The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-21

Notwithstanding tho express business
has grown to such Importance in this
country, it had its day of small things.
james W. Hale, in the american Odi
FelOU, gives us history of this begin.
ming in manner so interesting that we
copy at some length. Mr.. Hale says
in 1887, Mr.. William +. Harnden called
upon me at the news room, and stated
that he had been conductor on the
Boston aud Providence railroad, and TINT
the duties had been so arduous that his
health was much impaired. He wanted
to obtain employment in some other
business, and desired my advice rs to
what he had better do.
l bethought me Of the daily inquiries,
"do you know anybody going to Boston
today ~ and remembering well the nice
little perquisites OF the old.timc stage
drivers, and also in view OF the experience
which Mr.. Harnden had rs n railroad
conductor, Ianswcred him ut once: ayes,
I'll tell you what to do travel between
New York and Boston, and do errandS
for other FOLKS" Now, this would be
rather long title by which to designate
ones business, and l therefore recon-
mended that the new enterprise should
be called "The Express" which would
suggest the idea Of speed, promptitude,
dispatch.
Mr.. Harnden hesitated awhile, rs he
was doubtful il it would pay, but ut last
concluded to try the experiment He
bought n carpet bag, which would holl
hardly half bushcl, and slate was
hung up in my news room, waiting
orders" My subscribers gave him his
first business, and circulated his scheme
among thei- friends But the get-your-
Notwithstanding theory prevailed
to great extent, aud All the parcels re.
ceiycd for several weeks were none too
many to be carried in the small carpet
bag. lie made three trips each week to
and from Boston, and at the end Of q
couple OF months was inclined to aban-
don tho experiment, MS his expenses
exceeded his receipts.
At that time the writer was the bust
ness agent of IN opposition steamboat
running to Providence, and was author
lied by the captain to pass Harden at
much less than the regular rate OF pass
age. This saving OF expense saye1 the
express, rs business began to increase,
and us some customers objected to keep
their packages over for day, he was
advised to employ some one to travel on
the alternate days. Ayoung man named
Brigham, who was then out OF employ
ment, volunteered for this duty, with no
other compensation than his board. The
daily express induced new business, and
the carpet bag was multiplied by two,
and three then large truck was sub
stituted, and soon larger one.
It then became necessary for Harnden
to remain in Boston, and Brigham, hav-
ing become partner, tuok desk in
New York, employing Pullen and Damon
rs their first hired messengers. subse-
quently, Harnden's brother Adolphus
was messenger, until he was lost on the
Lexington, which was burned on Long
Island Sound.
The business had now become 80 vast
that it was necessary to have crate on
bourd each steamer. This wns small
hand car about five or six feet square,
and was looked upon rs n real wonder,
rs it showed what great thing the
express business wns. In few months
therefore, when it had become mn estab-
lishPd fact-the greatest obstacles having
been surmounted, and the public gradu-
ally admitting its utility-then, us in
letter-carrying, other enterprising per-
ssns started in the same line Of business,
but chiefly on short routes leading out
Of Boston.
At about this time, too, Mr. George
Pomeroy, OF Albany, called upon me to
advise with him Ms to the feasibility Of
running an Albany express, by the river
bonts. l knew but little of the wants OF
that section OF the country, but showed
him the difficulties he would have to en-
counter by the opposition of steamboat
captains and clerks, who were doing the
same kind of business, and with whose
perquisites he would materially interfere.
But he was plucky-startcd his machine,
and was successful, first MS Pomeroy 4
Co., then Pomeroy, Wells & Co., with
some other changes, until, finally, it grew
into the present American Express Co.
One Of the small Boston expresses had
previously been purchased by Mr.. Alvin
Adams, Of Boston, but the sphere WINS
too limited for his ambition. He there
fore started ap opposition to Harnden,
between New York and Boston, but go.
ing over the new route OF the Norwich
and Worcester railroad, which was then
in operation. It was first called Adams
Express then Adams & Co.'S, and now
rs corporation is known MS the Adams
Express Co. Harnden died in 1874 or
45, and an annuity was secured to his
widow, for the continued use OF the
name, but she never had any business
control OF the concern.
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