Hi! Thank you for visiting my site. For those of you who are unfamiliar with The Young Riders, I will give you some information on about the show.
ABOUT THE SHOW
The show was about the lives and adventures of a group of Pony Express riders. Most of the riders were orphans, but they became like a family to each other during the time they rode for the express.
TIME AND PLACE
The Young Riders took place between April 1860 and late 1861. During the fist two seasons, the show took place in the town of Sweetwater, and during the last season, the show took place in Rock Creek.
PONY EXPRESS RIDERS
Here are discriptions of the riders.
The Kid:
The Kid (portrayed by Ty Miller) is originally from Virginia. He and his mother and older brother, Jed were abandoned by his father when Kid was young. After his mother's death, Kid left home at age fifteen. Kid must have been in his late teens when he bought his horse, Katy and signed up as a rider for the Pony Expess. After joining the express, he meets and eventually falls in love with Louise McCloud. Lou and Kid are married in the final episode. Kid is very conscienous and always does what he believes is the right thing. We never find out Kid's real name.William F. Cody:
The series doesn't really go into Cody's past. Cody (portrayed by Stephen Baldwin) is one of the real-life characters on the show. He is an excellent marksman and loves attention. Here is some factual information on Cody: William Cody was born February 26, 1846, in Scott County, Iowa to Isaac Cody and Mary Ann Bonsell Laycock. Cody really did ride for the Pony Express. Cody is best know for his Wild West Shows. Cody died on January 10, 1917 in Denver.James Hickok:
Jimmy (portrayed by Josh Brolin) is another real-life character. In the series, Jimmy is the hot head of the group. He is very good with a gun. Jimmy gets the much hated nickname 'Wild Bill Hickok' from a dime store novelist, J.D. Marcus who writes a fictional book about Jimmy. This leads to Jimmy having an undeserved reputation as a dangerous gunfighter. Here is some factual information on James Hickok: He was born on May 27, 1937 in Troy Grove, Ill. He was a Union scout during the Civil War, and achieved fame as a U.S. marshal and gunfighter in the cow towns of Kansas from 1866 to 1871. On Aug. 2, 1876, James Hickok was shot from behind and killed while playing cards in Saloon #10 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory.Buck Cross:
Buck (portrayed by Gregg Rainwater) is part Kiowa Indian and part white. He has a half brother named Red Bear. He left the Kiowa tribe behind when he was young because he was viewed as an outsider because of his mixed heritage. Buck also encounted prejustice in the white mans' world as well. Buck met his best friend, Ike McSwain at a mission school. Buck and Ike became like brothers. Buck and Ike signed up for the Pony Express together.Ike McSwain:
Ike (portrayed by Travis Fine)is probably the bravest and most determined rider. Ike lost his hair from having scarlott fever when he was young, and lost the ability to speak after seeing his family murdered. Ike's best friend, Buck taught him how to use Indian sign language so Ike had a way to communicate. Ike was killed by a gambler when he tried to defend the life of his girlfriend, Emily Metcalf.Louise McCloud:
Louise (portrayed by Yvonne Suhor) is the only female rider. Louise's father was not a part of her childhood. Her mother, Mary died when Louise was a little girl. Louise and her younger sister, Teresa, and younger brother, Jeremiah were placed in a Catholic orphanage. When Louise was in her mid teens, she ran away from the orphanage to find work so she could support her siblings. After having a rather bad experience working as a laundress, Louise started dressing like a boy and calling herself 'Lou'. She signed up as an Express rider. Her secret didn't remain a secret for long. Kid was the first one to find out, but he kept her secret. The other riders and eventually, Teaspoon found out, but Lou was allowed to keep her job. Lou fell in love with Kid, and they eventually married.Noah Dixon
OTHER CHARACTERS:
Noah (portrayed by Don Franklin) joined the show during the second season. Noah was a free-born black man. Noah's mother died during child birth. He spent his youth with his father and his father's employee, Sally. After his father died, Sally took care of young Noah. Noah befriended Jimmy in a saloon after Noah bought a couple of slaves so he could give them their freedom. He became an Express rider after Teaspoon offered him a job. Noah was killed in the last episode of the third season at the start of the Civil War.Teaspoon Hunter:
Teaspoon (portrayed by Anthony Zerbe) is a station manager for the Pony Express. Teaspoon is originally from Texas. He fought in the Alamo and worked as a Texas ranger. In 1860 Teaspoon was employed by Russell, Majors, and Wadell as a way station manager. Teaspoon has worked as a marshall for the towns of Sweetwater and Rock Creek. Teaspoon is a role model for the riders, and a father figure. The riders come to Teaspoon for advise and they trust his judgement.Emma Shannon:
Emma (portrayed by Melissa Leo) is the original housekeeper for the riders. It is unknown where Emma is from. Emma came to live in Sweetwater with her husband, Evan Crandall. Emma found herself suddenly alone when her husband abandoned her and her baby died of smallpox. Emma allowed Russell, Majors, and Wadell to use her land as a way station and Emma became a housekeeper and cook for Teaspoon and the riders. Emma married the Sweetwater's marshall, Sam Cain and they moved away.Sam Cain
Sam (portrayed by Brett Cullen) is the marshall of Sweetwater. Sam lost his wife, Jenny when she was killed by outlaws. Sam moved to Sweetwater and became the marshall. Sam courted Emma Shannon and they married. After their wedding, they moved away.Rachel Dunn
Rachel (portrayed by Clare Wren) is the second housekeeper for the riders. It is unknowed which state Rachel is from, but she is from the South. Rachel was raised by an alcoholic mother. At one point, Rachel worked for a gambler. She met her future husband, Henry Dunn during a poker game. They married and planned on starting a family. However, Rachel's past came back to haunt her when Chad Browning and his brothers came to collect money they claimed Rachel stole from them. They killed Henry and Rachel shot and killed Tom Browning in self defence. The Brownings tried to have her framed for murder, but the riders and Teaspoon helped clear her name.William Thomkins
TV SCHEDULE
William Thomkins (portrayed by Don Collier) is the owner of the local store. Thomkins lost his wife, Sally and daughter, Jenny when they were kidnapped by Indians. They were eventually reunited and the reunion didn't go well. Sally was killed by an Indian brave and Jenny decided to leave town after her mother's death.The Young Riders originally aired on ABC between 1989-1992. You can watch the show in sidication on the Hallmark Channel.
