overland mail

noun

, U.S. History.

a government mail service, started in 1848, for sending mail from the Mississippi to the Far West.
(initial capital letters) a stagecoach line, established in 1858, linking Memphis, St. Louis, and San Francisco, which was then paid by the government to carry U.S. mail to the Far West. With various changes in ownership, name, and routes it continued until the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

Silas St. Johns is offered as a sample of the men who built and operated the overland mail lines.

Yet with all these enemies and obstacles, it is a matter of record that the Butterfield overland mail was only late three times.

For in 1860 Russel, Majors & Waddel accomplished 267 a remarkable coup and brought the overland mail to the northern route.

The company lasted only a short time on the west end of the overland mail and retired.

While this story was being written another pioneer died on that overland mail route.

April 17, 2024axolotl

[ak-suh-lot-l ]

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