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The Overland Mail Service (and Stagecoach)After writing the blog just below this one about the Overland Mail Service, I began to find more and more research resources and, although I will continue researching, I have decided that at this point I have no reason to make any corrections to what I've already written. I'm going to stand by it. Yes, I'm aware that it may not have happened exactly as I describe, but for the lack of known facts, I see no reason to change it. It's as factual as I presently can get it.
I finally managed to get a copy of "The Overland Mail" book (from St. Louis to San Francisco) which was documented by a Waterman L. Ormsby. Mr Ormsby was the first passenger to ride the stagecoach from the beginning to the end (going from East to West). Mr Ormsby documented it for what was then the "New York Herald" back in mid 1858. The New York Herald published it over the months of September, October and November of 1858. His book is apparently the only documented source for this route from beginniing to end. This is not to say that there were not reports by individuals on portions of the mail route. It just means that there were not many reports that carried authenticity.
Some of the things that I have found amusing was the fact that there was no place to lie in even a semi prone position. Most trips from St. Louis to San Francisco took at least twenty three days. That would be days and nights. I cannot even imagine what it must have been like to sit there that long with only short breaks to change out a team of horses or mules as the route dictated. In one of the journals that I read the comment was made that "if a passenger drifted off to sleep - and happened to fall forward - he most probably lost his seat". I wonder how people actually travelled the entire route!
Back to my research.
Blessings, all.
Luke (Lee) (Rev. 03.11.09) The Overland Mail ServiceRecently I have been researching information of and about the Mail Service, and more specifically of the old 'stagecoaches' that used to run many years ago. Actually, what brought it about is that I live in an area of Texas that was once known as "Tate Springs". Tate Springs doesn't exist anymore........well, not by that name. Geographically, it is still in the same spot it's always been. It's just not called that anymore except to those who have lived in or near the area any length of time. It is now a part of Arlington, Texas.
Historically, it is described as having been a Baptist Encampment, and a school which dates back to somewhere in the middle 1800's. There is still a Baptist church at that spot. There is still a school there also. Both have gone through many changes over the years. The school is presently listed as the "oldest active school in the Arlington ISD". At one point it was in the Ft Worth ISD. However for many years it wasn't in either school district. Back in the middle 1800's Tate Springs was a stop on the Overland Mail Route. With natural springs in the area, there was always plenty of water and vegetation. It was an ideal place for to put in a "relay" station where stagcoaches could change out to a fresh team of horses, and the passengers could take a 'breather' and get a good meal before journeying on.
Living in this area, I have often wondered where this stagecoach came from or went to, and set about looking for more information. Getting the information was not that difficult. The "Handbook of Texas Online" has much information just at one's fingertips. I might add that the Handbook of Texas Online is a project of the Texas State Historical Association, so the information is authentic or as near authentic as they can get it. The good thing is the "Handbook" online is updated regularly as new information becomes available.
I have written an article on my research and have placed it at this link: http://leeaper.spaces.live.com/ and just scroll down as I add to this site frequently.
I didn't learn what I thought I would, but I so enjoyed my research and the discovery of a wealth of information from early Texas History that I will be a long time reading it.
I have located a couple of maps showing routes that was once in existence, and will insert them. There were freight roads as well as mail/stagecoach roads all over. It would probably be a major historical feat to recreate a drawing or map.
(Rev. 03.11.09)
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