OCR Text |
Show THE BULLETIN A Giant of American Commerce Celebrates Its 100th Birthday In ADVENTUROUS By lic in the world? Elmo Scott Watson Tegleg' Smith chilled steel pOR an example ofcase Thom leather bag, which he carried in his hand as he traveled by train and steamboat, he start- Today that business has 23,000 offices, uses 10,500 vehicles in its operation and employs 57,000 men who cover 213,000 miles of railroads, 20,000 miles of water routes, 33,000 miles of air lanes and 10,500 miles of motor roads. The young man who started all of this was William F. Harnden and his new enterprise was the express business. Harnden was born in Reading, Mass., August 23, 1813, the son of a poor man who was unable to give him little, if any education. While very young he the furniture factory of his cabinet-m- mother. In 1834 he entered the employ of the Boston and Worcester railroad as a conductor and was in charge of the first passenger train run in New England. Later he became a passenger clerk and ticket master for the same railroad but after five years in railroad work was so exhausted by the long hours 16 hours a day that he gave up his job and went to New York for a visit. There he met a transplanted Bostonian, James W. Hale, agent York for a Providence-Nesteamboat and operator of a reading room and news service. Hale told Harnden that he had frequent requests for some one to do errands in Boston and suggested that a service of this sort offered opportunities for profitable work if some enterprising young fellow would organize it. Impressed with the idea Harnden made a contract for express service with the superintendent of the Boston and Providence railroad and the manager of the John W. Richmond, a steamer plying between Providence and New York. Then he advertised in a Boston newspaper on February 23, 1839, that he would run an "express car from Boston to New four times a York and w vice-ver- March, 1839 Young William F. Harnden starts his cipress business. Robert selves. Planning to expand his business in America by helping people secure the undeveloped lands in the West, he carried on an active campaign for immigration into the United States, using large red posters to proclaim the resources and opportunities in America. To aid the company's traffic in "human express," Harnden secured special rates and privileges on the Enoch Train line between Liverpool and Boston and also the exclusive use of certain boat lines on the Erie canal. It 0 is estimated that more than emigrants were billed through from their European homes to new homes in the Middle West. The inevitable result of Harnden's success with his new venture was to bring competitors into the field. One of these was Alvin Adams, an orphan boy from Vermont who came to Boston at the age of sixteen to make his fortune. He sought it in vain for 20 years as a hotel clerk, family grocer and produce merchant. Then in 1840 he Joined with P. B. 100,-00- sa ng A Successful Venture. The venture was such a success that Harnden acted as bis own messenger only a few months. Then he had to have assistance. He established a clerk in an office on Wall street in New York since brokers' remittances and messages soon formed an important part of his business. Next he established an office in s, Boston, took his brother, into his employ to act as messenger between the two centers, and the second year opened an agency in Philadelphia. When the steamship business of the Cunard company between Boston and Liverpool greatly stimulated the express business, its success suggested to him the extension of his service overseas. So in 1840 he formed a partnership with Dexter Brigham Jr., his New York agent, under the name of Harnden and Company. That same year was marked by a personal tragedy in Harn-den'- s Adol-phu- life. When Commodore Vanderbilt's steamer, the Lexington, caught fire and burned in Long Island sound on January 13, 1840, Adolphus Harnden was one of the victims. When his body was washed ashore, 148 letters were found in the pouch he was carrying and were dried out and mailed. The $40,000 in money and other valuables he was carrying were lost, however. One of New England's important financial institutions owned $12,000 of the lost funds but, fearing to ruin Harnden's business, never pressed its claim. The extension of Harnden's business into Europe changed the character of it somewhat. When offices were first established in the principal cities of England and France and later in Ireland, Scotland and Germany, their principal business was handling emigrant funds between Europe and America. But soon they were handling the emigrant them . o. ot week." As a matter of fact, this "car" was the large leather bag which he obtained and his back and hands to transport it. But the public didn't know that, and. by March, 1839, he had enough packages to start operations. none-too-stro- . bay bridge? 4. How long following her mar- riage does custom allow a wife to be called a bride? 5. Who was the author of the following aphorism: "Laws do not make reforms; reforms make d three-cornere- en-tere- d cousin, Sylvester Harnden, and there learned the trade of aking. Then his father died and young Harnden was called upon to support his widowed 3. How long is the San Fran- cisco-Oaklan- of nerve, consider the as L. Smith. He and his partner. Jim Cockrcll, were trapping in the laws"? 6. How long is the world's long- WILLIAM G. FARGO Green river country of Wyoming in est chain? a the 1820s when Smith fell over 7. What casualties did the Unit- Famous in the annals of the cliff and broke his leg. It was not West is the name of an ordinary fracture. The bone ed States forces suffer in the Span war? The men who made it thus were was shattered and a piece of it proHenry Wells, born in New Hamp- truded through the flesh. Prompt The Answers shire December 12, 1805, and Wil- action was necessary to prevent 1. Secretary of State Cordell liam George Fargo, 'born in New blood poisoning. Hull. York May 20, 1818. Wells got his Guess we 11 have to cut er on, 2. It is San Marino in northern start in the express business as Jim," said Tom Smith, calmly. with an area of 38 square Italy, an agent for William F. Harnden Their only instruments were a miles. d and in 1841 formed a partnership file and their hunting 3. The total length is 8 miles with George Pomeroy to operate knives. Cockrell used the file to and the length over water is 4ft an express business between Al make a saw of Smith's knife. Then miles. Smith took his partner's knife, cut 4. One year. bany and Buffalo 5. Calvin Coolidge. The venture was not a success through the flesh, tied up the ar6. The world's longest chain is and suspended operations for a teries, sawed the bone, seared it red-hiron and sewed up a 4,200-fochain made of 12,500 time. Then it was resumed with with nickel steel links, used in planting the assistance of Crawford Liv the stump. When the wounded leg healed. ocean cables. ingston under the name of Pome7. Killed in action, 498; died of roy and Company's Albany and Smith made a wooden leg for himself Buffalo Express. In 1842 William and thereafter he was known as wounds, 202; died of disease, G. Fargo became a messenger Pegleg" Smith. Before the acci 5,423; died of accidents, etc., 349; total deaths, 6,472. for this company and that dent he had been a famous horse marked the beginning of the asso- man. Now there was all the more ciation of the two men which was reason for going mounted and the destined to make both of them wooden leg apparently made little famous. After a number of reor difference in his horsemanship. At any rate he became the most ganizations and consolidations of the various express companies successful horse thief on a large scale in the history of the West. He o then in existence, and Company emerged in 1852 to spent most of his time organizing into California to rob the operate between New York and expeditions He and the famous Jim Not by Compulsion San Francisco, carrying gold and Spaniards. Beckwourth The best "improving" of moral made one foray into the silver out of the West and taking land of dons the netted is by advice and them character that supplies into the gold regions 3,000 head of horses! Since there were no railroads But when California came under "It isn't loaded" never rethen in that part of the West, the Stars and it changed the assured a living soul. Stripes o carried their valu habits of "I won't never A friend is one who thinks you able parcels on stagecoaches and steal from"Pegleg." he my these treasure coaches soon be- declared virtuously. Temperance, are a dear old cuss when your differs from his. came the prey of highwaymen was not his newly opinion who inaugurated the "stagecoach however, virtues. among He his ended Hardly an Instance of It hold-up- " which has become such acquired a victim of strong drink, in Does any man become a mildays, a familiar Wild West tradition, San Francisco in 1866. lionaire by his own efforts who In 1857 the United States govwasted money in his youth? ernment asked for proposals from A Perilous Journey Safety Is the dividend paid by the express companies to transRANDOLPH B. MARCY "APT. caution. port the mails across the conti halted with his party of 40 solWhen a dog growls over his food o nent and diers and 25 mountain men at the he likes it, but with a man it is organof the Uncompahgre and different. ized the Over junction Gunnison rivers on his way to Fort land Mail com Union, N. M., in 1857. "Me no guide pany which car you over San Juan mountains in ried mail, ex winter time," declared the old Ute press matter Indian chief. and passengers Capt Marcy had orders to join the by stage from forces of Col. Albert Sidney John St. ston near Salt Lake City with ani through New mals and supplies. The orders said Mexico and Ari to proceed without delay so there zona to Los An was nothing for Marcy to and San do except proceed.Captain geles In spite of the W. II. Russell Francisco. Then Indian warning that none of the came the discovery of gold in men would get through Cochetopa Colorado. From the Missouri riv- pass alive, the party left December er 2,000 miles westward to Cali 11 for Fort Massachusetts near the fornia was a stretch of almost un- present Fort Garland. known wilderness without a single Four days later, when they permanent settlement except the reached the mountains, winter's newly founded Mormon colony in fiercest storms were raging. Snow Utah and a few posts established swirled and beat against their faces. DATED by the United States army. But It piled in deep drifts and hung where gold was, men, supplies heavily on the legs of animals and and news must go. When the first men. The cold became intense. So a stage line, called the Cen Captain Marcy's detachment Ferry's Seeds displays appear pring is jiut around the corner- -' tral Overland, California and pushed on, although animals fell time is here. Pikes Peak Express company, dead in their tracks and men had to and Take the guesswork out of garwas established by the freighting abandon equipment Before they reached even the summit of the dening this year. To help you. company of Ferry's Seeds pass rigid tests for Russell, Majors pass their rations were exhausted TitaUty and germination each year and they had to eat 'the flesh of the and Waddell to before being packeted. THEN mules as the animals died. operate beOn January 12 couriers from a EACH PACKET IS DATED. This tween St Jodate Is your assurance of lira, relief party arrived and announced seph, Mo., and vigorous seeds. was close at hand. Shortthat help Denver, Colo. Be aura your seed packets are At that time ly thereafter aid came. So starved "Packed for season 1939, stamped men were that the Captain Marcy there was a Select them from your local dealer's issued strict warnings to eat spar mail route from display of Ferry's Seeds. Many at ingly. Sacramento to His orders evidently were only 5 cents. ALL SELECTED FOR Salt Lake City YOUR LOCALITY. partly obeyed as one man died from Seed operated by Co., aeed growers. San Fran-elsovereating the only fatality in one Ben Holladay, and Detroit. Send for 1939 Ben Holladay of the most trying adventures of and another be Home Garden Catalog. tween Sacramento and Salt Lake, American history. run at infrequent intervals by The Scholar-BuildJohn Hockaday. Both of these enterprises were absorbed by the 1IN 1798 Gabriel Richard, a French new express company which, un priest, arrived in Detroit, whose der the leadership of W. H. Rus muddy streets were lined with log sell, conceived the daring idea of huts and shacks housing its 1.200 establishing a regular fast mail inhabitants. But most shocking of route over the entire 2,000 miles all to Fere Richard, who had been a teacher in France, was the utter between St. Joseph and Califor Salt Lake's NEWEST HOTEL Thus ' was the famous lack of educational opportunities for nia. the children of the village. "Pony Express" born. With what funds he had, he found When the Overland Telegraph ed private schools and began a cam was in 1862, completed company to establish public schools. paign the usefulness of the Pony Ex Music was lacking, so he gave the Meanwhile end. was at an press organ, brought its success and the threat of war people their first o to trans- piece by piece on pack horses al had caused 1,000 miles through the wilder fer its Overland Mail company most He succeeded in getting De ness. from the southern route to the its first public library. troit o So route. central He made a journey to bought up three stage lines be- to set federal funds for Washington other proj tween Salt Lake City and Saca and ects brought printing ramento, and consolidated them with him when he returned. press With all into one. From 1866 to 1869 the first established he it newspaper it continued to run a stagecoach in Michigan. mail, express and passenger the election of 1823, Pere Richservice from St. Joseph to Sacra- ardIn was chosen delegate to congress mento despite the perils of blizthe which from Michigan territory zard and hostile Indians. included all of Wisconsin and Iowa, When the Union Pacific railpart of Minnesota and a small road and the Central Pacific met strip of Ohio. Hotel at Promontory Point, Utah, in When the Asiatic cholera swept TEMPLE SQUARE 1869 to form a transcontinental the city in iwz. Pere Richard vis o sold out its ited the sick and dying without railroad, Opuritt lbrawa Tnpb HIGHLY IKCOKKENDEO stagecoach business and reverted thought of himself. He died Sep Ritas $150 to $100 to its former role of express and tember 12. the last victim ot the lri a marfc of distinctios to stop banking company and in 1870 be- epidemic, and leaving behind him tblt bsMtifsl kettthy came the dominant express com- many monuments ox accomplish XRNS8T C BOS8ITEB, Hr& western all in ment. the pany territory. Wells-Farg- ed his enterprise. The Questions 1. Which cabinet member was born in a log cabin? 2. What is the smallest repub C Western Newspaper Union. A A General Quit Q AMERICANS March, 1839, William F. Harnden Began Carrying Packages in a Large Leather Bag and That Marked the Beginning of the Express Business Which Now Employs 57,000 Men Who Cover More Than 275,000 Miles of Railroad, Motor, Air and Water Routes. By ELMO SCOTT WATSON HUNDRED years ago the ailing son of a New England widow had an idea for a new business. Equipped only with a large JLsk Me Jlnother WILLIAM F. HARNDEN Burke to form Burke and Company to compete with Harnden and Company. Boston, however, looked upon Harnden as the originator of express service and gave him most of its business. Burke soon became discouraged and retired from the firm. But Adams, the alert, aggressive Yankee, was convinced that he could make good and persisted. By 1843 Harnden and Company's European ventures had led them to neglect their American business and Adams quickly turned this fact to his own adAt first Adams and vantage. Company (formerly Burke and Company) had confined its operations to New York, ConnectiWhen cut and Massachusetts. Harnden sold his Philadelphia branch to Hatch and Bartlett, Adams expanded his southward to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington and during the next decade began covering the South along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Harnden died on January 14, 1845, after a struggle with tuberculosis and the two parts of his company's business, the domestic and the European branch, were separated and sold. Eventually the American domestic business dropped his name and became known as Thompson, Livingstone and Company. This company, which changed its and name several personnel times, began extending its operations westward and southward until it came into competition with Adams and Company. The European branch of the Harnden company kept its name until 1851 when unwise investments resulted in its ruin. Then the name of the founder van five-ye- ar E. Ln.) (Pram fas palnlini by ished from the express business, although his son, William H. Harnden, was for a short time an employee of one of the new companies that came into existence o and Company. Eleven years after Harnden's death a memorial was set up over his grave in Mount Auburn cemetery near Cambridge, Mass., bearing the inscription "Erected by the Express Companies of the United States in the Year A. D. 1866." Thus they paid tribute to the "father of the express business" but, aside from this, little public recognition has ever been given the pioneer in this giant of American commerce. Meanwhile the Adams company had been reaching westward as well as southward and eventually reached California via Panama. The territory which it now controlled was the most densely populated and most developed industrially of any in the United States. Consequently its business expanded enormously and by the early fifties Adams and Company was the best entrenched express company in its territory. In July, 1854, it was able to buy out its principal rivals, including the former Harnden company, and it was reorganized under the name of the Adams Express company with a capital of $1,200,000. The express business had come a long way in the 15 years since young William F. Harnden had started it with his one leather bag! Competition Begins. Successful and powerful as the Adams Express company was, this did not prevent new competitors coming into the field. Many confined their operations to the limits of their own city and the collection and delivery of small merchandise in it. Others had agents or connections in several towns or cities while still others served all the principal trade centers in one state or in several states along a particular trade route. By 1860 five companies were the acknowledged leaders in the business Adams, the American, the National, the United States o and Company. and Because Adams was so well entrenched on the north and south routes along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts the other companies were forced to seek new territory. The part played by the express companies during the period of westward expansion, both before and after the war, is too well known to need much mention here. Included in that epic is the story of the famous "Pony Express" and many a thrilling yarn of adventure with hostile Indians and highwaymen while the stage coach lines were in operation. Along with the development of our railroad system came a development of the operations of the express companies until July, 1918, when the seven large express companies were consolidated as a wartime measure under the name of the American Railway Express company. After the war, the unified company was permitted to continue as a private enterprise. On March 1, 1929, the company was taken over by the railroads and renamed the Railway Express agency. Then came the air express division of Railway Express. An agreement was later signed in July, 1934, with Airways for international express, and the first shipment under the new system left Oakland, Calif., for Latin America on August 7, 1934. The next great boost for air express came on February 1, 1936, when 22 of the nation's major airlines joined. Wells-Farg- Wells-Farg- Pan-Americ- an ot Untlo JOLili Sap: Wells-Farg- 1X Wells-Farg- fellow-American- s" Wells-Farg- FIRST SIGN of spuing: Louis, Seels Ferry's led-and-al- garden-planni- ng Ferry-Mor- se eo er Wells-Farg- Wells-Farg- Wells-Farg- WMtam Mawipapw Uaioa. pi ! ! |