Pony express

Pony express, famous relay mail service between St. Joseph, Mo., and Sacramento, Calif. (Apr. 1860 to Oct. 1861). It used horses, not ponies, with riders chosen for their small size. The route covered 1,966 mi (3,164 km), with stations at 10–15 mi- (16–24 km-) intervals. The goal of 10-day delivery was often met. The pony express was superseded by the transcontinental telegraph.