Western Expresses | R

James M. Rhodes purchased Hiram Lusk’s interest in Rhodes & Lusk’s Express in Feb, 1854, changing the name to Rhodes & Co.’s Express. James’ brother, George Rhodes, and his uncle, Jesse Rhodes positions of responsibility in the firm. The primary route was from Sacramento to Marysville, Shasta, Yreka, and on to Jacksonville (Oregon Territory), with a branch route to Weaverville. They connected with Wells, Fargo & Co. at Sacramento. On Jul 2, 1855 James M. Rhodes sold his express to the newly-formed partnership of Jesse Rhodes and Cornelius S. Whitney, forming Rhodes & Whitney’s Express.

Jesse M. Rhodes sold Rhodes & Co.’s Express to his uncle, Jesse Rhodes, and San Francisco capitalist, Cornelius S. Whitney, in July of 1855, forming what became Rhodes & Whitney’s Express. The route extended from Sacramento to Marysville, Shasta, Weaverville, Crescent City, Scott Bar, Yreka, and Jacksonville (Oregon Territory). They connected with G. H. Wines & Co.’s Express at Sacramento. In Dec, 1855, Whitney sold his interest in the company to his partner, who then carried on as Jesse Rhodes & Co.’s Express until Feb, 1857 when the failure of the Sacramento City Bank precipitated the demise of his express (the last of the Rhodes Expresses).

River Express existed under a variety of proprietors as a freight hauler, storage company, and package forwarder. It operated primarily between Stockton and San Francisco but at times had agents in Alameda, Antioch, Benicia, Berkeley, Napa, Oakland, Petaluma, and Vallejo. They carried letters as an express service from 1893 and 1901, using Whitney as an agent in the east bay towns of Alameda, Berkley and Oakland.

William H. Robinson was the proprietor of this express, which ran from Sacramento to various locations in Calaveras County, including Mokelumne Hill and Murphy’s Camp. He began his express in Aug, 1851, based on his biography, having had a partner named Clark for a while. The 1852 California State Census listed him as “Letter Carrier.” Robinson quit the letter express business in 1857, again based on his biography.

Three Rowe brothers were involved in the express business in Trinity and Shasta Counties between 1852 and 1856: Edwin A. Rowe, William F. Rowe, and Charles E. Rowe. Edwin had been Weaverville agent for Cram, Rogers & Co. and then Pacific Express Co., operating his own express under Pacific, which connected with them at Shasta. In Dec, 1855, Edwin Rowe sold his business to brother William. F. W. Blake then purchased Rowe & Co.’s Express in Oct, 1856, absorbing it into his already existing express company. William Rowe joined Blake & Co.’s Express as messenger, until he left in 1858 to form his own express. But, he did not operate independently for long, as on Sep 18, 1858 the Weaverville paper noted that Greenhood & Newbauer had purchased W. F. Rowe’s express business.

Frank Rumrill began in the express business as Gregory’s agent in Marysville from Feb, 1851 to Oct 1, 1852 when he switched his allegiance to Wells Fargo and became their agent in Marysville. Ten months later, Wells Fargo enfranchised Rumrill to branch out on his own, beginning his own express in August, 1853 with its headquarters in Downieville. He bought out Beck’s Express on Jul 1 1854, which extended his line north from Downieville into the Gibsonville Ridge area. Rumrill sold out to Wells, Fargo & Co. in April, 1855.

R. H. Rutherford continued to operate an express after the breakup of Wheeler, Rutherford & Company effective Dec 1, 1866. Rutherford & Co.’s Express shifted its based from Marysville to Oroville and pushed his express into Plumas County and on to Susanville. The Jul 13, 1867 Quincy Union reported that Rutherford purchased one-half interest in Whiting & Co.’s Express, with the name remaining as such.