The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-04-27
AN EARLY PLAINsMAN
Pioneer of Modern Transportation in
the West.


T HE mighty stride that brought CAL
ifornia closer to st. Joseph. Mo.
by two and one-half months was
made by a "broncho," backed By a
buckskinned sombreroed. booted and
spurred rider. in the spring Of 1860. saws
the ST. Joseph Press.
Prior 90 that time the California
united "a stage coach. jOlting -s lum-
Derlng tedious way across the western
plains 20 the creaking of wheels and
the eplthets of the driver, who was the
most artistic user Of profanity known
was the first Three months Of time
We're consumed. Nail was carried. But
/ homes, sections of cities. even whole
cities, might be devastated and par
TALLY built up again before the western
soJourner could learn of the event which
made him homeless and penniess.
The next California limited was the
pony express. Eight days were con-
sumed in crossing the country in this
manner. To accomplish this unheard-
of trip thirty-five men and $50 ponies
were necessary. The only halt made
was of two minutes duration. This
time was consumed I'm changing saddles
and bags from one tough, sure-footed
fleet little animal to another just like
MIN. There were thirty stations along
The line, with relays at each station.
Each horse was forced on a swift run
Tor ten miles and then replaced by an
other
There is but one of these intrepid
riders known to be alive today. He is
a resident Of st. Joseph. His name is
| Charles n. Cliff. residing with his fam
/ ily at ll05 North Sixth street
on April 2. 1860, the first rider. amid
the cheers of ST. Joseph citizens, left
the barn at Eighth and Olive streets.
rode to the pOstofiice at Second and
Francis streets. threw his mail pouches
across the saddle, fastened securely,
sped swiftly to the ferry at the foot Of
Mitchell avenue, took the ferry and
| leaving the boat headed for the bound
less west with his letters for the So
lourners somewhere upon the plains or
Z hidden away in the mountains.
The pony express riders were a dar-
ing lot The savagery Of the elements
and the blOOdthiTstiness Of the Indians
were to be met and conquered or evaded
In a manner that would not lose time
on their schedule.
Out upon the far western plains
r0amed their enemies, the Indians.
These red-skinned savages We're nom
inally friendly But the Springfield
rifle swinging from the saddle bow. and
I the Colt revolver carried in holster,
were often brought Into rapid play. and
/ with deadly effectiveness, upon the In-
/ dian by the daring riders skimminC
alone across the plains with messages
from the far west.
Charley Cliff rode the pony express
] for six months after it had been in Op-
Grafton for a year. Twice each week
he made the trip. His route led him
/ 10 Seneca, Kan. There he waited for
/ the mail back from the west, and bore
l % 90 St. Joseph. When the river was
/ high or running with ice. he left his
pony on the west bank and taking a
skin roWed across and brought up al
[ the postofilce with his messages from
/ the still uneXplOred west
He tells this thrilling story Of his
| experiences: II never knew what 30
/ was to ride at a walk, he said. MY
| horse was always at his greatest speed.
Down hin he was allowed 10 slacken
/ his pace. bat on all other roads he
was put through. My route was one
/ of the best Ia the system, and / thor
Oughly enjoyed the work. There was
no stopping nc hesitancy, no tagging.
I IL was "A rush from start to finish, and
/ / generally managed 10 get through.
/ At one tie She snow was six feet deep
! along nay route, and 1 had great diff