PONY EXPRESS. The name given to a mail service established between Saint Joseph, Mo., and San Francisco, Cal., in 1860. At this time there were three transcontinental mail lines, but the greater part of the mail between the east and the far west was sent by way of Panama, in about twenty-two days. The demand for a more rapid mail service between the east and the west led to the establishment in the spring of 1860 of the famous "Pony Express," the mail being car ried rapidly overland on horseback under the di rection of the Central Overland California and Pike's Peak Express Company. The first pony express left, on April .3, 1860. Saint Joseph and San Francisco. between which places the schedule allowed S days. Stations averaging at first 25 miles apart were established, and each rider was expected to cover 75 miles per day. Eventually there were 190 stations. 200 station-keepers, 200 assistant station-keepers, SO riders (who were paid from $100 to $125 per month), and between 400 and 500 horses. The quickest trip was that made for the delivery of President Lincoln's in augural address. the distance between Saint Jo seph, Mo.. and Sacramento, Cal., about 1400 miles, being covered in 7 days and 17 hours. At first the company charged $5 for each half ounce, but later the charge was reduced to i2.50. The regular
pony express service w as discontinued upon the completion of the line of the Pacific Telegraph Company, in ((etcher, 1st; I. The service was often interrupted by Indian hostilities. and was extremely hazardous for riders anal station keepers Consult au article in The Century _111(1ga...4w., vol. 34 New York, 1595).
PONZ, 011th, ANTONIO 1725-92). A Spanish arcincologist, painter, and art critic. He was born at Bexix, and was sent to Valencia and to Gandia to study letters and philosophy, hut became an art-pupil of Richart in the former city, and studied in :Madrid and (1751.60) in Rome. Upon his return to Spain he was ordered to paint portraits of Spanish authors for the Escurial. Ills other paintings are mostly copies of Caliari and Honi. About 1770 he was sent on his great tour of Spain to collect paintings and statuary faun the convents Which the Jesuits had just been forced to leave. llis chief work is the description of this mission. 1 iage de Espuiia (1771-94; completed by his nephew). which. be side, art criticism. rice. a complete account of social conditions of the times. Ponz wrlite, on Iris travels in France and England, a Finge Otero tie Espuiia (17S3). Iii. criticism of architecture is particularly valuable.