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Did the Pony Express riders carry guns?

—RB

? ? ?

Dear RB,

In a word, yup.

Back then, one never knew what one might run into out in that wild stretch between way stations, whether they might be Paiute Indians (whose depredations closed down the Express for awhile), outlaws or wild animals.

For more information, you might want to check out this past Wild West feature on the subject: http://www.historynet.com/pony-express

Sincerely,

 

Jon Guttman
Research Director
World History Group
More Questions at Ask Mr. History

 

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