Riders of the pony express audiobook listen instantly. Some californians feared their state would not remain in the union, separated so far from the free states. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service. A plaque set into a wall in commemoration of the history of the pony express pony express plaque. In 1860, the first pony express rider set out on a trail from missouri to california. The official name of the pony express was the central overland, california and pikes peak express company. It is a rousing chronicle of the old west, when danger and. 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. Here is a concise history, in just over 100pages, of the pony express of western united states fame. Yet im intrigued by the history of the pony express trail and reckon its as good a way as any to get to california. Read the fulltext online edition of riders of the pony express 2004. Joseph, missouri, and sacramento, california, and from sacramento to san francisco, california, by steamer april 1860october 1861. Riders of the pony express by ralph moody goodreads. A history of the central overland pony express 18601861 between saint joseph, missouri and sacramento and san francisco, california.
Buy a cheap copy of riders of the pony express book by ralph moody. 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. Starts well, but a little slowly, and only gets better. 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. As a rider approached a station he would blow his bugle, alerting the stocktender to prepare a fresh horse. While the popular conception of the pony express is significantly different than the reality, the reality is pretty entertaining too. Because he was an accomplished horseman, alexander majors asked him to ride for the pony express. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that.
Pony express ads recruiting riders said orphans preferred. Tells the story of the building, running, and closing of the pony express mail delivery system. 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. Riders were given a uniform of red shirts and blue pants but these were often discarded and replaced with buckskins pony express fact 2. Pony express riders would take the messages to julesburg, colorado. 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. Riders of the pony express audiobook, by ralph moody. 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. I meet none of the prerequisites to qualify for this trip as the 1860 handbill advertised.
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. The pony express rider by ron bell, paperback barnes. Like a soft blanket on a cool evening, this novel is warm, gentle, and comforting. Explains the route of the pony express and accounts from pony express riders. By this date, pony express news was being telegraphed to san francisco a whole two days before pony express letters would arrive. Russell had an idea that would allow pony and horse riders to ride across the country in order to deliver mail more quickly. The pony express national historic trail is maintained by the national park service, and it provides a historyfilled adventure for willing travelers. For 18 months during the 1860s the pony express delivered the mail between missouri and california, its riders keeping to a grueling schedule, facing. 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.
Riders of the pony express page 4 legends of america. At eighteen, he was one of the best pony express riders in the service. 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. 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. Young boys were generally hired because of the company rule that no rider should weigh more than 125 pounds. The shortlived mailrelay system was a financial disaster doomed by the telegraph, but its. Young riders of the pony express graphic history jessica gunderson, brian bascle on. 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. Johnny fry was born in bourbon county, kentucky to john fry and mary fry in 1840.
Like the pony express riders themselves, defelice paces the dramatic story with. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service charles river. This authentic account of the establishment of the first rapidcommunications system between east and west is packed with adventure and reallife heroes. The 20yearold was scheduled to make his usual 75mile run from fridays station east to. Johnny was born in kentucky and moved with his family to missouri when he was 16 years old. Reveals some untold, or at least virtually unheard of stories of the courage and dedication of the riders 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. Below are action packed, engaging kids books on the pony express history, its riders, and its legacy. 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. And since this was a book about the pony express, horses were an essential part of the story. Beller, is the first book in the sweetwater river tales. Johnny fry 18401863 johnny fry was the first official westbound rider of the pony express and union soldier killed during the civil war. Clemens encounters a pony express rider in western nebraska.
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. A fiery sunrise over the historic pony express trail with sunflowers on either side and mountain peaks in the distance pony express plaque. Pony express history in the best childrens books k8. The telegraph is extended westward from fort kearney 100 miles. New pony express book looks at legendary ride local news. The history and legacy of americas most famous mail service, by charles river editors, the audio version. He had crossed the plains with his parents in a wagon train when only five years old. 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. Richard clarke frontiersman robert haslam pony express johnson william richardson. But it took all the riders to make this rigorous schedule happen. Pony express stock photos download 481 royalty free photos. Published september 1st 2004 by bison books first published 2000.
This little volume has but one purpose to give an authentic, useful, and readable account of the pony express. They were the pony express riders, and you can relive their experience as you learn more about the pony express national historic trail. 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. Pony express delivered the mail between missouri and california, its riders keeping. Buckland station and fort churchill state parks in nevada are the main settings for this tale of hard riding and many adventures in ronnie capmbell series, the pony express rider. Jack keetley, warren upson, and the most famous rider of all, buffalo bill cody.
Although it only existed for 18 months, the pony express set the stage for the modernday postal service. An account of the most remarkable mail service ever in existence, and its place in history. The most famous of the pony express riders was william cody, or buffalo bill as we know him now. You can see his life unfold, including riding for the pony express at 16 years old. In may 1860, robert pony bob haslam took off on the most legendary ride in pony express history. Photograph of a group of pony express riders on their horses. Bronco charlie miller was said to be the youngest rider. 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. Johnny fry first rider of the pony express legends of. Riders of the pony express by ralph moody, paperback. Bob haslam, who rode unharmed through an ambush of thirty paiute indians.
Learn about the pony express printable k 3rd grade. Retired pony express rider, boston, tells about life as a pony express rider. The account would later be written down in twains book roughing it. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. This list may not reflect recent changes learn more. I list the top 5 things i learned about the pony express while listening to this book. Pony express historical timeline pony express museum. Pages in category pony express riders the following pages are in this category, out of total. Riders of the pony express by ralph moody, 2004 online. 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.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids. Pony express bibliography kansas historical society. On april 3, 1860, a new crosscountry mail carrier called the pony express began operation.
The main article for this category is pony express riders. 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. Riders were kitted out with a pistol, a bugle, a rifle, gloves, boots and a bible. The men appear to be gathered on the east side of the municipal market house, with the. 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. The hrs of the pony express trail, which follows, begins with chapter one. How three friends keep the mail moving is just part of this fastmoving tale about the great experiment in transcontinental communication. Pony express riders galloped into history las vegas. The book tells the true story of each of the first pony express riders and the harrowing. Nation vatican world commentary blogs features movies books travel radio resources college guide.
124 293 1060 571 890 616 1287 932 1360 1429 169 10 976 1235 1266 448 236 749 1459 478 1074 1261 913 766 98 845 66 159 1387 696 254 496 635 739 563 36 1457 675 58 948 1361 290 955 271 516