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

tabi;shing, beyond question, the practicabil'
ity of the route and the enterprise, which old
meuntainears had ridicuIed. This great un-
dertaking was organized and put into execu-
tion in forty -thrse daysfrom the time it was
determined upon, and during that period the
agent of Mr.. Russell, who superntsnded the
Western division. or Pacific slope, travelled
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The Cali
fornians were exuberant with joy the pony
and his r:der, on their arrival at San Fran
cisco, were received with the firing of guns
and colors flying; the ladies adorned the
pony with their bonnet ribbons. and the peo-
pie generally congratulated themselves on
the success of the project, which brought them
SO much nearer to tneir old homes, relations,
and friends.
The California Pony Express soon became
fixed fast, for once week regularly the
pony eparted and came, very rarely exceed
ing schedule time, which was ten days, and
often running in less.
The number of horses employed in this
service is about five hundred, chosen for their
speed and endurance, and the riders for their
light weight, as well as for their intrepidity
and experience in the hsrdships of frontier
life.
The stations are built at intervals Of twen-
tv>fve miles on this side of the Rocky Noun
tains, and west of that at intervals of ten
miles. Each station has two or more occu-
pants. whose duty it is to guard the building,
take care of the stock on hand, and have
ready fresh horse to take the mail on its
arrival, and carry it another stage on the
way to its destination: Each horse and RI
der travel twenty-five miles at one time, at a
rate of speed varying from ten to fourteen
miles per hour. The riders are furnished
with timetables, and are required to use
their utmost endeavors to comply with the
schedule. If for any reason they ars detain
ed nthe road between stations, they are re-
quired to make up the loss of time by an ia.
crease of speed SO far as it is in the power of
the animal.
The express has been run with great reg
ularity considering the obstacles it has had
to conten with. Last summer, about the
middle of June, the Indians commenced to
be very troublesome. They destroyed nearly
all the stations west of Salt Lake City, kill
ed some of the riders and tation-keepers,
and ran off all the stock they could find be-
longing to the company. From the first of
July until about the commencement of Sep
tem5er the express was. TO great extent,
discontinued between Salt Lake City and
Carson City, town west of the former place.
Letters, however, continued to be received at
the extreme ends of the routes, although in
limited quantities. which accumulated at the
above places ready fer forwarding as soor as
a cessation of the Indian troubles would al.
lew it, or sooner if rider could be found
bold enough to run the risk of being shot or
scalred by the sayages, who were always on
the watch for such an opportunity.
A very thrilling incident occurred during
these troubles, at place two hundred miles
from Salt Lake, which will serve to illustrate
the danger then to be feared in that wild re-
gion. Four of the company's employees
were engaged in rebuilding station which
had been destroyed by the Indians. 1t was
early in the morning two of the men were
asleep in hut ON the summit of small bill,
and the others in tent at the foot of il. A
band of Indians prowling around, chanced
to discover them. Observing those in the
hut before the others, they fired in upon
them, killing enc instantly and wounding the
other in the leg. The latter Immediately
started down the hill, shouting to those be-
low to save themselves, as the red skins were
after them. Jumping up and seizing their
pistols, the three started for run across the
plains, with the Indians in no: pursuit and
yelling like SO many fends. The pursued
ran together for some distance, and bade fair
to make good their escape, when the woun--
ded one cried that he could 60 no farther
One OF his companions. very powerful, ath.
letic fellow, took him on his back, and 90
his flight, although at such o slow
rate that their pursuers were fast lining up.
On them. The wounded man. seeing this,
begged to be left to himself, as he did not
wish to be the cause Of the others capture.
He only stipulated for the loan of the pistol
bis friend had with him. Very reluctantly
bis request was complied with, when, with>
out moments hesitation, placing the pistol
to his head, he blew out his brains, prefer
ring such q fate to the one in store for him,
as he knew it was the custom of those tribes
to torture their prisoners before killing them.
The remaining two employees succeeded in
reaching station about ten miles distant,
where, With those already stationed at that
point, they considered themselves safe against
any attack from the enemy. The agent of
the Express Company at Salt Lake finally
raised band Of hundred men, and being
provided with arms and ammunition from
one of the United States Government stations
started out to put an end to thsss disturban-
ces, and teach the Indians lesson likely to
last them until the General Government sent
force enough to make it entirely sffsctual.-
The expedition had fhe desired effect-the