The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-09-07
Our Olio.
The Express Business.


has grown to such importance in this
country. it had its day of small things.
james w. Hale, in the Americau old
Felton,, gives US a history in manner
so interesting that we copy at some
length. Mr.. Hale says: In 1897, Mr..
William f. llarndcn called upon me at
the news room, and stated that he had
been conductor on the Boston aud
Providence railroad, aud that the duties
had been so arduous that his health was
much impaired. lie wanted to obtain
employment in some other business,
and desired my advice us to what he
had better do.
b,thought me Of the daily inquiries,
do you know anybody going to Boston
to day = and remembering well the
nice little per1uisites of the old time
stage drivers, aud also in view of the
experience which Mr.. IIarnden had as
railroad conductor, | answered hin,
at once "Yes, III tell you what to do
travel between New York and Boston
and do erranas for other folks." Now,
this would be rather long title by
which to designate ones business and
therefore recommended that the new
enterprise should be called The Ex
press" which would sugge.t the idea
OF speed, promptitude, dispatch.
Mr. llarnden hesitated awhile. as he
was doubtful if it would pay, but AT
last concluded to try the experiment
He bought a carpet bag, which would
hold hardly half bushcl, and slate
was hung up in my news room, "wait
ing orders" My subscribers gave him
his first business, and circulated his
scheme among their friends. But the
get-yourwork done for-nothiug theory
prevailed to great extent, and all tn.
parcels received for several weeks were
noae too many to be carried 10 the small
carpet bag. lie made three trips each
week TO and from Boston, and at the
end OF couple of months was inclined
to abandon the experiment, as his ex
pcnses exceeded his receipts.
At that time the writer was the busi.
ness agent OF an opposition steamboat
running to Providence, aud was author.
lied by the captain to pass Harden at
much less than the regular rate of pass
age. This saving Of expense saved the
express, as business began to increase
and as some customers objected to keen
their packages over ioi day, he was
advised to employ some one to travel on
the alternate days, 4 young man
named Brigham, who was then out of
employment, volunteered for this duty,
with no other compensation than his
board. The daily express induced new
business, aud the carpet bag was multi
piled by two, and three; then large
trunk was substituted, aud sooa larger
one.
1t then became necessary for Harm
den to remain in Boston, and Brigham,
having become partner, took a desk
IN New York, employing Pulen aud
Damon as their first hired messengers.
Subsequently, llarnden's brother Adol.
phus was messenger, until he was los.
on the Lexington, which was burned Oh
Long Island Sound.
The business had now become so vast
that it was necessary to have crate on
board each steamer. This was a small
hand Car about five or six feet square,
and was looked upon as real wonder,
as it showed what great thing the ex
press business was. In few months
therefore, when it had become an es
tablishcd fact-the greatest obstacles
having been surmounted, aud the pub.
lie gradually admitting its utility
then, as In letter-carrying, other enter
prising persons 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 as to the feasibility Of
running an Albany express, by the
river boats. | knew bat little Of the
wants of that section Of the country,
but showed him the difficulties he would
have to encounter by the opposition of
steamboat captains aud clerks, who were
doing the same kind Of business, and
with whose pcrquisites he would mater
tally interfere. But he was plucky--
started his machine, and was success.
ful, first Pomery g. Co., then Pomcry,