Riding the pony express dick park is the son of a pony express rider, katy kelly is the daughter of a way station master, and little bear is an indian boy who lives nearby. The book tells the true story of each of the first pony express riders and the harrowing. In may 1860, robert pony bob haslam took off on the most legendary ride in pony express history. Riders of the pony express audiobook listen instantly. Here is a concise history, in just over 100pages, of the pony express of western united states fame. In 1860, the first pony express rider set out on a trail from missouri to california.
The telegraph is extended westward from fort kearney 100 miles. Young riders of the pony express graphic history jessica gunderson, brian bascle on. An account of the most remarkable mail service ever in existence, and its place in history. Buy a cheap copy of riders of the pony express book by ralph moody. I meet none of the prerequisites to qualify for this trip as the 1860 handbill advertised. As a rider approached a station he would blow his bugle, alerting the stocktender to prepare a fresh horse. This authentic account of the establishment of the first rapidcommunications system between east and west is packed with adventure and reallife heroes. While the popular conception of the pony express is significantly different than the reality, the reality is pretty entertaining too. It is a rousing chronicle of the old west, when danger and. Pony express riders galloped into history las vegas. Read the fulltext online edition of riders of the pony express 2004. Johnny fry first rider of the pony express legends of. Informed by his intimate knowledge of horses and western geography, ralph moodys exciting account of the eighteen critical months that the pony express operated between april 1860 and october 1861 pays tribute to the true grit and determination of the riders and horses of the pony express. You can see his life unfold, including riding for the pony express at 16 years old.
The official name of the pony express was the central overland, california and pikes peak express company. Riders of the pony express by ralph moody goodreads. This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. Pony express ads recruiting riders said orphans preferred.
For a solid history on the express and to learn more about the amazing men who carried the mails, see some of the following books. Because he was an accomplished horseman, alexander majors asked him to ride for the pony express. Retired pony express rider, boston, tells about life as a pony express rider. Evidently, something happened to frys father, as, when he was 16 he moved with his mother and her new husband, benjamin wells to rushville, missouri around. Johnny fry was born in bourbon county, kentucky to john fry and mary fry in 1840. Pony express riders would take the messages to julesburg, colorado. Completing his deep dive into the history of the pony express, the accounts by trail riders and the failed numbers that doomed it after 18 months. Pony express delivered the mail between missouri and california, its riders keeping. The pony express national historic trail is maintained by the national park service, and it provides a historyfilled adventure for willing travelers. By this date, pony express news was being telegraphed to san francisco a whole two days before pony express letters would arrive. For 18 months during the 1860s the pony express delivered the mail between missouri and california, its riders keeping to a grueling schedule, facing.
Russell had an idea that would allow pony and horse riders to ride across the country in order to deliver mail more quickly. Riders of the pony express audiobook, by ralph moody. Prior to the civil war, the fastest mail between the west coast and the east took almost thirty days by stagecoach along a southern route through texas. Riders of the pony express page 4 legends of america.
The account would later be written down in twains book roughing it. Bronco charlie miller was said to be the youngest rider. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. Like the pony express riders themselves, defelice paces the dramatic story with. The hrs of the pony express trail, which follows, begins with chapter one. While no official company records of all the riders have ever been uncovered, this list has been compiled from various sources including newspaper accounts, secondary sources and family histories. Orphans preferred was the call that went out to the daring of heart when the pony express was organized nearly 150 years ago in april 1860. The shortlived mailrelay system was a financial disaster doomed by the telegraph, but its. He had crossed the plains with his parents in a wagon train when only five years old. Tells the story of the building, running, and closing of the pony express mail delivery system. Beller skillfully balances moments of sweet romance and ranch life with scenes of brief action and mild peril that move the plot along at an enjoyable pace. Published september 1st 2004 by bison books first published 2000. The pony express debuted at a time before radios and telephones, when california, which achieved statehood in 1850, was still largely cut off from the eastern part of the country. Johnny fry 18401863 johnny fry was the first official westbound rider of the pony express and union soldier killed during the civil war.
Roots of the pony express, which outlines the antecedents and historical context for the pony express, including the history of ocean and overland mail service to. Clemens encounters a pony express rider in western nebraska. The men appear to be gathered on the east side of the municipal market house, with the. If you are interested in joining our association as a rider, please contact one the state division presidents to see if any ride slots are available in their state visit your state divisions page to learn more about membership for your state. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service. Riders were kitted out with a pistol, a bugle, a rifle, gloves, boots and a bible.
Alerted by signal lanterns, express riders paul revere and william dawes eluded british patrols and spurred their horses toward lexington along separate routes to warn hancock and adams. Pony express historical timeline pony express museum. One of the most amazing occurrences in american history was the formation and operation of the pony express. Cody was only 15 when he signed up but quickly made a name for himself by riding nonstop for 322 miles across one of the most dangerous parts of the trail after his relief had been killed. A plaque set into a wall in commemoration of the history of the pony express pony express plaque. Johnny was born in kentucky and moved with his family to missouri when he was 16 years old. The 20yearold was scheduled to make his usual 75mile run from fridays station east to.
Pony express bibliography kansas historical society. How three friends keep the mail moving is just part of this fastmoving tale about the great experiment in transcontinental communication. Yet im intrigued by the history of the pony express trail and reckon its as good a way as any to get to california. This little volume has but one purpose to give an authentic, useful, and readable account of the pony express. Starts well, but a little slowly, and only gets better. The pony express rider by ron bell, paperback barnes.
The gold he found plays the key role in this story. He rode only sixty miles each way but covered his round trip of 120 miles in. Nation vatican world commentary blogs features movies books travel radio resources college guide. Although it only existed for 18 months, the pony express set the stage for the modernday postal service. The pony express today people interested in the history of the pony express can follow its 2,005mile route from san francisco, california to st. Beller, is the first book in the sweetwater river tales. And since this was a book about the pony express, horses were an essential part of the story. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service, by charles river editors, the audio version. A history of the central overland pony express 18601861 between saint joseph, missouri and sacramento and san francisco, california.
Pony express stock photos download 481 royalty free photos. Although short in duration, lasting only from april of 1860 to november of 1861, the romance and daring of this enterprise has captured the hearts and imaginations of people ever since. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about the pony express like never before, in no time at all. Learn about the pony express printable k 3rd grade. Riders were given a uniform of red shirts and blue pants but these were often discarded and replaced with buckskins pony express fact 2. The author wrote this story when some of the original riders, like pony bob haslam were still alive. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. On april 3, 1860, a new crosscountry mail carrier called the pony express began operation. Richard clarke frontiersman robert haslam pony express johnson william richardson. New pony express book looks at legendary ride local news. Photograph of a group of pony express riders on their horses. The first ride of the pony express read an excerpt travel with the first pony express riders through the dramatic and dangerous wild west in a celebration of americas finest frontiersmen. At eighteen, he was one of the best pony express riders in the service. Riders of the pony express by ralph moody, paperback.
Jack keetley, warren upson, and the most famous rider of all, buffalo bill cody. Riders of the pony express by ralph moody, 2004 online. Joseph, missouri, and sacramento, california, and from sacramento to san francisco, california, by steamer april 1860october 1861. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg.
Pages in category pony express riders the following pages are in this category, out of total. The most famous of the pony express riders was william cody, or buffalo bill as we know him now. Called the greatest enterprise of modern times, the endeavorwhich lasted only nineteenth monthsrecruited young men willing to risk life and limb in a relay race that crossed the frontier on a route from st. The pony express was established as a rapid courier service between the east and the west, from st. Explains the route of the pony express and accounts from pony express riders. Below are action packed, engaging kids books on the pony express history, its riders, and its legacy. Reveals some untold, or at least virtually unheard of stories of the courage and dedication of the riders of the pony express. I list the top 5 things i learned about the pony express while listening to this book.
The main article for this category is pony express riders. It sounds good in print, but the advertisement didnt come into existence until 1923 for a magazine cover, said pat hearty of south jordan, utah division president for the national pony express association. But it took all the riders to make this rigorous schedule happen. Jamess route lay between simpsons park and cole springs, nevada, in the smoky valley range of mountains. The pony express was a mail service delivering messages, newspapers, and mail using relays of horsemounted riders that operated from april 3, 1860 to october 24, 1861 between missouri and california in the united states of america operated by central overland california and pikes peak express company, the pony express was a great financial investment to the u. A fiery sunrise over the historic pony express trail with sunflowers on either side and mountain peaks in the distance pony express plaque. Some californians feared their state would not remain in the union, separated so far from the free states. Young boys were generally hired because of the company rule that no rider should weigh more than 125 pounds.
The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service charles river. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service comprehensively examines the history of the pony express from beginning to end, explaining how it operated and who worked for it. Bob haslam, who rode unharmed through an ambush of thirty paiute indians. Like a soft blanket on a cool evening, this novel is warm, gentle, and comforting.
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