25 Day Deal

John Butterfield didn't listen to nay-sayers.  In a year's time, he spent about a million dollars preparing the route west, building nearly 200 relay stations.  These stations were manned by blacksmiths, harness makers, wheelwrights - everything needed to service horses.  Drivers and conductors were needed for the elegant Concord coaches.  "Lightweigh wagons" were used for rough roads, usually pulled by mules rather than horses..

On September 16, 1858, John Butterfield was ready for his first test.  Two coaches, one in San Francisco and one in Tipton, Missouri,  began their routes in opposite directions.  Butterfield was aboard the westbound coach.  His son was at the reins.  Butterfield rode as far as Fort Smith, Arkansas, then waited for the eastbound coach.  Right on schedule, it arrived, and Butterfield boarded and headed east back to Tipton.

Back in Tipton, Missouri, Butterfield took the next train to St. Louis and deposited the mail at the city's post office exactly 24 days and 18 hours out of San Francisco.  The westbound coach arrived in San Francisco is just 23 days and 23 hours. 

For the first time the East and West were linked by dependable mail and passenger service.  President Buchanan said it was "a glorious triumph for civilization and the Union."

Next time...Take a ride on the stage
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Today in Pioneer History: "On August 21, 1897, the Olds Motor Works was founded by Ransom Eli Olds. The company later became Oldsmobile.