Western Cover Society | Western Express - April 1967...W. Scott Polland 1 M.D. Paul C. Rohloff Wells...

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF EARLY WESTERN MAILS

VOLUME XVII NO. II Western Cover Society APRIL 1967

Express Terri to rial

Ocean Mail Statehood

Overland Postal Rates

Post Of'f'ices Postal History

CONTENTS Pages

Editor's Corner - Membership Changes - Notes . . . ....... . .. . 1

Treasurer• s Report ...................................... . 2

My Observations- "Pan. & San Fran. S.S. " 3 - 5 By W . Scott Polland, M.D.

Cathlamet, Washington, Post Office Sees One Hundred Years Of Service - By Miss Mary Long ........... . 6 - 7

Postal Notes on Green River City, Wyoming Territory ..••.... 8 - 12 By David L. Jarrett

Contents Of The Letter- John Swett's Letter To His Cousin By M. C . Nathan .... ...... ...... . . . ... .. . .... . 13- 14

An Unusual Cover - Dillon, Montana Territory . . . . . . . . . . . . . • 15 By Harry L. Fine

A Group Of Expresses - By A. Jay Hertz 16 - 27

Auction Action -By A Ghost Writer for N . Leonard Persson . . . . 28 - 2 9

Advertisements ... ... ... ..... ........ .. ...... .... ... .. .. 30 - 31

PLEASE ADDRESS all communications intended 'for WESTERN EXPRESS to the Editor, M. C. Nathan, 94 Biscayne Drive, San Rafael, California 94901. Advertising copy and payment therefore should also be sent to the editor, but inquiries regarding membership should be sent to M. C. Nathan, Jr., Room 1010, 9 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California 941 04.

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WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967 Page 1

EDITOR'S CORNER

Enclosed with this issue is a reprint of an article that appeared in the December 1966 California Historical Society Quarterly, namely, "A New Look at Wells Fargo, Stagecoaches And The Pony Express . " This article is very important to western cover collectors in that it settles for once and all several disputes, and brings us up to date on the important roles played by this long-lived and great express company.

We are often asked what the purpose is of the Western Cover Society. This can be best answered by a recently published quotation, "The giving of our knowledge and experience enriches the lives of others -and so our own . " Western Cover Society certainly qualifies to this effect through our journal "Western Express." Let us spread these words around and so induce others to join us . We are ever ready to enlarge our scope of information. This can be done only by increasing the member-ship roll, from which our principal income comes .

*******************

MEMBERSHIP CHANGES

NEW .MEMBERS

#485 Glen F. Terry , P . O . Box 3366, Dolores & Ocean Ave . Carmel , Ca. 93921 (Dealer)

#486 Norman W. Johanson, 121 Colony St. , Fairfield, Conn. 06432 (Collects early U . S. postal markings on cover)

CHANGES OF ADDRESS

# 77 Ralzemond B. Parker, Bldg . B. -7A, 3900 Watson Place, Washington,D . C . 20016

#105 Maurice C . Blake, Longwood Towers, 20 Chapel St . Brookline, Mass . 02146 #227 Robert Myerson, 928 Towne Ave ., Los Angeles, Ca . 90021 #400 Wm. C . Giegold, 82 0 Wright Ave . , Alma, Michigan 4 8801 #458 Richard C. Wilkerson, 1318- 43rd Ave. San Francisco, Ca . 94122 #467 A.F . Bostwick, P.O. Box 478, Calder, Idaho 83808 #117 John C . Juhring, Box 196, Chatham, N .Y. 12037

RESIGNATIONS

#348 Frank R. Cole #3 51 Stanley H . Waite #423 Dr. Robt. T . Powers #430 H. C . Greene

*************

ADDENDA & CORRIGENDA

From David L. Jarrett comes the following: "I have some more information on Bear River City, Wyoming, (whose post-office was Gilmer, W. T., and which I wrote on in the January 1966 issue), that you might want to report, In my article I said that I only knew of two covers from there; another one should now be added. In the Chase collection, he had listed a "Gilmer W . T . Jan 9" manu script on a 3¢ '67 in his final inventory listing. "

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967 Page 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

TREASURER'S ANNUAL REPORT

Cash in bank, December 31, 1965 ....•. .. .•...•. ... •. . • . .. ........ .. $1,990 . 70 Receipts, January 1 - June 1. Dues, advertising & sales 1 , 086 .00

Total .......... •. . ... .. $3 , 076.70 Disbursements, January 1 "'" June 1:

Western Express, publishing & postage, 2 issues $1,428.94 Miscellaneous expenses . . . . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . • . . . 11 . 0 8

Balance in balnk, June 1, 19 6 6 .. . ... ........ ... ....•.•.... . ....•. · 1,440.02

$1,636 . 68

M. C. Nathan.

C·ash in bank, June 1 , 1966 ...................................... . $ 1,636 .68 Receipts, June 1 - December 31, 196 6:

Dues- 1966...... $ 88 . 00 1967. . . . . . 758.00

Adv. & Donations: 196 6 . .. .. . 1967 ..... .

$ 325 . 00 9.50

$846.00

334 . 50 Total available ...... ...... . ... .. ................... . . ... ....... .

1,180 . 50 $2,817.18

Disbursements: Western Express, publishing & postage, 2 issues . .... $1,324.92 Postage & miscellaneous. . . . • . . . . . • • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 . 92 1,3 89. 84

$ 1,427. 34 Balance in bank, December 31, 1966

Everett C. Erle .

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Following is the list of Patron, Sustaining and Donating Members reported by the Treasurer as of March 15 1 1967:

J. David Baker Henry C. Clifford Herman Herst 1 Jr. Gerard P. Koch

William C . Aichele S . M. Arnold Hugh J . Baker, Jr . D. T. Beals , III Dr . W.W. Bilyeu Frank C. Burns Mrs. Robt . Geer, Jr. Robert A. Hanson S . L . Herbruck John C . Juhring

Harry L . Fine Rev. Constant A. Johnson Gerard P . Koch

PATRON MEMBERS

John F. Leutzinger M. C . Nathan M. C. Nathan, Jr. B. c . Pearce

SUSTAINING MEMBERS

Everett Lampson Trowbridge Leavitt Robert Lewenthal Philip T. Manly Robert Myerson Frank Q. Newton, Jr. Ralzemond B. Parker H. M. Pierce G.N . Ponnay Marden Ross

W. Scott Polland 1 M.D . Paul C. Rohloff Wells Fargo Bank History Room :Frank A. Zid ·

Oscar Salzar William H. Semsrott Tracy W . Simpson Gerald B • Smith Dr. Jack E. Stucky E . Murray Todd Elmer T . Tvedt John G. Tyler Marcus White C. A. Whittlesey

DONATIONS (IN ADDITION TO DUES)

H. A. Dobson Howard A. Mader Paul C . Rohloff

N. Leonard Persson Ray L. Newburn~Jr. Irwin R. Vogel

WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967

MY OBSERVATIONS

II PAN. & SAN. FRAN. s . s. II (PANAMA AND SAN FRANCISCO STEAMSHIP}

By W . Scott Polland, M. D.

Page 3

This very rare route marking occurs in three types, in manuscript, and by a red or black 34 mm. circular hands tamp. See Illustrations # I 1 II 1 III.

ILLUSTRATION #I Author's Collection

/' '

/ /{ ,/.-.-/ //

~/I@H~ A~~; Ui"\ (. / " / /--)') .

60er ~~~ Cl't1~•/Jt'7 ~/. -

Manuscript Cancellation

ILLUSTRATION #II Author's Collection

d ·/

/-) (JA~. .!Z .... l?:- .,.:, ~ z ~7 "'-~~s e::' .o~,~; ,, 5~,'


MY OBSERVATIONS (Cont'd)

Stanley B. Ashbrook's article in the Stamp Specialist 1 White Book 1 Page 57 I cannot be improved upon, and should be read by every student of early ocean mail service to California . In his book, "The United States One Cent Stamp Of 1851 - 1857," Vol. II 1 Chapter 50, Page 251 1 he also describes covers with this mark . Ernest A. Wilt see in his book, "Gold Rush Steamers" discusses this interesting piece of philatelic history I Pages 32, 33 and 320, and illustration #32 opposite Page 336.

This postmark was undoubtedly put on by a regular company mail agent on a con-tract boat between Panama and San Francisco, appointed by the postmaster general. These mail agents accompanied, and were in charge of the mails to be transported by contract steamers. They had the power to accept mail upon said steamers, when the regular mails were closed 1 and marked this mail with a special hand stamp.

The earliest known use of this handstamp was oddly enough, on a southbound trip between New York and Charges 1 on the Steamship Georgia, on November 13, 1850. See Figure 6 1 Page 65 1 The Stamp Specialist - White Book. Since there was prob-ably only one "Pan & San Fran S. S." handstamp, this must have been used by the mail agent on his way to Panama. The earliest known Pacific Coast usage accord-ing to Ashbrook was December 23, 1850 1 and the latest was June 29 1 1852 .

The latter cover is the only one known with 3¢ 1851 stamps and was found in the Carroll Chase collection, now in the Basil Pearce collection, see Illustration #IV.

ILLUSTRATION //4 Basil Pearce Collection

Black Handstamp

The most remarkable "Pan & San Fran S.S." cover known is the one with the only known usage of 184 7 stamps 1 a strip of three 10¢ stamps; see Illustration #V. The story of this cover is told by Ashbrook in his Special Service 1 Vol. I 1 Page 70 . This cover originated in Lima, Peru 1 November 9 1 1850 1 and was carried by pri-vate vessel to Panama I where the firm E and T. Serruys & Co. handled it. It was turned over to the U.S. Mail Agent 1 who applied the stamps at Panama, where

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967 Page s

MY OBSERVATIONS - (Continued)

I LLUS TRATION /IV Ashbrook Service

Black Handstamp

they were available. The letter then went to Tepic , probably by way of Mazatlan . This is a most rema rkable usage of 1847 stamps.

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967 Page 6

CATHLAMET I WASHINGTON

POST OFFICE SEES ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SERVICE

By Miss Mary Lang, (with notes added by the Honorable R. G . Hughes, Mayor of Cathlamet, Washington)

The post office at Cathlamet, Washington celebrated its lOOth anniversary on Wed-nesday, August 8, 1951. It is Southwestern Washington's oldest post office, and one of the oldest in the State .

On August 8, 1851, the first Cathlamet post office was established. At that time the area was part of Lewis County, Washington Territory. The first postmaster was James Birnie, often called the father of Cathlamet, and the first white settler to arrive in Cathlamet in 1846 .

Cathlamet • s post office activities today are far more different than those a century ago when this Lower Columbia River community was known as "Birnie ' s Retreat. "

Before the first post office was officially opened, the Birnies received their mail off small river steamers heading up the Columbia River to Vancouver from Fort George . Often ships out of London carrying bundles of the London Times and chests of new clothing, ordered at least two years in advance, brought the mail to Birnie. Other mail came into the area by the Montreal Express, was picked up by Birnie or members of his family and carried by boat down .river to Cathlamet.

The first post office was located at Birnie's Trading Post , built out on rocks above what is now known as the upper dock . It was right at the waterfront and for many years accepted the mail brought in by boat until there was a launch connection (191 0 - 1920) to the railroad at Clifton on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. In 1920 the post office was moved up to a location on Main Street.

When mail arrived by steamer in the early days, it was an event that called out the young and the old. The old- timers of Cathlamet recall their parents telling how the mail was distributed once the boats arrived . Alexander D . Birnie, second post-master and son of the community's founder, would stand behind the little window in the post office and call out the names of those who had letters and packages.

Another era which the post office went through was that of delivery of mail by launch . Captain Martin Jacobson of the "Adeline" , Captain Charlie Below of the "Ethel " and Paul Zollner 1 present game protector 1 all handled the launch delivery of mail before the road into Cathlamet was completed. The completion of the road ended the launch delivery.

The following is a list of the Postmasters of Cathlamet during the 100 years:

James Birnie Alexander D. Birnie William S . Mudd Joseph E . Howard Alpheus F . Cooper Alexander Birnie, Jr . David West Joseph Girard

1851 t o February 27, 1865 February 27, 1865 May 13, 1893 December 27, 1894 November 8, 1895 March 11, 1898 February 9, 1903 November 13, 1910

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967

CATHLAMET, WASHINGTON, POST OFFICE - (Cont 'd)

Postmasters - (continued)

Thomas R. Arnold Eliza Head Mrs. Renee Houchen

May 14, 1914 March 4, 1919 May 13, 1936

(At this time the post office was located in a section of the bank building.)

September 13 1 1940

Page 7

C . I. Wood Miss Mary Lang December 30 1 1964 to present.

During the term of office of Mrs. Houchen, the post office was moved to quarters in the hotel building.

On February 6 1 1967 1 the City Council of Cathlamet granted the Post Office Department an option on city land for the site of a new post office building. This site, next to the museum, was in the past, the home site of Judge Strong . At times small river craft docked at this site .

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967 Page 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -POSTAL NOTES ON GREEN RIVER CITY, WYOMING TERRITORY

By David L. Jarrett

Green River City 1 Wyoming Territory, was a Union Pacific town that flourished .only for a couple of months during the fall of 1868, during the time the rails were going through 1 heading west. After the railroad left 1 the town declined but was revived a few years later. Its post office generally continued in exist-ence during the entire period 1 and a number of different territorial postmarks are known from there .

Photo of Green River City in 1868, perhaps just after the railroad left. The lack of many' permanent buildings in this photo suggests that Green River City never was the railroad boom town that Cheyenne or Laramie City had been. The half dozen or so permanent buildings here 1 which look weathered 1 may very well have been a part of the original pony express station. The main street of the town was once the Oregon trail, and later, overland stages passed along the same road. (Photo courtesy of the Wyoming State Archives and Historical De part men t)

Prior to the opening of an official U.S. government post office in September 1 186 8, ·a gent by the name of William ·Reilly apparently acted as unofficial mail handler, as is evidenced by a notice in the August 18,· 1868 1 Frontier


POSTAL NOTES ON GREEN RIVER CITY, - (cont'd)

Index I which was published in Green River City at that time:

"List of letters remaining uncalled for at the News Depot of Will Reilly 1 6th street, August 17th, 1867. (sic)"

During this pre-post office period 1 the Frontier Index advised its readers on how to address letters to Green River City. In every issue 1 starting on August 11th and ending on September 8th, it announced:

"Until we notify you that the Department shall have given us a post office here 1 you in t he East, will please address us at Green River City 1 Dakota, via Benton; and you in the west, via Fort Bridger. "

Some impatience in getting a post office was app:uent in the August 21st Frontier Index:

Mr . J. T. Reynolds is in daily expectation of receiving his commission as Post Master of this city."

Finally on September 11th the citizens learned that they would get a post office 1 John Tug Reynolds having been appointed postmaster. (1)

"HURRAH . - Mr . J . T. Reynolds received day before yesterday a telegram from Omaha, saying that locked sacks and keys had just been started from there, for our Green River mails. This announcement conveys about the most welcome piece of information that we have had here. A Post-office! How often would we have given the Kingdom of Horse Useless Grant for a Democratic Postoffice. The Victoies in Montana and Kentucky, and threatened coup de main at Green River 1 have scared them into a compliance with our humble petitions to the sub-mogul at Washington. Three cents on a letter, instead of twelve and a half! Verily, we have overcome the Wells , Fargo expressage 1 by shaking a pick-axe at the Postmaster-General" (2)

The post office started in actual operation on September 21st. The Frontier Index carried an account of the opening of the post office in the September 22nd issue:

"POST OFFICE. - Mr. D . B. Ball, special mail agent for Wyoming, Colo-rado, Kansas and New Mexico, brought the first U . S. mail to this city last night 1 and delivered the keys to Mr. J . T . Reynolds, postmaster. The long delay in opening this office was occasioned by the informal way of making the application, as is proven by the instance of Mr. Ball for-warding a similar application on the 3d of August for an office at Bryan 1 the keys and sacks for which he turned over this morning to Mr. D. K. Allen as postmaster, so that both Green River and Bryan now have regular U . S. Post Offices. You can all now send the FRONTIER INDEX to your friends for only two cents postage."

It further went on to say --

"SNOW . - It fell last night to the depth of one fourth of an inch. It must have been attracted by the strange phenomenon attending the opening of a United States post office here."

WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967 Page 10 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

POSTAL NOTES ON GREEN RIVER CITY 1 WYOMING TERRITORY - (Cont 'd)

The earliest Green River City cover known to me was posted on October 18th. The postmark is in Manuscript -- "Green River/Wy. Oct. 18th" -- and is indeed an early usage. This is the only known recorded example of a manuscript Green River City postmark .

Author's Collection Probably not too much mail was posted at the town during this early period. Postmaster Reynolds only received $3.00 in compensation from the October 1 to December 31, 1868, quarter, compared with the $2,800.00 that the Cheyenne City postmaster received for a full year's service. (3) All during this period the Wells, Fargo company apparently was operating he re 1 as is evidenced by a notice published in the October 9th Frontier Index of a "UST OF LETTERS Remaining in Wells, Fargo & Co.'s office, Green River, Oct. 5th, 1868." But by early October the town's boom was quickly fading because the railroad was heading on to the Bear River country, further west. The Frontier Index did not want to be left behind. In its last issue published at Green River City, on October 13th, it published a notice:

"WANTED QUICK. -Three good, strong wagons and teams to transport the FRONTIER INDEX to Gilmer in the Bear River Valley . "

Apparently they found the wagons and teams because its next issue was pub-lished at Bear River Valley. ( 4)


POSTAL NOTES ON GREEN RIVER CITY, WYOMING TERRITORY - (Cont'd)

Not much is known what happened to the place immediately after the railroad left. It seems probable that the town was virtually abandoned temporarily, as were other Union Pacific towns along the route, as the rails headed further west. ( 5). It is known that its postmaster I J. T. Reynolds, moved to Bear River City, where he ac-cepted the position of deputy postmaster at Bear River City in early November ( 6) It seems possible that Green River City was without any real postal service from the time Reynolds left to the time his successor was appointed over a month or so later . In fact 1 the post office was officially discontinued on December 1, 1868, but was reestablished a we ek later, on December 7th, when Samuel J. Field was appointed postmaster. (7)

As the years rolled on, postal activity picked up considerably. While postmaster Field's yearly salary in fiscal ending September 30, 1871, was only $12.00, he earned $67 . 00 in fiscal 1873. The next postmaster, Alfred Young, who was appointed on February 16,1874, (8) received $467.67 infiscal1875. In 1877, a postmasterJ.H. Mason earned $4 73. 83. (9) The town continued to live and is still in existence today . Covers seem relatively common for Wyoming, and illustrated here is an example of a later Green River City territorial cover.

,..,. If not ea!Jed for In Ten Da,ra, retnm to

CHRIS. RANLEV,

Author's Collection


POSTAL NOTES ON GREEN RIVER CITY, WYOMING TERRITORY (Cont 'd)

FOOTNOTES:

1. National Archives, Appointment of Postmaster Records.

2. Frontier Index, September 11, 1868.

3. Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military I and Naval, in The Service of the United States I on the Thirtieth September, 1869. Government Printing Office 1 Washington, 1870.

4. For an article on Bear River City 1 see the January, 1966, issue of

Western Express, p. 12.

Page 12

5. Another town tha t was quickly abandoned was Benton City, Wyoming

terri tory. A notice appeared in the October 13 1 186 8, Frontier Index

that advised: "NOTICE. -To all whom it may concern- all mail

addressed to Benton City has been sent to Green River and Bryan.

W. A. HODGMAN 1 P.M. Benton, Oct. 9th, 1868."

6. Frontier Index, November 6 1 1868.

7. National Archives, Appointment of Postmaster Records .

8. Ibid .

9. Register of Officers and Agents, 1871, 187 3, 187 5, 187 7.

NOTE:

Anyone having any early Green River City or other Union Pacific town covers

is requested to contact Mr. David L. Jarrett, P. 0. Box 1486 Grand Central,

New York City 10017, so that future articles can be more complete .

EDITOR'S NOTE: Wyoming became a territory on July 29, 1868, and a state on July 10, 1890.


CONTENTS OF THE LETTER

JOHN SWETT'S LETTER TO HIS COUSIN

By M. C. Nathan

I have recently acquired an original letter written by John Swett, the father of the school system in California, written on May 4th, 1854, about a year after his arrival in California. The envelope is addressed to John W. Lane, Amherst College, Mass., with a San Francisco postmark.

John Swett was born in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, on July 31, 1830. From his New England heritage he was endowed with the fine qualities that make men great in their particular field of endeavor. He chose education as his vocation, although he could have qualified as an author, journalist and poet as well. He taught school in New England, principally in Randolph, Massachusetts, where he had the opportunity to listen to lectures of such men as Ralph Waldo Emerson and others. He became friendly with William Russell, the first editor of the American Journal of Education (1826-29), who, along with Horace Mann, was a staunch supporter of public edu-cation, and from him received the inspiration and guidance which he acknowledged all his life.

Swett was not a robust individual. Even with his poor health and limited experience in teaching he decided to go to California in a sailing vessel because he hoped the long sea voyage around the Horn would improve his health and strengthen his eyes. Once he arrived in San Francisco, he accepted the challenge to do something about the school system. He served the State of California for 55 years, 1853-1905, helping to build up the system of free education from kindergarten to the university.

He died in August of 1913, at the age of 83. Schools throughout the State were closed on his funeral day in respect to his memory.

Pacific Office San Francisco, May 4th, 1854

My dear Cousin:

Your long and very interesting letter was received yesterday with much pleasure, and while its thoughts are yet fresh in my mind I will pen a reply, for if it is postponed until near Mail ggy, it will be found wanting---! never yet found a tolerable pen in an Editor's office and this is no exception, I carne in this morning to look over Eastern Exchanges, but they are not out of the office yet and so I have nothing to do. We are having a vacation of two weeks, ..... having closed up the schools with a Grand May Day Festival in Musical Hall, cost-ing $1500.---

I am not well this week, having worked too hard last, but generally my health and spirits are pretty good, much better than when at home.----

The standing of my own school is as good as I expected. It was below 0 when I took it I and at the Examination a member of the Com. told me it stood among the first of the city schools. I am to have a new brick building, capable of accom-modating 500 scholars and then I hope to have a school - I shall have a fine

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967 Page 14 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CONTENTS OF THE LETTER - (Cont'd)

teachers private room in the building which will probably be located in one of the finest situations of the city . At the end of another quarter I mean that my school shall take the precedence of all others in Reading Declamation & Recitation. - --I know I can make it so. I am, once in my life cipntented - I think I can tiuly say I never enjoyed myself so. well before - The climate is delicious . City exciting. Society unsurpassed in enterprise and talent . I am acquainted with many of the Ed; have all the reading matter I want 1 exchange from all parts of the world. I will endeavor to send a magazine to which I contribute, that you may have a speciman of my style.---I am glad that I came here 1 John . True 1 I have suffered more than I ever wish to again . I have passed strange scenes, but have learned a lesson. I feel that life here has developed my character faster than in New England - I know that I have changed - I hope in some respects for the better.---Yes there are fearful temptations to be resisted and in excitement reason is sometimes forgotten - I know one thing - I have never bartered manliness for gold , nor sold my soul for money ---Our salary is $200 per month - yet from that I cannot save much. Expenses are enormous and a teacher here must dress and board at fashionable places . In five months I have paid $2 50 for clothing. Yet by and by when I get started I hope to save something.---By a letter from mother, I received a full account of Uncle John's death - It i s indeed sad to think of the changes in some circles . Were it not for my mother I never could think of ret urning to New England. I feel as if here was my destiny. If I go back 1 I return a stranger to start anew - and starting is harder than living . I received a long letter from Prof. Russell , together with a package via Adams Express. It was a rich treat, that letter, read and re-read - I never met with any more ideal of a man, a scholar, a teacher, a Christian until (I) saw Prof. Russell. And I think I am not saying too much when I say that to you I am indebted for being led to sit at his feet as an humble pupil.---How often do I think of that noble man! Would there were some like him here . ---You are pursuing your studies in the quiet halls of learning , fitting for fu ture useful-ness - Success to you! I only wish I had a greater store of your perseverence and con-scentiousness and philosophizing - I would love to hear often very often from you 1 but I cannot write all I would . ---I write for Magazines and papers . I must send some. My eyes are weak; I pass one hour a day in the Gymnasium and then with teacherus writing Essays and making calls and hunting up truants and vagabond scholars, I am busy busy all the time. My private correspondence is very limited - I have none in fact except my mothers . As to the ladies I don't write to any - Once , like a boy, I found myself in love with a talented and beautiful young girl , but when I came out here I acted the wiser part and broke off correspondence and acquaintance passed - It was well I did so. Life here weakens the strongest ties . -----A strange medley I am jotting but I can't help i t . I can't be formal.---I shall busy now - but will add a page in my own room . ---

Yours cordially

J Swett

J. W. Lane

WESTERN EXPRESS -APRIL 1967 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

AN UNUSUAL COVER

DILLON, MONTANA TERRITORY

By Harry L. Fine

Page 15

One of the pleasures of Territorial cover collecting is to be able to add an unusual item to one's collection. This one came out of the blue a few years ago. The cover shown below is a very fine example of early advertising on a Territorial cover. The buildings are in bright red and the lettering in black. This combin-ation of colors adds to the appearance of the cover.

Dillon 1 Montana Territory was first settled during the building of the Utah and Northern railroad. Construction was started in 1876 from Ogden 1 Utah Territory I and went north towards the Montana mines. It crossed the Idaho-Montana border in the spring of 1880 and finally terminated at Deer Lodge, Montana Territory 1 in 1881. It is now a part of the Union Pacific system and connects with the Northern Pacific at Silver Bow, Montana.

The Utah and Northern was the first railroad to enter Montana Territory and re-placed the old time stage over the trail to and from Salt Lake City.

The postmark is dated September 27 I 1881 and this date makes it an early example of a Dillon, Montana postmark. The post office was established on March 31, 1881 and Thomas B. Warren became its first postmaster.

Dillon has been the county seat of Beaverhead County for many years and is a fine business town and trading center. The Western College of Education which is · part of the Montana University system is located there.

I . ,.._ )

Author's collection


A GROUP OF EXPRESSES

By A. J . Hertz

TINNIN & OWENS 1 EXPRESS

Weaverville is situated east of the Coaptal Range in the Trinity Mountains. It is isolated and difficult to get to from the coast - the obvious route was from Shasta. It was over this route that Tinnin and Owens 1 Weaverville and Shasta Express operated.

w. J. Tinnin and John W. Owens had a general store in that town 1 selling groceries 1 liquor 1 paint and hardware. An advertisement in the Weekly Trinity Journal, Jan. 1 1 1863 said in part:

" .... W. J. Tinnin and John W. Owens 1 Weaverville. Whole sale and retail dealers in Groceries, Liquors 1 and Provisions, Crockery-ware, Hardware, Iron, Steel, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, Window-glass, Wallpaper, Quicksilver, bar-room 1 parlor and cooking stoves, tin and sheet-iron ware, Fireproof Building, Main St. 1 Weaverville, Jan. 1 1 1863. "

With this hodge-podge to buy and sell (and deliver when sold), it seemed a simple matter to carry mail and light express. The latter required no buying capital, heavy hauling or any salesmanship. The first letters might have been carried as a favor and, repeating the favor, a small charge might have been made 1 until the groceries and hardware were abandoned or sold out to some other dealer.

That one or both were active in civic affairs, is evident from the fact that Tinnin was secretary of the Weaver and Trinity Valley Wagon Road Company. From Sacra-mento Union, March 10, 1858:

"Trinity Journal, March 6, says: The meeting of the preliminary organization of the Weaver and Trinity Wagon Road Company, was held Monday night. W . S. Lowden was chosen president and W .J. Tinnin 1 secretary .... "

Some years later, Tinnin and Owens went into·the express business. They had an elaborate frank and also a handstamp. The frank was an oblong with truncated corners {greatly similar to the Wells Fargo frank), in which the words 1 "Paid I Tinnin & Owens I Weaverville and Shasta Express" was inscribed. The proper names on the second line I being larger than the others and in Old English print 1 the last line being the smallest type. The hands tamp was a double-line, round one I with the words. "Tinnin and Owens" on the upper part; "Weaverville" on the lower; the date (month and day) in the center. The embossed stamps were of the 1864 issue.

How the express fared 1 • how long it lasted or what finally became of it, this writer cannot say. Wiltsee mentions it once or twice 1 giving the route, but says nothing else about it.

Again, as far as this writer can ascertain, no cover appeared until 1954, when two covers appeared. They were both remarkably well preserved. The source of the material could not be traced. So we have concrete evidence of the existence of this small express I which started in the delivery wagon of a country grocery store.

WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967 Page 1 7

A GROUP OF EXPRESSES - (Cont 'd)

FURTHER AND FINAL RESEARCH OF TINNIN & OWENS EXPRESS

The opportunity is not often given to us to come to the end of the history of a Western express - particularly the smaller ones . The start 1 the complete operation and the end of the Tinnin & Owens Express, can now be authentically recorded. We know what bothTinnin & Owens did before they went into the express business 1 when they went i n and where they ran, when they decided to stop and what they did after they stopped running their express . All stages of this period are documented by their notices and where they appeared I noted by the time and the place.

For nine years or more, Tinnin & Owens were .in the business of General Merchandise . They sold everything from groceries, liquors and provisions to wallpaper, quicksilver I sheet and ironwear.

On Oct. 10, 1867, an advertisement appeared in the Weekly Trinity Journal, giving the facts. Though written on Oct. 10 1 1867 1 the advertisement did not appear until Jan . 18, 1868. It stated that an express was running between Weaverville and Shasta, carrying any merchandise entrusted to their care . Letters were carried as was gold dust 1 to be shipped to the Mint.

The men ran their store and their express simultaneously. Their full column newspaper · advertisements of the store and a large express advertisement 1 seems to support this contention.

When they entered the express business, their initial cost was nothing to them. They had no outlay 1 whatsoever . They had to deliver heavy merchandise to miners and farmers and they already had horses and delivery wagons.

How the thing started, is conjecture. It might have started by delivering letters for cus-tomers as a favor . Here was an opportunity to make a profit 1 without a stock of goods or any initial cost.

So the express ran a few months - four or five 1 at the most. From the Weekly Trinity Journal, April 25, 1868:

" Express Notice. Notice is hereby given that on or after the 1st of May, 1868 1 our Weaverville and Shasta Express, will be discontinued and our connection with the express 1 be at an end. Weaverville, April 22 1 1868.

Tinnin & Owens."

Tinnin & Owens never tried for or received a U.S. Mail contract and evidently the supply of mail was small . Mter about five months, they decided to discontinue.

The notice to that effect was entered in the Weekly Trinity Journal of April 251

1868, although written on April 22, 1868 .

Just about then Wells, Fargo & Co. established an office in Weaverville. Whether this had any effect on their decision 1 we cannot say. However, they carried only a small


A GROUP OF EXPRESSES - (Cont'd)

FURTHER RESEARCH OF TINNIN & OWENS - (Cont ' d)

amount of business and the advent of the giant of the industry, might have brought on their decision. When the 16 year old company decided to come into Weaverville, Tinnin and Owens must have realized that they could not compete with Wells 1 Fargo. They were a great firm, with a reputation that had been built up, for honesty and for making good on any loss, no matter how great . They had the reputation and the men and the long experience i n expressing . Tinnin & Owens' life was very short .

Mter being in the business of merchandising for nine years, then combined with that , in the express business, they decided to go into the banking business, also buying gold dust.

In the Weekly Trinity Journal, Oct. 31 , 1868, appeared the following advertisement:

"Tinnin and Owens . Having sold their entire stock of merchandise and removed to the banking house , formerly occupied by Greenhood and Newbauer, will continue to pay the highest price for Gold Dust and draw sight drafts on the bank of California at par .

Exchange on the Atlantic cities and all the principal cities of Europe sold at moderate rates.

All persons indebted to the firm , are requested to call and make immediate settlement . Weaverville, Sept. 10, 1868. 2 6 to Tinnin & Owens . "

After being in business for nine years, they followed with banking, into the quarters of another retired express firm . So we close the book on Tinnin and Owens. They never were a great express company. The two men entered the business and did their best but circumstances over which they had no control, was their downfall . How their banking business succeeded 1 is beyond the scope of this investigation. Their express business was born , carried on for a short while and then discontinued.

HALSTEAD'S EXPRESS

In 18491 when E . A. Halstead established his express, the mail was notoriously ineffective. Delivery was slow and irregular and the miner, so disgusted with the postoffice and the government , that he would have nothing to do with it. From Placer Times, Aug. 18, 184 9:

"The regular mail is a regular humbug . Its stuck in the mud half the time and might as well be the other half. No news-papers are sent up from the Bay and we understand that the Postmaster of San Francisco cannot afford to employ clerks. Who will establish an express? And who will give a dollar for every letter promptly delivered?"

WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967 Page 19 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


HALSTEAD'S EXPRESS - (Cont 'd)

The next issue of the paper had this to say:

"Since our last , two expresses have been established between this city and San Francisco .• . . "

The two expresses were either Kimball & Co. and Halstea d & Co. , br Halstead & Co ., and Grammers Express .

In the same paper 1 May 1850, a letter written by a miner from Nevada City states:

"There is another man who is making money. All our letters come out by mail to Sacramento and are sent by express to Hamlet Davis, the storekeeper at Deer Creek (Nevada City) who acts as postmaster, although he has no legal appointment . "

Halstead was expanding his route and he next extended his line from Oroville to Quincy . That was a monumental undertak ing , for that country was most difficult to traverse 1 particularly in winter 1 when snow drifts mounted to 20 feet and more . From LaPorte to Quincy, it became extremely dangerous (and it is even so today .) .

From the History of Plumas , Lassen and Sierra Counties:

"The present proprietor of this line (Oroville to Quincy) E. A. Halstead, has been running it for a few seasons . Three trips are made each week in summer, going through in one day 1 and in winter , two days . "

The express from 1849 to 1852 with the exception of Adams and a few others, came and went, rarely lasting more than a year , to make way for the larger state-wide and national companies . With the coming of Wells Fargo & Co . 's Express , that business became more stable and effective.

DURKEE'S EMPIRE STAGE LINE

Durkee started early in the express business in California . He came from Vermont to the Golden State and , in a short time , started the Empire Stage Line . He operated the line, drove the stage and managed all the business of the concern, himself. His stage ran between Sacramento and Marysville . Later, it ran between Marysville and Nicolaus , on the Feather River, sometime in August, 1850 . Business increased and he took in a partner 1 C . G. Sharp .

They carried Hawley ' s Express parcels and letters as evidenced from an advertisement in Alta California of August 31, 1850:

"C . W . Durkee Daily Stage between Sac. City and Marysville . Carries Hawley~s Express .. . . "

He continued to do well and as he expanded, we read his advertisement in the Marys-ville Herald of August 23, 1850:

WESTERN EXPRESS- APRIL 1967 Page 20 - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A GROUP OF EXPRESSES- (Cont 'd)

DURKEE'S EMPIRE STAGE UNE - (Cont'd)

"Empire Stage Line. Between Marysville and Nicolaus. In connection with the splendid steamer Laurence, will leave the principal Hotels in Marysville every morning, at 7-1/2 (most probably 7:30) o'clock, arrive in Nicolaus in time to take the Laurence, which will arrive at Sacramento at 6 P.M. The return stage will leave Nicolaus at 2-1/2 P.M. each day on the arrival of the steamer and arrive at Marysville at 6 P.M. For freight or passage, apply on board the brig Globe at Sacramento City, Bell Hotel at Nicolaus and of R. A. Eddy, Marysville.

N . B. All business entrusted to the care of this line, will be attended to promptly.

C. W. Durkee. C. G. Sharp, Proprietors."

Durkee ran his express in opposition to a stage line which was run by two men named Johnson and Davis, who ran their line, in conjunction with the steamers, in the same way that Durkee was attempting to run his. Not wishing to engender ill will on the part of Johnson and Davis, Durkee made an agreement with them, not to do anything to interfere with them or their line .

Being a man of restless disposition, Johnson sold his share of the business to his partner, Davis. He made it known that he was returning to his home in the East and that he was through with the express business. At any rate, when he sold out to Davis, it was understood that he would not again re-enter the field.

Evidently Johnson changed his mind. He decided to remain and opened an Opposition Line, disregarding the promises he had made to his partner and to Durkee. The steamer, Laurence, with which Durkee had connected, had failed. Now interference became a source of worry and annoyance. Durkee said that Johnson was spreading malicious gossip and lies about him.

The rivalry persisted. Each man claimed to have the fastest stage and so, after many hot words, the two men decided to have a race. Such situations always caused a lot of excitement in the community. Durkee refused to bet on his stage but the passen-gers of each line made wagers with each other. Both coaches were quickly filled and they were off at breakneck speed. Durkee won and had the satisfaction of beating his rival by almost two and a half hours.

Shortly after, on Sept. 2 7, 1850, an advertisement appeared in the Sacramento Trans-cript, signed by the anonymous pseudonym, "Passengers" but it was evident to all, the subscription might just have well been C. W. Durkee.

It ran:

"How does Old Durkee stand the Opposition? - The Empire Line of Coaches between Sacramento City and Marysville commenced running in August. At first, the enterprising proprietors of that line had the prospect of being rewarded for their labors without encounter-ing ill will, malice or opposition. Durkee, early in the Spring forsaw


A GROUP OF EXPRESSES - {Cont'd)

DURKEES EMPIRE STAGE LINE - (Cont'd)

that boats excepting those of the lightest draught, could not navigate the river as far as Marysville and he determined to start the Empire Line to run in conjunction with the steamers, in the same manner that Johnson was operating his line. That these lines might not conflict, a definite agreement was entered into between Durkee and Johnson, that tney should abstain from interfering with each others passengers.

But things have happened since then, {that some folks say smell strong of rascality) which we will call curious. After the agreement referred to I Johnson sold out his line of stages to his partner I Davis I promising him, as he did Durkee, that he would not interfere with him, as he was on the eve of his departure for home.

He didn't go far. His home is wherever there is a chance for a dollar. A chance opened to him in a line of opposition to Durkee and Davis, the men he had promised not to interfere with. Durkee had run in connection with the steamer Laurence , but this boat failed, and Johnson may have thought this a sufficient excuse for his con-duct. On the other hand , Durkee thinks some, too; he thinks it is as bad for a man to hook whisky by sucking it out of the bunghole, as drawing it by the cock.

The tide of public favor is with the Empire Line , _for the people have seen the ceaseless efforts of Old Durkee to sustain it. They have seen him for forty days with his own careful hands driving his own stages, using every precautiGn for the safety and conduct of his passengers, delivering letters , newspapers and packages by the way; - his careful attention for the safety of his passengers, on one occasion was exhibited in his jumping, waist deep into the river to curb a vicious horse.

He has had his trials . We have said that Laurence failed. Once a single passenger was the first of one trip, This was a source of high gratification to Johnson, who in flaunts, jeers, ridicule and glee, resembled astonishingly a school boy squib in a goose-quill, as he carped about.

Talk-forked talk as the Indians call it, O:>ut lies as we call it) -has been circulated about the Empire Line taking passengers at less than the established rates. Old Durkee pleads guilty in one instance, and that was the case of a man who had been refused a passage in the Opposition because he had no money . Durkee gave him a free ticket as well as his supper.

But perhaps the public oughtn't to know all the tricks that have been played against the old chap. However, he isn't afraid of hand-bills, such as those gig~ntic things of Johnson's, that would almost cover a deer track. In California, time is money and no one has the time to stop and decipher picayune handbills that tell about such and such a chap wanting to break down Old Durkee. He isn't afraid of anything that a man cannot read as he runs .

Of late, the Empire Line in no trip, has had less than five passen-gers 1 and on the last , there were thirty-two - an extra being required in spite of the Opposition and Johnson's reduction of the fare. This tells its own tale for Empire, as well as fat 1 fleet horses and good stages - not clumsy old bone-threatening omnibuses.



DURKEES EMPIRE STAGE LINE - (Cont'd)

An instance of the performance of the fat and fleet horses just alluded to, may be given in passing. They beat Johnson's on a bet - leaving him two hours and twenty minutes behind 1 a distance of between fifty-five and sixty miles. Durkee did not lay the wager 1 he not being a sport-ing man; it was the passengers who had the spunk to make the bet and the pleasure to win it . And now comes the answer to the question at the head of this article - "How does Old Durkee stand the Opposition?" He stands it like the rock stands water. The favor of the public is about him like a prop I that no set of s low, cabbage-romped horses - no half- hearse , half -omnibus vehicle - can knock out.

PASSENGERS. P. S. - C. W. Durkee is a "Green Mountain Boy," and the Green Mountain Boys haven't been headed since the days of '76."

How long Durkee and the Empire Stage Line continued, is not known. These smaller lines, were begun and stopped, without notice to anyone . As one stopped, another one starte d. The vacuum was a lways filled. Johnson, however, continued to oper-ate his express for we read of him and see his advertisements, two years later .

HARRILL'S EXPRESS -

Drury D. Harrill was an extraordinary person . He operated his express between Shasta and Pitt River. He first comes to notice with an item in the Shasta Courier , April 9, 1853:

"New Express. We are informed that Mr. D. D. Harrill intends running an express between this place and Pitt River. Persons desirous of having letters taken out of the postoffice or any other business transacted, can have same done by calling on Mr. H. at his office . "

From the March 1 1 1853 issue of the same newspaper 1 we find that Harrill was the Public Administrator of Shasta:

"Administrators Notice . All persons having claims against the Estate of Frank Mitchell, deceased, are required to exhibit them with the necessary vouchers, within ten months after the date hereof, to the aforesaid, Public Administrator, at his residence in the town of Shasta.

D. D. Harrill , Pub. Administrator 1 Shasta 1 March 12 , 1853 . "

On June 111 1853, a most unusual notice appeared in the Courier 1

inserted by the Postmaster, Isaac Roop:



HARRILL'S EXPRESS - (Cont'd)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Ho! For Salt River! I 1 Isaac Roop, Post Master in and for the City of Shasta, having been in office eighteen long months, have fattened at the public cub 1 and being a liberal man, am willing, and-indeed anxious, to share the spoils of a good fat office 1 therefore I shall resign my office on the 30th inst. 1 and recommend to the Democrats of this county the name of D. D . Harrill, as P.M . he being well qualified to fill the post 1 and

Page 23

one in which the Whigs as well as the Democrats have every confidence. I will here state to all my friends who are in arrears for the box rent and postage to call and settle as I will be gone four years 1 it being my intention to leave for Salt River on the 1st day of July next, on the splendid and well known steamer "Bigler No . 2," For passage and freight apply on board I or to the undersigned.

Isaac Roop , Defunct P . M. Shasta. "

Now it was quite simple for Harrill 1 after being appointed Postmaster 1 to take the mail from the postoffice and carry it to its destination by his express.

Next Harrill became one of the commissioners on Public Buildings - one of three. From same, Dec. 10, 1853:

"To builders and Contractors. Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the undersigned, Commissioners of Public Buildings in Shasta County and State of California, at the Drug Store of Benjamin Shurtleff. .. • for furnishing materials and building a County Court House ....

Benjamin Shurtleff 1 Drury D . Harrill, Homer A. Curtiss, Com's . 11

Ever venturesome, our expressman became one of the three partners in Groftefend & Co., proprietors of St. Charles Hotel in Shasta. Prom same 1 Dec. 16, 1854:

"A. Grotefend D. D. Harrill George F .Alford St. Charles Hotel. The proprietors of this well known hotel , take this means of informing the public that their entire establishment has been completely revised and thoroughly refitted .. . . under the direction and charge of a Housekeeper whose reputation for cleanli-ness and neatness is a guarantee for the order in which it will be kept .. .•

Grotefend & Co. 1 Shasta ,Dec. 9, 1854 . II

Nothing of importance is noted until 187 5 - twenty-two years later. Harrill seems to have become connected with the prison as a guard. He now is mentioned as "old man Harrill." From Yreka Journal, Feb. 24, 1875:

"The attempted stage robbery near Reading .. .. The stage left town about 7 o'clock, Jerry Culverhouse driving with old man Harrill and a prisoner, John Allen, alias 'Sheet Iron Jack' and two or more passengers on board ...• 11



HARRILL~ S EXPRESS - (Cont 'd)

Page 24

The last item this writer found on Harrill was in the Trinity Journal, Jan . l, 1876:

"Dr. J. E. Pelham, an old and highly esteemed resident of Shasta, has received the appointment of Resident Physician at the State Prison .... D. D. Harrill has also received the appointment at the Prison, as one of the guards."

In this history 1 we have touched on many subjects 1 all pertinent to the man who owned and operated Harrill's Express. His career as an expressman, was but a single job in a very varied and active life.

CRANDALL'S DIABLO AND OTHER EXPRESSES

This express began early in 1855. It was started and operated by a very efficient expressman and driver, Colonel Jared B. Crandall. Crandall was one of the early pioneers who became interested in this field. He had originally begun with two partners, Warren F. Hall and W .A. Hall early in 1851. How highly he was regarded 1 can be seen from an item in the Placerville Democrat of July 11 1 1857 (Sacramento Union, July 13, 1851):

"The road is, however, now open between Placerville and Genoa and from Genoa to Salt Lake. Col. J. B. Crandall has made it a stage road. He is the first man in America who has ever established a stage line to cross the Sierras. He is the pioneer stage man be-tween the Pacific Ocean and the Great Basin of the continent .•... He is a bold and enterprising man and this is not the first time that he has been the pioneer stage man on this side of the continent. He established the first line between San Francisco and San Jose and, I believe, between Marysville and Shasta (Note: Not the first but in March, 1852). He has always led the way 1 while others in his line of business have too frequently been mere followers .... "

His Diablo Express ran from San Francisco to San Ramon. From the Herald, Feb. 23, 1855:

"Crandall & Co.'s Diablo Express .... from San Francisco to Redwoods, Maraga Valley, Brown's Mill, Pochaco Valley, Diablo Valley, Marsh's, Kincade's and San Ramon.

Crandall & Co."

Two years later, Crandall was operating a tri-weekly stage line from Placerville to Carson Valley. From Sacramento Union, June 17, 1857:

·."Tracy's Carson Valley Express - Connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Placerville •... Col. J. B. Crandall having a tri-weekly Line of Stages from Placerville to Carson Valley and the undersigned having the exclusive privilege of running an express on the same

1 can offer

Unequalled advantages for the transportation of Express matter over this route •••• "



CRANDALL'S DIABLO AND OTHER EXPRESSES- (Cont'd)

Everyone endeavored to help him, even the papers . The Sacramento Union of July 4, 185 7, makes this plea in his behalf:

"I do not think that the people of Placerville and Sacramento are doing their duty to Crandall's Line of Stages. They should uphold and support this line. The people of Stockton are active and for this reason the citizens of Carson · Valley are more inclined toward them than they are towards you. This is your fault. Since the stage line has been started, none of your merchants or those of San Francisco have in any measure patronized it; none have attempted to secure the trade and friendship of the people of these valleys .. . " (Letter from James S . Crane, connected with the Press to the Editor of his paper).

And from the same, July 11, 1857:

"(By Tracy's Express . ) Placerville, July 11, 1857. Editors, Union: Crandall's Pioneer Express arrived in our city at one o'clock this afternoon , from Carson Valley, with the express matter 1 the mails and passengers - traveling time, 15 hours ... . Crandall will make the next trip in twelve hours."

He established and broke many records. From same, July 18, 1857:

"Crandall's coach arrived here at 7 o'clock P . M . bringing mails, five passengers, and express matter, having made the run in twelve hours -the best time over the road , on wheels on record . . . . "

In 1858, he became owner of the important Pioneer Stage Line . From same, Jan. 20,1858:

"Good News . The Placerville Argus, Jan. 19th says : Crandall, the gentlemanly proprietor of the Pioneer Stage Line, informed us yesterday that he will start his stages for Carson Valley on the first of March, next, and better still 1 he assured us that if the weather remains settled and pleasant. .. • he would dispatch a stage for the Valley before that time . • .. "

Snow in the Sierra, was always a hazard . A news item from the Sacramento Union 1

Feb~ 22, 1858;says:

"Crandall, of Placerville . ... says that the recent heavy rains are greatly to his advantage, as they will settle or entirely melt the snow from the route . "

Next - The People's Accommodation Line, Placerville, interested him while still having his hands in expressing and stagi ng . From same, Sept. 8, 1858:

11

•• •• J. B. Crandall yesterday, drove into town the first stage of the People's Accommodation Line . . .. 11

WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967 Page 26 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


CRANDALL'S DIABLO AND OTHER EXPRESSES- (Cont'd)

About 10 years later, Crandall was made superintendent of the California Stage Company to whom he had previously sold out. From the Yreka Journal, Sept. 29, 1867:

"Mr . Crandall, the Superintendent of the new stage company for this section, is one of the pioneer stage men of this coast having been well known by the early settlers of Northern Cali-fornia as one of the proprietors of Hall and Crandall line of stages running between Marysville and Shasta who sold out some ten or eleven years ago to the California Stage Company ...• "

What happened to Crandall after that time, this writer is unable to say.

DILLON & CO.'S EXPRESS

J. Dillon, expressman, started alone early in 1853. The following year, he entered into a partnership and the firm of Dillon, Hedges & Co. continued on to the be-ginning of 1856 . Then Dillon divested himself of his partner and went on as Dillon & Co. for another year .

He operated in the Southern mines where there were not as many expresses, as there were in the North. He prospered and spread out, connecting with the Pacific Ex-press Co. in 18 56 • He ran from Stockton to Sonora, touching all the towns on the road down . From the Daily Alta California, April 2, 1853:

"Dillon & Co . 's U. S. Mail Line .•.. from Stockton to Sonora, via Knight's Ferry, Mound Springs, Green Springs, Montezuma, James-town, Columbia, Springfield and Shaw's Flat. Also from Stockton to Moquelumne Hill, Camp Seco, San Andreas, Vollecito, Angles and Murphy's."

As noted above, he also carried U . S. Mail. He bought out the route of the well-known stagemen, Hall and Crandall, along the coast and operated it himself. From the same newspaper, July 14, 1853:

"Dillon & Co. is sending a San Jose and Montery daily line of U. S. Mail coaches •.•.

Dillon & Co. , Proprietors, Successors to Hall and Crandall."

The following year, he went in with Hedge. This, we note from an advertisement in the same paper, March 8, 1854:

"U.S. Mail Line •... Santa Clara and San Jose •••• Dillon , Hedge & Co. , Proprietors, "

and again in the same, Sept. 24, 1854:



DILLON & CO.'S EXPRESS - (Cont'd)

"Daily Une of Coaches for Santa Clara and San Jose ••. The mail pilot line for San Juan, Santa Cruz and Monterey .•. The Peoples' Une from San Francisco to Red Woods •.•.

Dillon, Hedge & Co .• Proprietors. "

Page 27

In 1856 , he was again operating alone , as we note from the Evening Bulletin. March 15, 1856:

"Dillon & Co., U. S. Mail, Daily line of Concord Coaches , From Stockton to Sonora ••.. The above line leaves the company's offices {same building as Pacific Express Co.} corner of Centre St. and leave every morning at 6 o'clock., or on the arrival of the boat from San Francisco." mh-11-tf3m

More than a year later 1 he was still serving the Southern towns. having done so for more than four years. From San Andreas Independent 1 April 4 1 1857 :

"Dillon & Co.'s U. S. Mail, Daily Line of Coaches from Stockton to Murphy's, via San Andreas 1 Angles and Vallecito."

Here 1 again, we come abruptly to the end of our story.

* * * * * *


AUCTION ACTION

By A. Ghostwriter for

N. Leonard Persson.

Page 28

Beautiful paintings 1 flawless gems or superb stamps are always in demand I regard -less of economic conditions. The same can be said of very fine covers. As proof of this we have only to examine the prices that were paid for covers in the winter auctions.

There is really nothing unusual about this. The number of available old covers is limited. Once in a while a new find is made but the demand for this material still so far outweighs the supply that the finding of one or two of the same has little bearing on the price. It looks as though desirable old covers will keep on advancing indefinitely.

Here are some interesting examples:

Robert A. Siegel sale - Jan. 11 & 12, 1967

Lot 165 Benicia, Cal eire ties lOC Green Type V on 1llus. cover "Per Overland Mail via Los Angeles. Ex Fine

Lot 168 Columbia, Cal. "Paid" and "12" on miner's Env. Fine Lot 170 Culloma Alta Cal in clear red doub eire & 12-1/2 mss Ex Lot 171 Culloma, Cal 12-1/2 in clear red eire on folded miner's

$475.00 230.00

Fine 350.00

Letter Ex Fine 290.00 Lot 202 Pan. & San Fran. s.s. and "40" in clear circs on folded

miner's letter V.F. 250.00 Lot 206 P. 0. Paid Victoria Vancouver Island in clear blue oval,

Lot 217 Lot 220

Lot 227

Lot 239

Lot 244

Lot 246

Lot 247

Lot 255

Lot 257

Lot 258

Lot 282 Lot 283

Lot 297

lOc #68 to S.F. V.F. P.F. Cert. San Francisco News Letter 1¢ Blue Ty 11(7) tied by grid V.F. San Francisco in clear eire . ties lOC Green Type V(35) on illus. cover "Overland Mail via Los Angeles"V.F. Shasta, Cal in eire Paid 10 on illus cover showing mining scene Fine Yankee Jim's Cal in clear eire ties 10¢ Type 11(14) Large margins on fresh cover V.F. Via Nicaragua from Noisy Publ Hall S.F. in clear blue fancy rectangle, 3C red (11) horiz. pair tied "N.Y.

200.00 500.00

450.00

220.00

85.00

Ship Jan 9" V.F. Via Nicaragua - Sullivan in bold black double eire. Horiz Pair tied "N.Y. Ship Jan 2" V.F. Ex Knapp

290.00 3c red(ll)

340.00 Via Nicaragua Ahead Of The Mails in clear red octagonal box, 12¢ black (17) tied by bold Steam Ship in 2 str. lines 1853 letter Rare & fine, ex Ackerman, Emerson,Knapp Alta Express Company Sacramento in clear red oval on 3C red buff entire (UlO) V.F. Forwarded by Bowers Express in clear fancy oval, S.F. pmk. & matching "20" to Iowa Fine City G. & H. Express & c. in bold blue double oval on local S.F. cover V.F. Rare Nichols & Co. Express Paid on illus 3C red (UlO) scarce VF From Noisy Carriers Mail 77 Long Wharf S.F. in clear black rectangle, 3C red(ll) vert pair tied S.F. pmk.V.F . & rare W.E.Singer & Cos Feather River Express in clear blue oval

1100.00

80.00

135.00

105.00 170.00

210.00

on 1855 cover with W.F. & Co. corner card to Bidwell's Bar VF 165.00


AUCTION ACTION - (Cont 'd)

Lot 340 Wells Far go & Co. Hawaii in brown on 5¢ blue Hawaiian entire (U4) to S.F. with 889 Honolulu Duplex Mark V.F.

Lot 345 Wells Fargo & Co. 25¢ Red Pony tied bold oval Virginia City N. T. company pmk on 3¢ Pink entire (U34) invisible sealed cover tears & part of back flap repaired - "rare & gorgeous"

Lot 356 California Penny Post 7¢ black on 3¢ red on buff entire U 10 clear Benicia Cal pmk . V.F.

Lot 379 Salt Lake City, U. T. in eire 3¢ Red (26) tied by grid on "Sammy's Pacific Mule Railroad envelope, Ex rare cover

Lot 383 Sitka, Alaska 23 mar 1887 in bold eire S.F. registry to Japan 2¢ (209) & 10¢ (210) three, fine letter headed "USS Pinta, Sitka Alaska" Fine

H. R. Harmer Sale Feb . 17. 1967

1834 Franco Alta ~ Monterey to San Diego, earliest known California hands tamp

1849 s. s. Crescent City on neat letter from Panama to New York, V.F. 1854 Schooner Vaquero and G.B. Post's forwarder ' s mark on Fine cover

to Hawaii

Lot 23

Lot 24

Lot 25 Lot 26

Lot 27

Lot 165

Lot 108

Lot 188

Lot 190

Robert A. Siegel Sale Feb . 23. 1967

10¢ Green Ty III(l5)tied by S. F. Aug 26 , 1859 on fresh yellow illus cover "Per Overland Mail Stage Via L.A. in hope of the" and showing Choo Choo V.F.

10¢ Green Ty V(35) Sacramento pmk on fresh buff Illus cover showing 4 horse stage . Handsome cover

10¢ Gr een Ty V(35) Tied by c lear Los Angeles pmk 4 horse stage V.F . 10~ Green Ty V(35) tied by huge bold dotted grid clear

"Marysville, Cal" pmk & 6 horse stage "Overland Via Los Angeles" "Randall & Co o Marysville" Imprint . V. F.

10¢ Green Ty V (35) tied by clear S.F. Co. 1859 pmk on fresh cover & 4 horse stage "Overland Via Los Angeles" rare design ExF

Wells Fargo & Co . $2 . 00 Red, $4 . 00 Green Pony Express on 10¢ Green on Buff Star Die (U33) from S. F. - Green St . J o . pmk should be 30¢ postage , 2 - 10¢ stamps missing - only $4 . 00 green known. Ex Caspary

Wells Fargo & Co. 2-10¢ Brown Virginia Pony Express tied by Blue "S . Frco" Company pmk in double eire. on 3¢ entire (U35) and 3¢ rose (65) tied. Ex Barkhauson

1851-52, 13¢ Blue Ty 1 Missionary (3). Huge margins top & bottom. Clear blue "Paid cancel" a difL "Paid" Faint orange S. F. pmk & " ·6" "Paid through" in ross Rare handsome cover

1857,5¢ blue on white Kamehameha (8) red Honolulu pmk & tied in combination with U.S . 12¢ b lack (17) clear S.F. 1857 pmk, clear red 11H

WESTERN EXPRESS - APRIL 1967 Page 30 - - - - - - - - - - - - - -* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ADVERTISEME N TS

* *

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

OLD U. S. COVERS ARE MY SPECIALTY

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

WRITE FOR

MY FREE SPECIAL LISTS

THE NEW . AMERICAN STAMPLESS COVER CATALOG

PAPER BOUND,POSTPAID $5 . 00 HARD COVER, POSTPAID 7.00

E. N. S A M P S 0 N

Addresses

P . O. Box 162 Hammond, N.Y . 13646 June thru September

P. 0 . Box 592 Bat h, N. Y. 14810 October t hru May

OLD and RARE

BOOKS and PRINTS

BOUGHT SOLD

You are sure to find something in our large stock

of western material

Visit us when in San Francisco

J 0 H N H 0 W E L L

434 Post Street San Francisco, California

"THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING IS IN

THE EATING"

For immediate action and

everlasting satisfaction

sell your collection to us or through us.

Over thirty years of happy relationship

with clients is our best testimonial

ROBERT A. SIEGEL

489 Fifth Avenue New York, N. Y. , 10022

WANTED TO BUY FOREIGN COVERS

We are especially interested in 19th century & early 20th century of the entire world, but will also buy 1st flight & f irst day covers of the more modern period.

We ca r r y one of the largest stock of foreign covers and stamps in the U.S. Approvals sent per want lists .

UNITED STATES

We are also interested in buying worthwhile U.S . stamps and covers. Want lists a lso filled on these from our l arge stock.

WILLIAM 0. BILDEN 425 Hennepin Ave .

Minneapol i s, Minn. 55401


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

ADVERTISEMENTS * * • * * * • * * * * * * * * * * * *

WESTERN COVERS WANTED:

Expresses , Ships, Territorial Packets, Postmarks, Covers of all types during 1845-70 period . Letter sheets and other Collateral material also desired . We can supply Western Material for the Collector who is first beginning to accumulate Western Covers, and we can add rare and choice items to enhance the albums of a well known collection, anything from a Ghost Town Cover to a rare Pony Express Cover . Write and let us know your wants or ask for our auction catalog which often contains fine Western items .

JOHN A. FOX 110 West 42nd Street New York, N.Y. 10036

FOR SALE --- POSTAL GUIDES

1875 Bound in 1/2 leather, ExF

1885 P.O.D. binding , VF

1895 P . O.D. binding, VG

1900 (January) not bound, some discoloration, Perfect issue for 19th century collecting, VG

Also, Vol . II, Ashbrook, One Cent 1851-1857, the postal history vol., VF.

N. Leonard Persson 4117 Spartan Lane Stone Mountain, Ga. 30083

$18 . 50

13. 50

8.50

6.00

10.00

Page 31

Rates per issue are as follows: Full page $30.00; half page $15.00 quarter page $7 . 50; one-eighth page $4 . 00 . Net. Mail direct to : M. C. Nathan, Editor 94 Biscayne Drive San Rafael, Calif .

STILL WANT TO BUY

WESTERNS - TERRITORIAL$ - RAILROAD COVERS

Particularly want

California,all periods Nevada, all periods

Oregon - Early through 1890's Plus Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona, Colo.

Also fancy cancels, on or off cover .

WILL TRADE

covers or older stamps of U. S. and British Empire .

ROSS Box 98 Oakdale , Calif.

WESTERN COVER AUCTION

IN PREPARATION

SUITABLE MATERIAL SOLICITED

FOR AUCTION OR CASH PURCHASE

CORRESPOND£ NCE INVITED

ROBERT LEWENTHAL

1700 Broadway

San Francisco, Calif. 94109

Telephone 776-4767

Western Express - April 1967ContentsEditor's CornerMembership ChangesNew MembersChanges Of AddressResignations

Addenda & CorrigendaTreasurer's AnnualReport Patron, Sustaining and Donating Members

My Observations- "Pan. & San Fran. S.S. "Cathlamet, Washington, Post Office Sees One HundredYears Of ServicePostal Notes on Green River City, Wyoming TerritoryContents Of The Letter- John Swett's Letter To His CousinAn Unusual Cover - Dillon, Montana TerritoryA Group Of ExpressesTinnin & Owens ExpressFurther and Final Research Of Tinnin & Owens ExpressHalstead's ExpressDurkee's Empire Stage LineHarrill's ExpressCrandall's Diablo and Other ExpressesCrandall & Co.'s Diablo ExpressTracy's Carson Valley ExpressCrandall's Line of StagesTracy's ExpressCrandall's Pioneer ExpressPioneer Stage LineCalifornia StageCompany

Dillon & Co.'s Express

Auction ActionAdvertisements

Western Cover Society | Western Express - April 1967...W. Scott Polland 1 M.D. Paul C. Rohloff Wells...

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Transcript of Western Cover Society | Western Express - April 1967...W. Scott Polland 1 M.D. Paul C. Rohloff Wells...