Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-04-11
The California Pony Express.

MOST newspaper readers have become Ia
milliar with the heading which makes it's
appearance throughout the country twice a
week, entitled Three Days Later News
from, California! Arrival of the Pony Ex-
press !" and with the announcement of an ar
rival of o California steamer, being accom-
panied by the remark, "News Anticipated by
the Pony Express"
But, while few may be acquainted with
she nature of the enterprise which gives them
the "News from the Pacific" SO much quick
er now than formerly, the great mass Of the
people are. probably, ignorant of the partic.
ulars of an undertaking which may be class.
ed among the most extraordinary Of modern
times. Fifteen years ago, before the gold
discoveries, which caused such a memorable
influx of population into California from all
parts of the world, the only means of reach
ing San Francisco, which was then a COM
paratively unimportant settlement on the
Pacific coast was by sailing vessels, fitted
out for trading voyages to that part of the
world, and the passage from any Atlantic
port usually occupied six months or more,
according to the nature of :hs outfit and the
number of stoppages necessary for commer-
cial purposes. As travel increased, howey-
er, other and quicker modes of CONVEYANCE
were required than slow sailing ships to
speed the gold-sseksr to bis destination.
nhor g.
ed in the passenger business to Chagrss, ou
the Atlantic coast and from Panama to San
Francisco on the Pacific, reducing the time
of passage from Northern ports to forty days
But, during the last few years, the trip from
New York or Philadelphia has been made in
twenty-three days. This was considered very
quick time, in comparison with former years,
and the public were d sposed to rest satisfied
with it until the completion of railroad or
telegraph across the country-although the
date of such an event was SO remote in the
minds eff most people as not to enter largely
into the expectations of the present genera
ton. This is an age of progress, however,
and American enterprise is without limit.
Mr.. Russell conceived the idea of running
horse express from the Missouri river to
San Francisco, carrying letters in ten days
time, and telegraphic messages in eight days.
The route be proposed to use was known as
the " Central route to California" shorter,
BY 800 miles, than the one at that time used
by the Overland Mail Company, but passing
through such q rough wilderness as to be
considered impracticable for purposes of
transport, even by old mountaineers who
had, by lifelong experience. been Injured
to the hardships incidental to that region
The idea becoming extensively known thro'-
out the country, was ridiculed by great
many for its absurdity, and some of his
friends demonstrated with him for his folly
in undertaking project which, they thought,
would surely entail upon him large pecu-
MARY loss. Nothing de united, however, by
the sneers of unbelisvers or the remonstran-
ees of friends, he proceeded to carry into ex
ecution his favorite project, and, on the Goth
February, 1860, despatched an agent to the
Pacific to stock the Western division, build
stations. and supply rations and forage from
Sacramento to Salt Lake City, at the same
time sending out competent men to make
similar arrangements from St. Joseph, Mo-,
to Salt Lake City, on the Eastern division of
the line; and on the third day of April, 1860,
the worst season of the year in that section
Of country, the first expresses started stimuli
tansodsly from 81. Joseph, Missouri, and San