The Western Express Companies 1850-1890 Vol 2

Expresses: 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.

For our purposes, 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 conveyance to the addressee.