On April 3, 1860,
the first westbound Pony Express trip left St. Joseph, Missouri. This
first delivery arrived in Sacramento, California, just 9 days and 23
hours later. In the mochilla, a specially designed saddlebag to
hold the mail, was a message of congratulations from President Buchanan
to the governor of California.
Pony Express Map by William Henry Jackson (April 3, 1860, to October 24, 1861). Click image to enlarge. |
The
Pony Express could deliver mail faster than ever before. Though rides
were dangerous, the pay made it worth it – $25 a week, over $4,600 in
today’s wages. The rugged Pony Express riders were men, usually under
18 years old. They were expected to cover 75 miles a day through all
types of weather and other dangers like Indian attacks. They picked up a
fresh horse at each stop and rode straight through to their destination
– day and night, rain or shine. It was the thread that tied East to
West before electronic communication was available.
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