572

Sacramento,CA - 1852 - Pony Express Letter :

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Western Americana Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Sacramento,CA - 1852 - Pony Express Letter :
This remarkable letter from the early days of the gold rush involves a bill of exchange drawn by William Waddell payable to the order of William H. Russell, by Joseph L. Waddell of Sacramento City, for the sum of $2500. This is an important document relating to two of the founders of the Pony Express datelined Sacramento, CA 1852. This is a one page, signed and notarized letter dated October 11, 1852 from Sacramento City. It was originally dated at Lexington, Missouri 8/6/1852, endorsed by Russell Waddell and Bankers Page & Bacon. The letter notes that Page & Bacon made a thorough search in an attempt to locate Mr. Waddell of Sacramento but were unable to find him and were notified he had left the state "Gone to parts unknown." Page & Bacon, the holders of the exchange, sent this letter to William W. Waddell in Lexington, Missouri as a demand for payment. The letter is generally pristine. Russell, Majors & Waddell formed the famous western shipping firm known as the Pony Express, which terminated at Sacramento City. The Waddell family was based in Missouri and operated an active freight company there. Russell and Waddell also had an express related to the Colorado Gold Rush about 1860, known as the Pike's Peak Express. This letter may be the only remnant document from original members of this trio involving Sacramento, and clearly illustrates the pairs' involvement in the California Gold Rush.