Saturday, April 3, 2021

PONY EXPRESS

 

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.

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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