When all of the Pony Express stations were constructed, there were about 190 stations across the route, strung out from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California.
They were built of adobe, logs, or sod, depending upon the most available construction material in their given area of the country.
Station Help Hired
Once the stations were built men had to be hired to tend them and the horses that were stabled at each station. Hay and feed had to be purchased, as well as food to feed the station keepers and the young fellows that would ride the horses and carry the mail. The fun was about to start. But first, those young brave fellows that would carry the mail had to be hired.
Ridders Wanted
Word had to be gotten out across the country that Russell, Majors and Waddell were hiring riders. In those days, the newspaper was the major means to getting information to the public, so the pardoners ran the following ad:
"Young Skinny Wiry Fellows, Not Over Eighteen. Must Be Expert Riders Willing To Risk Death Daily. Orphans Preferred. Wages $25 Per Week."
It certainly sounded like a dangerous job for any man to take up, but in those times the pay was good. And it did sound like a grand adventure. The result was that eighty young men were hired to ride for the Pony Express.
The company had spent some one hundred thousand dollars and every thing was ready.
The Pony Express continues at: Pony Express Riders Begin.
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