A La Carte project on Pony Express

1. Pony Express “The Pony Express was the first "express" mail line across the United States” Picture from http://www.mikespoints.com/archives/PonyExpress-3.jpg

2. “The Pony Express was founded by William H. Russell, William B. Waddell, and Alexander Majors. “ http://www.mqamericana.com/Pony_Express_Set.html “Plans for the Pony Express were spurred by the threat of the Civil War and the need for faster communication with the West.”

3. All Riders were required to take an Oath. Pony Express Oath: "I,...........,do hearby swear, before the Great and Living God, that during my engagement, and while an employee of Russell, Majors and Waddell, I will, under no circumstances, use profane language, that I will drink no intoxicating liqours, that I will not quarrel or fight with any other employee of the firm, and that in every respect I will conduct myself honestly, be faithful to my duties, and so direct all my acts as to win the confidence of my employers, so help me God." Picture from http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-ponyexpress.html

4. “Pony Express riders were usually lightweight young men, often teenagers.” “Most of the riders were around 20, but there was one by the name of Bronco Charlie Miller who was only 11 and the oldest rider was in his mid-40’s. Most weighed an average of 120 pounds.” Picture from http://www.nps.gov/archive/poex/hrs/hrs2e.htm

5. “More than 1,800 miles in 10 days! From St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California the Pony Express could deliver a letter more quickly than ever before.” Picture from www.pinkponyexpress.blogspot.com

6. Pony Express stations, which eventually numbered somewhere between 150-190, were originally established about 25 miles apart, then increased in number to allow for fresh horses at intervals of 10 to 15 miles. Picture from http://www.city-data.com/picfilesc/picc26739.php Picture from http://www.washingtoncountyks.net/tourism.html Picture from http://www.kshs.org/p/hollenberg-pony-express-station-bibliography/13704

7. “Through the use of the mochila, it was not necessary to change saddles at all.” Picture from http://www.xphomestation.com/mochila.html Picture from http://www.xphomestation.com/mochila.html “The mochila was thrown over the saddle and held in place by the weight of the rider sitting on it.” Picture from http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-ponyexpress2.html

8. Prior to the Pony Express it would take months to get news and mail. The Pony Express delivered mail in 10 days or less across rough land, during bad weather and attacks. Picture from http://www.nps.gov/poex/photosmultimedia/Images-along-the-Pony-Express-Trail.htm Picture from http://www.world-wide-art.com/art/va/printjpgs/m/fmccarthy/ponyexpress.jpg

9. “Riding in a relay fashion, each rider averaged 10 miles per hour, covering about 75-100 miles before another rider took his place on the route.” Picture from http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-ponyexpress.html

10. “Mark Twain, who saw the Pony Express in action first hand, described the riders as: "... usually a little bit of a man". Though small in stature, their untarnished record proved them to possess the hearts of lions.” Picture from http://www.twainquotes.com/PonyExpress.html

11. “Only one rider lost his life when he was killed by hostile Indians, and only one sack of mail was lost during this time.” Picture from http://www.nps.gov/poex/historyculture/index.htm “The Pony Express is credited with helping to keep California in the Union by providing rapid communication between the two coasts.” Picture from http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/OregonTrail4.html

12. “News of the election of Abraham Lincoln to the United States presidency in 1860 and of the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 reached California via the Pony Express.” “President Lincoln's Inaugural Address is telegraphed to Fort Kearney in the Nebraska Territory and the Pony Express delivers it to Placerville, California to be telegraphed along the west coast. Rider, Pony Bob Haslam, carried the Inaugural Address on his run and was attacked by Indians. Wounded, Haslam completed the 120 mile run in a record 8 hours and 20 minutes.” Picture from http://lincolnphotos.org/26.htm

13. “After the Pacific Telegraph Company completed its line to San Francisco in October, 1861, the company declared bankruptcy and closed down.” “In operation for only 18 months between April 1860 and October 1861.” Picture from http://www.ponyexpress.org/pony-express-historical-timeline

14. “In the era before electronic communication, the Pony Express was the thread that tied East to West.” Picture from http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/OregonTrail4.html

15. “A number of statues and monuments commemorating the Pony Express in history can be found along the trail.” Carson City State Line Reno Sacramento Julesburg Marysville Casper Pictures from http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-xpstatue.html North Kansas City St. Joseph

16. http://www.mqamericana.com/Pony_Express_Set.html The End