th Century Postmasters: John Waterhouse.

Status: Gearhart post office was converted to a branch of the Seaside office

October 27 1 1961.

Relative Scarcity of Gearhart. Postmark Dates: 1897-1899 ----- 21 . 0

FLAVEL (2). Established June 27 1 1897. When the original Flavel post office was

changed to Hammond 1 the citizens of Flavel petitioned for a new office and got it. This office was probably located a mile or two southeast of the original Flavel post office .

19th Century Postmasters: John Bays .

Status: The Flavel post office was discontinued May 11 1 1918. Mail to Hammond. Relative Scarcity of Flavel Postmark Dates: 1897-1899 ----- 15.0

FORT STEVENS . Established February 20 1 1899. Fort Stevens was named for the military reservation of that name outside whose gates it was located. The military

1 I reservation built in 1864 was named for Isaac Ingalls Stevens 1 a distinguished military man and one-time governor of . Fort Stevens post office was located about a mile west of Hammond. WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 31

NINETEENTH CENTURY OREGON POST OFFICES - II. (Cont'p}

19th Century Postmasters: Edward M. Philebaum.

Status: Fort Stevens post office was discontinued during the 1st quarter of 1949.

Relative Scarcity of Fort Stevens Postmark Dates: 1899 ------30.0

PUSH . Established April 13 1 1899 1 by change of name from Ahlers . This name change is reported to have been made because the postmaster expected the place to become an enterprising community. See AHLERS for locational information.

19th Century Postmasters:. Herman Ahlers.

Status: The name of this office was changed to Necanicum May 25 1 1907.

Relative Scarcity of Push Postmark Dates: 1899 ------65. 0 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 32 ------

MY OBSERVATIONS

"Free . J . C . Fremont"

By W. Scott Polland I M.D .

Illustration #1 Author 's CoZZeoti on

Illustration #I is the only "Free. J . C. Fremont" cover from San Francisco that I have ever seen .

John C. Fremont and Wm. M . Gwin were elected senators by the first California legislature in December 1949 . After drawing lots Fremont received the short term

of two years . California was not admitted to the union until September 9 1 1850.

Primarily 1 because of this 1 Fremont was only in the Senate twenty-one working days . During this time he distinguished himself by his anti-slavery temper which may have prevented his reelection in 1851. He was succeeded by John B. Weller inl852.

The hand stamp shows a date of August 15 . The year date must be 1851 1 as Fremont was in Washington in August 1850 and in France in August 1852. Technically

Fremont was defeated by the legislature balloting of February 1851 1 but no appoint­ ment to replace him was made until 1852 . Page 33 WESTERN------EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 ------

NEWSDEALERS AND BOOKSELLERS AS EXPRESSMEN

By A. J. Hertz

JERRY SULLIVAN, GENIAL EXPRESSMAN AND NEWSDEALER

John W. ("Jerry") Sullivan was a San Francisco riews dealer. He was also a forwarder of mail, just as the Noisy Carrier did. His was essentially a local company, in the beginning. Later, he began to broaden and branched out, sending letters across the continent, which transcontinental mail was sent, "Via Nicaragua. "

We first hear of the man from an advertisement which appeared in the Pacific News, Sept. 25, 1849. At this time, George H. Leland was one of his agents.

From Pacific News, Sept. 25, 1849:

"Express to the United States, via Panama and Chagres . J.W. Sullivan & Co. , will send a special messenger through to New York, with gold dust and valuable packages, per Steamer Oregon. Gold dust, bullion, and specie forwarded to any point of the U.S. , Canada, England, France and Germany at very low rates . J. W. Sullivan. J. McDonald at J. B. Bidleman's, Montgomery St., G. H. Leland at Pendleton's & Co., City Hotel, Agents."

He formed an express with Leland, which they called "Leland and Sullivan Letter Agency. " This lasted only two or three years and when that ended, Sullivan went on alone. They cis solved in 1852, as we note from an item in the Daily Evening Journal, Nov. 18, 1852:

"Dissolution. The partnership heretofore existing between Leland and Sullivan in the newspaper and express business has this day been dissolved by mutual consent.

All claims against said firm will be settled by J. W . Sullivan who will continue the business as heretofore at the new Post Office Building on Clay St. George H. Leland, San Francisco, Nov. 5, 1852 . J. W. Sullivan." Sullivan was a most indefatigueable worker and we shall see that he got about, som"etimes far from home grounds. For 10 years, from 1853 to 1863, we find "thank yous" tendered to him by newspapers from Coloma to Victoria, V.I.

The oval handstamp on the transcontinental mail, reads "Via Nicaragua, In Ad­ vance of the Mails, Sullivan." He was among the first to realize that the handl­ ing of mail, was a paying pastime.

In the summer of 1853, Sullivan sent his papers to the various publications in California, Oregon and British Columbia. Papers were beholden to him for his promptness and generosity. When western newspapers could add a column of eastern news to their pages, it meant a lot to their readers. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 34

NEWSDEALERS AND BOOKSELLERS AS EXPRESSMEN (Cont 'd)

From Marysville Herald, .June 18, 1853:

"J. W . Sullivan of the Post Office Arcade, San Francisco, has very politely forwarded us latest dates per "Sierra Nevada 11 from the Atlantic coast, through Wells, Fargo and Co . Mr. Sullivan is a gentleman . II

He was one of the first expressmen to reach Victoria . The British Colonist, Feb. 12, 1859, about the time the first express company advertisement appeared, thanked him:

"We are indebted . . . . • to J . W. Sullivan, newsdealer of San Francisco. "

On June 16, 1857, the Sacramento Union wrote:

"Jerry Sullivan 1 the enterprising newsdealer of San Francisco 1 dispatched an express from the city at midnight , to supply his customers in this city and in the interior .• .. "

Again on Feb . 2, 1859, the same paper writes:

"Jerry Sullivan, the newspaper expressman, besides running a boat to Sacramento on Sunday night, also sent an overland

express from Oakland to Stockton, arriving there at 4 o'clock 1 11 Monday morning 1 in season for the interior stages.

What eventually happened to this expressman, is difficult to say . Notices re­ lating to Sullivan I stop about December, 1863 . Whether he went into another business, retired or left Calif ornia, for other parts, this writer is unable to say. That he was a kind and genial man, can be gathere d from the many publishers who thanked him and were grateful to him. He was extremely generous 1 even in an early I carefree and generous age .

Illustration Courtesy B. C. Pearce WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 35 ------NEWSDEALERS AND BOOKSELLERS AS EXPRESSMEN (Cont 'd)

STILL' S NEW YORK BOOKSTORE.

We find that John H. Still, a bookseller and stationer, appeared on the scene in San Francisco about 1849. In the San Francisco Directory, we find his biography, when he arrived and what he did. In the Alta California of April 1, 1851, we find

"Burgess, Gilbert and Still, Booksellers and Stationers, Portsmouth Square. "

These men kept a mail bag for the busier of the citizens. They charged 4 cents for their services, which, at that time, was really a bargain. On Nov. 30, 1852, their second ad appears in the same:

"The mail. An extra mail bag. For the accomodation of their customers, a mail bag will be kept open at the new store of the subscribers until ll P.M. , Tuesday, where may be had all the San Francisco

and Sacramento steamer papers 1 Oregon papers, Shipping Lists, Prices currant and Postage Stamps.

Burgess 1 Gilbert and Still, Booksellers and Stationers, 126 Commercial St. 3 doors below Montgomery. "

This angle of the business, was considered to be negligible and often was not men­ tioned. They preferred to specialize in books, newspapers and stationery, which, indeed, were important. From the same paper, Feb. 7, 1853:

"To News paper Dealers and Expressmen. The subscribers would hereby return thanks to their old customers and the public for the liberal patronage bestow- ed on their house since its establishment in 1849 and solicit a continuance of same. We continue to supply all orders for newspapers and Magazines, ahead of any other house which we can do being the sole agents for the following newspapers: (Now follows a long list of papers, etc.) Burgess, Gilbert and Still. " This went on for some time and then the firm dissolved. Why this successful firm did this, is not known. Their ad in the same paper 1 dated Dec. 14, 1853: "The Co-partnership heretofore existing between the undersigned, was dissolved by mutual consent on the 9th of Nov. 1853. The settlement of the affairs of the firm, will be attended to by John H. Still, he having purchased the interests of W. G. Burgess and James A. Gilbert therein. W. F. Burgess, James A. Gilbert, John H. Still." WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 36

NEWSDEALERS AND BOOKSELLERS AS EXPRESSMEN(Cont'd)

After moving about, Still moved back to his old address on April 1, 1854 at 12 8 Montgomery St. and began to solicit letters and other mailing material. He sent his accumulation over the U.S. Mail Line Steamers and a l so the Nicaraguan Opposition Line. From the San Francisco Bulletin of Jan. 5, 1856:

"For the convenience of persons residing in the 5th , 6th and

8th wards 1 the subscriber has made arrangements with the Post Office Authorities to keep a Mail Bag open at the New York Bookstore within fifteen minutes before the steamer sails

for Panama. Any of the following Steamer Papers may be had 1 neatly enveloped postage paid, 25 cents per copy, Viz ....

Also pes tage stamps and government stamped envelopes for sale ... John H. Still!, Bookseller and Stationer and General Newspaper Agent No. 88 Kearny between Pine. and Bush Sts."

Later there was an ad in the Sacramento Union of Feb. 1, 1859:

"Still & Co. 1 of San Francisco ran an Overland Express from San Francisco yesterday with newspapers for their customers in the interior. The express came to Bem1ca i n a boat and thence I via Vacaville to this city. It started at 6 1/2 o'clock, A. M. and arrived at 8 o'clock, P.M. We are indebted to them for Eastern News papers to July 2 7, from New Orleans .... "

What this ad or news comment meant I is not quite clear. However, we have

quoted it verba tum. So Still takes his place beside Kimball 1 Leland and Sullivan. The writer of this history, has a cover in his collection, forwarded by and with the imprint of Still. WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 37 ------

AUCTION ACTION By Robert Lewenthal During this period, late August to late November 1969, there were not many sales containing Western or Territorial covers. This report includes the following sales­ Eastland Stamp Auctions, August 2 8, 2 9, Herman Herst, Jr. , October 3 0, Al Zimmerman, November 15 and Bob Lewenthal, November 14. Realizations of a selected cross-section follow:

CAUFORNIA TOWN CANCELS

SAN FRANCISCO 12 1/2. Light handstamp on folded letter to Sacramento V.F. Eastland $ 30.00 SAN FRANCISCO 40. V.F.strike and cover Eastland 41.00 SAN FRANCISCO 40. July 1, 1850. Letter enclosed. V.F. Eastland 14.00 STOCKTON. Blue 12 1/2 in oval. Ex. Emerson. V.F. Eastland 35.00 STOCKTON 40 and PAID in blue with Reynolds & Co. in MS. V.F. Eastland 32.00 GOLETA, CAL. 1882 and Kicking Mula. Perfect strike on P.O. D. official envelope. V.F • . Eastland 315.00

HERST'S SALE contained seven covers, each with letter from the DANIEL DUSTIN CORRESPONDENCE covering the period May 1850 to Nov. 1857. The letters were all very interesting, detailing the journey to California, conditions and mining experiences. 1. Steam Ship 30, May 1850. Mailed from Panama 2. Sacramento 40, June 1850, headed Ophir, Cal. 3. Sacramento 40, Dec. 1850, he~ded Ophir, Sutter Co. 4. Sacramento 80, Scarce double rate, Feb. 1851 5. Marysville 10, May 1852. Letter headed Natches, Cal. 6. Boston, Mass. (Ul6). April 1857. Letter headed French Corral, Cal. Carried outside the mails. 7. Marysville (Ul6). Nov. 1857. Letter headed Fremch Corral. The LOT OF SEVEN COVERS SOLD FOR Herst 375.00 OTHER ITEMS FROM THE HERST SALE: NEW ORLEANS, 40. July 1849 to Calif. Herst 110.00 SACRAMENTO 40. Jan. 1850. Letter headed 'Hangtown' Herst 105.00 NOISY CARRIER. Superb strike in blue plaque across flap of 1854 folded letter. Herst 80.00 GIBBS MINERS ENVELOPE - rare type. 3¢ 1851 tied Georgetown, Cal. Herst 400.00 BRUSH CREEK,MS. cancel on Ul6. Fine Herst 26.00 MOSQUITO GULCH, CAL. Fairly clear strike on U16. Cut in. Zinunerman 20.50 BIG TREES, CAL. 1902. Clear strike on 2¢ red entire Zinunerman 7.50 ANTIOCH, CAL. Ms. townmark on UlO. Fine Lewenthal 25.00 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 38 ------AUCTION ACTION (Cont 'd)

BENICIA, CAL. and script type 40. All in red on cover to Maine. Bit worn Lewenthal $35.00 BONDVILLE. Good strike in D/L circ•le. Bold PAID and M.S. 10. Closed tears. Fine app. Lewenthal 38.00 CALLAHAN RANCH 1858 IN MS. 10¢ 1857 (33) pen cane. Interesting letter headed 'Fox Creek' Lewenthal 52.50 CALLAHANS RANCH 1860. Excellent strike ties Ul6 Lewenthal 42.50 CENTREVILLE 1852 and 10. All in MS. on fine cover to Maine Lewenthal 50.00 COON CREEK 1859 in MS. 10¢ (33), defective, tied by pen. Lewenthal 52.50 CRESCENT CITY, CAL. Perfect strike in 36 MM. D/L circle on Ul4. Extremely fine Lewenthal 65.00 GRIZZLY BEAR HOUSE. Two good strikes on W.F. franked UlO. Lewenthal 90.00 MOKELUMNE HILL. Excellent strike in 23 MM. Circle, straight line PAID 6 in black. Two line 'STEAMER WINFIELD SCOTT' in red. Fine Lewenthal 67 . 50 OMEGA 1860. Fine strike. PAID in rectangle, 10 in MS. V.F. Lewenthal 52.50 RATTLESNAKE. Two clear strikes tie 1¢ (24), 3¢ (26) pair on UlO. V.F. Lewenthal 55.00 SAN FRANCISCO 1851 in faint red circle. Red '2 PAID'. Clear red oval on back "Forwarded Through Gilpin's Exchange Reading Room & Foreign Letter Office, N. York". Fine Lewenthal 37.50 TRINITY CENTRE. Excellent strike ties 10¢ 1857 (33) FINE. Lewenthal 32.50 CAHTO 1865 in MS. 3¢ 1861 pen cane. Early use. Fine Lewenthal 37;5o CLIFTON 1866 in MS. on U59. Not in Frickstad. Fine Lewenthal 40.00 ROCK CREEK 1864 in MS. 3¢ 1861 pen cane. Fine app. Lewenthal 26 .00 BATH 1876 in MS on 0163. Fine Lewenthal 19.00 ERIE 1880 in MS. on Ul63. Trimmed at right. Fine Lewenthal 27.50 GOLD RUN 1877. Excellent strike. 3¢ green cane. target. V.F. Lewenthal 26.00 LITTLE YORK IN MS. 3¢ (147) pen cane. V.F. Lewenthal 27.50 MOUNT SHASTA 1880. Good strike. 3¢ green tied by Penstroke. Lewenthal 35.00 SEA SIDE 1870's in MS. 3¢ (147) pen cane. V.F. Lewenthal 62.50 SOSCOL 1880. Good strike in blue D/L circle on Ul63. Fine'. Lewenthal 26.00 BLUE CANYON 1884. Perfect strike in blue triple circle on Ul63. V.F. Lewenthal 37.50 CORNWALL STATION 1883. Perfect strike in D/L circle. 39 green cane. target. Fine Lewenthal 31.00 ETTA 1893. Excellent strike on U311. Fine Lewenthal 27 . 50 HARBIN SPRINGS 1882. Fine strike in magenta. 3¢ green tied by Calistoga cancel. Not in Frickstad. Lewenthal 43.00 Fine. PORT COSTA 1882. Excellent strike in magenta D/L circle. 3¢ green tied. V.F. Lewenthal 21.00 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 39 ------AUCTION ACTION (Cont'd)

SAWYERS BAR 1883. Legible strike. 2¢ (183) cane. by target. Hotel Corner card. Fine Lewenthal $20.00 YOU BET 1884. Fine strike in purple D/L circle on UxS. Fine Lewenthal 21.00 LITTLE SHASTA 1897. Good strike. 2¢ (267) not tied. V,F , Lewenthal 32.50 ONYX 1894. Fine strike. 2¢ Columbian cane. target Fine. Lewenthal 32.50 TRINITY CENTRE, CAL. in clear blue circle on Patriotic Eagle & Shield design (L2446) . 3¢ 1861 replaced. Cover has tiny tears. Fine app. Lewenthal 77 . 50 CINCINNATI, 0 . in red circle, 40 in MS. on 1849 cover to S.F. Interesting letter. Fine. Lewenthal 22.00 NEW YORK OCEAN MAIL cane. ties Ul8 on fine cover to S.F. Lewenthal 32.50 NEW YORK OCEAN MAIL cancels tie 1¢ 1857 (24) and 3¢ (26) three, to 1858 cover to Forbestown. Fine Lewenthal 32.50 WAY IN D/L OVAL and bold 10. Exc. strikes on 1858 letter sheet from Havana to S.F. V.F. Lewenthal 45.00 PAN & SAN FRAN S. S . and boxed 30 . Legible strikes on 1851 folded letter from Panama to S.F. Fine Lewenthal 95.00 NICARAGUA LINE IN ADVANCE OF THE MAIL. Bold strike in black oval on stampless cover to Nicaragua. Bit worn. Lewenthal 90.00 VIA NICARAGUA AHEAD OF THE MAILS. Good strike in red rectangle. Pair 3¢ 1851 tied steam ship on clean cover. Lewenthal 85.00 STEAMER SIERRA NEVADA, VIA NICARAGUA IN ADVANCE OF THE MAILS. Good strike in blue oval ties pai~ 3¢ (11), also tied bold New York. Interesting 1854 letter from S.F. encl. Lewenthal 125.00 "PER OVERLAND MAIL VIA IN HOPE OF THE" and picture of train. Hutchings & Rosenfeld pictorial envelope. 10¢ 1857 (35) tied Benicia. Ex Emerson, Knapp. V.F. Lewenthal 925.00

TOWN & COUNTY CANCELS

YANTLEY CREEK, ALA., W. H. Philipps, P.M. 1880. Exc . strike in blue triple circle. Fine. Lewenthal 30.00 DUNC&~, GRAHAM CO. ARIZ . 1884, Clear strike in oval Fine. Lewenthal 26.00 BARHAM, S.D. CO., CAL. 1884 in MS . Pair 2¢ (210) : U265 pen cane. on cover to Guatemala. Trimmed at right. V. G. Lewenthal 17.00 PALERMO, BUTTE CO ., CAL . 1891. Excellent strike ties U311. Corner card. Fine Lewenthal 37.50 SAWYERS BAR, SISKIYOU CO, CAL. 1889 . Fine strike in D/L oval. Strip of three 4¢ (211), right stamp torn into, on registered cover. V.G. Lewenthal 37.50 WESTERN EXPRESS- JANUARY 1970 Page 40

AUCTION ACTION (Cont'd)

FROST, CUSTER CO., IDAHO, G.P. Frost, P.M. 1886. Excellent strike in sawtooth circle. Trimmed at right . Fine Lewenthal $51.00 HAMILTON , FILLMORE CO . MINN . 1884. Excellent strike in blue D/L circle. 2¢ (210) tied. Fine Lewenthal 22.00 STILLWATER, NEV . Jas. W. Richards, P.M. 1890. Fine strike in purple D/L circle on U312 . V.F. Lewenthal 26.00 ROCIADA, SAN MIGUEL CO., N.MEX. 1885. Superb strike in fancy purple circle ties 10¢ (209) on 2¢ red entire. Ragged at right . Herst 40.00 HEBER CITY , WASATCH CO . UTAH 1880. Perfect strike in D/L circle. 3¢ green tied. V. F. Lewenthal 30 . 00 PLEASANT GROVE, UTAH, E. Mayhew , P.M. 1880. Fine strike in magenta D/L circle on Ui63 . V.F. Lewenthal 26 . 00

EXPRESS COVERS

ADAMS & CO. , SAN FRANCISCO . V. F. Strike in D/L oval on folded letter to Sacramento Zimmerman 40.00 ADAMS & CO. SACRAMENTO . Light strike in D/L circle "Pr. Everts, Snell & Co . " in MS. E. T. Peck f ree frank. Zimmerman 37 . 00 ALTA EXPRESS CO. TYPE 2 FRANK . Clear Alta & Co. Sacramento cancel on UlO . Fine Lewenthal 60.00 BARNARD 1 S CAR I BOO EXPRESS . Light oval hands tamp ties Canada 37 and Ul63, which is also tied by faint W. F. Davisville on W. F. franked cover. Fine. Lewenthal 150.00 FREEMAN & CO ' S. EXPRESS. Good strike in small red oval on 1851 stampless folded letter. MS . 'PAID 25¢'. Fine Lewenthal 62 . 50 GREGORY'S EXPRESS. 1852 ship letter from Glasgow to San Francisco. Ex Wiltsee. V. F. Eastland 180.00 G~ENHOOD & NEWBAUER EXPRESS. Clear Weaverville Co. cancel. Fine Herst 15.00 INDIAN CREEK EXPRESS frank on 6¢ U65. Mint. Zimmerman 42 . 50 NICHOLS & CO'S EXPRESS . Black frank . Decipherable San Francisco Co . cancel ties U9 . Fine Lewenthal 115.00 PACIFI C EXPRESS, COLUMBIA . Running Pony frank on UlO. Fine. Zimmerman 75.00 PACIFIC EXPRESS 0 . NORTHERN MINES. Clear strike in blue oval on unfranked stampless cover. V.F. Lewenthal 45.00 RAUM ' S RUBY HILL,SCHELLBURN & RUBYVILLE EXPRESS Thorp type 1, Mint on U82 . V. F. Zimmerman 42 . 50 REYNOLDS EXPRESS CO . , Sonora in blue D/L oval. NOT PAID in blue oval. Fine Zinnnerman 45.00 SAN FRANCISCO LETTER EXPRESS handstamp on unused cover. V. F. Eastland 38.00 VIRGINIA CI TY PONY EXPRESS . 25¢ blue (!43L8) Full margined stamp tied by blue W. F. & Co . Virginia City, N. T. on U34. Trimmed at right. Fine. Lewenthal 440.00 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 1970 Page 41

AUCTION ACTION (Cont 'd)

VIRGINIA CITY PONY EXPRESS. 25¢ red (143L9). Four margin stamp tied by W.F. & Co. Virginia, Nev. on U35. Cover intact, but has pen marks. Eastland $670.00 WELLS FARGO BENTON on Ul77. V.F. Herst 22.00 WELLS FARGO CASPAR on Ul63. V.F. Herst 42.00 WELLS FARGO IDAHO CITY I.T. Clear strike ties U59. V.F. Lewentha1 40.00 WELLS FARGO IOWA HILL. Good strike ties U35. V.F. Lewenthal 12.00 WELLS FARGO JENNY LIND. Clear strike ties U59. V.F. Lewenthal 17.00 WELLS FARGO JULIAN. Nice strike on Ul63. V.F. Zimmerman 27.50 WELLS FARGO KNIGHT'S LANDING. Cl ear strike on U59. V.F. Lewen t hal 16.00 WELLS FARGO LANCHA PLANA. Good strike on UlO. Fine Lewenthal 30.00 WELLS FARGO LOS ANGELES. Provisional frank (Leutzinger 1-25) on U311. V.F. Lewenthal 77 .so WELLS FARGO MURIETTA. Perfect strike ties U311. V.F. Lewenthal 155.00

ALASKA

'FORWARDED BY GOODALL, PERKINS & CO., KILESNOO, ALASKA 1863'. Clear 3 line handstamp on U35. Trimmed at right. Eastland 280.00 'ALASKA COMMERCIAL CO . , OUNALASKA 1881. Clear strike on back of legal cover. Forwarded by Alaska Commer­ cial Co.' on front. 3¢ green, replaced V.F. Lewenthal 32.50

ARIZONA

KENILWORTH 1884. V.F. strike on UXlO . Herst 26.00 DRAGOON 1883. Excellent strike ties 3¢ green . Fine Lewenthal 18.00 MCDOWELL 1873. Excellent strike in D/L circle. 3¢ (147) pen cane. Fine. Lewenthal 32.50 MOHAVE CITY 1870. Fine strike. 3¢ 1869 tied. Fine Lewenthal 67 . 50

COLORADO

DENVER CITY, C.T. Clear strike in D/L circle ties U34. 10¢ (68) pen cane. on cover to Canada. Light 'US PAID 10¢' in rectangle. Fine Leto1enthal 45.00 EMPIRE CITY, C.T. with 3¢ (65) on clean cover. Zimmerman 30.00 GOLDEN CITY, COL T. Legible strike. 3¢ 1869 tied. Fine. Lewenthal 32.50 HORSESHOE 1881. V.F. strike in ' horseshoe' design 3¢ green tied. Fine. Herst 85.00 MOUNTAIN CITY, COL. 1866. Clear strike. 3¢ 1861 tied V.F. Zimmerman 32.50 WESTERN EXPRESS- JANUARY 1970 Page 42

AUCTION ACTION (Cont'd)

DAKOTA

ARVILLA 1883. Fine strike in blue triple circle. lc, 2¢ (182,3) cane. matching stars. V.F. Lewenthal $ 19.00 CAVOUR 1885. Excellent strike in D/L circle. 2¢ (210) tied star in circle. V.F. Lewenthal 21.00 CORNELIAN 1889 in MS. 2¢ (213) pen cane. V.F. Lewentha1 22.50 EAST PIERRE. Fine strike in purple. 2¢ (210) tied V.F. Lewenthal 26.00 LANGFORD 1887. Perfect strike. 2¢ (210) tied. V.F. Lewenthal 26.00 NORDLAND 1883. Perfect strike in D/L circle on 0163 V.F. Lewenthal 26.00 OKOBOJO, DAK. T. 1885. Good strike in D/L sawtooth circle ties 0277. Fine Lewenthal 26.00 SISSETON AGENCY 1877. Fine strike on UX3 · V.F. Herst 22.00

IDAHO

AETNA 1883. Excellent strike in D/L circle. 3¢ green tied 'wheel of fortune'. V.F. Lewenthal 52.50 BAY HORSE 1885. Good strike in D/L circle ties 0278. Fine Lewenthal 24.00 BRUNEAU VALLEY 1884. Excellent strike. U277 tied by maltese cross. Fine Lewenthal 30.00 BULLION 1886. Excellent strike in D/L circle. Pair 2¢ (210) not tied. Fine. Lewenthal 20.00 INDIAN VALLEY 1884. Excellent strike. Pair 5¢ (205) and 2¢ (210) tied on registered cover. V.F. Lewenthal 18.00 MARSH BASIN 1879 in MS. on Ul64. Fine Lewenthal 22.50 OAKLEY 1887. Fine strike. 10¢ (209), 4¢ (211), two, tied together on registered cover. Fine. Lewenthal 22.50 PARADISE VALLEY, I.T. 1876 in HS. on Ul63. Fine Lewentha1 26.00 PLEASANT VALLEY 1878. Perfect strike in purple. 3¢ green not tied. Fine. Lewenthal 21.00 SALMON CITY 1887. Excellent strike in large letters ties 2¢ (213). Fine Lewenthal 26.00 SILVER CITY 1870. Excellent strike. Pair 3¢ 1869 cane. negative stars. V.F. Lewenthal 57.50 TERMINUS 1880. Excellent strike in blue D/L circle on UXS. V.F. Lewenthal 26.00 WEISER BRIDGE, IDAHO TERR. 1880. Fine strike on 0163 Fine . Lewenthal 20.00

INDIAN TERRITORY

BOGGY DEPOT, C.N. 1869 in MS. on U59. Herst 25.50 GIBSON STATION, C.N. 1888 on 0163. Fine Herst 30.00 GOLCONDA, IND. T. 1899. Excellent strike . 2¢ (279b) cane. target. Letter headed 'Broken, I.T.' Fine. Lewenthal 21.00 WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 43 ------AUCTION ACTION (Cont'd)

MONTANA

HELENA, 1870. 15~ grill and pair 3¢ 1869 pen cane. on cover to S\vitzerland. Many transit cancels. Fine. Lewenthal $60.00 MALDEN 1886. Mostly fine strike in blue D/L circl e. 2¢ (210) tied by star. V.F. Lewenthal 18.00 SWEET GRASS. V.F . strike ties three lC banknotes and U277 on cover to Germany. Fine Zimmerman 23.00

NEVADA

ALPHA STATION 1886. Perfect strike in Octagon. 3¢ green and U277 on cover to Denmark. V.F. Lewenthal 205.00 CARSON CITY, NEV. T. 1864 . 3¢ 1861 tied. Bold DUE 6 in circle. Fine Lewenthal 21.00 DUN GLEN 1876. Fine strike in D/L circle on U82. V.F. Lewenthal 57.50 EMPIRE CITY 1888. Fine strike. 2¢ (213) not tied. V.F. Lewenthal 28.00 FRANKTOWN 1875. Fine strike. 3¢ (147) tied. Letter encl. V. F. Lewenthal 42.50 MASON VALLEY 1893. Excellent strike ties 2¢ Columbian. V.F. Lewenthal 22.50

NEW MEXICO

ALMA 1892. Registered cover with five 2¢ (210) and two 5¢ (223). Fine Herst 28.00 CARTHAGE 1885. Excellent strike in purple. 2¢ (210) cane. target, Fine Lewenthal 28.00 SPRI NGER 1887. Excellent strike in purple triple circle. 2¢ (210)·canc. 'wheel of fortune '. All over pictorial ad on back. Fine Lewent hal 30.00

OREGON

ASTORIA, OGN . , and 'Way 6'. Fine strikes on stampless cover. Herst 77.00

UTAH

CIRCLEVILLE 1894. Perfect strike on U311. Fine Lewenthal 20.00 MT. PLEASANT 1887. Clear strike in purple D/L Sawtooth circle ties 2¢ (210) and lOc (209) on registered cover. Fi ne Lewenthal 25.00 SALT LAKE CITY, U.T. 1860. Bold strike. US PAID 10 in rectangle on cover to Canada. lOc (35) tied. Fine. Lewenthal 60.00 TEARDALE 1893. Excellent strike on UX9. V.F. Lewenthal 20.00 WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970

AUCTION ACTION (Cont'd)

WYOMING

CAMP STAMBAUGH 1875. Fine strike. 3¢ (147) tied V.F. Lewenthal 52.50 FORT WASHAKIE 1889. Excellent strike in purple D/L circle ties 2¢ (213). Fine Lewenthal 28.00

LITERATURE

TRACY SIMPSON'S US POSTAL MARKINGS 1857-61 Lewenthal 33.00 WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 45 ------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

OLD U.S. CQVERS ARE MY SPECIALTY "THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN WHAT DO YOU NEED THE EATING" For immediate action and everlasting satisfa'ction WRITE FOR sell MY FREE your collection to us or through us. SPECIAL LISTS * Over thirty years of Happy Relationship with clients * is our best testimonial E. N. S A M P S 0 N ROBERT A. SIEGEL 10 East 52nd St. P. 0. Box 592 Bath, N. Y. 14810 New York, N.Y., 10022

WANTED TO BUY FOREIGN COVERS We are especially interested in 19th OLD and RARE century & early 20th century of the entire world, but will also buy 1st BOOKS and PRINTS flight & first day covers of the more modern period. BOUGHT SOLD We carry one of the largest stock of You are sure to find something foreign covers and stamps in the U.S. in our large stock Approvals sent per want lists. of western material UNITED STATES

Visi~ us when in San Fr~ncisco We are also interested in buying worthwhile U.S. stamps and covers. J 0 H N H 0 W E L L Want lists also filled on these from 434 Post Street our large stock. San Francisco, California WI LLIAM 0. BILDEN 801 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, Minn. 55403 WESTERN EXPRESS -JANUARY 1970 Page 46 _ ------Rates per issue are as follows: **************** * Full page $30 . 00; half page $15.00 * · ADVERTISEMENTS * quarter page $7.50; one7eighth page * * $4.00. Net. Mail Direct to: **************** * M.C. Nathan, Editor 94 Biscayne Drive San Rafael, Calif.

STILL WANT TO BUY WESTERNS - TERRITORIALS - RAILROAD W A N T E D COVERS Particularly want MATERIAL FOR MY AUCTIONS California, all periods OR Nevada, all periods Oregon- Early through 1890's WILL BuY OUTRIGHT Plus Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Colo. Also fancy cancels, on or off cover. WILL TRADE covers or older stamps of U.S. and ROBERT LEWENTHAL British Empire 1700 Broadway ROSS

San Francisco, Calif. 94109 Box 98 Oakdale, Calif. 95361 Telephone (415) 776-4767

ALWAYS WANT TO BuY

Choice U.S. stamps and covers

Autograph letters and documents of importance. THIS Old maps, broadsides, political, SPACE philatelic and numismatic items. FOR SALE Regular auctions in New York City

FREE AMERICANA AN~ AUCTION LISTS TO MEMBERS OF WESTERN COVER SOC.

BRUCE GIMELSON FORT WASHINGTON INDUSTRIAL PARK FORT WASHINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA 19034 WESTERN EXPRESS - JANUARY 197 0 Page 47

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ADVERTISEMENTS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

U.S. 19th Century Cover collections purchased. U. S. COVERS

My stock of covers is strong

Approvals sent out, in all periods from stampless by Topics, States & Issues to modern, Alabama to Wyoming. References essential. What would you like to see ?

References, please. AL ZIMMERMAN 843 Van Nest Avenue HENRY M. SPELMAN III Bronx, N.Y. 10462 P.O. BOX 488 ASDA - USPCS - MCS - CSA - etc. Lexington, Mass. 02173

THIS SPACE THIS FOR SPACE SALE FOR SALE