PONY EXPRESS INTRODUCES MAIL SERVICE TO THE WEST

GUARANTEED BY THREE MEN IN ST. JOSEPH, MO. April 3, 1860 St. Joseph, Missouri Three entrepreneurs, William Russell, Alexander Majors, and William Waddell have put up $200,000 to create The Pony Express mail service designed to get half-ounce letters from their headquarters in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California in only 10 days and for only $5. This trio purchased 500 first class horses, mostly thoroughbreds, mustangs, and pintos. There are 190 relay stations set up along the 2,000 mile journey. Light-weight men who are excellent riders have been recruited to operate the nation's first mail shuttle system. Late this afternoon Johnny Fry, the first westbound rider departed St. Joseph, carrying a special light-weight edition of the St. Joseph Daily Gazette. This special edition was subtitled Pony Express Edition Riders will ride 75 – 100 miles per day, changing their horses every ten to fifteen miles. Pays not bad, reported to be $ 100. per month. The schedule is set for once weekly in the spring and twice weekly in the summer- fall. Mail is scheduled to be delivered within 10 – 15 days.