The Pony Express provided a fast postal service between two cities in America - St.Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California. It was operated from April 1860 to October 1861. It was established by a freighting and stage coach firm called Russell, Majors and Waddell and was used only for letters. The charge was five dollars for half-an-ounce.
Expert riders were chosen to ride fast horses which were changed six to eight times on the scheduled ride. A specially designed square of leather, called a mochilla, was thrown over the saddle and the letters were carried in four leather boxes attached to its corners.
The route covered 1,838 miles and included 157 stations, which lay from 7 to 20 miles apart. "Home Stations", providing food and a little rest for riders, were placedf at distances of 75 to 100 miles. The time scheduled for the run was 10 days.
The pony express followed the Oregon-California trail and passed through Ft.Kearney, Julesburg, Ft.Laramie, South Pass etc.
Among the best-known ridersd were William Cody ( " Buffalo Bill " ) ( 1846 - 1917 ) and Pony Bob Haslam. With the completion of the transcontinental telegraph line in 1861, the pony express lost its purpose.
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