Name/Title
Pony Express Comes Home Women and Czech Riders, St. Joseph News-Press Gazette, June 18, 1990Entry/Object ID
AM1992.25.52Scope and Content
Pony Express Comes Home, Women and Czech Riders, St. Joseph News-Press Gazette, June 18, 1990. Sections A & B. News story about the 130th Pony Express Anniversary Rerun which included female riders and a delegation from the Czech Republic.
News photos of Suzanne King, carrying the Pony Express mochila. She leads Priscilla Foster up the hill to the Patee House. The two were the first women from Missouri to carry the Pony Express mail in the 130-year history of the Pony Express
Also photo of Suzanne King, third from left along with her husband, John with flag, are flanked by two other Pony Express riders during the arrival ceremony in front of the Patee House. The two ladies rode the last leg of the route. Suzanne King of Easton MO said that she felt like it was a privilege to ride because men were the ones who carried the mail. Both women, members of the National Pony Express Association, were welcomed at the Patee House in a ceremony during the Annual Pony Express Jesse James Festival.
A special saddle bag, or mochila containing 1,000 letters was handed over to St. Joseph postmaster Jess Hansen at that ceremony.
Another change this year was participation of six Czechoslovakian Pony Express enthusiasts, who were able to come to America for the first time. Among the riders was the oldest member of the Czechoslovakian Pony Express organization, Bohumil Kasparek. Recent changes in that country's government allowed the six members to travel to America without restrictions. last year, they would have been escorted by a secret service agent had they made the trip. The mochila that has been exchanged from rider to rider along the route will be flown to Europe next week. the ride will continue through Czechoslovakia portions of West Germany and Austria.
That ride is being called the International Ride for Peace and Unity Among Nations. Ten Americans will participate, including National Pony Express Association President Ken Martin of Marysville, Kan. The letters carried by the riders have been marked with special stamps, one at the beginning of the ride, one at St. Joseph and others in Czechoslovakia, Germany and Austria.
Czechoslovakian interest in the West began in the 1920s and '30s when western movies were shown. Contacts with the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph began with a post card from the Czecks. Jackie Lewin of the St. Joseph Museum was able to communicate to them with the help of Krzewiki who helped the group become members of the St. Joseph Pony Express Museum.Lexicon
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Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
Pony Express 130th Anniversary, Czech Pony ExpressRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Rudy KrzewikiPerson or Organization
Jacqueline LewinPerson or Organization
Martin, KenPerson or Organization
Suzanne KingPerson or Organization
John KingPerson or Organization
Pricilla FosterPerson or Organization
James JessePerson or Organization
Jess HansenPerson or Organization
Bohumil Kasparek