Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1883-05-12
HOW THE EXPRESS BUSINESS
STIRTED.

have Just found an old letter, adj
dressed to me on the 9th of October,
1888, which led to results quite over
powering in their magnitude. The
writer is William T. Harnden. He tells
me that he has applied for post of con-
ductor upon the Western railroad, and
solicits my influence, as Treasurer of
the road, "should you think me worthy
of the office" Harnden had been sell
ing tickets at the Worcester railroad
depot, but found this occupation much
too sedentary for his active nature. He
was man who wished to be moving.
For some reason, which ! do not recall,
Harnden did not get the conductorship;
but his application brought me in con-
tact with this 1.-the, intelligent young
fellow, who wished to be on the go, and
suggested to him a new sort of bust
ness which, in the hands of bright
man, I thought might be pushed to sue
cess. AS Director and President of the
Providence railroad, I was compelled to
make weekly journeys to New York,
where the bulk of our stock was held.
The days of my departure were well
known, and was always met at the de-
pot by bevy of merchants clerks, who
wished to intrust packages of business
papers, samples of goods and other light
matters to my care. The mail establish
ment was at that time utterly INSULT
Gent to meet the wants of the public.
The postage was II cents upon every
separate bit of paper, and this
was a burdensome tax upon the
daily checks, drafts and receipts
incident to mercantile transactions.
I was ready to be Of service to
my friends, though some of them
thought my good nature was imposed
upon when they found that I was
obliged to carry large traveling-bag to
receive their contributions. 1 kept this
bag constantly in sight on my journey,
and, upon arriving IN New York, deliv-
cred it to man whom the merchants
employed to meet me and distribute its
contents. Now, it occurred to me that
there was an opportunity for somebody
to do, for an adequate compensation,
just what / was doing for nothing. I
pointed out to Mr.. Harnden that the
collection and delivery of parcels, as
well as other transportation, might be
undertaken by one responsible person,
for whose service the merchants would
be glad to pay. The suggestion fell
upon fruitful soil. Harnden asked me
for special facilities upon the Boston
and Providence road, which I gladly
gave him, and, with the opening of the
year, he commenced regular trips (twice
a week, I think he made them), bearing
in his hand a small valise, and that
valise contained in germ the immense
express business contained it as the
acorn contains the forest oaks that may
come from it; but many generations
are required to see the magnifcence of
the forests, while the growths of human
enterprise extend to their wonderful ma
turity in one short life. Harnden's fate
was that too common with pioneers and
inventors. He built up great business
by steady industry, saw all its splendid
possibilities, tried to realize them be.
fore the time was ripe, and died poor
man at the age of 80. In attempting to
extend the express business to Europe
he assumed risks that were rrlinous, and
the stalwart Vermonter, Alvin Adams,
took his place as chief in the great in
dustry which had arisen under his hands.
Josiah Quincy, IN the Independent.