Young, Skinny Fellers Needed!
"Young, skinny, wiry fellows needed!" want ads and posters stated!
(Thus the Pony Express to deliver the western mail was created!)
"You mustn't weigh over 125 pounds nor be over eighteen years of age.
We'll provide a horse and saddle - 25 bucks a week will be your wage!"
One of the fearless founders, Mr. Majors, was a very religious man,
And he had 'em take a solemn oath even before they began,
Swearin' not to gamble, cuss er git drunk er they'd be fired without delay!
He gave each of 'em a Bible and sent 'em on their perilous way!
They galloped frum St Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, Californy and back,
With a gun, their Bible and twenty pounds uv mail in their saddle pack.
They had a horn they blew to alert the stationmaster to saddle another horse!
'Twas the latest and greatest system 'til the invention by Mr. Morse!
They kept the mail movin' day and night through rain, sleet and snow,
Greeted now and then by disgruntled Indians and their twangin' bow!
They crossed the Rocky Mountains, arid deserts and Great Plains.
To avoid such rascals as Jesse James, they took the greatest pains!
This great experiment lasted about 18 months and gradually fizzled out,
When the telegraph and "iron hoss" took over that treacherous route.
But durin' its short-lived life it did the job the founders designed it for.
'Twas just another chapter of American history consigned to western lore!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(© All Rights Reserved)
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