![]() ![]() At relay stations, riders would change horses. Over 400 horses are purchased and relay stations are built and staffed 10-15 miles apart. Stationkeepers, stocktenders and riders were hired along the route. Ficklin set up the route into five divisions and hired superintendents to run each division. ![]() Benjamin Ficklin was hired as superintendent of the route. The firm set up the route that would travel from Missouri, through Kansas, and now known as Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Joseph was the perfect choice since it was connected to the east by railroads and the telegraph. Joseph, Missouri was chosen as the eastern terminus while everyone already knew Sacramento would be the western terminus. January-March, 1860: The firm sets out to establish the Pony Express mail service under the name of the Central Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company. Wanting a mail contract from the government, Russell embraces the idea and convinces his partners to go along with the venture. The service becomes a failure.ĭecember 1859: While in Washington D.C., Senator Gwin proposes to Russell a demonstration of a fast-mail delivery by a pony express along the central overland route. But, the service is too costly for most people heading to the the Rockies in search of gold. Russell starts up a stagecoach passenger service to Denver. July 1859: Gold is discovered at Pikes Peak. The Mormon War in 1857 would almost bankrupt the firm due to losses from stolen or destroyed equipment and supplies. The firm would soon monopolize western freighting and start a mail-passenger service to both Colorado and Utah by stagecoach. The firm is renamed Russell, Majors and Waddell. January 1, 1855: Alexander Majors joins the firm as a partner. But, the bill never gets out of committee. Gwin proposes a bill to congress for the government to provide the mail service. Ficklin suggests the use of fast horses, riders and relay stations to deliver mail in less time to California. Government to the western territories from Leavenworth, Kansas.ġ854: Benjamin Ficklin, an employee for the firm, travels with California senior Senator William Gwin while heading east. government representatives to get faster communication between the east and the west.ġ853: William Russell and William Waddell form Waddell & Russell to deliver military supplies for the U.S. Pressure mounts from citizens, businesses, and miners alike for its elected U.S. September 9, 1850: California enters the union as a free non-slavery state. Over the next several years, especially in 1849, 300,000 people would come to California seeking their fortune panning for gold or supplying certain means to miners. government did not even confirm the existence of the find until December, 1848. While people on the west coast were clamoring to get rich, poor communication to the east would delay the so called “49ers” gold rush from that part of the country for 16 months. January 24, 1848: Gold is discovered in California at Sutter’s Mill by James W. ![]()
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