The Pony Express was the first rapid transit and the first fast mail line across the continent from the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast. It was a system by means of which messages were carried swiftly on horseback across the plains and deserts, and over the mountains of the far West. It brought the Atlantic coast and the Pacific slope ten days nearer to each other. It had a brief existence of only sixteen months and was supplanted by the transcontinental telegraph. Yet it was of the greatest importance in binding the East and West together at a time when overland travel was slow and cumbersome, and when a great national crisis made the rapid communication of news between these sections an imperative necessity. The Pony Express marked the highest development in overland travel prior to the coming of the Pacific railroad, which it preceded nine years. It, in fact, proved the feasibility of a transcontinental road and demonstrated that such a line could be built and operated continuously the year around--a feat that had always been regarded as impossible. "Each page teems with interest....Mr. Bradley has dealt with his subject in a thorough and fascinating manner, while at the same time care has been taken that every statement made is historically correct." -The Santa Fe Magazine "This system of horseback relay riding marked the highest development in overland travel prior to the coming of the Pacific railroad in 1869." -The Open Shelf "Mr. Bradley describes this book as an account of the most remarkable mail service that ever existed. The Pony Express, between the Missouri River and the Pacific Coast, spanned the interval between April, 1860, when the trans-continental telegraph extended to St. Joseph, Missouri, and October, 1861, when it was completed and messages were sent by wire from coast to coast. Previous to this time communication had been only by a semi-monthly steamship service between New York and San Francisco, via Panama, the trip taking four weeks; or by the Butterfield Overland Mail, established in 1858, from St. Louis by way of El Paso and Fort Yuma to San Francisco on a twenty-five day schedule. When it was seen that civil war between the states was inevitable, a great deal of anxiety was felt both in Washington and amongst the loyalists of California over the possible loss of that state to the Union. To avert this and keep the East and West in touch the Pony Express was organized....A clear and interesting account of an important incident in the development of the United States." -Geographical Review "Pony Express made its first trip in April, 1860, and advertised to carry a letter mail from the Missouri River to San Francisco in eight days, at weekly intervals. It lasted for sixteen months, until the telegraph was put through. It was never a paying venture, but was most valuable in holding California to the Union, and showed the practicability of keeping open a transcontinental route through the winter." -Publishers Weekly Contents I-- At A Nation's Crisis II-- Inception and Organization of the Pony Express III-- The First Trip and Triumph IV-- Operation, Equipment, and Business V-- California and the Secession Menace VI-- Riders and Famous Rides VII-- Anecdotes of the Trail and Honor Roll VIII-- Early Overland Mail Routes IX-- Passing of the Pony Express