 | From April 1860 to October 1861, Pony Express riders carried the mail over a hazardous 1600 mile route from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacaramento, California inonly 10 days. Relay stations were 35 to 75 miles apart. The company preferred to hire small, wiry young men with no family ties. Johnny Fry, John Burnett, Richard Egan, Charlie Cliff and others carried the mail, including William F. Cody ("Buffalo Bill"). One can scarcely imagine the dangers faced by these young men. Charlie Cliff once fought off a band of indians with 2 arrows in him. In spite of such events, only 1 rider was killed in 18 months time. The linking of East and West by the transcontinental telegraph replaced the need for the Pony Express, but it wrote it's own chapter in our history in a very short time.
The antique silver finish of these badges makes no two badges identical.
Measuring 3" X 2 1/8", this solid copper badge is die-struck and outfitted with a heavy-duty soldered pin attachment. | |
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