Connecticut western news., 1871-08-11
The EXnreSS RuSineSS.

Notwithstanding the express business has grown to such importance in this country, it had it's day of small things. James W. Hale, in the American Odd FeAo,o, gives us history of this begin ming in manner so interesting that we copy at some length. Mir. Hale says :: ill 1887, MT. William F. Harnden called upon me at the news room, and stated that he had been 8 conductor on the Boston and Providence railroad, and that the duties had been so arduous that his health was much impaired. He wanted to obtain employment in some other business, and des1red my advice as to what he had better do.
 I bethought me of the daily inquiries, "do you know anybody going to Boston to-day ?: and remembering we'll the nice little perquisites of the old-time stage drivers, and also in view of the experience which MT. Harnden had as railroad conductor, answered him at once: "Yes, I'll tell you what to do travel between New York and Boston, and do e1rdnds .for otber tfolJts." Now, this would be rather long title by which to designate ones business, and I therefore recon mended that the new enterprise should be called "The Express ,'' which would suggest the idea of speed, promptitude, dispatch.
 MT. Harnden hesitated awhile, as he was doubtful if it would pay, but at last concluded to try the experiment. He bought carpet bag, which would hold hardly half a bushel, and slate was hung up in my news room, "waiting orders" My subscribers gave him his first business, and circulated his scheme among their friends. But the get-your- work -done-for- nothing theory prevailed to great extent, and all the parcels re- ceived for several weeks were none toe many to be carried in the small carpet bag. He made three trips each week to and from Boston, and at the end of 8 couple of months was inclined to aban- don the experiment., as his expenses exceeded his receipts. At that time the writer was the busi ness agent of an opposition steamboat running to Providence, and was author ized by the captain to pass Harden a1 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 keeE their packages over for day, he was advised to employ some one to travel or the alternate days. A young man named Brigham, who was then out of employ ment, volunteered for this duty, with nc other compensation than his board. The daily express induced new business, anC the carpet bag was multiplied by two and three then large truck was sub stituted, and soon larger one.
 Q to remain in Boston, and Brigham, hay ing become 8 partner, took desk II New York, employing Pullen and Damo1 as their first hired messengers. Subse quently, Harnden's brother Adolphus was messenger, until he was lost on the Lexington, which was burned sn Long Island Sound.
 The business had now become so vast that it was necessary to have crate or board each steamer. This was small hand car about five or six feet square, and was looked upon as 8 real wonder, as it showed what great thing the express business was. In a few months therefore, when it had become an estab' lished fact-the greatest obstacles having been surmounted, and the public gradu- ally admitting it's utility-then, as in letter-carrying, other enterprislng per- sons started in the same line of business, but chiefly on short routes leading out of Boston.
 At about this time, too, MT. George Pomeroy, of Albany, called upon me to advise with him as to the feasibility oi running an Albany express, by the river boats. I 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-s started his machine, and was successful, first as Pomeroy x Co.,, then Pomeroy, Wells & Co.,, with some other changes, until, finally, 1t grew into the present American Express Co.
 One of the small Boston expresses had previously been purchased by MT. Alvin Adams, of Boston, but the sphere was too limited for his ambition. He there fore started an 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 as n corporation is known as the Adams Express Go. Harnden died in l844 o1 '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.