Pony
Express Rate Periods Pony
Express mail can be divided into four distinct rate periods. |
1.The
service began on April 3, 1860 under the management of The Central
Overland California & Pikes Peak Express Company (COCPP),
which charged $5 per ½ ounce for the ten-day express between San
Francisco, California and St. Joseph, Missouri. 2.
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2. Starting July 31, 1860 (westbound)
and August 15 (eastbound), COCPP charged $2.50 per ¼ ounce in an
effort to increase the volume of mail being carried by the Pony
Express.
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3. 3.Starting
April 1, 1861 (westbound) and April 15 (eastbound), Wells, Fargo
& Company took over management of the route, and introduced a $2
per ½ ounce rate.
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4. 4.On
July 1, 1861, Wells Fargo reduced the rate to $1 per ½ ounce.
The Pony Express was discontinued by notice from Wells Fargo
on October 26, 1861. The last
westbound pony left St. Joseph on October 24, and the last eastbound
pony left San Francisco on October 23.
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