Pony Express Gazette

FT. LARAMIE WYOMING FT. KEARNY JULESBURG NEBRASKA FT. CHURCHILLRUBY STATION SALT LAKE CITY COLORADO UTAH ST. JOSEPH FRIDAY’S STATION MISSOURI NEVADA SACRAMENTO MARYSVILLE CALIFORNIA KANSAS

Volume 30 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL PONY EXPRESS ASSOCIATION April 2019

THUNDER AND DUST! Wow. Brings dark and vengeful past. Haslam and Tate’s draft of the screenplay with McLaughlin, THUNDERto mind powerful images of action and ANDjourney intertwines with that of We TuhDUST! as well as award winning cinematogra- drama. And so it will be, a full-length (Way-Tuh-a), a Paiute warrior thrust into pher John Turk and life-long friend and western movie set in central Nevada and a larger world, as he desperately seeks out co-producer Craig Smith of OSV Studios California in the days of the Pony Ex- his missing family members. Though they in Ohio. Plans for the cast include seeking press, focusing on the events during the are three individuals separated by vast dif- out veteran western actors and at least initial days of the Pyramid Lake War. The ferences, Haslam, Tate and We Tuh share one well-known name as the lead. background theme of the movie will tell a deep commonality in that they all seek NPEA leaders and members were in- how the Pony, through American deter- redemption and purpose as they bravely troduced to Brian at the National Con- mination, service above self, and inge- face the near insurmountable challenges vention last September, in Torrington, nuity, overcame all obstacles to provide on their journeys. WY. He talked enthusiastically about the critical communication and bind together Executive Producer Brian McLaughlin film, and showed some preliminary video a nation on the brink of civil war. These is committed to an accurate portrayal of footage. He is very committed to historic are the qualities that make America what life in the west in the mid-eighteen hun- accuracy, and has been in frequent com- she is today, a fact of which we need to be dreds, and an honest representation of munication with NPEA members, eagerly reminded. the characters in the story. He describes a soliciting our input and feedback. As the Inside that broader vista will be told the “character-driven drama with high action project nears completion, he intends to story of the friendship between iconic Ex- and sweeping scope.” To a life-long love have the film reviewed by Pony Express press rider “Pony Bob” Haslam and young of western history and western mov- folks, as well as his investors and officials Billy Tate, and how that friendship helped ies, he has added years of research into of the Paiute Indian Tribe. As he visits Billy through a journey of healing and for- the Pony Express and its times. He has your state to film snippets for inclusion giveness, finally escaping the shadows of a characterized the Pony Express as a “true in the movie intro, you’ll want to get to flashpoint in American history.” For the know him and help in any way possible. film, he has assembled a crew including We can’t wait to see the true Pony Express award winning Director Charles Moore on the Big Screen. (Madtown), who is co-writing the final Submitted by Pat Hearty, Utah

I, ______do hereby swear, before the great and living God, that during my engagement as a member of the National Pony Express Association Re-Ride, I will under

no circumstances use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liquors, that I will

PERMIT NO. 40 NO. PERMIT

TOOELE, UT TOOELE, not quarrel or fight with any other member of the Association, and that in every respect,

PAID U.S. POSTAGE U.S. I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties and so direct all my acts as to win

BULK RATE BULK the confidence of my associates. So help me God. 2 Pony Express Gazette April 2019

National Officers Directory 2019 Re-Ride Schedule President: Insurance Coordinator: Dean Atkin Fred Leslie Monday, June 10 Tooele, UT Salt Lake City, UT 435-241-2246 801-553-1873 St. Joseph, MO 3:00 PM CDT First Vice President, National History Missouri/Kansas Line (Elwood, KS) 3:30 PM CDT Ride Letter Secretary: Committee Chairman, Tuesday, June 11 Melva Sanner Trails Committee Chairman: Blue Rapids, KS Pat Hearty Kansas/Nebraska Line (Tri County Marker) 12:30 PM CDT 785-556-1970 Grantsville, UT 435-884-5546 Time Zone Change CDT > MDT Second Vice President: Carl Schultz Newsletter Editor: Thursday, June 13 Green River, WY Media Team Nebraska/Colorado Line 307-875-2974 Petra Keller & (South of Big Springs, NE) 3:30 CDT/2:30 AM MDT Third Vice President: Arleta Martin Tony Goulart Pony Express Gazette: Colorado/Nebraska Line (Chappell, NE) 6:00 AM MDT Lingle, WY Arleta Martin Nebraska/Wyoming Line (Lyman, NE) 6:00 PM MDT 307-575-7104 Marysville, KS 785-562-3615 Corresponding Secretary: Sunday, June 16 Larry Carpenter Supply/Qtr Master: Wyoming/Utah Line 2:00 AM MDT Sacramento, CA Scott and Yvonne Wolf 916-332-8382 Gothenburg, NE Salt Lake City, Utah 10:30 AM MDT 308-537-3588 Recording Secretary, Time Zone Change MDT > PDT Secretary to President: NPEA Stablemaster: Pam Dixon-Simmons Petra Keller Monday, June 17 Rio Linda, CA Washoe Valley, NV Utah/Nevada Line 916-835-6067 775-453-1202 (Ibapah, UT) 6:30 AM MDT/5:30 AM PDT Treasurer, NPEA HAM Coordinator: NPS Project Manager: Gerald Hasty Wednesday, June 19 Jack Davis Layton, Utah Nevada/California Line Pollock Pines, CA 801-837-8300 530-647-8655 (South Lake Tahoe, NV) 5:30 PM PDT January, 2019 Education Coordinator: Thursday, June 20 Lyle Ladner Frankfort, KS Arrive Old Sacramento 4:30 PM PDT 785-799-5538

The Pony Express Gazette is the official publication of the National Pony State Division Presidents Express Association, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to education and Missouri: Gary Chilcote Wyoming: Les Bennington the preservation of the Original Pony Express Trail. St. Joseph, MO Glenrock, WY 816-233-6482 307-436-9569 Dean Atkin, President Kansas: Lyle Ladner Utah: Mike Robinson Tooele, UT Frankfort, KS Eagle Mountain, UT 435-241-2246 785-799-5538 801-768-4828 Nebraska: Lyle Gronewold Nevada: Arthur Johnson Arleta Martin, Editor Gothenburg, NE Fallon, NV Petra Keller, Assistant Editor 308-529-0804 775-427-4061 [email protected]

Colorado: Linda Dolezal California: Carolyn Gilmore Designed and printed by Transcript Bulletin Publishing, Tooele, Utah Julesburg, CO El Dorado, CA 970-474-2294 530-409-8676

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 3 Czech-Australia-USA Pony Express: The Final Chapter ave you been following the travels miles, close quarters, and less-than-im- town of Stribrna Lhota (Mnisek pod of those globe-trotting Express pressive lodging at times, but what an Brdy) and branches in three directions. Riders, Jim Swigart and Pat experience, with the Pony Express linking One group rides south to Studanky on HHearty and their intrepid spouses, Ginger three continents. Unforgettable and then the Czech/Austrian border. A second and Linda? You’ll be excited to know that some. heads east, branching again at the eastern they completed the final chapter of their But speaking of the Pony Express ac- Czech city of Suchdol nad Odrou, where 2-year 3-continent adventure. tivity in Western Europe, an event which one arm reaches north to the Polish city You will recall that the 3-pronged started out with humble beginnings has of Lubon, the other crosses into Slovakia event, planned by Czech promoter Jin- caught fire across the Continent. You where the trail forks again at Zilina. From drich Bilek, started in the Czech Republic may recall that, in 1985, a freedom-loving there, one group rides to Bratislava, the in May of 2017, with some adventures, group of western enthusiasts in Czecho- other to Sena on the Slovak/ Hungarian including spilled blood and knighthood, slovakia decided to emulate the American border. that only Jim can adequately describe. event, Jim and Pat wore their red shirts Pony Express. They marked off a “trail” of Remember the third group leaving Round two was in California in June of and vests with logo, and talked about our about 250 km through the middle of their Stribrna Lhota? Their route takes them up 2017, at the culmination of the NPEA Re- Pony Express history and NPEA today. country, and relayed a mail pouch much through the northern part of Germany, ride in Old Sacramento. Chapter 3 took We also did an interview for Australian as we do in the western U.S. They kind of almost to Berlin, and west to Zwolle in us “down under” to Australia in April radio station SBS (Seven Billion Sto- flew under the radar of the Communist The Netherlands. Five nations and sev- of 2018. An incredibly good time, but a ries). It is Jindra’s hope, and ours, that Czechoslovak government. In 1990, about eral hundred miles, and an unbelievable horse-less Pony Express. We were not some spark might have been ignited, and six months after the fall of the Commu- tribute to NPEA and to the Pony riders of able to gain access to a single horse for someone down there will start a com- nist government, then-NPEA President 1860 and ‘61. Wonder if they had any idea any kind of symbolic Pony Express ride. memorative horseback mail similar to our Ken Martin helped to organize an inter- that the hoofbeats of their horses would Dang! re-ride and the ride which spiders all over national exchange. Czechoslovak riders in echo more than a century and a half later, But Jindra was determined to carry Western Europe. Who knows? our NPEA Re-ride, and American riders and half way around the world. We hope his message as best we could. He spoke In between all the talking, we visited in the Czechoslovak counterpart. they smile upon our efforts to Keep the about Tomas Masaryk and the founding Sydney, Canberra, Jindabyne and the The Europeans love our western histo- Spirit Alive. of the nation of Czechoslovakia in 1918 Snowy Mountains, Melbourne, and Ade- ry, and many more jumped eagerly onto at a gathering at the Czech Embassy in laide. Wonderful country, wonderful peo- the bandwagon which our Czech friends Submitted by Pat Hearty, Utah Canberra, and before four other groups of ple. Linda got to pet a koala, and Ginger started rolling. Today, their European people from Sydney to Adelaide. At each fed kangaroos right from her hand. Long Re-ride starts in our favorite little Czech

Historic trail could connect downtown museums to riverfront n the mid-1800s thousands of travel- Oregon-California Trails Association, to that,”Daffron said. said. “I think it’s a great way for the city to ers used St. Joseph as a jumping-off present the federal agency’s proposal for a The overall cost of the project could interact with the community and all the point for the Oregon-California trail, new tourist trail. range from $10,000 to several million attractions and all the things that are in Iand later it was the eastern terminus of “This is really utilizing the existing in- dollars based on what the city chooses to the city, because it’s going to be a benefit the famed Pony Express. Thanks to a new frastructure, the city sidewalks and streets do with the parks recommendations. for everyone.” proposal from the National Parks Service, that already exist; it’s just signing them in “Ultimately this is really going to be Boley said the National Parks Service people could soon see some of those his- a way that lets visitors to the community more of a city driven project, county driv- will be editing the proposal and present- toric landmarks brought to the forefront. know where things were,”Boley said. en project, citizen driven project,”Boley ing it to city officials in the coming weeks. The federal agency is partnering with The walking trail would include street said. “Although the National Parks Service The Gateway Chapter of the Ore- the Oregon-California Trails Association makers, historic sculptures and an inter- is the administrator for the trail, they gon-California Trails Association will and the Pony Express Museum to propose active smartphone app for visitors to ex- don’t really manage the trail.” launch a new website featuring an a seven mile trail to connect the Patee plore the city’s history at their own pace. Daffron said if the city chooses to fi- interactive map of the trail system, and House to the riverfront .Due to the partial Cindy Daffron, executive director of the nance the project, or even a small portion digitized diary entries from people who government shutdown, the National Pony Express Museum, said the new trails of the project, it could help stimulate were traveling through St. Joseph. Parks Service has been unable to edit the system would bring people outdoors to heritage tourism in the area. (Editor’s note: This was one of the project for several weeks and ultimately explore the city. “That will kind of open and broaden items John Cannella from the National unable to present the trail project to the “I think people want to do what is real our doors for being a destination for Park Service spoke about at our Annual public. and actual versus I read it in a book. I everybody in the city. People like to come Board of Directors meeting.) During January, the Pony Express Mu- want to go to that city. I want to walk and visit, but they like to eat and enjoy seum hosted Travis Boley, manager of the the same pathway. I want to experience things we have here in St. Joe,” Daffron

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ 4 Pony Express Gazette April 2019 Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko hat’s the purpose of the cabin Society in 1960. The logs were collected, out front? Where did it come and numbered, from its original location from? So the Pony Express in Ruby Valley, then reconstructed on the Wcame through Elko? museum property. Over the years, it has My name is D’ette Mawson, and I am been moved and shifted due to different the education coordinator at the North- museum expansions. Most recently, it was eastern Nevada Museum in Elko, Nevada. rededicated in July of 2016. The North- These are all questions that I and our eastern Nevada Museum is in the unique staff hear on a near daily basis. The short position to share the story of this brief but answers are that the cabin was a stop on important moment in American History. the Pony Express in Ruby Valley, Nevada, The field trip program discusses the and no, the Pony Express did not come beginnings of the Pony, from the in- directly through Elko. The long answer is spiration given to Russell, Majors, and a little more fun, however. Waddell, to the very first ride out of St. As education coordinator, I have taken Joseph, Missouri. Then, because we are in on the responsibility of educating, those Nevada, we talk about Pony Bob Haslam who visit our museum, on a variety of and the longest ride. We finish the discus- subjects. These visitors come to us for sion with the Pony Express Association, diverse reasons, from a regular tourist vis- highlighting the story of a teenage girl as it to a school field trip. School field trips she participates in the annual re-ride. My are the easiest way to educate. In January, goal in ending with her story is to inspire I introduced a program I wrote to share the children I am teaching to participate, with visiting schools about the Pony and to become involved in their commu- Express. The Pony Express Cabin that nities. I want them to know they can be a sits in front of our museum was donated part of history. Thank you for your part in to the Northeastern Nevada Historical keeping our history alive.

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 5 MEMBER PROFILE present day, plus being a ride captain. In April of 2010 Les was part of a dele- Les Bennington gation for a presentation in Washington, Les Bennington of Glenrock, Wyoming D.C. at the Postal Museum. has been an active member of the Nation- Les’ two sons, Buck and Jeremy, have al Pony Express Association for 39 years. been doing the re-ride every year from Les’ first ride was in 1980. This was the when they were old enough to do it. The NPEA re-ride to go the entire route from WA NTED biggest change Les has seen over the years St. Joe to Sacramento, which got pretty is the use of cell phones. I asked Les what interesting at times I’m sure. keeps members riding year after year? He Wyoming didn’t have a President at said the “reliving the historical ride and this time. The association was not as the pure challenge of it.” organized like it is today. Les also partic- I know that Les can be very proud that ipated in the 1996 Olympic Torch Ride, he has had a big hand in seeing that the which just keeping the torch lit, was a big mail must go through. problem. Submitted by Rick Bretton – Glenrock Les was one to always raise his hand to Wyo. be a leader when nobody wanted to do it. Ride Captain He was Wyoming President in 1998-2007. Note: Rick has rode with Les for 20 plus National President 2007-2010 and then years in Wyoming. Wyoming President again in 2010 to the MEMBERS TO SEND VIDEOS LIVE FROM THE TRAIL DURING THE RE-RIDE. Please contact us at: [email protected]

URGENT E-mail your ride reports to: [email protected]

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ 6 Pony Express Gazette April 2019 Memories of my great-great-grandfather, William Page Fourth generation “rider” to ride in the 2019 William Page Born: Aug 4, 1838 in England have no recollection of the first time I he hated horses, but he had to ride this Died: May 28, 1893 in Utah heard about the Pony Express. Grow- horse down State Street as an “honor- ing up in the west, the images seem to ary” member. He said, “I got on and they Buried: Bountiful Memorial Park, Ihave always been in my head of fearless chased the horse down the street.” “An Bountiful, Utah men delivering mail on horseback. Those honorary member of what?” I asked. images became more real when visiting Grandpa said he had to do it because his the Pony Express monuments, markers father was an original rider of the Pony and statues along the places we camped, Express. My great-great-grandfather, Wil- hunted and hiked. It’s no wonder that liam Page, was a rider of the Pony Express once I had a horse of my own I was drawn and I didn’t know it! towards exploring sections of the trail. The picture of grandpa on a horse was Camping sometimes for days at a time, taken when he was only 20 years old. I would head out on my favorite horse, grandma could tell how much the photo “Lightning,” while my dad slept in. Much meant to me, so she said I should meet of the trail in Utah is as isolated as it her aunt who was still alive in Grantsville, was in 1860. My favorite places were the Utah. She thought she might have some Faust Road, Simpson Springs, and the top more pictures. My knock on Aunt Mary’s of Lookout pass. Once we spent a week door was met with a warm reception. It camped in the Deep Creek mountains. took a while for me to explain how we are I rode in Echo Canyon and found the related- as I am the great grandson of her William Page Pony Express Rider 1860-61 original trail crossing from Wyoming husband’s older brother. She started mak- to Utah. No matter how isolated I was, ing lunch. Then picture after picture of I never felt alone on the trail. A horse is babies, weddings, Christmas, and dozens good company but I always thought it was of distant relatives. No horses. I dropped the past… All that history, all the riders in again about a month later. It was an and the spirit of all the horses. I felt like exact replay of the first visit. Exact! Same part of the team, but there was something invitation, same stories, same lunch, same I didn’t know. drink. Really really special but no horse My family had been divided over reli- pictures. And again and again. Then on gion, so I hardly knew my grandparents as one visit Aunt Mary says she had a cousin an adult. I decided late in my 30’s to cross still alive who would have more pictures. that line and just drop in. It went well Cousin Joyce was younger than Aunt and soon I was having lunch with them Mary; she was only 83. I made an ap- every two weeks. Out of nowhere one day pointment on the phone to drop in. I asked them if they had any pictures of Upstairs on the counter the first thing my family’s horses or family members on I see are albums of men and women on horseback. Grandma returned from the horseback. Before I could look at those bedroom chuckling, holding a stunning she wanted me to look at a copy of a photo of grandpa on a tall horse. Then he Grantville newspaper from 1960. It was a also laughed. “Whats so funny?” Grandma article about the 100 year anniversary of explains that she had been quite the cow- the Pony Express. It told about my great girl, for real! Although she spent many uncle Bill who rode in 1923. long days herding cows by herself, there In Summary were no photographs of her! Grandpa said My great-great-grandfather was a origi- nal Pony Express rider 1860-1861. My great uncle Bill Callister rode in the 1923 Pony Express race. My grandfather rode in the 75th dia- mond celebration in 1935. I will be sworn in to officially ride in June of 2019. My grandson may ride alongside me but he feels the same way about horses as Grandpa Colbert.... We’ll see. Submitted by Steve Huffman Bill Callister - 1923

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 7 Thomas Bedford, first rider to carry mail into Oakland, Ca. Born: March 7, 1826, store, Thomas handled mail for the early Perry again bound for California. in Breckinridge County, Kentucky settlers who were his customers and for He purchased a farm on the out- Died: September 26, 1906, the few traders and travelers who came skirts of Benicia, California, in the Los Angeles, California his way. Although Thomas was not a early 1850s. After selling the farm regularly appointed postmaster, for a time in 1858, he went into the livery homas Jefferson Bedford’s father he handled the mail addressed in care of and feed business in Benicia. He was John Bedford; his mother was “Bedford’s Trading Post.” This he did as evidently sold his interest in this Elizabeth Howard Bedford. He an accommodation for his patrons long business because in the census of Twas the second of four brothers: William before the first U.S. post office was estab- 1860 his occupation was listed as Howard, Alexander Marshall, and John lished. “Bedford’s Store and Trading Post” “livery stable keeper.” Coleman. He had two sisters Martha Page became shortened to just “Bedford.” On April 23, 1861, Thomas Bed- and Lucy Ann Bedford. In October 1849 Thomas went to the ford was the first rider to carry the In 1830 the Bedfords moved to Mead gold region of California where he went Pony Express mail overland from County, Kentucky, about eight miles from into business with Nathan Able, a black- Benicia to Oakland. Brandenburg. After the death of their smith, in Sacramento. In 1850 he re- In May 1861 moved with family parents, the Bedford children went to live turned from California and bought a store to Carson City, Nevada Territory. with their aunt Elizabeth Bedford Russell in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he sold in a In 1862, with Mark L. McDonald, and her husband Henry Russell in the couple of weeks for an increase of $2,500. built a toll road between Eagle old Bedford homestead near Bloomfield, He married Martha A. Stewart, July 8, Valley and Virginia City. In 1862 Nelson County, Kentucky. 1851, in residence of William H. Bedford, listed as a resident of Carson City, In 1848, Thomas Bedford went into St. Joseph, Missouri. With his brother, Nevada Territory, as a teamster on Iowa from St. Joseph to establish a William H. Bedford, and their families, A.D. Treadway’s Ranch located on small trading post at a site in or near the Thomas left St. Joseph the second week in north side of Carson City. In 1863 present limits of Bedford, Iowa. In his May 1852 on the wagon train of Elias H. Bedford & Levy, wholesale wines & liquors, listed on King near Car- son, Carson City. On November 2, 1863, dissolved Co-partnership of Bedford & Levy. In 1864, as a cat- tleman living in Austin, paid taxes Confederate spy on slaughtered livestock. October 1865 found Thomas acting as Spe- voter registration from San Bernardino cial Deputy to Sheriff of Carson City. In County to Los Angeles County. Over the and socialite, Rose May 1866 he was thinking of running for following years he listed his occupation sheriff in Carson City in the fall, however, variously as Stock Raiser, Cattle Dealer, the election returns for Ormsby County Officer, City Jailer, Detective, and finally O’Neal Greenhow reported in the Territorial Enterprise, as retired in 1890. November 9, 1866, did not list Thomas In May 1896 (age 70), Thomas was ose was a renowned Confederate spy during Bedford. On February 11, 1868, a warrant admitted to Los Angeles County Hospi- the American Civil War. A socialite in Wash- in bankruptcy issued against the estate of tal and Farm for “old age.” He listed his ington, D.C. during the period before the war, Thomas J. Bedford. occupation as Stockman. In March 1903, Rshe moved in important political circles and cultivated In 1869 (age 43) he listed his occupa- (age 80) he was admitted to Los Angeles friendships with presidents, generals, senators, and tion as Trader, living in Temescal Town- County Farm for treatment of asthma. high-ranking military officers including John C. Calhoun and James Buchanan. ship, San Bernardino County, California. Thomas died September 26, 1906, (age She used her connections to pass along key military information to the Confeder- In February 1869, Thomas purchased, 80) in Los Angeles County Hospital: acy at the start of the war. In early 1861, she was given control of a pro-Southern spy with William G. Wayman, the Butterfield Cause of death: Endocarditis. He is buried network in Washington, D.C. Stage Station and its 160 acres near Te- in Rosedale Cemetery, 1831 Washington, Her life story is a very interesting read. mescal, California, from W.W. Rubottom Los Angeles, California. The following are envelopes addressed to her sent via the Pony Express. for $3,500. In March 1869, Wayman sold Photo provided by Mark Jones a great- Submitted by Arleta Martin his half of the Butterfield Stage property great- great nephew of Thomas Bedford to Thomas Bedford for $1,750. In Census who writes, “The photo is in a leather of 1870 (age 44) Thomas listed his occu- bound photo album that we have that pation as Farmer living in San Salvador used to belong to T.J. Bedford’s nephew Township, San Bernardino County. San John Thomas Bedford. Thank you for your Bernardino Guardian reported a number work on the pony express and particularly times in 1871 Thomas Bedford’s activity the work on my great great-great uncle in County politics. Tom, he was quite an interesting man.” In August 1873, Thomas transferred his by Tom Crews, California

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ 8 Pony Express Gazette April 2019 We have added several new 25 Years Together on links to our website One is the Book Corner which lists great resource material for anyone wanting to research or learn more about the Pony Express. the Pony Express Trail n 2013, I wrote an article for the Na- four. We only have a few miles to go be- nationalponyexpress.org/news/book-corner/ tional Pony Express Gazette called, “20 fore we reach 7,000. She has been carry- Another link is on Celebrations that were held commemorating the Pony Express. Years Together on the Pony Express ing the mail since she was five, so many of nationalponyexpress.org/historic-pony-express-trail/celebrations/ ITrail”. Now, five years later, my horse, these miles were gained by running down Honey Babe and I are back to give you the National Historic Pony Express Trail.. an update. We are still running down In addition to being a great Pony the trail with the mail. In 2018, we were Express horse, Honey Babe has enjoyed running out in Utah’s west desert near participating in trail rides, horse shows, Simpson Springs, where this photo was competitive trail competitions, parades, taken. Also in 2018, we got our 25 Year wagon trains, and showing off for the Award. camera. A couple of years ago, she was Honey Babe just turned 31, but she featured in a commercial for a national doesn’t seem to know it. Although it is chain of restaurants. hard to believe, seeing, hearing, eating As long as Honey Babe wants to run, I and retaining a good weight are still all will let her. Watch for us again this year in normal for her. She has always been, and June as we run along the trail in northern continues to be, a spunky and fast walking Utah. I have been together with my little horse with great stamina. Her breeding mare for almost half of my life. We have of Tennessee Walking Horse and Quarter a special bond. She will do most anything Overo Paint has given her the best traits I ask her to do. I wonder if I in five more in a horse that any equestrian could want. years, I will be writing an article called, I have been keeping track of all the “30 Years Together… miles I have ridden Honey Babe since I Submitted by Diana van Uitert, Utah bought her back in 1992, when she was

Did you know that the Pony Express Newsletter is now available online? nationalponyexpress.org/news/the-pony-express-news/

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 9 THEN AND NOW Hollenberg/Cottonwood Station near Hanover, Kansas

Vignette from a mural in the U.S. Capitol building, Washington, D.C., showing Pony Express riders at the Hollenberg Station (Hanover, Kansas) readying to switch ponies while (in the background) workers string cables for the telegraph. The Westward Expansion Corridor (Western North­ South Corridor) In 1993-1994 the third series of murals corridors that Cox executed, the scenes based on Cox’s approved designs was on the vaults are set above illusionistic executed in the western north-south architectural motifs and relief sculpture. corridor by EverGreene Painting Stu- Each map in the vaults is shown in the dios, Inc. Called the Westward Expan- cartographic style appropriate to its sion corridor, it historical period. Jeffrey Greene, the head includes maps and of EverGreene Painting Studios, verified scenes showing the geographical and historical accuracy the growth of the of Cox’s preliminary sketches, devel- United States from oped new scenes compatible with Cox’s early exploration concept, and then submitted detailed trough the acquisi- sketches and small-scale oil paintings of tion of Alaska and each vault to the Architect of the Capitol Hawaii. As in the for the necessary approval.

Hanks – Station keeper at Mountain Dale, Utah phraim K. Hanks was born in 1851 to 1853 and later acted as a station The mail contract lists the seventh Madison, Ohio on 21 March 1826. master for the Pony Express, facilitating Utah station as being at Mountain Dale. He left home at age 16, working mail service on the Mormon Trail to It was also called Big Canyon Creek, and Efor a time on the Erie Canal and then Salt Lake through Utah’s Emigration often, Hanks Station for Ephraim Hanks serving in the United States Navy. Canyon. Hanks’ Station was located on who managed the place. This is another Returning home to Ohio, he learned his the Mormon Trail in Mountain Dell, a station the exact location of which has brother Sidney had joined The Church valley between the Big Mountain and been much debated. It stood a distance of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Little Mountain, also known as Big up the slope from Little Dell Reservoir, Hanks soon accepted the young church’s Canyon, named for the creek that still but neither study of contemporary teachings and became a member in runs through that area. The historic accounts nor an extensive archeologi- 1845. Hanks left Nauvoo, Illinois with station has been removed, but its site cal dig conducted by researchers from the LDS followers of Brigham Young on sits on the edge of what is now Little Brigham Young University has answered the trek west to the Rocky Mountains. Dell Reservoir. Hanks passed away on 9 the question of the actual station site. Hanks was a U.S. mail carrier from June 1896.

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ 10 Pony Express Gazette April 2019

The “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West,” is celebrating 100 years by honoring the men and women who served our country

Pony Express at the 100th Reno Rodeo: Join the Fun! Current Schedule of Events: ity, and to show our appreciation for our Veterans. Riders and Volunteers will have access to the Rodeo Grounds, but Reno Rodeo Patriots Night - not entry to the grandstands. We have a limited number June 21, 2019 – Show starts 7:00 pm www.renorodeo.com of tickets available for participating members. If you wish to watch the show from the stands, you must purchase a Reno Rodeo Parade - ticket. Be aware the Friday night shows sell out early, so June 22, 2019 10:00 - 11:00 am get your tickets now! Rodeo Tickets are available at: www. www.renorodeo.com/event/parade renorodeo.com/shop/tickets/# Reno Rodeo Kids Day - Reno Rodeo Parade - June 23, 2019 9:00am - 1:00 pm June 22, 2019 10:00 - 11:00 am www.renorodeo.com/event/kids-day We have placed our entry in the Reno Rodeo Parade! Interested in participating? Please fill out the partic- We are asking riders and ground crew to come dressed in ipation form and send it back to us by April 15, 2019 at your XP uniform and participate in the parade. Show your [email protected]. You will not be allowed entry pride in being a member of the NPEA. We will inform into the staging area of the rodeo grounds if you do not participants of the meeting location and details as they return the participation form. Once the form is received, become available. Please complete the participation form we will add you to the email list to receive updates and if you intend to be in the parade. We will contact you to event specific details. provide details as soon as available. Participation form covers all 3 events, please indicate Reno Rodeo Kids Day - which event(s) you are interested in and is available at: June 23, 2019 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm nationalponyexpress.org/npea-events/rodeo/ We will setup a Pony Express Station for kids to dress up reno-rodeo-participation-request-2/ as a Pony Express Rider and have their photo taken. This Reno Rodeo Patriots Night - is a non-horse event where we get to talk about the Pony June 21, 2019 – Show starts 7:00 pm - Express. This is our chance to engage with future Pony NPEA will be carrying cards and letters of appreciation Riders. Let us know if you are interested in helping on the into the Rodeo Arena by horseback to present to the Ne- form. We will contact you to provide details as soon as vada Veterans Coalition. Rider spots are very limited for available. this event, but we would love to have as many “boots on Pony Express Rodeo Committee the ground” in uniform as possible to help with the activ- nationalponyexpress.org/npea-events/rodeo

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 11

The “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West,” is celebrating 100 years by honoring the men and women who served our country

The Pony Express Rides Again! trail of dust appears in the distance as a young, Despite being a brief, financially disastrous enterprise, weathered rider emerges across rolling hills of the Pony Express employed a few famous riders, including cheatgrass and sagebrush. The sounds of the Johnny Fry, William Campbell, William (Sam) Hamilton Aexhausted man and his animal break the tranquility of this and Robert “Pony Bob” Haslam. peaceful scene as they finish their leg of the rugged trail. A Though the original Pony Express went belly up due new rider and horse stand in the shade of an old Cotton- to the advancement in communication technologies, the wood, anxiously awaiting their exchange. The incoming legacy continues on in what they call a Re-Ride. rider brings his horse to an abrupt halt. Getting down Each June, over 750 members of the National Pony from his mount, he lifts a mochila (leather mailbag) from Express Association (NPEA) reenact the Pony Express in the saddle. The fresh rider then places it on the new horse. a Commemorative Re-Ride over a ten-day period. Letters He steps into the stirrup, climbs atop the saddle, and with are carried in a mochila over the original trail. The 1,966 a swift jab of his spurs begins his stake of the journey. mile ride covers eight states and is conducted 24 hours There were limitations on how we kept in contact from a day until the mail is delivered to its destination, either coast to coast prior to railroad and telegraph lines criss- Sacramento, or Saint Joseph (alternating annually). The crossing our beautiful country. The Pony Express was national Re-Ride event is an opportunity for young and created to fill this gap by providing mail delivery with old to ride the historic trail and to send a letter via the continuous horse-and-rider relays between St. Joseph, Pony Express. Missouri, and Sacramento, California from April 1860 to This year the Reno Rodeo will have a special perfor- October 1861. mance depicting the hand-off of mail as well as a unique The breed of the horses used varied according to the tie in with our military veterans on Patriot Night. terrain. Most common were half-breed Mustangs in the Letters to veterans will be delivered and presented to west; in the east, it was Thoroughbred / Morgan. The the Veteran’s Coalition during The Pony Express perfor- horses that they used would prove to be very valuable as mance on Patriot Night showing how it was done in the they were faster and demonstrated better stamina than Wild West. most Indian mounts. This was a significant concern due to You can take part in this event by writing letters that the likelihood of a hostile attack while on the trail. These will be delivered during the performance by going to their horses often saved the lives of riders who were able to website https://nationalponyexpress.org / then follow the outdistance their attackers. Reno Rodeo link and print out the template on which to Of course, the best horses were of no use without expe- write your own letter. rienced riders. The business of the Pony Express sought Send it to Pony Express Letters for Veterans, c/o Reno out young men born to the saddle and undaunted by Rodeo, P.O. Box 12335 Reno, NV 89510. danger. They were generally slight of build to minimize the Melville Petersen – Reno Rodeo strain on their mounts.

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Renohese are exciting timesRodeo in Reno, opportunity 100 to participate and Years how hon- 100 Stories event leading up to the Reno Rodeo 100 ored I was to be able to help organize the Year Celebration in June. This year “Pony Letters for Veterans” letter drive. Tthe National Pony Express Association is I managed to get most of my voice back, a part of the celebrations for this amazing thankfully a microphone was available to event! Leading up to the 100th rodeo in tell my stories from the trail! I shared our June, there are a series of events hosted by journey to the Reno Rodeo in 2019. My the Reno Rodeo, including a series of “100 story starts as a young girl in Germany. Years 100 Stories”. Growing up it was all about riding my I saw a Facebook post about the 100 horse Merino. Loved going to the stables, Stories event, and decided to reach out to riding and showing in dressage, jumping Mell at the Rodeo to see if we could setup and 3 day eventing. Always fascinated a Letter writing station for our “Pony by the horse tales and western movies Letters for Veterans” drive. He liked the growing up, who knew I would end up idea and then suggested that I also speak living in the west. I landed in Nevada, at the event and share some of my Pony was able to get back into horses, and love Express stories. Wow, what an honor! exploring the trails. I found out about the The event was less than a week away and Pony Express Re-Ride for the 150th An- I had a cold… but there was still time to niversary ride in 2010 and decided to give prepare and get my voice back! So many it a try! Well, I must have caught Pony memories to share of the rides from the Fever as this year will be my 10th year last few years. Which ones to choose and participating in the annual Re-Ride. I have which ones would be interesting to the been riding the same thoroughbred Red, audience of the 100 Story event. Which he LOVES getting the Mochila! He has stories to share? Our first ride down Jack associated receiving the mochila with an not been for all the trail miles, our bear to the Veterans Coalition during Patriot Valley Road in 2010, or the excitement of opportunity to gallop through the Nevada encounter yesterday could have ended night at the Reno Rodeo. Folks enjoyed a youth rider shadowing along or maybe desert, getting him to stand still for the very differently. Each pin represents a lot it so much, that we will be at future 100 the ‘wet’ year where we had to ride past transfer and mounting can be a challenge, of hard work, sweat, trust in your partner Story events with our Letter Station. an abandoned truck stuck in the mud bog his anticipation is great. I reflect back and an amazing support crew to help you We have already received letters to along the trail, maybe I should tell about on the past years and the memories Red ride for the Pony. I shared several of these carry during the Rodeo - I hope you take the bear encounter. Several memories and I made along the trail. I recall when I memories with the audience and the Elks a moment to write your letter(s) as well. came to mind, including the tribute ride completed the Pony Trail pin on my vest Lodge in Reno. Participating in the Rodeo this year is a for our past President Dale Ryan last year. (8 years). I reflect on the memories of the Diane Garland and I set up the Letter wonderful opportunity for the National I was told I only had 15 minutes, what to years, each year has such unique memo- Station and were able to talk to many Pony Express Association! Looking for- do I had hours of stories I could tell! Of ries. Equestrians can appreciate that the folks about the event. We were able to let ward to a great Rodeo event! Go Pony! course I wanted to end my story with my best memory is how the bond between folks know about our letter drive and how by Petra Keller, Nevada road to the Reno Rodeo this year and the Red & I has grown over the years. If it had the Pony Express will ‘deliver’ these letters

4H horse clubs learn about Pony Express Re-Ride and activities n January, the Washoe County 4H shadow rider and the following year Medical Center. Chloe shared her expe- written for Veterans to the Rodeo Arena. horse clubs invited the Pony Express riding two legs on her own carrying the rience in riding in the event and visiting The 4H’ers happily wrote letters to the to talk about the annual Pony Express Mochila. In 2018, Chloe & Petra traveled the veterans and told the 4H’ers how on veterans to be carried during the event IRe-Ride and other upcoming activities together during the Re-ride following the the drive back Chloe and Petra discussed and invited XP to participate at the Feb- during their spring clinic at the Reno Pony through UT, WY, CO & NE and ways of doing something similar in ruary 4H Tack Sale with a letter writing Livestock Events Center. Chloe Young actually riding/carrying the mail in dif- Nevada for the veterans. The opportuni- station to let folks know about the Pony (4H & Pony Express member) and Petra ferent states. On their return to Nevada, ty came with the Reno Rodeo 100 Year Letters for Veterans drive. Chloe and the Keller spoke about their adventures they participated in the Wyoming “Ride celebration. This year as part of the Reno 4H horse clubs were able to collect letters together on the Pony Express trail and for the Heroes” event, which presented Rodeo 100 year celebration, the Pony our Veterans. Chloe talked about her experience with Veterans with letters written by school Express will participate on Patriot Night by Chloe Young & Petra Keller, Nevada the Pony Express starting as a youth children at the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs during the Rodeo by carrying in letters

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 13 Letters, letters, letters On the Pony The National Pony Express helps celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Reno Rodeo! We will deliver “Pony Express Trail Letters for the Veterans” during the Reno Rodeo on Patriot by Marilyn Linares, Utah Night (June 21, 2019) to the Nevada Veterans Coalition. We need your help to have lots of letters for our veter- On the spot where now I stand ans, please take a moment to write a letter to a veteran and Beside the sage and the shifting sand share this request. This is a unique opportunity to show our A messenger, a rider, if you will, appreciation for their service. Raced on toward far distant hill. The letters will receive a special stamp that they were Galloping buckskin and flying tail, carried on Horseback by the Pony Express. Sending these Bravely carrying the U.S. mail. letters is FREE and you can send as many as you would like! In April of 1860, so the story goes More Information: Young men hired on and were chose nationalponyexpress.org/npea-events/rodeo/ Three men, Russell, Majors, and Waddell Mail Letters to: Founded and created the Pony Express Mail. Pony Express Letters for Veterans To provide a faster mail delivery route c/o Reno Rodeo From East to West in 10 days, about. PO Box 12335 From St. Joseph, Missouri the boys would ride Reno, NV 89510 Toward Sacramento and the ocean tide. Return riders charged toward the east From the Washington County Register – Sept 1938 The mail must go through was the motto of the hardy band Not slowing up, not in the least of horsemen, according to Honnell. Through sunshine and If per chance, that two should meet, W. R. Honnell, a student of early day history of the American storm, without even the friendly stars to guide the riders along Sometimes they didn’t know, they rode asleep! frontier has completed a map of the route of the Pony Ex- their lonely journey. They rode on day and night, singing their Switching riders and horses on the flight, press which was operated for a period of eighteen months and love songs to the rhythm of their galloping ponies, as they At the stations, they’d rest and eat a bite. provided 10-day mail service between St. Joseph, Mo., then the passed through herds of stampeding buffalo, prowling coyotes Over wide prairies and steep terrain, western terminus of the Burlington Railroad, and Sacramento, and lobo wolves. Many of the dim trails were scarcely more Through snow and hail and sleet and rain. Calif. Research over a period of more than six months was nec- than a bridle path, zigzagging along the streams and the brinks 18-year-old boys faced the unknown, essary for Honnell to finish the undertaking. The map shows of dark precipices, and the narrow caverns were infested with risking life and leaving home. the location of every station on the more than 2,000-mile route. blood-thirsty savages lying in wait to lift the scalps of the dar- Carrying letters of Civil War Honnell was familiar with the early day Pony Express, being ing riders who had entered their lonely fastness. To family members near and far. born at Kennekuk, Kan., one of the stations along the route. Undoubtedly the venture would have proved successful were Bob Haslam, Buffalo Bill, and many more Since he was born the same year the express was established, it not for the fact that telegraph lines were strung to the coast Are among the names of Pony Express lore. most of his recollections are of hearsay remarks by those and the railroad lines completed. When it was seen that the On October 24, 1861, acquainted with the band of men who, so valiantly carried the schedule of the Pony Express could be maintained, the tele- This piece of history was over and done. mail through to the western coast. graph and train service was installed. The hardy riders were Telegraph wires from east to west The idea for the Pony Express was conceived by the members unable to cope with the speed of lightning or the charge of Ended the era of the Pony Express. of the transportation firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell. At the “iron horse” across the prairies and what was probably the What had taken about ten days that time the three men operated the most extensive transpor- most courageous transportation experiment in the history of Could now be done in much faster ways. tation company in the west. the world was disbanded. Technology had made it obsolete The westward migrations of the Mormons in 1847 and the Without doubt the short history of the early day Pony Ex- For the brave young mail riders to compete. discovery of gold in 1848 brought about the demand and the press is firmly imprinted in the saga of the romantic old west. But sometimes on a clear cool night, necessity for the Pony Express which, in Honnell’s opinion The venturesome riders with their fleet steeds certainly com- When all but the coyotes and frogs are quiet. saved California to the union. It also proved that permanent posed the “air mail” of the nineteenth century. The 10-day com- Carefully listening while I stand lines of communication could be maintained over the danger- munication facilities with the Pacific coast probably did more Beside the sage and desert sand. ous route through all seasons of the year. to open the country for civilization than any other enterprise A lump in my throat and my ear to the ground. When the line was first established it cut the mail time more until the completion of the first rail track which was rushed Is it just my heart or another sound? than two thirds. Prior to the establishment of the express route, after the express riders started their regular runs. The Pony By the side of MY Pony Express trail, the fastest trips took thirty days. The pony riders maintained Express is firmly entrenched in the annals of the history of the I hear the echo of hoofbeats carrying the mail. a regular schedule of ten days. One trip, bearing the news of American frontier and the riders did much to pave the way for Lincoln’s inaugural address, was completed in seven days and the rapid spread of civilization over the wide expense of fertile seventeen hours, according to Honnell. plains, through lofty crags and mountains to the western slopes In establishing the route 190 stations were set up over the of the Rockies that gently dip into the waters of the Pacific. hazardous, 2,000-mile unmarked trail. Four hundred station (Editor’s note: Most of you are familiar with the blue print keepers and helpers were employed to care for the horses and map of the Pony Express. This 1935 map of the Pony Express riders and an average of 450 of the best horses available were Trail was drawn by K.W. Fink 6-20-1935 and copyrighted by kept by the company. W.R. Honnell of Kansas City, Kans.)

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dude ranch in Vail and would drive horse-drawn sleigh rides. Roy M. Bennett At one time, he was in charge of the Beaver Creek Stables. Dave immersed himself in the cowboy lifestyle and fed off the Roy M. Bennett was born Oct. 5, 1949, to Alfred (Chink) deep rich history of the west. He took part in reenactments of and Ellen Heath Bennett, the fifth of nine children. He was the Golden Spike at Promontory Point in Wyoming. He rode raised and educated around Broadwater, NE, working for horseback through the South Dakota Badlands. Wanting to neighbors at a young age. settle in area steeped in history, Dave thought he would enjoy He joined the U.S. Army and fought for freedom on a tour of Southern Colorado, but it was the history of the Pony Express duty in Viet Nam. He was a proud soldier and a proud Ameri- that drew him to Northeast Colorado and to Julesburg. can; never ashamed of the tears he would shed upon hearing Eventually Dave would make his home south of Julesburg Empty our National Anthem played. He cherished the privilege to on CR 4, between Julesburg and Holyoke. He split his time present the American flag at rodeos and parades on the back between the two communities. of his trusty horse Pistolero. His home was often the topic of conversation. Dave shared Following his military service, he returned and worked at a his home with his beloved horse, “Pony.” Dave could open the number of ranches in the Sandhills of western Nebraska. door of his living room, and Pony’s stall was right there. When In 1971, he and Carol Blakey were married and to this Dave opened the window to his room, Pony could stick his union, sons Roger Courtney and Corey Emerson were born. head in. They had a mutual admiration for one another. A rosary service and funeral service were held on Friday, The couple was later divorced. Dave walked the walk and talked the talk, always willing RichardSaddles Elvin Dixon March 1, at St. Gregory’s Catholic Church. Father Paul Oborny In 1976, he went to work for Burlington Northern Santa Fe and able to share stories from the old west that he embraced Nov. 16, 1932 – Jan. 23, 2019 and Father Nathan Haverland will officiate. Railroad where he remained for 33 years prior to retirement. or one of his tales from his own experiences. He would read The pallbearers were John Oborny, Kolten Oborny, Joe Richard “Red” Dixon was a devoted husband to Sally He and Karen Mickelsen were married in 1982 and they stories of Cowboy and Cowgirls to children at the public library, Jones, Dan Oborny, Phil Landoll and Tracy Edwards. Ann Dixon, loving father to Mike and Pam and grandfather to were blessed with sons Zachary Morris and Zane Bjegaard. serve as tour guide for area visitors. He shared stories of the Burial will be in St. Gregory’s Catholic Cemetery. Shelby, Sara and Justin. Roy was a powerhouse of a man, never a quitter and Indian Wars, the burning of Julesburg just as if happened Bill was born October 30, 1934 at Durham, Kan., to John He always lived in and around Folsom, CA. First growing passed his strong work and life ethics on to his sons. He could yesterday. He fondly spoke about the characters of the original and Elsie (Huna) Oborny, Sr. In 1952, he graduated from Tam- up on the Peninsula in Folsom which is now part of Folsom build or fix anything, including his home at Dwyer, loving every Pony Express as if he just seen them last week. It is said Dave pa Rural High School in Tampa, Kansas. In 1956, he earned Lake. He graduated from Folsom High School and served in minute of it. He grew an immense garden and loved sharing loved all the people in Sedgwick and Phillips County, or at his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of the Navy on the Whitehurst during the Korean War. When he the harvest with friends. least 95% of them. Kansas and was a member of the ROTC. returned from the war his family had moved to the Pleasant He loved every horse that was put in his path and shared Sadly, Dave Belke died on Sunday March 25, 2018. He He was a U.S. Army Commissioned Officer 2nd Lt., from Grove House where they raised cattle in Rescue, CA. story after story about all of them. He had a gift with animals, didn’t want a funeral, only to be cremated. He will be greatly 1956 thru 1958. In 1963, he was united in marriage to Marlise After serving in the Navy, Richard attended Sierra College a cowboy through and through and loved helping friends and missed. While he’s gone from the streets he once walked, he Bochantin at Lawton, Okla. where he met Sally Daniels. They were happily married for 53 neighbors with their livestock. At home in the saddle, some has left an indelible mark to remember him and our history of In 1965, he earned his Specialist in Education and in 1966 year and had two children Mike and Pam. Richard enjoyed of his best and favorite memories are riding the prairies of the west by. You only need to look up to the Julesburg skyline, Master’s in Education from Emporia State University and Doc- many years with his family raising cattle, hunting, camping, Wyoming with friends and his wife Karen. He was a 20-year to the Julesburg water tower and you can see it. There on the torate in Education from Oklahoma State University. fishing and riding horses. At the age of 75 he suffered a major member of the National Pony Express Association and along water tower is a Pony Express rider racing to the next station Bill was a superintendent of the USD 364 School District. stroke but was determined to ride a horse again after his reha- with other family members, carried mail for the annual re-ride carrying with him the mail of 1860. This was Dave’s dream. He was very active in the Marysville community. He was a bilitation. He worked hard and was back in the saddle and in as well as many other events. Just like a scene from the western movies, as the credits member of the Marysville Pony Express Station Museum 2010 he had the honor of riding out of Old Sacramento for the Roy dearly loved his grandchildren—each held a special roll, a sad song starts to play. This is where the cowboy rides Board of Directors, and was a Kiwanis Outstanding Citizenship annual re-ride celebration for the 150th anniversary. He was place in his heart. He treasured his time with the ones that away. Award Winner and Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow Award a devoted member of the California Division of National Pony lived closest and though he regretted the distance that sepa- Winner. He also belonged to the National Pony Express Express Association for 36 years. rated him from those who did not, they all brought immense Association. Richard joined his loving wife on January 23, 2019. They joy to his life. Bill loved fixing things and cooking. His specialties included Kenneth Gordon Jares are sitting next to a lake holding hands and fishing. Roy is survived by his wife of 35 years, Karen; sons Roger meat loaf, cucumber salad, BLT’s, and steaks on the grill. Ice (Annie) of Duncan, OK; Corey (Wendy) of Guernsey; Zach Kenneth Gordon Jares, 87, died July 8, 2018 in Reno, NV. cream after every meal was a must. (Karisa) of Torrington; Zane (Luke) of Oak Harbor, WA; broth- He was born May 17, 1931 in Cass County, Minnesota, to Tony He enjoyed spending time with his family, children and ers Bennie (Dorothy) of Sidney, NE; Stanley (Pat) of Guernsey; and Mary Jares. Clark E.O. “Sparky” Maxfield grandchildren. He liked feeding birds and squirrels and work- 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, 15 nephews, and Ken was a general contractor building many custom homes Clark E.O. “Sparky” Maxfield, of Hooper, Utah, passed ing with potted plants and flowers. 10 nieces. in the area until his retirement in 1990; he enjoyed hunting, away early Saturday morning, February 2, 2019, at home, He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, fishing, his horses, baseball, gardening, video poker and incident to a 25 year debilitation. He was born October 2, 1931 Marlise; and brother, George Oborny. watching the wild horses near his home. in Murray, Utah, to Louis E.O. and Rosamond Palmer Maxfield. Survivors include children, John Oborny and Bettina Ob- Dave Belke He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great Clark’s loving wife, Donna Lowe, “happily” nursed him orny; three grandchildren, Kiersten Tackett, Kennedy Oborny grandfather, and friend. Mr. Jares is survived by children, through his years of ill health, saying she was grateful she and Kolten Oborny; and a great-grandchild, Kaden Gibson. Dressed in his buckskin, wearing an old hat with a stam- Barbara Routledge (Everett, WA), Sandra Cardinal (Reno), could. pede string, tanned skin, and rugged and chiseled face, you Doug (Tammy) Jares (Reno); 5 grandchildren, Erin Routledge, He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of could swear Dave Belke just stepped out of the old western Matthew and Brendan Cardinal, Alex (Sarah) and Cory (Chris- Latter-day Saints. He proudly served as a Corporal in the U.S. Dale Ryan movie screen and onto the streets of Julesburg. Dave Belke tina) Jares; two great granddaughters, Braelynn and Penelope Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict from 1949 to 1953, May 8, 1938 – May 20, 2018 could be described as a one of kind, or maybe one of the last Jares; brother, Frank (Minnesota); sister, Kay (Minnesota); and where he was awarded the Purple Heart. Clark worked for Hill of his kind. It’s easy to imagine Belke as a young man in 1860 numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in Dale is safely in the arms of Jesus after suffering a massive Air Force Base as a Field Engineer until his retirement in 1986. answering an ad that read, “WANTED - young, skinny, wiry death by his wife of 60 years, Jeanette, parents, sisters, Mar- heart attack while visiting Spokane, Washington. He was born He enjoyed humor, outdoor camping, reunions, horseback fellows, not over eighteen. Must be expert riders, willing to risk ian and Violet and brothers, Henry, Harold, Tommy, Donald, on May 8, 1938, to Lee and Irene Ryan, in Reardan, Washing- and 4 wheelers, hunting, fishing, his dogs and spending ten death daily. Orphans preferred. Wages $25 per week. Apply and Floyd. Private services were held. ton. In January 1960 Dale married his wife Bonnie a marriage winters in Wickenberg, AZ. He was a member of several Rid- Pony Express Stables.” that lasted 58 years. ing Clubs, past State and National President of Pony Express In some ways, Dave’s life seem to mirror the old west that He attended a one-room school on Four Mound Prairie till and Back Country Horseman. he was so passionate about. eighth grade and graduated from North Central High School in Donald Fay Morrison Clark is survived by his wife, Donna Lowe Maxfield, his Dave was born November 2, 1936 in Milwaukee, WI, a Spokane Washington. 1942 – 2018 children, Kevin Bluemel, Seattle, WA; and his children, KC and lifetime after the days of the Pony Express. Dave didn’t share Dale joined the Marine Corps when he was 17, and served Ali; Kim (Rick) Olson, West Haven; and their children, Brandon much about his young life, only saying he had been raised by Donald Fay Morrison, died on Friday, July 20, 2018. Don three years, stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. After his (Jill) Olson, BreAnn (Kameron) Wootton and Carleigh Olson; his aunts and uncles. By age 16, Dave was on his own. was born in Van Nuys, CA, in 1942. discharge he attended Eastern Washington College of Educa- Donna’s children, Jerry (Darinda) Ropelato, Brent (Tami) Dave was no stranger to work, as he worked at Bud’s, He and his first wife, Vicky Aten Morrison, moved to tion for one term. Later in life Dale became an active member Ropelato, Larry (Dawn) Ropelato, Wayne (Christy) Ropelato, a local garage, where he learned to tinker on cars, worked Gardnerville, in 1971. Don was an auto body technician until of the Marine Corps League, Silver State Detachment 630 in Shari (Duane) Sell and Scott (Erin) Ropelato; 29 grandchildren the Chevrolet plant in Janesville, WI, and was a member of his retirement in 1997. He achieved his wish to be a cowboy, Carson City, Nevada. and 55 great-grandchildren; two sisters, JeNeal M. (David) a stock car pit crew in Rockford, IL. One time in his life he and was In 1970 the family moved to Carson City where he served Boggess, Sandy; Cheryl M. (Robert) Peters, Woods Cross; repossessed cars. a past president of the Nevada Chapter of the Pony Ex- 16 years as Deputy Director of Pubic Works. In 1998 he retired one brother, Rod (Gayla) Maxfield, Woodland; and former wife, Dave had an adventurous side, married with two sons, press Association. (1984) from the State of Nevada Health Division. Emma Lou Maxfield, Ogden. He was preceded in death by Dave moved his young family around a lot. For a time, his He was preceded in death, by his twin brother, Ronald Jay Dale was an original member of the Sheriff Search and his parents, brothers Gerald “Baldi” and Calvin L. Maxfield; a family farmed and ran cattle. His sons did most of the farming, Morrison, and parents Orval ‘Fay’ and Helen Morrison, and Rescue mounted posse. He joined the Nevada Division of grandson, Cody Duane Olson; great-grandson, Gage Brandon Dave’s way of keeping them out of trouble. Once Dave and nephew Randy Morrison. National Pony Express Association, and served as National Olson; and Donna’s daughter, Tamara. the family started out with two head of cattle, only to build the Don leaves behind his wife of 12 years, Corinne ‘Corky’ President from 1999 to 2001. He was a member of the Nevada Funeral Services were held on Saturday, February 9, 2019 herd to 75. Morrison, daughters Lisa Gillespie, Carla Wetzel and Heather Division of the American Public Works Association. at the Hooper Landing Chapel, The family met with friends Fri- He also had another side that few knew about. Up to the Field, and son-in-law, Anthony Field, brothers Jim Morrison Hunting was the most important activity in his life after day, February 8th, from 6 to 8 pm at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, day that Dave and his wife divorced, he was a suit and tie and his wife Gloria, Keith Morrison and his wife Cara, grand- his retirement, he usually filled his tags, and the latest was a and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. man. Each week, he visited the barber shop for a flat top children, Cameron and Carlee Gillespie, Sierra and Dylan Bighorn Sheep. Interment, Hooper Cemetery. haircut. There was no hint of his cowboy nature, no boots, no Wetzel and Alexa Field, and great-grandsons Demetrian and Dale was preceded in death by both parents. His wife Bon- bolo tie that you might think. Impeccably dressed head to toe. Abel, and numerous nieces and nephews. nie survives him, sons Mikel (Pam), Scot (Alberta), daughter Dave was a banker. He ran at least two different banks over His family and friends mourn his passing, but know we will Debra (Lynn), grandsons Nicholas (Emily), Justin (Amanda), time, and also sold real estate. all be together again one day. Dr. William “Bill” Oborny granddaughter Kayla, great-grandson Jaxon, and brother Jim. But it was the adventurous side that would call for him Dr. William “Bill” Oborny, 84, of Marysville, Kansas, died A memorial Service was held June 9 at the First Baptist to move west like the many men who went before him. In Feb. 22, 2019 at his home. Church in Carson City. Colorado he became the cowboy we all knew. He worked a

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volunteering. She received many awards, certificates, and Carol Hunt accolades for her horsemanship and her volunteerism. Most May 11, 1943 – June 22, 2017 recently she posthumously received the Distinguished Service Award for 40+ years of service to the Sheriff’s Department of Carol J. Hunt, aka, Wicked Lil, passed away June 22, 2017, Search and Rescue. of heart failure, at the Henderson Hospital. She was a pioneer Cindy started her volunteering early in life while riding with to the Las Vegas community starting in early 70’s being a top her parents on the Wagon Train. Over her 65 years she vol- notch 4-H Leader and writing for the Las Vegas Sun and Las unteered with the Civil Air Patrol, 4H, FFA, as well as various Vegas Review-Journal newspapers. horse organizations. More recently she was a member of the She transitioned to a bus driver for the Clark County Odd Fellow and Rebekah Assemblies, National Pony Express School District, where she retired. Carol moved to Lund, then Association California Division and El Dorado County Search to Ely, where she romped and rode her way into the hearts of and Rescue. many while robbing the Ely Ghost Train and entertaining us in Cindy spent over 40 years of her life volunteering her time her Wicked Lil costume at the saloon. to those that she did not even know. Her wealth of knowledge She loved her gambling! Her final wish was to go to Sam’s of the county was invaluable in locating those lost and injured. Town for the weekend and then conquered her ninth re-ride Her dedication to the county and the SAR mission of “So Oth- of the original Pony Express. Her true passion in life was her ers May Live” is a testament to how she lived her life. Cindy horses! Celebration of life was Friday, July 28, at the Elks never bragged about her service, in fact anytime her years of Lodge in Ely, Nev. service were brought up she would change the topic. That is who Cindy was, private in her personal life and humble in her achievements. On Oct. 7 of 1975 Cindy was sworn in as a Duane R. Durst Special Deputy by Sheriff Pacileo. Cindy never talked about it, Duane R. Durst, 86, Washington, Kansas, passed away and in fact it was unknown until a review of record was done. on April 22, 2018, at the Marysville Community Hospital in Checking with several of the original SAR members and older Marysville, Kansas, after a short illness. Deputy Coordinators, no one could recall a similar circum- He was born on Oct. 16, 1931, to Frank and Viola (Yager) stance. Cindy was one of a kind and a tremendous asset to Durst at Morrowville, Kansas. He attended school in Haddam, the Sheriff’s Office. KS, and graduated from Haddam High School in 1949. Cindy will be missed by her SAR, Forestry, Pony Express, After graduation he joined the United States Air Force and Odd Fellow and Rebekah families as well as her friends and was stationed at Landstuhl Air Force Base (Germany), where anyone else who was lucky enough to have met her. he was a Staff Sgt. during the Korean War. He met his wife, Cindy was preceded in death by her parents Nancy and Elfriede E. Hirsch, and they were married on March 17, 1956. Walton Honn. The couple lived in Germany while he was in the Air Force, and upon his leaving the Air Force, he and Elfriede returned to the Morrowville, KS area, where they farmed and raised their Owen Dale “Rusty” Owens two children, Linda and Frank. Owen Dale “Rusty” Owens passed away Oct. 29 following He farmed for 20 years. He was the Curator of the Hollen- a courageous and strong battle with cancer. He was 64. berg Pony Express Station in Hanover, KS, for 23 years, and Owens was born to Betty Louise and Edwin LaVain Owens was instrumental in organizing the Pony Express Festival. He March 9, 1952 in Rock Springs. Rusty attended schools in had a passion for keeping history alive. . Duane was involved Green River and Hastings, Neb. Rusty graduated from Green in, and a member of many local and state historical organiza- River High School in 1970. tions. Owens met his best friend, wife, and eternal companion, Duane is survived by his daughter, Linda Blanken, Rosanne “Sandy” Cimino Owens, at the age of 16. They Concordia; son, Frank Durst and wife Connie, of Morrowville; married Sept. 16, 1972. Grandsons Nick Durst and wife Caitlin, Ames, IA, Shawn Durst They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on Nov. 11, and wife Kendra, Onaga; Granddaughters Lauri Douglas and 1978. husband Zach of Burlington, Kimba Stierwalt and husband Joe Their union brought four children, John Charles, Jacob of Beatrice, NE, Jaime Blanken of Onalaska, WI, and Heather Michael, Heidi Ann, and Alex Ringdahl. Cox of Kansas City; Great-Grandsons, Landon, Emory, Levi His highest priority was his family, and family gave Owens and KJ, and Great-Granddaughter, Brinley Grace. his greatest happiness. Owens’ interests of ranching, horse His siblings, Margaret Smith of Lincoln, and Gerald Durst training, camping, hunting, and traveling were centered around of Beatrice. He had a special place in his heart for his grand- creating and developing strong family relations. children and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death Owens is survived by his wife, Sandy; his parents, LaVain by his wife, Elfriede, parents, and brothers, Harold, Kenneth and Betty Louise Owens; his children, John Owens and and Sylvester. wife Elonna, Jake Owens and wife Janalyn, Heidi Smith and husband Bo, and Alex Owens and wife Sabrina. He is also survived by one sister, three brothers, their spouses, and 14 Ronald C Fritzemeier grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandpar- Ronald C Fritzemeier of Modesto, California, went home ents, Charles and Marguerite Owens, and Alex and Wanda to be with the Lord on Sept. 8. Ron was a long time resident Ringdahl. of Camino. Interment took place at the Riverview Cemetery in Green He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Thais Fritzemeier. River. He is also survived by his children Rick and Marian Fritzemeier (Modesto), Kathy Fritzemeier (Meridian, Idaho), Ron and Debbie Fritzemeier (San Diego, Calif.), Rob Fritzemeier (Hun- tington Beach, Calif.), Tammy and Dan Balos (Modesto). He is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Randy Fritzemeier and his daughter-in-law Marca Fritzemeier. A celebration of life was held Oct. 14. at Cold Spring Community Church Placerville, California.

Cynthia Ann Honn Cynthia Ann Honn, 65, of Placerville, Calif., passed away on Dec. 7, 2017, after a short but valiant fight with cancer. The scattering of her ashes was private. A celebration of her life was held on June 9 at Ice House Resort. Cindy was born in Placerville, Calif., on July 29, 1952. She spent her entire life on her beloved family ranch known as Still Meadow Ranch. Cindy worked for the National Forest. In her 30 + years she worked on almost every district within the El Dorado National Forest. From an early age Cindy had a passion for horses and Sculpture in Marysville, Kansas. Artist: Richard Bergen, 1985.

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• Wyoming – 127 Commemorative, 16 with them. We have 5,000 on order and Personal $318 they will be mailed out. Let Larry know National Pony Express Association • Nebraska – 45 Commemorative, 4 how many you are using each year, so he Personal $106 knows what to send you. Let Larry also • Colorado – 20 Commemorative, 3 know if you have a contact address that 2018 Director’s Meeting Notes Personal $52 needs to be added to the mailing list. National Pony Express Association Wyoming-Les Bennington (P), Bill • Kansas – 94 Commemorative, 4 Les Bennington- Wyoming made a 2018 Director’s Meeting Sinard, Howard Schultz Personal $204 motion to accept the report as remitted Torrington, Wyoming Utah-Mike Robinson (P), Jamie Mavri- • Missouri – 13 Commemorative, 1 Quackgrass September 8, 2018 dakis, Diana VanUiter Personal $30 Sally-Missouri seconded the motion Nevada-Ron Bell (P), Gene Ockert, • National – 75 Commemorative, 11 Motion carried. Called to Order Personal $194 8:42 am - National President Anne Martins Partnership for National Trails Report Quackgrass Sally- Missouri made a mo- Dean Atkin California- Carolyn Gilmore (P), Mi- – Pam Dixon chelle Harris, Jack Davis tion to accept. Les Bennington-Wyoming See report on pages 23-32 in 2018 Direc- Pledge of Allegiance seconded the motion. tor’s meeting binder. Adahline Goulart 2017 Delegates Meeting Minutes Motion carried. See report on pages 1-13 in 2018 Direc- This is January through December Invocation tor’s meeting binder. Gazette Report-Arleta Martin information. Thank you to everyone who Pat Hearty Gene Ockert-Nevada made a motion to The job is fun and easy. She received submitted hours and project information the National Roster from the National Welcoming Remarks accept National Park Service Volunteers Re- Secretary so she could get an estimate on Les Bennington-National Roster, Past Scott Wolf-Nebraska seconded port-Pam Dixon Presidents and State delegates please Motion carried how many are to be mailed. She worked See report on pages 33-41 in 2018 Direc- with Transcript Bulletin Publishing and complete and turn in the reimbursement Treasurer’s Reports tor’s meeting binder. funds form. Welcome to Wyoming and they were wonderful to work with. We This is the October 1-September 30 National Account – Jack Davis will add Aaron Mahr of NPS to next year’s hope you enjoyed the tours so far. See report on page 14 in 2018 Director’s report. Thank you to everyone who mailing. We didn’t order a bunch of extras Dean-We appreciate everyone for at- meeting binder. submitted hours and project informa- we had 100+ and Dean dropped those off tending and we welcome representatives We spent $4,000 in pins and patches tion. Both the VIP and PNTS reports are during the reride. Dean mailed to those from NPS and BLM. which is listed under Reride Expenses in used for funding as well as the Pathways members overseas. If you do an event, Introduction of Past National Presi- error. publication. Thank you and keep up the please send in information and pictures. good work. dents Certificates of Deposit – Jack Davis This information can go on our Facebook See report on page 15-16 2018 Director’s Pat Hearty page as well as in the Gazette and also on Website Report – Petra Keller meeting binder. David Sanner the website. See report on page 42-44 in 2018 Direc- Les Bennington Commemorative Letter Account tor’s meeting binder. Jim Swigart See report on page 17-18 in 2018 Direc- Quartermaster Account Report This is the first year we had the News- Lyle Ladner tor’s meeting binder. See report on page 19-20 in 2018 Direc- letter on-line. Dan Pralle-Kansas motioned to approve tor’s meeting binder. Introduction of Guests We received allot of great feedback the National Treasurer’s reports. Ron Purchased 200 bibles so we have plenty National Park Service-Aaron Mahr and from the public and riders for the ride re- Bell-Nevada seconded the motion. on hand. We also have patches on hand. John Cannella porting and video reporting. Photos and Motion carried The grave markers are also available to blurbs are great. We are not getting a lot BLM-Rob Sweeten purchase for $25.00. The supply for the Commemorative & Personal Letter of reports from the trail. Allot of people Introduction of Vice Presidents and grave markers is getting low so we need to Sales Report– Melva Sanner post to their personal Facebook page but Officers know if we need to have more made. Min- See report on page 17b in 2018 Direc- not sent to the media team Carl Schultz -1st V.P. imum of 50, Lyle Ladner will check on the tor’s meeting binder. We had about 32000 visit the website David Kittle- 2nd V.P. price and report back. We have one being St. Joseph would not hand cancel and during the reride. This is about the same Melva Sanner-3rd V.P. engraved for Dale Ryan so they sent the letters to Kansas City as last year. However, the yearly numbers Lyle Ladner-Kansas made a motion to Remembrance of Deceased Members where a regular cancellation was affixed. show a gain of 30,000 hits for our website. accept as remitted and moment of silence We received complaints regarding there We have a bigger presence. Two to three Cheryl Nein-Colorado seconded the Carol Hunt, Cynthia Honn, Dale Ryan, being no Pony Express hand cancella- inquiries requesting photos for publica- motion Dave Belke, Donald Morrison, Duane tion. Any small town should be able to tions are coming in every month. The me- Motion carried. Durst, Kenneth Jares, Ronald Fritzemeier get a personalized cancellation stamp if dia team responds to contacts every day and Roy Bennett. they request it with enough time. Curt National Corresponding Secretary and have also received contacts from TV Moment of silence Artery will assist the next time we end in Report – Larry Carpenter stations. Please send new content because See report on page 21 in 2018 Director’s we need to always keep the website fresh. Introduction of State Presidents and/or St. Joseph. This will be resolved for 2020. meeting binder. Podcast for NPS will be coming out Voting Delegates Thank you Melva and family. His role has changed quite a bit over later this year. Missouri-Quackgrass Sally Melva announced state sales and in- the years. With the media team he was The HAMs for very few states report to Kansas-Lyle Ladner, Dan Pralle Allen come. able to take a break on responding to the media team. Please have them send in Pralle • California – 226 Commemorative, 12 online requests. Contacts have decreased, reports to be posted on the website. Every Nebraska-Lyle Gronewold (P), Scott Personal $500. less way bills were sent out. state but Colorado and Nebraska have Wolf, Dan Marten • Nevada – 165 Commemorative, 10 Because of the late reride the media HAM operators. Colorado-Linda Dolezal (P), Cheryl Personal $370 contacts were sent later. Each state has Nein, Wanda Austin • Utah – 57 Commemorative, 2 Per- sonal $122 received 100 brochures to take back home CONTINUED ➤ Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 17

Newsletter See report on pages 45-46 in 2018 Direc- to Gerald with no response. We appre- other devices and this seems like it is still This year the media team took on the tor’s meeting binder. ciate all the work the HAMs do for us the best option. We just need to modify newsletter this past year as an on-line The budget had to be submitted to the during the reride and it was noted that the mochila a little, so we don’t lose the publication. We were going to try it for a NPS by March and they accepted it so no the position is important. device along the trail. year and if we don’t want on-line then we motion for approval is needed. Carolyn Gilmore from California thinks Every 24 hours batteries are changed to would need to find someone to take on the position is important and she has two ensure it never goes dead. Educational Miles and Hours Report – this project. We have more people than people in mind in California that she can Lyle Ladner Olympic Mochila –Dean Atkin just our membership who viewed it. It is See report on page 46 in 2018 Director’s go back and ask and then get back to us. It was in the museum at Ft. Laramie emailed to the state presidents and if hard meeting binder. Lyle Ladner-Kansas made a motion to and if no other states want to take it copies need to be mailed they must print Since August 15 a few more reports remove Gerald Hasty from that position then it will be returned. No other states and mail. have been submitted and can be turned and contact Ron Norton with first option showed interest in taking the mochila. Discussion - Online does make it easier in until September 15th. Reminder, they for this position. Larry talked about the Olympic torch for a lot of people and it is a good way to need to be turned in quarterly which is Geno Ockert-Nevada seconded. purchase price. Kansas has three Olympic go. Is there a way to get notified by email not yearly quarters but physical quarters Motion carried. Torch commemorative hats. Those who when the new Newsletter is posted? This for this report and our year starts in Oc- Old Business rode the event but didn’t get a hat will is emailed to each state president and tober. This is part of the funding to meet put their names in a random draw for the they are to notify the members. It is also Strategic Plan-Dean Atkin which is listed on our task agreement. If This is a 5-year plan. The committee hats. posted on Facebook. you have any questions to see if the event The commemorative rifle is in the mu- Nebraska-Lyle gives Mary a list of will meet the first weekend in May in qualifies then call Lyle Ladner. There is Tooele, Utah to discuss updates needed seum in Casper. The media team would members with emails and when Petra also a study program we can provide to like a picture with location and they will sends notification then she shoots an and to consider any new items. The empty teachers. The best thing to do is contin- committee spot was filled with Gene Ock- post it on the website. email message out. Then she prints and ually send the report in after each event mails a copy for those members without ert from Nevada. Sydney Monument at Cabela’s/Bass Pro and Lyle will hold on to them until it’s It looked like the 8 state flags are not emails which costs about one dollar each Re-ride Hotline-David Kittle time to file for the quarter which is Janu- flying. It was only one flag but not sure depending on the size of the newsletter. ary 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. These See report on page 58 in 2018 Director’s The mailing also triggered some people to meeting binder. which one. The cost of flags is about five dates will be added on the website next to thousand dollars a year. We are trying to submit their emails. the report. The numbers were down this year due Carolyn Gilmore-California made a to the interactive website. Next year we find out what Bass Pro is going to do with Jack- NPS gives us $8,000 for reim- the property. NPEA paid for the survey- motion to accept the report as remitted bursement and it is very important to get may need to decide to see if we want to Gene Ockert-Nevada seconded the keep it active. It is difficult to man during ing for that property but the contractor this reporting. Mileage reimbursement has never signed off. A discussion in the motion Motion carried for education is 56 cents a mile. Last year the middle of the night. Nevada will dis- Jack Davis-California made a motion cuss regarding if it continues. past is to have each state pay for their flag we had to turn back $1,200. If we don’t replacement but this is on hold until we to continue the Newsletter on-line Jamie spend the money, NPS does not get to There may be people who call in when Mavadakis-Utah seconded the motion we don’t have Internet service. The re- know what is going to happen. keep the money it goes to treasury and NPEA never took on any financial Motion carried we could possibly not get it back the next ports seemed to not be accurate. Califor- Discussion on reimbursing state costs nia will be using it this coming year, but obligation to maintain the monument. year. Some states reimburse their mem- We are not sure exactly who owns it, so to help for those copies that need to be bers and other states take the money into it does need to be accurate. We need to done. Lyle Ladner-Kansas made a motion make sure the state reports and HAM everything is up in the air for now. A their general coffer. suggestion is the damaged flags could be to reimburse states with newsletter cost Gene Ockert-Nevada made a motion to reports match. with proper documentation submitted to auctioned off as a fund-raiser to cover accept the report as remitted. GPS Spot Tracker-Petra Keller National. the cost of replacements. Another idea is Dan Pralle-Kansas seconded the mo- The spot device got beat up pretty good Gene Ockert-Nevada seconded the to fly only during the reride and special tion. because it was lost this year but then we motion Motion carried events. We will continue to follow. Motion carried found it. Question-Are we archiving both the We interact with two maps. Do to se- National Park Service-Aaron Mahr and Newsletter and Gazette? Yes, the copy Insurance –Fred Leslie curity reasons the NPS map was not live John Cannella that goes to Jim (hard copy and by email) See report on page 47-57 in 2018 Direc- this year and was updated every 8 hours Aaron Mahr he files in the National files. We are also tor’s meeting binder. since one person was having to update A lot of things are happening on the keeping these on the website under News. Fred is currently out of the country but the information. Then we took the NPS trail this year. The Santa Fe office moved Tom Crews has ceased xphomestation the report he provided is in the book. We map down since it was not live, and peo- into a temporary office downtown and the and it now redirects to our website. He have a current certificate of insurance. If ple were getting confused on what was Utah office moved to Broadway. All other was very helpful in getting the redirect you know you have an event, please get live. So, we had the live map only which contact information stayed the same. completed. Tom did an amazing job for the information to Fred in advance. showed where the rider was but did not The open GIS position was filled by 25-30 years. In 2013 a plaque was pre- show where the rider was going. Petra has Bryan Deeton and the GIS office is now sented to him and he is a National Honor- NPEA HAM Coordinator talked to NPS and will be working with fully staffed. Steve Burns retired in Janu- ary member. No Report them to improve the live map experience ary and Mike Elliot will be retiring in Oc- A great moment during the Trails We have not received a report for the with major state exchanges. tober and Frank Norris the Chief Histori- meeting was when the film makers stated last two years since the position was We will continue to use the spot device an who worked on the station locations is we have a great website and they also created and we don’t know if we just need and may increase the pinger from 10 retiring at the end of the year. used it during the reride to follow the a new person for this position or should minutes to something shorter. The asso- NPS has been working the last 6-7 years rider. we need to keep this position at all. The ciation covers the cost of the tracker and on a feasibility report for an additional media team has reached out several times Proposed Budget 2018– Dean Atkin renews every year. We have talked about CONTINUED ➤ Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ 18 Pony Express Gazette April 2019

72 routes within current historic trails Lucy Badenhop from California jumped together. Three years ago, the Wyoming plication in the daily. We are at the early and the study was completed and signed on a grant for the XP Corral. Even though XP wanted to deliver mail to the veterans. stages of planning. If we want to move by the regional director and it has been it was not approved the project has had VA thought this was a great idea and just forward. Stalls are available, but Petra transmitted to DC to go to congress for allot of progress. watching this happen it was apparent the needs to know how many. decision. Marysville, Kansas received about impact the horses have on our veterans. It Les Bennington-Wyoming moved to We are still in the 50th anniversary year. $45,000 for stabilization of the Barn is more than delivering the mail. participate in this event. There have been events up and down the structure and parking. Let NPS know if VA is the largest government orga- Ann Martins- Nevada seconded the trail. Aaron was in Old Sacraments for the there are any needs for stabilization. nization and ten times larger than the motion Motion carried kickoff of the reride. We had great media We will be working to improve the Department of Defense. There are allot of Honorary Membership-Carl Schultz/ coverage, allot of kids were in attendance website for the reride as NPS is learning people that benefit from things like horse David Kittle/Melva Sanner with quite a bit of interaction with them. how NPEA uses it. That one map had 12 therapy. The veterans have to request No honorary members this year. We It was very exciting. There was an event at thousand views and the main trail website horse therapy, they then go to classes to had two nominations, but one is already the BLM center in Casper that had allot had about 71 thousand and 161 thousand learn how to work around horses. an honorary member and the other the of kids. Keep using the 50th anniversary views. Sam’s idea is to encourage each state to nomination the committee felt was more for exposure. You can also submit stories St. Joseph Patee House, the barn and reach out to their local VA and talk to the suited for State consideration. and pictures on trails50.org that can the river trail project. The area between Public Affairs officer and ask if they can be utilized by NPEA. If you have ideas the barn and the river trail is being looked bring mail to our veterans. Local schools 2019 Re-ride schedule submit them to NPS because we never at to redevelop the downtown area. The in Wyoming write the letters and then See schedule on page 59 in 2018 Direc- know when funding will pop up or when city went to NPS asking how to create an they can be delivered to the veterans in tor’s meeting binder. corporations are donating funds. XP trail experience from the barn to the the hospital. The extra letters are used Remove Barker Ranch WY on the Wyo- Trails 50 reached out to us to use a river crossings. This is a major develop- when they are waiting in the waiting ming/Utah Line on the schedule. stuffed dog to take pictures along the trail ment. They are working with the city and rooms and staff will give them a letter. Please get your state schedules to the to help promote the trail as a campaign. Department of Transportation to develop Reach out to congressional staffers Media team for the website. Make sure National Park Foundation has provided what a trail experience looks like. Early to get the publicity for NPEA as well as you are listing stopping places/exchanges additional funding. November there will be an event and NPS recognizing our veterans and their con- only where you will be doing an exchange. As we get more exposure we need to John Cannella would like a large showing from NPEA. tributions to our community. We can also reach out to the President. make sure the riders are in full uniform NPS is at the convention every year BLM-Rob Sweeton It may be best to do it on a weekend which includes the vest. Dress code is on due to the Cooperative/Task agreement Rob Sweeton is the Utah Historian lead the website. to work together to help stimulate and for the BLM. This is his first time at a when the parking lots are not so full. Ride enhance events along the trail. Tied to NPEA Director’s meeting and would be in slow in a formation not a running de- 2019 Re-ride Pin, Vignette & Envelope the Cooperative agreement is the Stra- happy to take questions for other BLM livery. Veterans will come out if possible – Les Bennington tegic Plan. There will be new updates areas. depending on the weather. Colorado is in charge this next year. This year Wyoming had 15 riders come coming out of this new year. Jack Davis There are BLM stickers and they are Future Delegates Meetings in and the riders get off and deliver the is our Liaison. Reporting is also part of crafting statewide posters for the 50th 2019 Colorado (September 13-14, 2019 letters in the hospital and some stay out the agreement. It is important to provide anniversary. They also crafted a middle in Julesburg) with the horses. Some veterans came out information quarterly to Jack. school education guide which includes 2020 Kansas and the mayor came one year. They spend The volunteer reporting transfers into a three quick units that can be given to 2021 Utah huge funding impact. This is very im- teachers across the country to educate on about 30-45 minutes there. They go to the Other New Business portant. Lower invoices may change what the trails within the system. grade schools to get the letters. They also NPS can do for future years. Utah has been working allot with BLM give them to the staff as most of them are Pat and Jim-Australia Collaborate and work together for for signage for Simpson Springs. Ray also veterans. The final chapter. Czech Republic ride future goals. If anyone has any ideas or Kelsey is actively working on improving Dean-It was discussed in making up finished up this year in Australia. Pat and division needs, please talk to John and the condition of the monuments within stationary for the kids to use for the Jim followed the Czech group in April for Aaron so they can prioritize as needed. Utah. veterans. about 19 days. They did about six presen- PNTS established some internships and If you have questions that need to go Some of the best letters the veterans tations at different towns while they were NPS was able to get one of those intern- to state leads, then please talk to Rob and like are construction paper and crayons there. The letters were to be picked up ships. he will take the information back to that from the kids. by horseback and delivered to the Czech Trail signing in June. Madison Vander- state lead. What NPEA does is important Reno Rodeo 100th Celebration-Petra embassy. This did not happen using the see will be with NPS for 52 weeks to work and the time and passion is appreciated. NPEA was contacted by the Reno horses, but they had a nice presentation with signing projects. There are currently Rodeo to participate in their 100th cele- at the embassy and that was the ending Lunch Break some early signing project drafts in the bration in June 2019. We asked if we can point. They stayed with the Czech group works. Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Hospi- carry mail in for the Veterans on patriot the entire trip and did presentations in Douglas county is in the driver’s seat on tal-Sam House nights with an exchange demo. We would Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and did a the Kingsbury toll road project. They are Sam is the Public Affairs officer for like all states to participate and provide radio interview. Everywhere they went it looking at a Cheyenne VA. He spent twelve years in letters. We will be working with the Neva- was an organization or club that would 2.5-mile portion of the trail and they the Wyoming Military Department as da Veterans coalition. take them in. They also went up to the are discussing how to address this. the Environmental Programs manager Friday night patriot night-demo Satur- snowy mountains. NPS signed an inter-agency agreement to help maintain the trails and histor- day parade They covered allot of ground and saw with El Dorado National Forest for the ical artifacts at Camp Guernsey. Over Sunday kids’ day to engage. allot of places. They ate a kangaroo and Brockliss Bridge and will be working on sixty-thousand-acre military training Petra would like to be the lead for this. were able to pet a koala. site and fourteen tribes that had to work drawings of possible designs. Also, is it possible to print the letter ap- CONTINUED ➤ Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ April 2019 Pony Express Gazette 19

Arleta-1960s stolen pistol If defendant is found guilty the guns would go to auction for the state. This is a follow up to the article that was in the The National Pony Express Association Gazette. a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the Report of Nominating Committee – Jim preservation and marking of the Pony Express Swigart/Lyle Ladner National Historic Trail. The nominating committee approached Dean Atkin and he agreed to being nomi- nated so they put Dean Atkin forward. 2019-Annual Re-ride of the No nominations from the floor Scott Wolf-Nebraska-made a motion Pony Express that nominations cease Send a Letter by PONY EXPRESS! Dan Pralle-Kansas seconded the mo- tion From St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, CA in 10 days! Les Bennington stated by acclamation Dean Atkin as president Mail will be carried by horseback by over 700 riders from Missouri through Kansas, Nebraska, Motion carried. Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and into California, The letters will depart St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday, June 10th, at 3:00pm CDT and will arrive in Sacramento, California on Thursday, June 20th, Presentation of Officers at 4:30 pm PDT. Envelopes then receive a special postmark and are delivered by USPS. A special President – Dean Atkin historical vignette this year will commemorate Colorado. 1st Vice President –Melva Sanner Visit www.nationalponyexpress.org – for additional information and to follow the ride progress map. 2ndVice President- Carl Schultz

3rd Vice President –Tony Goulart Treasurer – Jack Davis SEND ORDERS and one check or money order to cover purchase to: Secretary – Pam Dixon National Pony Express Assoc. Les Bennington made a motion to 601Western Ave, Blue Rapids, KS 66411 approve officers. Jack Davis-California For questions regarding orders - Phone (785) 556-1970 seconded the motion. Motion carried ------detach here ------print legibly -----detach here------Announcements COMMEMORATIVE LETTERS (described above) - $5.00 EACH - Order by May 15th Thank you, Wyoming Division, Les Bennington-Thank you everyone for coming PURCHASER______PHONE______Thank you, Stephani, Tony, Rick Davis, Adahline, Deidra, Heidi Powell RECIPIENT’S NAME ______Lyle Ladner-Kansas made a motion to adjourn. Gene Ockert-Nevada seconded ADDRESS ______the motion. Motion carried CITY______STATE______ZIP______If ordering more than one letter, enclose a list of additional names and addresses.

State to be credited with sale: (Circle one) CA NV UT WY NE CO KS MO National ****************************************************************** PERSONAL LETTERS - $10.00 EACH –Order by May 1st (We provide you with special stationary. You write a letter & return to us)

PURCHASER ______PHONE ______

ADDRESS______

CITY ______STATE ______ZIP______State to be credited with sale: (Circle one) CA NV UT WY NE CO KS MO National

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/ 20 Pony Express Gazette April 2019 THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER 30 years later, enthusiasm with Pony Express greater than ever n keeping with our mission statement moments. I am hoping that you feel the to help preserve and keep the history same. of the Pony Express alive I have had We are very pleased with the interest Ithe chance to look over many old pictures we are receiving with our web site. This from the past and reflect on their mean- has opened a lot of doors of opportunity ing. Over 30 years ago I had the oppor- for our organization. I hope you are able tunity to join the National Pony Express to take advantage of this technology to Association. With a young horse and a help you in promoting the Nation Pony young family it became a fun part of our Express Association. It has made getting family time spent together. a lot of information out to a lot of people As I have traveled over the Pony relatively easy. Thus allowing those inter- Express trail, I have had the opportuni- ested in the organization easy access. ty to meet many people with the same This year we have been invited to par- enthusiasm I enjoyed with my family. Not ticipate in the Reno Rodeo to help honor only keeping the history alive but making our Veterans by writing a letter and trans- memories and educating my family on porting them by horse back. Each state the history of the Pony Express. Hoping will be represented with a ride and flag Dean Atkin with they will pass along their experiences and from each state. If you can represent your his family at a Pony enjoyment to their own families. state please contact us for more details. Express marker in With the convenience of a cell phone Time stands still for no one and it will the late 1980s. camera, we can preserve these mo- soon be time for the re-ride. I’m looking ments of today’s experiences with a tap forward to seeing as many of you as I can You are all doing a great job. Keep up anyone else in between. What an amazing of a finger, thus preserving these special and as time allows on the trail this year. the good work and enjoy every minute contribution you all make. you spend on the trail with your family The attached photo was taken at Look and friends. Out Pass after my ride many years ago. I like this quote. “ENJOY THE LITTLE We had family and friends watching. The THINGS IN LIFE BECAUSE ONE DAY year was 1988! OLD ADVERTISEMENT YOU WILL LOOK BACK AND REAL- Thank you for your support over the IZE THEY WERE THE BIG THINGS”! past 33 years and most of all the last 3 Author unknown. years. As your National Pony Express I want to thank all of the members President I want to wish you all a safe and and non-members alike that make this enjoyable ride this year. all happen.The National Parks Service and Bureau Of Land Management. Little Sincerely, children watching mom and dad, grandpa Dean Atkin, and grandma, uncles, aunts, cousins and National Pony Express President

Visit our Facebook pages National: www.facebook.com/expressrider Colorado: www.facebook.com/NationalPonyExpressCoDiv/ Wyoming: www.facebook.com/groups/172788402881897/ and/or National-Pony-Express-Association-Uinta-County-WY-Chapter Utah: www.facebook.com/National-Pony-Express-Utah-Division Nevada: www.facebook.com/National-Pony-Express-Nevada-Division California: www.facebook.com/xp.ponyexpress

Website: nationalponyexpress.org Email: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/expressrider/