Western Expresses | G

Richard E. Garland was the proprietor of Garland’s Express, having superseded Whiting & Co.’s Express. Garland’s first ad appeared in the Feb 15, 1868 issue of the Quincy Union, noting that his route ran from Oroville to Meadow Valley, Spanish Ranch, Quincy, Taylorville, Crescent Mills & Indian Valley. He connected at Oroville with Wells, Fargo & Co. Garland’s final ad appeared in the May 16, 1868 issue of the Quincy Union, just three days after Wells, Fargo & Co. announced the opening of their Quincy office, with additional offices opened throughout Plumas County.

William T. Gibbs first advertised his express in the Oct 19, 1854 (first issue) of the Georgetown News, noting that he served the mines in the vicinity of Georgetown. The last reference to his first attempt in the express business was on Feb 22, 1855. The Placerville Mountain Democrat of Feb 12, 1859 announcing his second attempt in the express business, with Theo. F. Tracy, at the office of Wells, Fargo & Co., his agent in Placerville. An article of Mar 5, 1859 noted that prepaid envelopes were available for 12½¢.   Gibbs’ final ad appeared in the Apr 14, 1860 issue of the Placerville Mountain Democrat, after which it is assumed he ceased operating his express.

Gilbert & Hedges Express operated along the west coast of California from San Francisco south to San Diego, stopping at points in between, and connecting with G. H. Wines & Co. in San Francisco. The Sep 29, 1855 issue of the San Francisco Herald contained their first ad. Advertisements for Gilbert & Hedges Express ceased in the California papers in Feb & Mar, 1856, likely coincident with the end of their business.

Isaiah W. Gillpatrick advertised that he would run a daily express service through the use of the Steamer Parthenius. The express provided a service from San Francisco and the river ports of Vallejo, Benicia, Martinez, Black Diamond Landing, Pittsburg Landing, and Antioch. He also connected inland to the coal mining towns of Somersville, Nortonville, and Clayton, CA.

Very little is known about “Gray’s Cal Express”, other than it operated between San Francisco and Sacramento in the 1850-1851 period. Only five covers are known to survive from this early express: two examples having a manuscript 1.10 (express fee of $1.00 plus 10¢ US postage due), one example with a 2.00 manuscript, and the example below with no rate indicated.

George and Ridgely Greathouse partnered with Hugh Slicer in late 1855 to form Greathouse & Slicer’s Express. Their route extended from Yreka to Shasta, where they connected with Wells Fargo. Greathouse & Slicer’s Express was in existence for approximately two years, commencing on Oct 1, 1855 and ending when Slicer left the partnership in Nov, 1857.

Thomas J. Greene was the proprietor of Greene’s Copper City Express, which ran from Shasta to Copper City. An ad first appeared in the Apr 14, 1864 issue of the Red Bluff Independent, noting that “Greene’s or Schuch’s [Schoch’s] Copper City Express” ran daily. The next issue (Apr 18) mentioned only Greene. The Red Bluff Independent ran ads for Greene’s Express through Oct 3, 1864. Thereafter, Watkins’ Express ads noted connection with Greene’s Copper City Express “at Runnels’, exchanging passengers and express matter.” Watkins’ ads last showed the connection with Greene’s on Aug 28, 1865, after which time Greene is assumed to have ceased operating.

Herman Greenhood and Joseph Newbauer were in the retail and banking business prior to purchasing W. F. Rowe’s Express in Sep, 1858. Based out of Weaverville, they connected with Wells Fargo at Shasta, as well as with numerous other small feeder expresses into Weaverville, allowing them to monopolize the express business in Trinity County. Greenhood & Newbauer’s banking operation failed in Aug, 1867 taking the express operation with it. Greenhood & Newbauer’s Express was succeeded by Tinnin & Owens Express.

Jerry A. Green operated his express from Nevada City and Grass Valley, serving the mining camps between and around the two cities.

Joseph W. Gregory was the sole proprietor of Gregory’s Express throughout the life of its operation. His first advertisement appeared in the Feb 26, 1850 issue of the San Francisco Pacific News. He initially operated as a “valley express” operating between Sacramento and San Francisco. Realizing he needed to expand, he set up connections with the expresses of Hunter’s, Hoffman & Little’s, Camp & Co.’s, Hubbs & Co.’s, Reynolds & Co.’s, and Taylor’s, in addition to continuing to open offices of his own. Gregory’s insistence in running things by himself became his downfall, as he could not keep up with the growth. By mid 1852, his advertisements became less frequent. Numerous agents were quitting or starting businesses of their own (e.g., Frank Rumrill). In Aug, 1852, his New York agents, Thompson & Hitchcock, refused to honor his drafts. The inevitable finally came on May 1, 1853 when J. W. Gregory departed for New York on the steamer Pacific, having closed out his California express business.