978

The Story of the Pony Express

Summary:
William Hepburn Russell started the Pony Express in 1860. The first Pony Express rider went from St. Joseph, Missouri to California on April 3,1860. Express rider Nick Wilson who helped two other express workers defend a station during a Indian attack in the Paiute War. A rider named Robert Haslam covered 384 miles which would set a ridding endurance record. The most important mail delivered was news dispatches to isolated settlements. The express failed to make a profit and on October 26,1861 the transcontinental telegraph officially ended the Pony Express.

Reaction:
I thought this book was very interesting. It showed what age of men the riders were, as well as their endurance and struggles delivering the mail. It also showed that in delivering the mail only one mail pouch was lost.

Extension Ideas:
1. This book could teach students about how mail was delivered before the
telegraph.
2.This book could teach students about the Paiute Indian Wars.
3.This book could teach students about who created the Pony Express.