The Pony Express was a mail service that carried mail between St. Joseph Missouri, and Sacramento, California. The Pony Express ran for about 18 months in the years 1860 to 1861. Skilled Express riders could deliver mail from St. Joseph to Sacramento in 10 days. This was faster than any other means of communication or postal service at the time. The Pony Express established 190 different stations which were layed out 10 to 15 miles apart. It was here that the rider could get a fresh mount, or where they might trade off with another rider. Although the days were generally long, averaging 75 miles before this exchange was made. The mail sack, or mochila, which they carried was specially designed to be laid over the saddle. The only force keeping it down was that of the riders own weight.
These conditioned riders were often times required to plow through rain, snow, heat, and sometimes faced Indian attacks. Only one rider in the history of the Express was killed in one of these attacks. Because of the harsh conditions and the consistent dangers of crossing the country, Pony Express riders were paid a salary of $100 to $150 dollars a month, which was a very high paying job at the time.
With the rising lines of the transcontinental telegraph, and it's official cross-country beginning on October 24, 1861, the Pony Express came to an end. Though it was short-lived, the Pony Express brought ties from the east to the west.