And they probably didn't take the whole "no cursing" rule very seriously either. In , Sir Richard Burton remembered stagecoach drivers hired by Majors and subject to the same oath in his book The City of the Saints : "I scarcely ever saw a sober driver; as for the profanity … they are not to be deterred from evil talking even by the dread presence of a 'lady.
Pony Express riders didn't just throw a standard mail bag over the back of their saddle. They had mochilas designed specially for the Pony Express—ones that look nothing like some of the products now sold as "Pony Express saddlebags.
Twain wrote that each of these locked pouches would "hold about the bulk of a child's primer," but they could still fit a surprising amount of mail for their size, because to keep loads light Major recalls a maximum of 10 pounds, while a former rider recalled 20 , the mail was printed on thin tissue paper.
There's no doubt that the route definitely ran through territory beset by conflicts between white settlers and Native Americans, but that may not have been the biggest danger. In , Corbett told NPR that in the few first-person accounts available in the historical record, original riders remembered the dangers of freezing during winter rides, especially if you strayed off the trail.
The Paiute War between Native Americans and white settlers in modern-day Nevada and Utah did affect service during the spring and summer of though. During one ride during the spring of , express riders were escorted through Nevada to protect them from attacks.
The National Park Service reports that four riders were killed on their way to deliver mail some say that most of the employees killed by those ambushes were station masters, not riders, but at least one rider was killed during this period of conflict. The National Park Service reports that one other rider died in an accident and two froze to death, while other accounts add that at least a few riders died after being thrown from their horses.
And one rider disappeared along his route never to be seen again. His mail pouch was found two years later. The Pony Express was founded by William H. Russell, Alexander Majors, and William B. Waddell, who ran a transportation company taking freight, mail, and passengers by stagecoach across the American West before they launched the Pony Express.
Knowing the service wouldn't be financially stable without it, the founders hoped to secure a government contract for their mail route, but just a few months after the launch, Congress passed a bill to subsidize the construction of a transcontinental telegraph line. The government did fund the Pony Express during its later months—just not through Russell, Majors, and Waddell. Instead, Congress effectively made the three founders one of whom, Russell, had recently been indicted for fraud hand over the western part of the route to the Overland Mail Company , a subsidiary of Wells Fargo [PDF] that already ran a different stagecoach route.
Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California or vice versa—they switch the route based on if it's an even or odd year in 10 days. More than riders take part, carrying up to letters in total. If you aren't the pony-riding type, you can travel the trail in other ways, like running the mile endurance race held along parts of the trail in Utah each year.
BY Shaunacy Ferro. The Pony Express covered a lot of ground, fast. Because of that, riders who were part of the work force to rebuild the stations are recorded at certain locations where the census was taking place.
That enabled me to see how they are being listed in the census and get a picture of their ages and work conditions. And because of that, people can relate to it. But the Pony Express was always intended as a short-term venture to raise public awareness—like a huge PR stunt—to get a big mail contract. The mail contract they were counting on came much too late to help them, and when it did come, it was far too small.
But it is financial stuff that sinks Russell. He is so desperate for money that he goes to the War Department and tries to get an advance on some other contracts they had. But Russell uses them as collateral to get cash advances.
Unfortunately, the whole scheme quickly collapsed. Simon Worrall curates Book Talk. Follow him on Twitter or at simonworrallauthor. All rights reserved. Share Tweet Email. Read This Next Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London.
Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London Love them or hate them, there's no denying their growing numbers have added an explosion of color to the city's streets. India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big Grassroots efforts are bringing solar panels to rural villages without electricity, while massive solar arrays are being built across the country.
Epic floods leave South Sudanese to face disease and starvation. Travel 5 pandemic tech innovations that will change travel forever These digital innovations will make your next trip safer and more efficient.
But will they invade your privacy? Go Further. Animals Wild Cities This wild African cat has adapted to life in a big city. Animals This frog mysteriously re-evolved a full set of teeth. Animals Wild Cities Wild parakeets have taken a liking to London. Animals Wild Cities Morocco has 3 million stray dogs. Meet the people trying to help. Animals Whales eat three times more than previously thought. Environment Planet Possible India bets its energy future on solar—in ways both small and big.
Environment As the EU targets emissions cuts, this country has a coal problem. Paid Content How Hong Kong protects its sea sanctuaries. History Magazine These 3,year-old giants watched over the cemeteries of Sardinia. Add another week or so for the mail to get from the East Coast to St.
At the time, transporting mail via steamship or stagecoach could take more than a month. Even so, people still celebrate the history of the Pony Express. The Pony Express Museum is a popular tourist stop in St.
Eventually, the NPS hopes that some historic sites along the trail will be open to the public—including 50 existing Pony Express stations or station ruins. Box , Cave Creek, AZ
0コメント