Gitty up old Joe it’s on the road we go. Clear the track and let the Pony come thru. Through rain, sleet or snow we always get through.
“Wanted young skinny wiry fellows not over eighteen. Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.”
The larger than life image compels us to think that the Pony Express lasted for decades. Though it lived a short life span, the Pony Express played a prominent place in our country’s heritage and was a strong contribution to the development and stability of our nation. The courage persistence, endurance and dedication of the participants kept the Pony Express going under challenging conditions.
The creation of the Pony Express occurred against all odds and its existence changed the west. It filled an urgent need where none existed at the time. For the first time it connected California with the rest of the country. “Groups of young riders risked their lives to carry crucial messages across nearly 2,000 miles of hostile wilderness.” The Pony Express is a story of the brave riders who rode around the clock carrying the U.S. mail across a rugged uninhabited deadly landscape.
There is some controversy over the original idea of the Pony Express. Some credit Henry O’Rielly and some B.F. Ficklin or William H. Russell with the imaginative idea. Irregardless, William Russell was chosen to develop it. Riders would ride twice a week riding around the clock. The first rider let out April 1860 and made the final ride October 1861. 18 months to develop a lasting legacy and create a valiant place in our nation’s history.
Much of the history of the Pony Express has been lost and there is difficulty in untangling and clarifying the facts about the system. It was a 2,000 mile system of horse changing stations for a cross country mail delivery. Stations on different sections of the trail had the same name and many had different names at different times.
The Central Overland California and Pike Peaks Express Company formed to establish the Pony Express. They never received a government contract for delivering the mail and were completely privately funded. The company made its own financial commitment hoping to receive a government contract, but never received one.
Alexander Majors was in charge of running the actual operation on the open range and had three months to develop the entire operation. He was at home on the prairie and was skilled on handling horses, oxen, could drive wagons through all sorts of weather; and most importantly of all, he knew how to manage unruly crews.
The Pony Express route followed the Old Pioneer Trail. They started out at St. Joseph, Missouri, passed through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada with the final destination point of San Francisco, California; a total of 1,840 miles. They guaranteed to deliver the mail (letters and papers only) from St. Joseph to San Francisco in 10 (incredible) days. Horses would be changed every 10-20 miles while running at top speed.
Stations were often rudimentary structures that provided the barest of essentials for survival. Utah was almost the death of the Pony Express. There was no water available until an old Ute Indian (Quah-not) disclosed the existence of two concealed springs known to but a few.
Trails had to be prepared, stations built and hundreds of top-quality horses had to be bought, as they were the key to success. Most of them were half-breed California mustangs that stood 15 hands high, were 900 pounds and 4-7 years old. Some came from Fort Leavenworth while others from the army. They had to possess stamina, speed and reliability. Many were not fully broke. If the mustang could be brought out of the barn without kicking anyone’s head off – he was broke to ride and headed on down the trail. Many had never been shod and therefore required hours of back breaking work. It was common for the pony to be throwed, each foot staked and one person to sit on the head and one to sit on the body. But the horses were the best money could buy, often costing $175.00 – $200.00 a head. 500 horses cost around $87,000.00.
The rider’s horse was to be the best protection against attack, whether by Indians or other attackers. The horses were highly intelligent with an uncanny sense of direction. They could find the trail under the most harsh weather conditions; and often had to in adverse weather.
Experienced youngsters born to the saddle with nerves of steel and fearless of death were sought. They also needed knowledge of the Pony Express Trail they would be riding. Riding at top speed in rain, snow, or sleet; they had to know the route by heart if the trail couldn’t be seen. The riders earned $100.00 – $150.00 a month, depending on their section of trail. 70-80 riders were originally hired. Stations hands’ and keepers’ salaries ranged down to $50.00 a month plus room and board. These brave men captured the imagination of time and became unsung heroes for their deeds.
At each station the rider would grab the Mochila (a specially designed saddlebag with mail pouches attached) from the saddle and throw it on the fresh mount. 200 relay stations with food and sleeping quarters for riders after they rode all day or night had to be built. As soon as the worn-out rider stopped, a new rider jumped on and continued the route. A strict schedule had to be maintained day and night in all kinds of weather – no exceptions. The mail had to go through.
On April 3, 1860 at precisely 7:15 p.m. the Pony Express was off and running from St. Joseph, Missouri. At that time the brave young men and half wild mustangs entered the country’s colorful history and created a larger-than-life image that exists to this day and has left an indelible imprint on America’s imagination.
Not much is known about that first westbound ride. Many records were lost and destroyed during the Civil War so information is inconclusive. There are discrepancies as to who were the first rider and horse and riders and horses along that first route or even the names of the first home stations.
Historians narrowed the possibilities of the first 2 riders to John Frye and William Richardson. One account reports that on that historic evening, at 7:15, a cannon boomed and young Richardson leaped onto his horse and raced down the street to the paddle-wheel steamboat to carry him and his horse across the Old Muddy to Elwood. Waiting on the boat was Johnny Frye, to take the reins for the 1st overland leg of the first Pony Express run. Not much more is known about the first west bound ride or east bound.
Approximately 250 hours after leaving St. Joseph, William Hamilton was the final rider on the 1st Pony Express trip west into Sacramento to complete the initial run carried out by 40 tough young men. He then had to travel by boat on the final leg of the journey into San Francisco.
The 1st east bound Pony Express ride from San Francisco to St. Joseph also began on April 3rd when the mail was placed on the steamer to Sacramento. The first rider out was William Hamilton. 10 days later the 1st East Bound rider arrived in St. Joseph. Thus began 18 month of a legacy.
Never before had letters been delivered over such a distance so quickly. The main question – could it be done on a regular basis? Ultimately the courage of the riders and station keepers would be severely tested and lives would be lost.
Follow us along on the Old Pioneer Trail to learn more about the adventures and lore of some of the characters with the Pony Express. Our second section of the trail takes us through hostile territory and end of the trail.