Lincoln's Words by Pony Express

Hurrah for the Central Route

Jul 15, 2006 Mary Trotter Kion

March 4, 1861, Lincoln took the oath of office as President of the United States. The Pony Express carried Lincoln’s words, spoken in the east, to be read in the west.

Once the rider had reached Carson City the telegrams were taken from him and their contents wired on ahead to Sacramento, which was also notified that the mail had made it that far and was on its way west.

The Hardest Part of All

Now came the most tortuous part of the route; Carson Pass in the Sierra Nevada, then down-slope to Sacramento. The first mail carried westward by the Pony Express reached Sacramento at 5:25 p.m. on April 13, 1860. It arrived two hours less than the 10 days specified. A telegraph was sent on to San Francisco to announce its arrival.

Rider William Hamilton had the honor of traveling that last tortuous leg of the mail's journey west. He was met in California's capital city with a cannon salute, marching bands, church bells chiming, and crowds waving flags. Surely he was a mighty proud fellow.

Hopes For a Government Grant Run High

On that proud day William Russell, as well as his partners, would have also been mighty proud if they had been in Sacramento and seen a sign displayed in a store window. It read: "Hurrah for the Central Route!" Hopefully, it was a good indication of which route Congress would bestow a large grant upon for mail service.

By the time rider William Hamilton had been transported to San Francisco and was the honored guest at yet another celebration, the last eastbound rider had reached St. Joseph, Missouri and the celebration there was soon underway.

Will There Be War?

The life of the Pony Express was brief but exciting. On March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office as President of the United States. The Pony Express carried in print Lincoln's words, spoken in the east, to be read in the west. The Pony Express also carried answers to other important questions that involved the nation. Among them were such as, would the South leave the nation? If it did, what would Present Lincoln do? Would there be war?

The Pony Express continues at: Singing Wires Defeat Pony Express.

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