Now what is the Pony Express you ask? Simply a complex relay of mail by horses and riders, running in conjunction day, night, rain or shine, summer or winter. A total of 183 men are known to have ridden for the Pony Express during its operati

In order to cross the 2,000 mile stretch in as little as 7 days and 17 hours between telegraph lines, approximately 165 stations were set up along the frontier allowing riders to get a fresh horse every 10 to 15 miles, while riders would switch every 75 to 100 miles. This required a vast fleet of around 400 horses (including thorough breads, mustangs, pintos and morgans).

on of just over 18 months. Riders of this outfit were tough, an ad in a California newspaper read: “Wanted. Young, skinny, wiry fellows. Not over 18. Must be expert riders. Willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.” Most riders were around 20, with the youngest being 11 and the oldest mid-40s. Not many were orphans. Most weighed around 120 pounds. Riders were compensated $100 on a monthly basis.

rst eastboun

Some topics in this essay:
Pony Express, Billy Hamiliton, Panama Express, Express Simply, Sacramento California, Civil War, Stage Coaches, pony express, Johnny Fry, Express Financially, William Waddell, st joseph, communication east west, st joseph missouri, mid june, joseph missouri, sacramento california, central overland, overland california, missouri sacramento, peak express company, missouri sacramento california, east west, express company pony, california pikes,