The Western Express Companies 1850-1890 Vol 1 - Hardcover

by Oscar Melton Thomas (Author), James Blaine (Author), Scott Prior (Author)

Within the scope of this work, expresses may be defined as: Private concerns ranging in size from a single individual to large companies, which dealt directly with patrons wishing the safe and rapid transportation of letters, packages, gold dust and specie over given routes or areas, for a fee. The services provided by the expresses began when an individual consigned a letter to an express company, which would either then:

1) Convey the letter to the addressee, 2) Carry the letter as far as possible, then turn the letter over to a connecting express for ultimate delivery to the addressee, 3) Carry the letter to an appropriate government post office, and deposit the letter therein for convey-ance to the addressee.