Pony Is Not So Express, News Article, San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 1960
Entry/Object ID
AM1991.1.144
Scope and Content
Pony Is Not So Express, News Article, San Francisco Chronicle, April 15, 1960. "Truck Puts Horse Down in Capital." News story about end of Pony Express Centennial rerun by vehicle.
Also news photo with caption: New York Illustrated News showed the Pony Express roaring in at full speed--in 1860.
Sacramento, April 14 a saddle-sore Pony Express rider and his foot weary nag loped into town aboard a truck just 24 hours late with the mail from St. Joe. The arrival was unceremonious and unromantic.
He parked the truck three block from City Hall, unloaded his tired steed and swung into the saddle for a grand entrance.
The mustang proceeded at a pace described as "slower than a walk. This plodding progress of his mustang was in dreary contrast to the dashing Pony Express arrivals of 100 years ago. In those days the run from St. Joseph to Sacramento was made in 10 days or less by relays of Indian-dodging riders and the arrivals were punctuated by the firing of cannon and six guns and brave salutes from the rider.
On Jack Nolan's three-block dash to City Hall Nolan stopped to hit a pay phone and call the Governor. He wanted the Governor to know that they had an important letter for him. On the way to the City Nolan realized he had lost the letter, so he hopped off the horse and hit another phone. Tell the Governor that they forgot to put the letter in the pouch. Nolan a gunsmith from Culver City in Los Angeles county then jumped back in the saddle and made it to City Hall