1. Home stations had a station master, one or two hands and only two riders stationed there. Our favorite show had six or seven...not accurate.
2. The Mochila covered the whole saddle and was therefore sat on. It would would have been impossible to pass it off from one rider to the next as they often show.
3. The Pony Express actually shut down for approximatly two months in the summer of 1860 due to Indian raids. They lost numerous posts and horses, so they had to wait for the Army to get the Indians under control.
To start up the Pony Express, Russell, Majors and Waddell purchased 500 horses and set up over 150 stations. Home stations were 50-75 miles apart with relay stations every 10-15 miles. The rider had exactly 2 min to switch horses. They estimated that each letter cost between $5 and $10 to deliver.
It was mentioned that there was trouble with the Indians, Paiute, to be exact, and the uprisings occured in May of 1860 in Utah territory. they were shut down for 6 weeks and lost 150 horses, 7 stations and 16 men. It cost Russell, majors and Waddell $75,000 to start back up in July of 1860.
William F Cody was indeed a rider. Born in Scott County Iowa (That's north of Davenport along the Mississippi River) on Feb 26, 1845. He was 15 when he rode, and was based out of Julesburg in Nebraska Territory (riding east), before he began riding between Red Buttes and Three Crossing.
Lyn has graciously provided us with these interesting facts from her visit to the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri. More info will soon be following, I just need to do my homework on some of the great things she's sent me!