The Nevada journal., 1853-04-29
Exnresses.

AllhDuku must q. u'+t +NtNN y A+'~'f
what an Express is, we presume but
few ofthem have any idea of the vast
amount Of capital invested, and the
immense business done by the two
Express Companies, who have agen-
ciss in this ciiy-Adams Il Co.'s Ex-
press, and the american Express Com
pany. VIZ fi
The idea Of an express is Of recent
origin, and the business has now grown
into one Of great importance and ne
cessity to the public. A true accoun
off origin may not prove uninterest-
ins to our readers. In 1889, Major
Pullen--now Of Pullen, Virgil & Co.'S
Express and VIM r. Harnden, (de-
ceased late Of Harnden's Express,
were both in the employ Of the Bos-
ton, Providence, Worcester & New
York Railroad and Steamboat Com
panies. Mr. Harnden's health was so
bad at the time we speak Of, that he
was untitled for his duties in the ticket
Office of the railroad company. His
pecuniary circumstances were such
that he could not remain idle. IN this
crisis Of his affairs, he knew not what
to do to sustain himself and family.
Speaking on the subject to his friend,
Major Pullen, who was then agent of
the Steamboat Company at Boston, he
asked his advice as to what he had
better do. They were at the time in
the office on board the steamer John
w. Richmond I: near them number
Of small packages were lying about,
which were entrusted to the care Of the
agent for delivery, as was the custom
Mt that time. Major Pullen says to
Mr. H. substantially as follows: 81
think you can make good living by
taking care of these packages and de-
livering them. If you will try it, /
will give you all the packages and
errands that are left with me, and give
you all the aid in my power to help
you along in the business" Some
friends standing by advising Mr. III. to
do SO. After some deliberation, Mr.
Harnden commenced his new avoca-
ton. A short time afterwards, Mr.
Alvin Adams, now at the head Of
Adams & Co.'s Express, commenced
running with Mr. Harnden, the busi-
ness then justifying the employment Of
tuO persons.
From this beginning, Expressing
has attained it's present position in the
country, spreadingover the whole con-
tinent, to foreign countries and the
/ islands Of the sea.
Twelve years ago the expenses Of
Adams & Co.'s Express was about five
dollars per day; now itexceeds fifteen
thousand; then one man was employed;
now, more than tao thousand are en-
ployed their whole time, and more than
FIVE thousand are in part dependent on
it for a livelihood. 1t traverses eve'y
State in the Union bit three, and crosses
the osean to Europe, California and
che Sandwich Islands. Its messengers
travel more than thirty thousand miles
daily, and the amount Of coin, valuables
nd'freight, carried by it amounts to
millions Of dollars, 4
The American Express Company
is also another monster. Though its
business is not SO widely extended and
90 various as that of Adams 8 Co,
yet, traversing the most populous
States in the Union, its business is
scarcely less than the former, and it is
unquestionably responsible and reli-
able company. II also has Foreign
and California Express, and has cap
ital Of five millions invested in its bus
mess.
There are several other very re-
sponsible Express Companies in the
country, but as their operations do not
extend over the West, we cannot no.
tice them particularly. Another mon
ster, called the United States Express
will commence its operations soon.
These expresses perform any and
all kinds Of services for the public.
They carry the exchanges for the
banks they collect notes, bills, drafts,
accounts, ETC.; they carry all the small
and large packages which are either
too valuable, or otherwise unsafe to
entrust to the uncertainty Of the mails;
but to 60 into a minute detail of its
various usefulness, would be too tedi-
GUS we can sum up the business in q
few words; the express tries to do eve-
rything for everybody and il is a
matter Of great wonder that they sue
ceed as well as they do in giving
general satisfaction. Il is only by
never-tiring energy and faithfulness
that the business can. be carried on
successfully. Indianapolis Locomotive.