Risky Business

Risky Business. . , In 1855, U.S. Senator William Gwin of California urged Congress to fund a faster, overland express mail system. Gwin had envisioned a system of horses and riders which, supported by periodic livery and supply stations, could bridge the gap between California and Missouri. Congress turned Gwin down. , The dream of a 10-day express relay system from Missouri to California was ultimately established by a private enterprise the dominant military freight contractor of the American West-the partnership known as Russell, Majors and Waddell , In hopes of winning a new government mail contract, RM&W quickly organized the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company - the Pony Express. Organizing the company and setting it in motion necessitated the hiring of about 80 riders and 200 station keepers, contracting for the use of existing stage and mail relay stations, building new relay stations where needed, and purchasing supplies, equipment, and 500 fast running horses. , Meanwhile, technology was outpacing the ponies as other private companies were hastily building a telegraph line between Omaha and Sacramento. With the connection of the transcontinental telegraph wires in Salt Lake City on October 24, 1861, a new, less expensive, and faster communication system ended the need for the Pony Express-nearly 19 months after the first rider's departure from St. Joseph, Missouri, on April 3, 1860. , Today, even the telegraph wires have been largely forgotten. However, the memory of solitary Pony Express riders valiantly galloping across the prairie, through the sagebrush and mountain passes of these wild and open lands still inspires people around the world. , Why Take the Risk , Following the end of Mexican Government control in 1848, California was admitted to the United States in September of 1850. A few months before the cessation, gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. As the gold fever spread, in addition to pioneers seeking opportunities to begin a new life, tens of thousands of gold seekers, miners, and entrepreneurs began pouring into the new state. , The rapidly increasing population demanded swifter communication with the east, which prompted the United States Government to keep the new state aware of its political activities and updates about the Civil War before the news became stale. , Winning a government contract for shipping mail to and from California could potentially be very profitable, especially if it could be done more efficiently and competently than anybody else could., Captions , Senator William M. Gwin Courtesy Bancroft Library, UC Berkley , The Transcontinental Telegraph provided faster communication between the east and west coasts, bringing a swift end to the Pony Express. Illustrations, courtesy of the Utah State Historical Society and The Library of Congress