Pony Express Riders - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Pony Express

penny 43 — 2009-11-30 22:30:26Z

Karen, 2010 is the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express.
The mail will be in Seneca early on the morning of June 22nd. There will be a celebration held at the Pony Express Museum in downtown Seneca from 7 - ?? in the morning.

Re: pony express rider

penny 43 — 2009-11-30 22:23:54Z

Sam (William) Hamilton was hired for Bolivar Robert's Division not only because he was an excellent horseman but because he was familiar with the country through which the route passed. He took the first mochila off the boat from San Francisco at Sacramento. When the first west bound mail arrived, he carried it from Placerville to Sacramento where he boarded the Antelope, horse and all, for San Francisco.

Re: Clifford,Curtin,Curtis,Busby riders

penny 43 — 2009-11-30 22:13:21Z

Visit this site for a list of riders.......
http://www.xphomestation.com/frm-riders.html

Re: pony express riders

penny 43 — 2009-11-30 22:08:05Z

Usually when people talk about the Pony Express, they are referring to the Express established by Russells, Majors and Waddell, which operated from April 1860 to October 1861 between St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California. There were other horse expresses. I don't know if there was one in Ohio.
Hope this helps

Re: broncho charlie miller

yhbooks — 2009-07-15 22:26:59Z

I was researching a book in our bookstore, and came across this thread on Broncho Charlie Miller. We have an autographed copy of the book "Broncho Charlie", published by Crowell in 1934, and laid in is a signed promotional card with a picture of Broncho Charley Miller. There is also a clipping with the heading: "Broncho Charlie Rides Again" from the Sunday Mirror Magazine, May 4, copyright 1949. It shows a picture of him at age 99 with a carved toy. The book is autographed to Kingsley Birdsall, and is dated Feb. 13th, 1935. If anyone if interested, let me know. Bonnie

Re: broncho charlie miller

malakiasplace — 2009-03-28 22:08:38Z

I have an envelope with the autograph of Broncho Charlie Miller on it plus a note inside written by my Great-Grandfather to my mother in 1938. On the backside of this note is another autograph of this pony express rider which reads: Broncho Charlie M Miller
Last pony express ride
1861
This is an Air Mail Envelope commerating National Air Mail Week May 15-21 1938 and has a large stamp of the Statue of Liberty saying such on the front and on the back there is a large red stamp which says:
This envelope is cacheted by
BRONCHO
CHARLIE MILLER
Veteran Pony Express Rider
at
MACY'S
to celebrate
NATIONAL AIR-MAIL WEEK
MAY 15-21.......*1938

Is this of historical value to anyone. I am glad I finally found this site and was excited to read the messages.

Hope to hear from someone...
Marcia

Re: Broncho Charlie Miller

dutton120 — 2008-11-19 21:14:13Z

Bonnie Halsey-Dutton here, still researching Broncho Charlie Miller. I recently purchased a book by Christopher Corbett entitled "Orphans Preferred" in which a Walter Miller was a listed source. In the book, I was excited to read that Charlie was a buffalo hunter, hunting to feed the railroad workers. I am very excited about this, as a collection I own has a comprehensive collection of buffalo hunting memorabilia. Can anyone direct me to Walter Miller or enlighten me on this? Appreciatively, Bonnie

Re: broncho charlie miller

dutton120 — 2008-10-03 15:32:47Z

Hi Lois, thank you for all your support in this incredible journey! I e-mailed Fae some attachments you might like to see, and asked her to forward them to you as well, as this format won't allow me to do that. (or e-mail me back at dutton@rushmore.com) You mention Faith, is that another sister? I found a London Troupe photo of the BBWWShow from 1887, and with the image from the broadboard I bought, could tell which figure I thought was Charlie in the group photo... so interesting! There are still people around who have met Charlie, and I have heard from some of them: this technology world is AMAZING! Hope your move went well! Bonnie

Re: broncho charlie miller

Lois_Ellsworth — 2008-09-03 01:35:19Z

Well hey again, Bonnie,

The youngest picture that we have of Broncho Charlie is the one I used to paint his portrait from for the cover of my book. This, I'm pretty sure, is when he was in the Wild West Show. It's a portrait that my dad had, and had given it to Faith!

Pretty exciting studying up on such an adventurous guy as Charlie.

When I was closing out my book, acknowledging all who helped me understand him better, the last thanks went to Charlie, for being such a dare to do kind of person, and I remember breaking down and bawling my eyes out as I wrote how much love I felt for him, and that the project was complete.

So, enjoy the ride, Bonnie, and congratulations on landing some of his treasured memories.

I've got to remember to have my husband pack my box of research stuff. For sure! Can't leave that behind.

Peace,
Lois

Re: broncho charlie miller

dutton120 — 2008-09-02 20:14:01Z

Lois, I sure do appreciate your time on this. I am having fun finding out about your relative, and thank you so much for the information! I will e-mail your sister (I'll give it a couple of days so she will know what this is all about) I've been amazed at what all is on line! This is an amazing tool. I actually stumbled on David Wordell's website, so have some contact information on him, but haven't called him yet. This makes me sure I want to!

I'll keep searching around for your book: I did read Saga of the Saddle. I appreciate your verifying that Charlie ran a riding school in Glens Falls. Do you by any chance have a younger picture of him? I'd like to order an 1887 WWShow photo from the Cody museum that shows the London troup, and thought that a young picture of him might help me identify him in the photo. I have the one from the riding school, but he is older in it. Good luck with your move, and again, thanks so much for your time! Bonnie

Re: broncho charlie miller

Lois_Ellsworth — 2008-09-02 11:25:14Z

Hi Bonnie,

If you connect with the museum in Glens Falls, perhaps they could give you the name of the neice of Broncho Charlie's. They did a wonderful exhibit of a bunch of his carvings back in 1996, I think it was, which were loaned to them by a woman by the name of Rebecca Masland ?sp, who had run into a bunch of the carvings in an antique shop.

My husband and I are in the process of moving from NC to Western Mass, him being down there and me up here, and my box of research is still in NC down on the farm, and it's been a number of years since all of this happened, so I'm foggy on the details.

I worked with Bob Potter,( he was from Vermont, and can't remember where) Charlie's wife's relative to do the research for my book, which is out of print, me being the owner of just one book, and you'd be lucky to locate a copy. I did manage to find one on Ebay, and have given it to my granddaughter.

Pretty sure you could locate a copy of Saga of the Saddle, which is Broncho Charlie's original book, written back in the '30's, if you went on line and searched.

Charlie did in fact run a riding school in Glens Falls, so sounds like you got the real deal. He sure was a character.

My sister was the one who located a man, David Wordell, who lives in Conneticut, and let me give you my sister's email address, as perhaps she has his information, and phone number, cause Charlie was his hero, and in fact, he kept his memory alive by doing slide shows in schools around the state. He might be a good one to talk to.

My sister is Faye Pace, and her email address is paceplace@verizon.net . I'll call her and tell her about your interest.

Well, Bonnie, wishing you the best in your research of Broncho Charlie, as he sure is an interesting one to be hooked into.

We'll be off line in a week or two, but it's great to hear from you, and be sure to touch base with my sister, as I can get messages through her.

God bless, and as Charlie would remind us all,

"Live Right and be Friendly"

Ain't that a great motto, though,

Peace,
Lois

Re: broncho charlie miller

dutton120 — 2008-09-01 18:06:59Z

Thank you so much for the reply, Lois! I've been trying to order a copy of your book, but all seems to be sold out at Amazon. Any advice as to where I could get one? I appreciate your information, as it is exciting to think that this collection of items were his! Do you know the name of the grand niece who had possession of some of his stuff? I'm not clear if she is living or not, but would love to know more about finding the items in the attic, as that is the story that came with this collection. There is a framed flyer for a horse training school by Bronco Charlie (Glens Falls, NY) that came with it, which helps to authenticate the collection. If it was possible to get something more substantial to tie the set to Bronco Charlie, it would be great. It is my husband and my intention to hang on to the collection as an investment, and if it years later comes to our children, to have as much information with it as possible would give it more value. We've discussed loaning it to a museum in the meantime, but again, the connection is weak to publicly display it as his. Anyway, I am having a lot of fun researching his incredible life. He was quite a guy! Thanks again, Bonnie Halsey-Dutton

Re: broncho charlie miller

Lois_Ellsworth — 2008-08-20 14:03:45Z

Hi Bonnie,

Couldn't say if any of this stuff was from Broncho Charlie's collection or not. I know that there was a bunch of his stuff left in an attic up in Glens Falls, NY after he passed away, I think to a grand niece, but don't know much more than that.

He was in the Buffalo Bill Wild West show, and appeared as a broncho buster there, and not sure if he hunted buffalo in his early days or not.

As far as him carrying or storing a collection of this stuff, don't make a lot of sense to me, as he was one who would pick up and change direction in a heartbeat, on horseback.

He did spend a bit of time in Glens Falls in his later years, and would put on demonstrations, so perhaps some of this stuff were indeed props that he used, maybe. His last years were spent in the Tompkins Square house in NYC, and he remained active, entertaining large audiences, and he always dressed in his western gear.

He sure was quite the showman.

Don't know if this will clear up anything for you, but hope so.

Peace, and "Live right and be friendly", for sure.

Lois Miller Ellsworth

Re: Broncho Charlie Miller

dutton120 — 2008-08-19 19:17:14Z

Peter, did you find out any information on Bronco Charlie Miller in regards to his buffalo hunting connection? I purchased a collection supposedly his which has a great many buffalo hunting related artifacts included, so am trying to find out more! Thanks, Bonnie

Re: broncho charlie miller

dutton120 — 2008-08-19 19:14:59Z

I have just purchased a collection of Bronco Charlie Miller's belongings from auctionproductions.com at a Deadwood SD auction. I'm intrigued to know more: the collection has a stenciled trunk, a buffalo robe and mittens, 2 buffalo rifles, a buffalo covered saddle , misc. western items and two sets of wild west costumes. I was told it came out of a NY attic. It appears to be authentic, but I am writing to find out anything I can about this collection. It appears to be buffalo hunting related, but may be props: hard to tell. Any knowledge on this for me? Thanks, Bonnie

Rushton

SybilFowler — 2008-02-17 22:30:52Z

Does anyone have any knowledge of a Rushton riding for the Pony Express?

Re: Broncho Charlie Miller

Celestet96 — 2008-02-03 20:27:47Z

Hello, I am researching the pony Express at my school. But I also need to find out about Broncho Charlie, your site...........isn't really working for me though. if you could post some facts that would be great, bye!☺☻♥

Re: broncho charlie miller

slowtoaccept — 2007-04-10 01:05:12Z

Interesting to me because my grandfather, Jesse Miller, who died in 1925, was born in 1850. Family lore says his brother (my grand uncle) was a Pony Express rider. My family lived in northern Indiana, but may have moved there from Ohio. Supposedly, Jesse's other brothers fought in the Civil War and died at Missionary Ridge in TN.

Circumstances surrounding death of Pony Express Rider William POOR i NV in 1871

danderup — 2006-11-19 15:36:16Z

Pony Express Telegram site?

2006-09-12 17:03:35Z

Is there a site which sells Pony Express telegrams? Thank you.

Re: James Garvey

penny 43 — 2006-04-27 00:26:34Z

Hi.....
There were many "horse" expresses. The one I am familiar with is the Central Overland, which ran from St. Joseph, MO to Sacramento, Ca in 1860 and 61.
That name does not appear on the lists that I have. But if you want to contact me with more information.......ie. dates and locations..........maybe I can help.

Pony Express ended operation in the 1860s

2006-04-13 01:33:18Z

I thought the pony express stopped operating in the 1860s?

Kansas Pony express riders.

dsegelquist — 2005-12-13 16:06:32Z

This Info was taken from the Kansas Historical Quarterly 1932.
Billy Comstock was one of the original pony express riders at the time when Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill Cody were similarly employed.

Cody was reared near Leavenworth Kansas and rod pony express before his scouting and buffalo-hunting days.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Info was taken from the History of Fort Riley Kansas 1926.
One of the westward riders on this first trip of the Pony Express was William F. Cody then a boy of fourteen or fifteen years.

Re: Alexander Majors

2005-10-09 05:39:12Z

Alexander Majors is in my linage. What is the Majors name you are researching?

Re: Broncho Charlie Miller

OAnslingerC — 2005-09-15 07:00:45Z

Does anyone know how to communicate with Lois Miller Ellsworth, Broncho Charlie's great grand niece? The address and email address in her book are no longer valid.

Broncho Charlie URGENT!!

2005-03-22 01:52:18Z

im doing a nat'l history day report and i need some info by april 4

Re: Pony Express Rider

2005-01-18 03:17:27Z

Thanks Dixie. I'll look for that book. Barbara

Re: Pony Express Rider

dixietrent3 — 2005-01-18 02:24:29Z

There is an online book called "The Overland Stage to California", and it lists many of the early Pony Express riders and agents. Hope this helps!

Alexander Majors

2004-11-20 16:07:41Z

Alexander Majors was one of the founders of the pony express. I'm looking for lineage information. Would like to know if related to a Majors family in Texas.

pony express rider Sacaramento,CA John Stevens

diancampbell21 — 2004-09-06 08:09:41Z

I was told that my GreatGRandfather John Stevens was pony express rider when he was only 15 and his station was in Sacaramento, California, however I do not find his name listed. Any information about this era and station would be appreciated.

Re: Pony Express Riders

2004-07-13 23:07:06Z

My name is also Bob Gouak and I live in Towamencin Pa.

Re: Pony Express Riders

2004-07-13 00:09:54Z

Hi, I am the son of a Bob Gouak in Pa.. Where are you from?

Broncho Charlie Miller

pete_thommes — 2004-05-24 17:31:54Z

i am researching a man known as broncho charlie miller, originally julius mortimer b. 1850 died 1955 was pony express rider buffalo htr etc. if any decendants around please e-mail me. thanks

Pony Express Riders

bobcarg2 — 2004-05-24 17:29:06Z

Help, I have been told I am related to the first or one of the first Pony Express Riders. Can anyone provide information on list of names, dates, places or anything that would be of help to trace back to them?

Re: Meyers family

2004-05-09 02:22:43Z

Sorry the correct spelling for Anna E. Meyers is Myers

Meyers family

2004-05-09 02:19:04Z

Looking for information on Anna E. Meyers wife of Elmer Gouak. Trying to trace her family. Believe she was from Virginia.

Pony Express

tadcamp — 2004-04-21 02:35:47Z

Levi Hensel was a blacksmith and possibly a station master for the Pony Express in Nemaha County, KS. He was my husband's great great grandfather. Anyone have any info on him?
Anyone going to watch the 2004 Pony Express Re-ride this summer? We are going to Seneca, KS June 11th to watch the riders come through on their way to St. Joseph.

Karen Lavrischeff
karenl911@hotmail.com
the -l- is a small case 'L', not a 1 :)

JIM MITCHELL

djk21889 — 2004-04-17 03:52:22Z

Looking for any proof that Jim Mitchell rode the "Pony". Family tradition says he rode the Pony Express and that's where he met Buffalo Bill. I know some people say there is no proof that W.F. Cody rode the "Pony", but Jim was also a performer in his "Wild West" show. Jim Mitchell was a gifted horseman, and a blacksmith which both the "Pony" and the "Wild West" were probably in good need of. There is no complete list of the Pony Express riders, but the St. Joseph MO. Pony Express Museum is saying that if anyone has a letter stating the name of a rider or any other proof that the family member was a rider, they want to hear about it as they are trying to put together a complete list. If anyone knows of a list or a letter or anything stating Jim was a rider, please contact me at starr21889@aol.com Thanks, Dottie

"Pony Express"

djk21889 — 2004-04-17 03:52:22Z

Anne, yes, please send me the name of this man. I'd like to talk with him if I could. Thanks

"Pony"

djk21889 — 2004-04-17 03:52:22Z

Thanks Anne, I'll give it a try.

pony express rider

2004-02-21 19:39:08Z

was samul hamilton the first rider out of sacramento.what was the date?he was from ohio,born in 1837,belmont co.death,5 jan 1923.civil war 5/1863-5/1866

Re: broncho charlie miller

2004-02-12 12:13:16Z

Hi Pete,
I don't recall ever hearing about Broncho Charlie hunting buffalo, but do know that my son Doug Johnson inherited Charlie's Remington from my father after he passed on. This was Charlies gun, but never heard of him hunting buffalo, not of course like Buffalo Bill did.

Charlie was a great friend of Chief Joseph, and sure was a colorful character.
Peace,
Lois

Re: broncho charlie miller

2004-02-11 14:02:02Z

lois i have a friend who has a complte buffalo hunters fig, guns coat saddle etc. i wonderif to your knowledge bronco chalie was ever a buffalo hunter

Re: broncho charlie miller

2004-02-11 03:49:23Z

Hi Vicki,
Just found Peter's request, and followed the link to you. I'm Broncho Charlie's great grand niece, as he was my great grandfather's brother. I have a book out "Tales of Broncho Charlie" which is available on Barnes and Noble, and also on Amazon, and have done extensive research about Charlie, and if I can help in any way, just drop me a line!
Peace, and remember, "Live right and be friendly"
Lois Miller Ellsworth

Re: broncho charlie miller

2004-02-11 03:45:36Z

Hi Peter,
I was just doing a search to see what was happening in the Broncho Charlie department, and came upon your message. I'm Charlie's great grand niece, as he was my great grandfather's brother. Quite a character, and a one of a kind guy. I have a book out, "Tales of Broncho Charlie" available on Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and a few other sites.

What do you want to know?
Peace, and remember, "Live right and be friendly!"
Lois Miller Ellsworth

Pony Express Rider

Barbies — 2004-02-07 20:33:07Z

Does anyone have the name Johnny Monks or John Monks listed as a Pony Express Rider? Thanks

James R. Drury

cbhaynes — 2004-02-02 03:57:05Z

I am researching my GGGrandfather who was said to have been a Pony Espress Rider, Texas/Mississippi area, where would I research this to confirm it? Any assistance would be appreciated. Sue

Pony Express

2003-12-26 02:16:06Z

Would anybody happen to have any information on Pony Express riders that were present in Promontory, Utah when the two transcontinental railroads were officially connected?

My father-in-law told me a story that his grandmother used to tell him about a family relative who rode for the Pony Express and was in Promontory for the celebration. Apparently he tied his horse to the train, and the train later departed, along with his horse (or so the story goes).

I'd love to track down this story (no pun intended). We do not know the name of the rider. We think he was very closely related to this grandmother (her dad's brother or her dad's father's brother, or something like that).

Re: Pony Express Riders

5792cwc — 2003-12-23 18:10:05Z

My wife's Great-uncle says his grandfather rode for a short time with the Pony Express prior to the Civil War. His name was William Bulla. Can you see if you have his name? Thanks.......

Re: James Garvey

whitmoco — 2003-11-24 14:29:56Z

Thank you for your offer of help! I waited to respond until I had more information. It turns out that it was my grandfather, Matthew Garvey, who was a pony express rider. He was born January 3, 1973 or 1974. He was an orphan train rider and was placed with Judge DeJarnet in Bates County, Missouri. The judge died, and Matthew then lived with the Judge's married daughter, Mrs. Bettie Murray in Archie, Cass County, Missouri.

He ran away from the Murray household but still lived in Archie, Missouri at least until 1894. He was living back in New York by 1908. During the period 1894 to 1908 he could have either been anywhere out west or back in New York. He had a reputation as an excellent horseman.

I am not sure what express routes would have been operating in that time frame, but even a list of those would be helpful!