The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-07-16
Urigin Of the r. .rlIress Business.

Travel ers on the Long Island Sound Of
about thirty-seven years ago might have OBJ
served on board the steamer then running be-
tween Providence and New York an under
sized, delicately built sanguine looking young
man who accompanied the vessel Oh alternate
trips, and constantly carried in his hand
small carpet-bag OF half a bushel capacity. He
was William L IIarnden, and his bag contained
the beginnings of the express forwa riding bust
ness OF the United States, which, with the ex-
ception OF the railways and telegraphs, now
surpasses all other private enterprises IN the
world
Born at Reading, Massachusetts, in 1872 he
was employed as conductor Of the first passen-
ger train that ran in New England, and was
afterward promoted to the position of tic6et
agent on the Boston and Worcester Railway,
The sedentary desk-work did not suit him.
however, and in 1887 he came to New York in
search OF more congenial employment. At the
corner OF Wall and Pearl streets stood the old
Tontine Coffee-house, famous resort for the
merchants and ship-owners OF those days, and
III connection with it there was an admirable
news room-a sort OF Loyd's or Garraways-
conducted by James W. Hale, local celebrity,
who atterward extended his fame bv promoting
cheap postal system in opposition to the gov
ernment. Mr. Hale was man Of varied expe-
rience and genial disposition. He was one Of
tine most active men OF his day, and Harnden
went to him for advice IN seeking employment.
Hale became interested in him, and in the
course OF a few days advised him to establish
himself as an expressman between New York
and Boston, a business never before transacted
and name never before assumed
As there have been other claimants to the
honor Of having originated the enterprise. and
as Mr.. Hale is still living, 1 will repeat a state
ment which he made to me in July last
I" There was never day." he said that in
quires were not made at the news-room for
some person going to Boston or Providence.
Some wanted to send small parcels to their
friends, others, letters or circulars; but the
most frequent applicants were money-brokers,
who wanted to forward packages of Eastern
bank notes to Boston for redemption. If an
acquaintance was found on the boat he was
pounced upon without ceremony, and burdened
worth many thousand dollars. But if friend
did not appear. the things we're often Entrusted
to enJlre strangers, with the modest request
that they would deliver them Immediately after
their arrival. Merchants and brokers seeking
gratutous transportation for their letters con-
trlbuted largely TO the excitement attending
the departure OF the steamer and many per-
sons will remember the nights of anxiety they
have passed on the Sound, when such unex-
pected wealth has been temporarily thrust up
on them. When Mr.. Harnden called upon me
Tor advice, thought OF the daily inquiries
made at my Office, Do YOU know any BODY 60
Ing to Boston this evening p aud immediately
advised him to travel between the two cities
aud do errands for the business men. also
suggested that the new enterprise should be
called The Express, which gave the idea of
speed, promptitude, and fidelity"
II arnden hestated for several days. doubtiny
whether the scheme would be profitable. but
eventually he decided to try 1t. and bouobt tba
historic travelling-bag, which is still preser we'd
IN Boston. A small slate for orders was buno
Ia The news-room, and the patrons of that in
stltution we're Harden's chief patrons. The
old merchants had become so accustomed 70
transportation OF smaller articles without cost
that they did not readily observe the adyapta-
ges the express offered, and at the end of
two months Harnden found all his capital alb
sorbed. ilis receipts we're less than his expens-
es, aud he would have discontinued the service
had not some friends procured free passages
Tor him on an opposition steamboat. With
tie passase-money as subsidy, 1.-THE express"
prospered, and the business so increased that
Harnden soon engaged an assistant.-w. II
ErDFTNg IN Horper's Iagaztpo 20. -.