pony express, in U.S. history, relay mail service. At its
inception in Apr., 1860, the pony express operated between St.
Joseph, Mo., the western end of a telegraph line, and
Sacramento, Calif. Riders carried the mail a distance of nearly
2,000 mi (3,200 km) in about eight days, often traveling through
hostile Native American territory. Stations where the riders
changed horses were roughly 10 to 15 mi (16–24.1 km) apart.
After a rider had covered a certain distance, the mail was
turned over to another rider; this continued until the
destination was reached. The pony express was operated by the
freighting firm of Russell, Majors, and Waddell. As a business
venture, it was unsuccessful. Before the pony express, letters
to and from California had been carried by ships, wagon trains,
and stagecoaches and had required much more time for the
journey. The first telegram to San Francisco was transmitted
Oct. 24, 1861, and the pony express was then gradually
discontinued. Its existence was brief but picturesque, and t