“I was fourteen when I became a pony-express rider,” William Cody recalled. “I had one or two adventures in that pursuit which may prove interesting to read. They were certainly interesting enough to me at the time. The job was worth $125 a month, and meant ceaseless danger.”
We take fast, efficient mail service for granted (despite the complaints about the USPS), not realizing how problematic mail delivery was back in the "old days." In reading colonial history, I learned that mail sent to Europe (or from Europe to here) could take months to arrive - when it did. Ships might sink, mail could get misdirected, etc. What people in the 18th century (and later) would have given for airmail service or, even better, e-mail!
Those who write the history can tell it any way they like! Another great article and a glimpse of how history sometimes gets written. The west has always been glorified in tales, and like the Pony Express, very short lived compared to the legacy. Thanks again professor
We take fast, efficient mail service for granted (despite the complaints about the USPS), not realizing how problematic mail delivery was back in the "old days." In reading colonial history, I learned that mail sent to Europe (or from Europe to here) could take months to arrive - when it did. Ships might sink, mail could get misdirected, etc. What people in the 18th century (and later) would have given for airmail service or, even better, e-mail!
Those who write the history can tell it any way they like! Another great article and a glimpse of how history sometimes gets written. The west has always been glorified in tales, and like the Pony Express, very short lived compared to the legacy. Thanks again professor
Impressed with Cody's prose. Insightful and entertaining. Thanks for the sample and the background on this unique part of American history.