Western Expresses | M

Hiram W. Mead and I. W. Davis were the proprietors of this express, which was an adjunct to their stage line, serving the Clear Creek Mining District about 100 miles southeast of Visalia. The route ran between Visalia and Havilah, connecting with Wells, Fargo & Co. at the former location. The exact startup date in 1864 is not known, as applicable newspapers are sparse. The Mead & Davis partnership dissolved on Nov 4, 1865, with Mead forming a new partnership with William H. Clarke, to form Mead & Clarke’s Letter Express.

Hiram W. Mead and William H. Clarke were the proprietors of this express, which succeeded the Mead & Davis Letter Express on Nov 4, 1865. They operated between Visalia and Havilah, the principal town in the Clear Creek Mining District. They connected with Wells, Fargo & Co. at both Visalia and Havilah. Clarke bought out the interest of Mead in the partnership on Jul 6, 1867, with the nesspaper article stating that he planned to “go it alone” with the stage line. No mention of the Letter Express was made.

Miller & Company’s Express consisted of Solomon M. Miller and C .W. H. Solinsky, who operated from Chinese Camp to the Tuolumne County mining camps of Big Oak Flat, First Garrote, Second Garrote, and Don Pedros Bar, as well as to other bars and flats along the Tuolumne River. They connected with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Chinese Camp. On Mar 22, 1859, Wells Fargo & Co. appointed the firm of Miller & Co. as its agents in Chinese Camp, likely marking the end of their express.

In Feb, 1866, Joseph R. English sold his express running between Nevada City, Washington, Alpha, and Omega to Robert W. Latta. English then purchased Jeremiah G. Philip’s interest in Philip & Gregory’s Express, forming Gregory & English’s Moore’s Flat and Eureka Express, which ran from Nevada City to Lake City, North Bloomfield, Moore’s Flat, Woolsey’s Flat, Orleans Flat, and Eureka South. They connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City. In early June, 1868, Gregory sold his one-half interest to Lovell Hutchins Wells, after which the business operated at English & Wells’ Moore’s Flat and Eureka Express.

Moore’s Flat and Eureka Express operated under numerous ownership structures: Gregory & English (Mar, 1866 to Jun, 1868), English and Wells (Jun, 1868 to Nov, 1869), L.H. Wells (Nov, 1869 to Mar, 1870), Wells & Co. (Mar, 1870 to Jun, 1871), and Wells & Herrings (Jun, 1871 to Apr, 1872). Wells also operated the North San Juan and Humbug Express under both the Wells and L.H. Wells names. The Moore’s Flat and Eureka Express operated over a route from Nevada City to Lake City, North Bloomfield, Moore’s Flat, Woolsey’s Flat, Orleans Flat, and Eureka South. They connected with Wells Fargo at Nevada City.

George W. Morley and Silas Caulkins partnered to serve the mining camps of La Porte and the Gibsonville Ridge area. They connected with Pacific Express Co. at Marysville, or deposited outbound letters to the nearest post office on their route. They did not advertise their express; thus, the exact dates of operation are unknown. Morley joined with Fenton B. Whiting, Henry C. Everts and Emerson E. Meek in Aug/Sep, 1857 to form Whiting & Co.’s Express. The end of Morley, Caulkins & Co.’s Express was presumably around this same time.

Joseph M. Mumby and Henry P. Reed were the proprietors of Mumby & Co’s Express. Their first advertisement appeared on Apr 30, 1851. Prior to that date, Mumby had been a messenger for Palmer & Co’s Express, the predecessor company to Mumby’s. The route was from San Francisco by steamboats of the Union Line (steamers Confidence and William G. Hunt) to Benicia and Sacramento, then on to Fremont, Nicolaus, Plumas (City), Eliza, Yuba City, Marysville, and Nevada City. They connected at San Francisco with Dodge & Co. to all areas outside California. Mumby & Co’s Express sale to Freeman & Co’s Express was announced on June 12, 1851.