Express

a system organized for the rapid and safe transportation of valuable parcels and merchandise for which ordinary freight train methods are too slow. Express companies are organized independently, and pay for the privilege of conveying expressage on trains and boats engaged in carrying mails and passengers. The first American express of which we have record was advertised by a Mr. Harnden to begin March 4th, 1839, between Boston and New York, by way of the Boston and Providence Railway and Long Island Sound steamboat. On his first trip he carried some bundles of books, booksellers' orders, some brokers' parcels, and bank notes. A year later a competitive line by way of Worcester was established. By 1841 we find Philadelphia, Albany, Baltimore, and Washington included. The plan was extended rapidly. Upon the discovery of gold in California rival companies were organized to compete for the business of carrying gold, supplies, and passengers. The Merchants' Express employed 20,000 oxen, 2,000 wagons, and 5,000 men in its overland business. The so-called Pony Express carried letters between Independence, Missouri, and San Francisco, making the 1,950 miles in ten days. Buffalo Bill, since a showman, first acquired fame as one of the swift riders and sure shots of the Pony Express. Among the older well known companies are the Adams, the Wells-Fargo, the United States, the National, the Eastern, the American, and the Southern express companies. At the present time, the total length of American lines may be stated at about 200,000 miles. In addition to trains and steamboats many thousands of mules and 15,000 horses are employed. The number of offices is about 40,000. Over 100,000,000 packages of merchandise are carried annually. A somewhat recent feature of the business is that of express money orders. The sender buys an order exchangeable for the amount stated at any office, however distant, maintained by the company. See England; Switzerland