Jed's Wild Ride - A Pony Express Tale, part 1

July 1860

Nebraska Territory

Dust devils danced across the parched plains as Jedediah "Jed" Smith squinted at the horizon. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of fiery orange and dark purple, but Jed's eyes were fixed on the trail ahead. He gripped the reins of his trusty mustang, "Comet," feeling the animal's nervous energy mirroring his own.

Jed was a rider for the Pony Express, and tonight, he was carrying a vital message – news of a potential treaty with the Sioux, one that could mean peace or war.

Jed had been riding for hours, swapping horses at relay stations every ten miles or so. His leather chaps were worn smooth, his face weathered like the canyons he traversed.

The weight of the mail pouch, slung across his saddle, felt heavier than usual tonight. He knew the importance of his mission. Delivering this message quickly could save lives.

Suddenly, Comet whinnied, ears twitching. Jed tensed, his hand instinctively resting near the Colt Peacemaker at his hip. He scanned the landscape. Nothing.

Just the whispering wind and the rustling of dry grass. But Jed's gut told him something was off. He'd learned to trust his instincts out here.

He urged Comet forward, but at a slower pace now, his senses heightened. Then he saw them – a small band of shadowy figures silhouetted against the fading light.

Outlaws. Jed cursed under his breath. He knew they were after the mail, and they wouldn't hesitate to take it by force. Jed knew he couldn't outrun them. Comet was fast, but they had fresh horses.

He had to be clever. As he approached a rocky outcrop, he had a flash of insight. He dismounted, quickly stuffing the mail pouch into a crevice hidden behind a large boulder. Then, he remounted Comet and kicked him into a gallop, heading in the opposite direction.

The outlaws took the bait, pursuing Jed across the plains. He led them on a wild chase, twisting and turning through gullies and canyons, using his knowledge of the terrain to his advantage.

Finally, as darkness enveloped the land, he managed to shake them off. He circled back, retrieved the mail pouch, and continued his ride, Comet's hooves pounding against the hard-packed earth.

Jed arrived at the next relay station just as the moon began to rise. He handed off the mail pouch, his body aching, but filled with a quiet satisfaction. He'd faced danger, used his wits, and delivered the message. He was just one rider on the Pony Express, but tonight, he'd made a difference.

As he watched the next rider gallop off into the night, Jed knew he'd do it all again tomorrow. It was the life he'd chosen, a life of risk and adventure, a life on the edge of the frontier.

Teacake Tidbits - Historical Facts

1. The Pony Express was in operation for only 18 months, from April 3, 1860, to October 26, 1861. It reduced the time for messages to travel between the east and west coasts of the United States to about 10 days, a significant improvement over previous methods, but it was never part of the U.S. Postal Service.

2. The route spanned nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 km) overland, with about 190 stations, primarily in Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. Because of this, riders changed horses every 10 to 15 miles at relay stations to maintain speed and endurance. The service utilized various horse breeds, including Mustangs, Morgans, Pintos, and Thoroughbreds, chosen for their speed and stamina.

3. Riders were typically young men, with ages ranging from 11 to mid-40s, and weighing less than 125 pounds to avoid overburdening the horses. Founders William H. Russell, William B. Waddell, and Alexander Majors required riders to swear on a Bible not to curse, fight, or abuse their animals, reflecting the company’s strict code of conduct.

Soul Notes

The next time you send an email or a text, take a moment to think about the young men who used to ride the trail to deliver the mail. The dust, the sweat, the danger of outlaws or a horse breaking a leg; and now it takes two seconds to send a message. And we can talk to people around the world. Amazing how far we’ve come.

Join me next week as Jed continues riding down the trail and runs into The Sullivan Sisters whom we met in Thistle Creek with Eleanor and Henry Montrose.