FACTS ABOUT THE PONY EXPRESS

On April 3, 1860 the most famous mail service in American History started.

1. It went from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. It normally took ten days (in comparison to 25 by way of stagecoach).  The record was the delivery of Lincoln’s first inaugural address in March, 1861 in 7 days and 17 hours.
2. It was the idea of William Russell, Alexander Majors, and William Waddell. It was a branch of their Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express Company.  They knew it would not be cost effective and were hoping for government contract to make it profitable.  They did not get the contract because the government was already anticipating the transcontinental telegraph.  Russell, Majors, and Waddell lost about $200,000 dollars in the endeavor. 
3. The route ran 1,966 miles one way and went through the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and California. The first rider was Johnny Fry on his horse Sylph.
4. The riders were mostly young men. The recruiting ad said:  “Wanted:  Young, skinny, wiry fellows, not over 18.  Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily.  Orphans preferred.”  They could not weigh more than 125 pounds.  They were paid $100-150 per month.  They had to take an oath to avoid cursing, drinking, and fighting.  The oath was not enforced and was commonly broken. 
5. Most Americans could not afford to use the service. Originally, it cost $5 to send a letter (equivalent to $138 today).  It got lower over time but never got below a dollar.  The biggest customer were the newspapers.  The mail was carried in a special saddle bag called a mochila (Spanish for “knapsack”) which had four pouches and could hold about 20 pounds.
6. Riders rode 10-15 miles before they stopped at one of the 200 relief stations where they exchanged horses. Every 75-100 miles a new rider took over.  The riders were in danger from the weather and Indians, but only six riders died in the 19 month history of the Pony Express.  It was actually more dangerous to run a relief station because they were so isolated.  It is estimated that 16 managers were killed.
7. The Pony Express went out of business when the first transcontinental telegraph was completed by Western Union at Salt Lake City on Oct. 24, 1861.
8. Despite its name, ponies were not used. Only horses could manage the weight and distance.

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-pony-express

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/537885/facts-about-pony-express

–  Uncle 3  p. 74