Evening star., 1935-03-31

Russell fell under the spell of Sena-
tor w. NJ. Gwin of California, who
suggested that fast mail service by
pony carrier would be the best way
of advertising the superior advantages
of the Central Overland route. Majors
was dubious Of the scheme, but Rus
sell told him that the firm had been
committed in its favor. Accordingly,
Majors agreed to ''go along" and in
March, 1860, advertisements were put
in newspapers in Washington, New
York and California, saying that q
fast mail service would be put in
effect from the Missouri River to
California.
Danger at S10o q Month.
Eighty riders were hired, the pay
being 500 a month. They were to
be 81 years old or over and weigh
not more than 125 pounds Special
lightweight saddles were made. The
mail was not carried in sacks, but
in four leather boxes, or "cantinas,"
one in each corner Of "mochila,"
or leather covering which was thrown
over the saddle. At first the riders
wore red shirts, blue trousers and
fancy boots, but as the grind pro-
ceeded all uniform effects were aban-
doned. Each rider carried a horn
which he sounded on approaching q
relay station. This was done so the
attendants could have a horse saddled
and waiting.
oEnrnep Sfofinne u-are eka
from so to rs miles apart. These
marked the end of the riders run,
where he would receive the mail from
the other direction and turn back.
Five hundred horses were bought for
the service.
Crossing the Missouri River at St.
Joseph, the Pony Express rider took
a northwest course through corner
of Kansas into Nebraska, whence he
followed the Overland Trail through
Fort Kearney 20 Julesburg, Colo,
thence up Lodge Pole Creek and the
sweetwater, past Fort Laramie to
South Pass, southwest to Fort Bridger
and Salt Lake. From Salt Lake the
route followed the general emigrant
trail through Ruby, Cold Springs and
Carson City to Placerville and Sacra-
mento.
S. Half Ounce Postage.
At first the service was to be weekly,
but it was soon changed to semi
weekly. No newspapers or other bulky
mail could be carried. Charges for
carrying letters and telegraphic dis
patches were fixed at IS a half ounce.
The start of the Pony Express was
made a day of celebration at st.
Joseph and San Francisco. Alex
ander Majors was present at "St. Joe"
with his partner, Russell. Both made
speeches, as did the mayor, JEFF
Thompson, an6 other officials.
In California, on the same date,
affairs were not less confused. The
celebration was held at San Fran
cisco. According to the Alta Cali
fornia one James Randall, on a wiry
little horse dressed with flags, was
escorted to the Sacramento boat and
was loudly cheered by a big crowd.
The first eastbound mail consisted of
IS letters. Whether Randall or, as
others claim, Harry Rolf made the
ride on the boat to Sacramento,
neither made the start from Pony
Express headquarters at Sacramento.
The real start was made by William
Hamilton, i. sturdy young Californian
who has been given no credit for his
share in the Pony" opening until
late years, when Harry c. Peterson,
curator at Suffers Fort Museum,
Sacramento, unearthed records which
invalidated other claims.
From then on the Pony" operated
with marvellous fidelity and regular
ity. Schedules were necessarily slower
in Winter. but far ahead Of those
maintained by stage.
The hardest blow sustained by the
Pony Express was the Pah Ute Indian
uprising in Nevada. Several stations
were destroyed and the station keep
ers and riders lost their lives. In many
instances riders went through, never
knowing at what moment they might
be ambushed. Many Of them per-
formed almost incredible deeds Of en-
durance in the saddle, carrying on"
for riders who had been wounded.
Though the Pony Express was get
ting deeper and deeper involved finan-
cially, it continued to function with
remarkable regularity. It was costing
$4,000 a month to maintain the
service and the returns were negligi-
BILE. With the outbreak of the Civil
War. the stage business. of Russell.
Majors & Waddell suffered heavy