WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.720 --> 00:00:05.400 Hey, says dad. 2 00:00:05.599 --> 00:00:08.279 Mom. Come on your. 3 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:14.599 Story, hours on presenting your story, hour building for a 4 00:00:14.759 --> 00:00:15.720 better tomorrow. 5 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:18.079 Hi there, boys and girls. 6 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:19.440 Moms and dads, grandma's and grandpa. 7 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:21.120 Hello, everyone, say. 8 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:23.320 Aunt Carol, I'm all ready for a story. What's up 9 00:00:23.320 --> 00:00:23.839 for today? 10 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:26.839 Well, Uncle Dan, today's story is the first of two episodes. 11 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:30.160 Oh really? And are these two stories of yours about 12 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:31.239 someone famous? 13 00:00:31.280 --> 00:00:34.039 Not really about someone, more about something? 14 00:00:34.359 --> 00:00:34.679 Hmmm? 15 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:37.880 And do I know about this special something? 16 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:40.719 I'm sure you've heard about it. In fact, you've probably 17 00:00:40.759 --> 00:00:42.679 heard a lot of things about it that aren't even 18 00:00:42.759 --> 00:00:45.759 true I have. Well, yes, Uncle Dan, you along with 19 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:48.880 everybody else. You see, there have been many books written 20 00:00:48.880 --> 00:00:52.079 about this special something. Even television shows and movies have 21 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:54.840 been based on it. But the actual facts are somewhat 22 00:00:54.880 --> 00:00:58.159 sketchy in places, and even the experts don't always agree. 23 00:00:57.960 --> 00:00:59.719 About who did what I see. 24 00:01:00.119 --> 00:01:02.159 So I'll just do the best I can. And when 25 00:01:02.200 --> 00:01:04.680 it's hard to tell exactly what happened, I'm going to 26 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:06.519 give the most accepted version that. 27 00:01:06.560 --> 00:01:09.079 Sounds good to me, Aunt Carol. And now, of course 28 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:12.519 I'm curious. What's this something that we've been talking about. 29 00:01:12.599 --> 00:01:14.599 It's the Pony Express, Uncle Dan. 30 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:17.799 The Pony Express. What I've heard about that since I 31 00:01:17.920 --> 00:01:18.760 was a little boy. 32 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:21.920 It's a wonderful story about the Old West and adventure 33 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:25.280 and daring. But just so everyone can understand how important 34 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:28.000 it was, I'm going to start my story even before 35 00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:31.359 the Pony Express was ever dreamed of. Oh yes, the 36 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:34.640 Pony Express began in eighteen sixty. But this first story 37 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:37.040 in our series begins in the year eighteen forty eight, 38 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:51.599 and I call it Gold, Loneliness, and letters. In the 39 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:55.079 early eighteen hundreds, the United States looked much different than 40 00:01:55.079 --> 00:02:00.000 it does today. Beyond Missouri, la vast nearly unpopulated territories, 41 00:02:00.400 --> 00:02:04.079 and far to the west, California, with its enormous, sprawling ranches, 42 00:02:04.239 --> 00:02:09.840 was still owned by Mexico. California's Mexican governor, Juan Bautista Alvarado, 43 00:02:09.879 --> 00:02:12.439 granted a large portion of land to an American named 44 00:02:12.520 --> 00:02:15.759 John Sutter, who built Sutter's Fort and operated his kingdom 45 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:19.080 as lord and protector, employing large numbers of herdsmen and 46 00:02:19.120 --> 00:02:23.360 other workers. Then one day in January of eighteen forty eight, 47 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.080 one of those workmen, James Marshall, burst into Captain Sutter's. 48 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:31.280 Office, cap'n Sutter. 49 00:02:31.759 --> 00:02:33.879 Oh, Captain John, what is it? 50 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:34.400 What's wrong? 51 00:02:34.680 --> 00:02:39.039 Oh, sir, We're going to be rich, so very very 52 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:40.680 rich John. 53 00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:41.719 I'm already rich. 54 00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:43.800 So what's all this excitement about. 55 00:02:43.919 --> 00:02:47.759 No, No, I mean really rich, both of us, richer 56 00:02:47.800 --> 00:02:48.000 than you. 57 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:49.000 Can ever imagine. 58 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:52.439 You've been working too hard, John, you're not making any sense. 59 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:54.639 Well maybe this will convince you. 60 00:02:56.039 --> 00:02:56.319 There. 61 00:02:57.479 --> 00:03:00.199 What's this you scooped up onto my table little chunks of. 62 00:03:02.120 --> 00:03:02.400 Piece? 63 00:03:02.520 --> 00:03:03.560 Is of gold? 64 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:04.879 Jones? 65 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:06.360 This is golds. 66 00:03:06.759 --> 00:03:10.680 No gold, beautiful, wonderful, marvelous gold. 67 00:03:10.960 --> 00:03:12.400 But that did you get this? 68 00:03:12.960 --> 00:03:13.719 Tell me? John? 69 00:03:14.319 --> 00:03:16.919 Well, cap'n you remember when you wanted the mill race 70 00:03:16.960 --> 00:03:19.319 in large so we'd have more water power for the mill. 71 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:20.439 Yeah, yes, of course. 72 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:24.000 Well I followed your instructions to the letter. When I 73 00:03:24.039 --> 00:03:26.280 threw the millwheel out of gear, the water rushed from 74 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:28.199 the dam through the narrow channel, and it tore the 75 00:03:28.240 --> 00:03:30.639 dirt off the bank and go on, well, sir, Early 76 00:03:30.719 --> 00:03:33.120 this morning, while I was walking along the bank, I 77 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.240 noticed something glittering in the sand and gravel. 78 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:38.120 No, quite understandable. There are a lot of semi precious stones 79 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:39.280 here about exactly. 80 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:42.039 But then I noticed some other shiny fragments, and I 81 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:44.400 debated with myself two or three times whether or not 82 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:45.919 I should even bother picking him up and. 83 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:46.560 Looking at him. 84 00:03:46.879 --> 00:03:48.120 And this is what you found. 85 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:52.840 I think it's pure gold. Capt'n pure gold. 86 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:53.719 Can you imagine? 87 00:03:53.800 --> 00:03:58.120 And says, oh yeah, I only gathered these few pieces. 88 00:03:58.120 --> 00:03:59.639 And as soon as I saw what I was holding 89 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:01.199 in my head, and I jumped on my horse and 90 00:04:01.199 --> 00:04:03.360 I rode here to Sutter's fort as fast as I could. 91 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:07.280 I see nobody else knows of your discovery, No, sir, 92 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:11.520 no one. Well, let's keep this quiet for the time being, 93 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:14.280 until we've had a chance to look things over. 94 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:21.199 Captain Sutter and John Marshall spent several days examining stream 95 00:04:21.240 --> 00:04:25.879 beds and banks, gullies, ravines, even dried up creeks. Unbelievably, 96 00:04:26.040 --> 00:04:29.319 they found gold almost everywhere they looked, But by the 97 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:32.759 time they returned, others had also made the happy discovery. 98 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.279 Look here, ear's gold. 99 00:04:37.600 --> 00:04:42.279 Oh oh, let me see that it is gold. 100 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:49.920 Everybody, look, hodle, holdle. 101 00:04:49.879 --> 00:04:51.600 What are you talking about. 102 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:55.160 It's always something with you Indians. 103 00:04:54.680 --> 00:04:56.240 Hoddle gold. 104 00:04:57.120 --> 00:05:01.920 I work mines a la passe, I know gold. 105 00:05:02.040 --> 00:05:05.839 This this allal much gold. 106 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:10.439 The words spread like wildfire. There was gold in the 107 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:14.399 hills of California, lots of gold, and that news sparked 108 00:05:14.399 --> 00:05:18.800 a westward movement of unparalleled proportions. As soon as Easterners 109 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:22.240 heard of the discovery, thousands of hopeful adventurers contrived to 110 00:05:22.279 --> 00:05:26.160 reach California as soon as possible, and the California gold 111 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:27.000 rush was on. 112 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.759 I tell you, Maggie, it's amazing. They see the hills 113 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:35.000 are full of gold. One woman went outside of her 114 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.199 house with a kitchen knife and dog of fortune out 115 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.759 of the ground in a single afternoon. But Isaac, how 116 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:46.959 could you get to California? We have no money, nothing 117 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:50.360 of value. Oh but we do. We have our land. 118 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:56.000 You sell it, our house, our landa our livelihood. 119 00:05:56.120 --> 00:05:58.759 Maggie, listen to me. This is a chance of a 120 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.680 lifetime to have enough money to see us through without 121 00:06:02.759 --> 00:06:06.240 grinding ourselves down with work for years to come. Don't 122 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:06.720 you see? 123 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:10.800 But Joshua paid hundreds of dollars for passage on a ship, 124 00:06:11.040 --> 00:06:14.240 and when the ship arrived it was a rotting hunk. 125 00:06:14.040 --> 00:06:18.879 Of a thing through But thank you well, are taking advantage, Isaac, 126 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:22.480 selling passage on ships that will never make the journey 127 00:06:22.480 --> 00:06:23.199 around the cave. 128 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:27.040 Well, right now, that's the only way to get the California. 129 00:06:27.079 --> 00:06:30.600 It's winter time and it will take months and months 130 00:06:30.600 --> 00:06:33.959 before the overland routes open up. If I go by ship, 131 00:06:34.319 --> 00:06:36.839 I can already be on my way. And at the 132 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:37.319 end of the. 133 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:41.959 Journey, you'll be in California, we hope, and not at 134 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:43.240 the bottom of the ocean. 135 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:47.000 I'll be in the goldfields, Maggie picking up nugget. After 136 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.240 the nugget, We're going to be rich, Maggie rich. 137 00:07:02.839 --> 00:07:07.519 Oh well, well, great thesykes eh. And what can I 138 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:11.560 do for you today? As if I didn't know the 139 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:15.319 gold bug has bitten you tune not out gold bug. 140 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:18.000 Well, I guess that's one way to put it. 141 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:21.439 But it's an opportunity I can't pass up you and. 142 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:25.360 The rest of these that jeemes. I've never done such 143 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:28.279 good business as I have in the past few weeks, Sae, 144 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.199 thanks to the California gold. 145 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:37.040 Let's see what you've got upon here. 146 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:39.879 This has been in the family for years. 147 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:42.480 Oh nice much. 148 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.639 Oh yes, the very best. 149 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:45.480 And this jewelry. 150 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:50.720 Oh are you sure you want upon all this yetom? 151 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:51.920 Yes, indeed. 152 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:55.199 All I need is money to get to California, and 153 00:07:55.319 --> 00:08:06.680 I'll be set for life, Robert. 154 00:08:06.279 --> 00:08:09.800 It's factory manager. You're responsible for hiring enough workers to 155 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:12.759 keep production running. Where is everyone? 156 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:15.319 There is only one machine in production this morning. 157 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:17.399 Well, sir, I've tried to keep things running. 158 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.279 But but what truly there's. 159 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:21.040 More than two men in town willing to work and 160 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:22.800 for good wages, I might add. 161 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:26.199 Oh, mister Jones, it's not that easy these days. Everyone 162 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:28.879 is heading west. The whole town pulled their money to 163 00:08:28.920 --> 00:08:30.800 send them in folk to the goldfields. 164 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:31.279 Gold. 165 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:33.559 I swear everyone's gone crazy. 166 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.600 How's an honest businessman expected to turn a profit if 167 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:37.919 you can't get anybody to work. 168 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:46.519 Those heading west to look for gold in eighteen forty 169 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:49.320 nine were called forty nine ers, and they left the 170 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:52.759 Eastern United States in droves. The first to leave went 171 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:57.159 by sea and often spent months of rough, miserable passage. Later, 172 00:08:57.240 --> 00:09:01.039 when spring arrived, thousands more traveled for weeks months overland. 173 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:06.519 They paid exorbitant prices for the supplies they would need picks, shovels, wagons, food, 174 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:09.799 and more, but the promise of gold fired their hopes 175 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:13.840 for good fortune when they finally reached the California Hills. However, 176 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:18.360 life was not always easy and after months of disappointing, 177 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:22.080 back breaking labor, discouragement often set in. 178 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:29.480 Ah ah, who. 179 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:30.639 What a job? 180 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:33.919 Yeah, Harvey, I know, I think this is my third 181 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:36.080 pick axe broke the handles off the other two. 182 00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:37.879 But hey, last week, just. 183 00:09:37.919 --> 00:09:39.759 On the other side of the hill, somebody found gold 184 00:09:39.960 --> 00:09:41.000 filled the bag with the. 185 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:42.080 Size of a cooking bottle. 186 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.559 I know, Jake, I know. 187 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:47.559 News like that keeps me going. But it's sure tougher 188 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.720 than we thought it would be. 189 00:09:49.240 --> 00:09:51.799 Yeah, quite a few men have just packed up and quit. 190 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:55.559 It's sure not what we expected. Why back east we 191 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:58.480 heard you could just pick gold off the ground. The 192 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:01.159 worst of it's not knowing what's happening at home. I've 193 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:04.519 had no word in weeks and weeks. I swear I 194 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:06.799 trade a whole bag of gold just for one letter. 195 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:09.600 I got one letter two months ago. I had to 196 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:12.080 walk clear down to San Francisco and wait in line 197 00:10:12.120 --> 00:10:15.039 for three days to get it to it And get 198 00:10:15.120 --> 00:10:19.200 to this my wife mailed it five months before that. 199 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:21.440 Well, the male has to get here the same way 200 00:10:21.480 --> 00:10:23.840 we did my ship around Cape Horn. 201 00:10:24.039 --> 00:10:26.960 Or it has to be carried across Panama by mule. 202 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:31.000 Some male makes it over land, but the surest way 203 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:31.759 is by sea. 204 00:10:32.320 --> 00:10:34.639 Well, whatever the route, it takes a mighty long time, 205 00:10:35.279 --> 00:10:37.600 and this is a mighty lonely place without my family. 206 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:39.519 You can say that again. 207 00:10:40.039 --> 00:10:43.080 Yep, looking for gold is the loneliest thing I ever did. 208 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.799 Loneliest for sure. 209 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:50.960 Most of the mail from the east came to San Francisco, 210 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:53.759 and recovering it after its long journey was always a 211 00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:57.279 problem for prospectors and miners. Thousands of letters would arrive 212 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:00.759 at once, and sorting it was a huge task, especially 213 00:11:00.799 --> 00:11:04.879 since the miners had no permanent address. Sometimes, men eager 214 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:07.600 for news from home were willing to pay dearly to 215 00:11:07.639 --> 00:11:08.720 speed up the process. 216 00:11:09.320 --> 00:11:12.240 Hi there, partner, how long you've been standing in the 217 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:13.679 mail line? Oh? 218 00:11:13.720 --> 00:11:17.639 Since last Tuesday night. I brought my bedroll with me 219 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:21.039 and I've been sleeping right here, just waiting for a 220 00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:21.919 letter from home. 221 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:25.720 I see, say, you got a good spot here, So 222 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:28.759 I don't suppose you'd be interested in a little gold 223 00:11:28.799 --> 00:11:29.720 to line your pocket. 224 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:33.639 Oh no, I'm not interested, even though I know some 225 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:36.240 men need money so bad they're willing to sell their 226 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.960 spot in line, But not me, No, serie. 227 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:42.600 Well, okay, then, just thought i'd ask Jay. 228 00:11:43.320 --> 00:11:46.759 While you're asking trying. That guy up there in the 229 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:47.360 red shirt. 230 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:49.360 Yes, yes, I see him last night. 231 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:52.279 I heard him talking and he isn't even waiting for me. 232 00:11:52.759 --> 00:11:55.200 He's just in line to see if somebody might want 233 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.200 to buy a spot. 234 00:11:56.399 --> 00:12:00.320 Really well, then much obliged, I'll see how much you want. 235 00:12:04.080 --> 00:12:06.840 New towns were springing up all throughout the hills, and 236 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:09.240 the post office in San Francisco had no way of 237 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:12.720 keeping up with the expansion, especially since no roads existed 238 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:16.279 in mining camp territory. In addition, there were no postmen 239 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:19.000 at that time. People had to get their mail directly 240 00:12:19.039 --> 00:12:21.960 from the post office. This situation proved to be an 241 00:12:21.960 --> 00:12:26.960 opportunity for one enterprising and discouraged miner. Rather than packing 242 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:29.480 up and heading back east, he devised a way to 243 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:32.039 become rich in spite of his failure to find gold. 244 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.559 His name was Alexander H. 245 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:34.960 Todd. 246 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:44.759 Hello, Oh, and how's the postmaster of San Francisco today? 247 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:48.039 Well, well, mister Todd, I see you're back. What it's 248 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.879 been a month. 249 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:51.919 Just about, and my mule is loaded with letters from 250 00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:53.600 the miners to be sent back east. 251 00:12:53.639 --> 00:12:55.519 Were you're able to deliver all the letters you took 252 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.960 from here to the miner most. 253 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:57.840 Of them, I'm proud to say. 254 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:59.879 Oh no, I must add that it was a fire 255 00:13:00.159 --> 00:13:02.159 tougher job than I ever dreamed. 256 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.320 It would be. 257 00:13:02.600 --> 00:13:05.519 I can imagine tracking miners down across the gold fields 258 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.559 would be a chorta. 259 00:13:06.759 --> 00:13:08.320 Indeed, But give no mind to that. 260 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:11.679 Oh, they're very happy with my mail service. They jokingly 261 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:14.000 call it the Jackass Express. 262 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:18.080 I guess mail by mule deserves the name. 263 00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:22.080 But the best part is they're so glad to get 264 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:25.399 news from home. Oh yes, sir, they pay me pretty 265 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:27.000 well to bring them their mail. 266 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:30.679 Oh really, and just how well might that be? 267 00:13:30.799 --> 00:13:33.440 I get a dollar from each man who wants to 268 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:35.639 be registered with me, and then when I bring him 269 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:41.279 a letter or a parcels well, let's just say he 270 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:44.960 makes it worth my while, well worth my while. 271 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:48.799 He pays you in cash, No, no, in gold dust? 272 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:50.000 Gold dust? 273 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:51.360 How much gold dust? 274 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:52.639 Well? 275 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:55.639 No, how much would it be worth to you to 276 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:59.159 hear from home? And maybe it's been months and months 277 00:13:59.159 --> 00:14:02.240 since you had any word all, some men might be 278 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:05.679 willing to part with Oh, say an ounce or so, 279 00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:07.240 and call it a bargain at that? 280 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:08.320 You know, so gold? 281 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:12.399 Oh, why that's that's yes, I know, it's a lot 282 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.000 of money. 283 00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:14.519 I see. 284 00:14:14.639 --> 00:14:17.200 Well, then, I imagine you're interested in getting your hands 285 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:19.679 on some more mail for delivery. That's why I'm here, 286 00:14:20.399 --> 00:14:23.240 and it's so important to you. I would think that 287 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:25.279 you might be willing to pay a little bit upfront 288 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:26.600 to get those letters. 289 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:26.720 Am I right? 290 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:27.080 Okay? 291 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:33.519 No, nothing too exorportant, do you understand, mister taunt? Maybe oh, 292 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:35.080 twenty five cents per letter? 293 00:14:35.200 --> 00:14:39.000 But oh well, why not? 294 00:14:39.960 --> 00:14:41.639 Sure, twenty five cents a letter. 295 00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.799 I'll pay you that. 296 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:45.799 No reason we can't both turn little profit. 297 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.320 Eh? 298 00:14:46.440 --> 00:14:55.879 Excellent? Excellent, and may the Jackass Express be a ground success. 299 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:01.840 Moms and dads like you, we want your boys and 300 00:15:01.879 --> 00:15:04.840 girls to have fulfilling lives, successful not only in their 301 00:15:04.919 --> 00:15:09.000 chosen professions and with their finances, but happy in their relationships, 302 00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:11.480 strong in their principles, and good in character. 303 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:14.279 To that end, it's important for your kids to learn 304 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:18.039 from the struggles and triumphs of those historical figures who 305 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:21.399 made a positive difference in our world to have great 306 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:22.240 role models. 307 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:24.480 We your story. Our believe in the power of our 308 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.840 dramatized historical stories to teach and inspire your children. 309 00:15:28.080 --> 00:15:30.919 Instead of sitting down with a textbook trying to memorize 310 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:34.320 a list of names, dates, places, and events. Your kids 311 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:36.759 can be enjoying our stories while writing in the car, 312 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:39.919 doing chores, working on crafts, are settling down for the night. 313 00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:42.720 And since experience has shown us that children like to 314 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:45.759 listen to our stories again and again, they just naturally 315 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:48.879 absorb all the important information. As a matter of fact, 316 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:51.360 we've been told that our stories have been instrumental and 317 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:53.879 awakening a love of history and hundreds of children. 318 00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:56.519 You see, we make our historical heroes real to the 319 00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:59.879 kids while staying faithful to the facts. We do pain 320 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:04.320 taking research then dramatize the childhood, growing up years as 321 00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:06.200 well as the adult years of our subjects. 322 00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:09.600 That way, children can understand and relate to the dreams, feelings, 323 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:12.039 struggles and successes of each historical figure. 324 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.559 We tell the stories of those who help to make 325 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:18.759 our country great, like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Paul Revere, 326 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.879 and Benjamin Franklin. 327 00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:23.279 Those who've overcome great physical handicaps like Fanny Crosby and 328 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.279 Glenn Cunningham. 329 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:27.879 People whose inventions have changed our lives like Raville and 330 00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:31.480 Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney, and Henry Ford. 331 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:34.559 Women who've blazed a trail where no woman yet had gone, 332 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:38.840 like Elizabeth Blackwell, Eleanor Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, so 333 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.440 Journer Truth, and Mariah Mitchell. 334 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:42.879 Those who gave up a life of ease to help 335 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:45.679 their fellow man, like Albert Schweitzer and Hudson Taylor. 336 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:47.960 Well, that's just a small sample. We could go on 337 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.480 and on, time permitting, but we think it would be 338 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:53.279 better if you just visited our website at your storyhour 339 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.080 dot org and look through our catalog for yourself. That's 340 00:16:56.120 --> 00:16:57.879 at your Story hour dot org. 341 00:16:58.399 --> 00:17:01.360 Kids love them all, but don't just take our word 342 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:04.240 for it. Listen to this letter we recently received from 343 00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:06.119 a listener in Suva, Fiji. 344 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:09.240 Rose writes, I'm a keen listener of your Story Hour 345 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:12.519 whenever it is broadcast over the radio, which is every afternoon. 346 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:15.920 I especially enjoy stories of the history of America and 347 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.359 about the famous men and women who contribute somehow to 348 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:21.319 its growth. These stories are very real as heard over 349 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:23.720 the radio, and I immensely enjoy the way in which 350 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:26.519 they are dramatized. They somehow draw you right into the 351 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:29.079 action and adventure. So keep up the good work. 352 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:31.440 Thanks for the encouraging letter, Rose. 353 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:34.000 So please do visit our website soon and see for 354 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:36.799 yourself all the great stories we have waiting for your children. 355 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:42.400 That's at your story hour dot org. But right now. 356 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:44.240 Waiting Anne Carrol. Yes, I have just a quick question 357 00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.680 before we get back to your story. 358 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.279 What is it? 359 00:17:46.359 --> 00:17:46.799 Uncle Dan? 360 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:49.599 I just want to know why it's said that a 361 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:51.799 drama instructors like the Pony Express. 362 00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:53.839 I never heard that said, Uncle Dan. I'm sure I 363 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:56.319 have no idea. Why would anyone say that a drama 364 00:17:56.359 --> 00:17:58.160 instructors like the Pony Express. 365 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:02.160 Well, because a drama instructure is this stage coach? What 366 00:18:02.400 --> 00:18:03.880 a stage coach? Get it? 367 00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:04.839 Oh? 368 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:07.480 I get it all right? You snock you in a riddle? 369 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.720 I kish you sure. 370 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:11.680 Did, and that I'm sure. It's time to get back 371 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:17.720 to the conclusion of Aunt Carrol's story, Gold, Loneliness, and Letters. 372 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:26.240 Alexander Todd was sworn in as an official postal clerk, 373 00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:29.759 and soon other enterprising folks began mail services to the 374 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:32.920 miners as well. When the mail arrived in the camps, 375 00:18:33.160 --> 00:18:36.079 every shovel was thrown down, and every miner ran to 376 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:38.160 see if he was fortunate enough to have a letter 377 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:43.319 from home. Eventually, seventy five thousand Californians signed a petition 378 00:18:43.359 --> 00:18:47.119 to the government demanding better cross country mail service, and 379 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:50.279 several schemes were hatched to solve the problem. One of 380 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:51.920 those schemes was novel to say the. 381 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:55.799 Least camels, You are sending us camels? 382 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:59.720 Yes, on orders from Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. 383 00:19:00.160 --> 00:19:03.519 Nobody here knows anything about camels, sir. I'm not so 384 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.960 sure this is a good idea. 385 00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:08.759 Nonsense, it's a stroke of genius. Think about it. 386 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:13.079 Camels are used to walking long distances without water. Why 387 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:16.000 it's a perfect solution for crossing the southwestern desert. 388 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:18.759 Well, yes, I guess that's true. 389 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:23.640 Besides that camels are reliable animals, strong and patient. 390 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:25.640 Well, maybe it's worth a try. 391 00:19:25.920 --> 00:19:26.799 Of course it is. 392 00:19:27.359 --> 00:19:33.759 Camels will be perfect for taking the mail overland, you'll see. 393 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:38.759 Unfortunately, the method of using camels to deliver mail ended 394 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:42.400 in disaster. Their feet were used to soft desert sand, 395 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:45.880 not the hard packed earth of the American West. Even 396 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:49.039 leather boots made to protect their feet didn't help, and 397 00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:52.799 the camel experiment was discontinued. Several other attempts were made 398 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:55.559 to provide fast, reliable mail service from east to west, 399 00:19:55.799 --> 00:20:00.000 but none were successful. Then, in eighteen fifty seven, Congress 400 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:04.039 past the overland Mail Bill. At that time, James Buchanan 401 00:20:04.119 --> 00:20:06.880