Omaha daily bee., 1908-08-02

ing into the station flecked with foam,
nostrlls dilated and reeking with perspira-
ton, while his flanks thumped at every
breath.
Delay Only "a Second or Two.
NEARLY 2,OOO miles in eight days must
be made and there was no idling for man
or beast. When the express rode up to the
station both rider and pony were always
ready. The only delay was a second or
two as the saddle pouch, with its precious
burden, was thrown on, and the rider
leaped into his place, then away they
rushed down the trail and in a moment
were out of sight.
"The mail bags were two pouches Of
leather, impervious to rain, sealed and
strapped to the riders saddle before and
behind. The pouches were never to con-
tain over twenty pounds in weight. In
side the pouches, to further protect their
contents from the weather, the letters and
dispatches were wrapped in oil silk and
then sealed. The pockets themselves were
locked and were not opened between st.
Joseph and Sacramento"
In order to keep the weight at a mini
mum the arms of the rider were as a rule
limited to a revolver and a knife. The
riders received from $40 to $l25 a month,
ana among lnelE HUMMER WGlt MINI
guides, scouts and couriers-men capable
of giving a good account of themselves
when they met hostile savages and road
agents" The hazardous and important
nature of the business demanded the serv-
ices of men Of good habits, and the pro
prietors Of the pony express sought "a
have their employees observe a high stan
dard Of integrity.
start of the Express.
Mr.. Visscher tells OF the start OF the
express, on April 8, 1860. at noon:
Harry Rolf, mounted or a plendid
half-bred broncho, left Sacramento or
his perilous ride, covering the first twenty
miles. including one change, in hifty-nin'
mlntes. On reaching Folsom he changed
again ard started for Placerville, at tbs
foot Of the Sierra Nevada mountains, fifty
five miles distant. There he connected with
Boston, who took the route to Friday
station, crossing the eastern summit o
the Sierra Nevada.
sam Hamilton next fell into lire. anC
pursued his way to Genoa, Carson City
Dayton, Reeds station, and For
Churchill, seventy-five miles. The entir'
run was made In fifteen hours ard twent!
minutes, the entire distance being 1856 miles
which included the crossing of the western
summit of the Sierra Nevada through
thirty feet of snow.
Here Robert Haslam took up the trai
from Fort Churchill to Smiths Creek, II
miles through a hostile Indian country
From that point Jay G. Kelley rode from
Smiths Creek to Ruby Valley, Utah, IL
miles. From Ruby Valley to Deep Creek
II. Richardson, 15 miles. From Dee
Greek to Rush Valley. old Camp Floyd
eighty miles; from Camp Floyd to Sal
Lake City. fifty miles-the end of tn
western division. In all. 1870 miles, wa
ridden by George Thaeher."
On the same day, April g. and at tn
same hours, Alexander Carlyle started tn
: express from it's eastern terminus, st. JIG
seph. The route of the riders.' say
the author, after crossing the Missouri
, river. lay a little southwest, until
struck the old military road. foTty-fou
miles out. at Kennekuk; then It turne
a little northwesterly across the Kieks
poo Indian reservation. by way of Greu
: ada, Logchain. Seneca. Ash Point. Gut
, tards, Marysville. HoIlenburg. up Littl
Blue valley to Rock Creek. Big Sand,
Liberty Farm. over prairies to Plat
river and due west up that valley I
Kearney.
The Mormon Trail.
This was the trail taken by the Mormon
in lS47. and afterward by the gold seeker
- - Ngnu q nAa hr GanaRn