The Pony Express existed from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1861 -- exactly 18 months and 23 days. This was the period in history when rickety stagecoaches were the most modern form of transportation, when Inidan attacks were frequent and when the wild old West was exactly that -- wild.

Created by the freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Waddell, the Pony Express carried 'mochilas' or pouches of official documents and mail by horseback along a 2,000 mile route between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California.

Before the existence of the Pony Express, the quickest time ever made across the continent was 21 days by the Butterfield Stageline. The Pony Express cut this time in half. Not only did it never once fail to cross the treacherous terrain of the Old West in 10 days, it more than once surpassed any other courier record in history.

It carried President Buchanan's last message the 2,000 miles from St. Joe to Sacramento in seven days and 19 hours; and the news of Lincoln's inaugural across the country in seven days and 17 hours.

In its conception, the Pony Express was never intended to turn a profit or become the phenomenon of its time. However, once word was out, the venture of Russell, Majors and Waddell was billed as "The Greatest Enterprise of Modern Times." On April 3, 1860, excited crowds gathered in St. Joseph and Sacramento to witness the spectacular ceremony. To mollify an excited crowd during a delay, a Pony Express rider's horse was put on display in St. Joseph. The enthusiastic observers began to pluck hairs from the poor beast for souvenirs, prompting a reporter from the St. Joseph Weekly West to observe "The little pony was almost robbed of his tail."

The first mail-bearing daredevil riders to leave from Sacramento and St. Joseph that day were William Russell (no relation to the firm) and Johnny Fry. They, all riders after them, were to gallop full tilt for 35 to 75 miles, then pass the mail to the next relay rider, speeding through daylight and darkness without stopping. There were no allowance for nasty weather or the failure of muscles and nerves. The 10-day runs started from each terminus once a week and continued the year round.

The mail for the first historic run consisted of 49 letters, some copies of Eastern newspapers, five private telegrams and numerous telegraphic dispatches from California newspapers. Together, all of the items in the first batch weighed less than 15 pounds, and evern the hihg delivery charge of five dollars an ounce didn't begin to cover the cost of the service. The mail was locked into three pockets on the 'mochila' and a fourth was left empty to collect mail along the way.

Russel, Majors and Waddell placed "Orphans Wanted" advertisements soliciting ridersfor the Pony Express in local towns throughout the country. Each competent applicant was sworn in and issues a specially bound copy of the Bible. The riders became local heroes at the over 190 mail exchanging way stations that dotted the route. Crowds of people, including many a pretty girl, continually gathered to cheer them off. They were adventurous young kids with nothing to lose and dreams of adventure and glory spurred them on. Soon to be historical legends William (Buffalo Bill) Cody and James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok were both Pony Express riders.

The Pony Express came to a halt as telegraph lines were completed coast to coast. One of the most romantic periods in American history was over -- many newspapers had expressed their mourning for the loss of the Pony Express. The California Pacific stated it as well as any: "A fast and faithful friend has the Pony been to our far-off state. Summer and winter, storm and shine, day and night, he has traveled like a weaver's shuttle back and forth til now his work is done. Good-bye Pony."

Photo provided by Irene Anulacion