Pony Bob Haslam & the Longest Ride
The year was 1912. Robert "Pony Bob" Haslam, a name synonymous with courage and endurance on the American frontier, was laid to rest in Chicago, Illinois. A poignant detail marked his passing: he was buried some 1,700 miles from the rugged landscapes where he had etched his name into history as a Pony Express rider. Fifty-two years had elapsed since the inception of the Pony Express, and in his final years, Haslam had traded the saddle for a clerk’s position at the Congress Hotel. Despite the distance and the change in scenery, the newspapers of the day recognized the legend, printing glowing tributes to a man who "knew no fear."
The legend of Pony Bob Haslam is inextricably linked to the brief but iconic history of the Pony Express. He wasn’t just another rider; he was credited with completing the longest uninterrupted ride in the service’s short lifespan. Born in London, England, in 1840, Haslam immigrated to the United States as a teenager, drawn westward to the promise of opportunity. He found his way to Salt Lake City, Utah, a burgeoning hub in the vast expanse of the American West. There, he honed his skills, working on a ranch and serving as a government messenger, demonstrating a natural affinity for horsemanship. Loyal, brave, and relentlessly committed to the task at hand, he embodied the very essence of what a Pony Express rider should be.
In 1860, at the age of twenty, Haslam’s path converged with destiny. He was hired by Bolivar Roberts, a Pony Express Division Superintendent based in Carson City, Nevada. Initially, Haslam contributed to the crucial task of building and maintaining the Pony Express stations, vital outposts along the challenging route. He was then assigned a demanding run, stretching 75 miles eastward from Friday’s Station (near the California-Nevada state line) to Buckland’s Station, situated near Fort Churchill. This section of the trail would soon become the backdrop for his legendary feat of endurance.
The story of Pony Bob Haslam’s longest ride is one of resilience and unwavering dedication in the face of adversity. As he arrived at Friday’s Station to collect the eastbound mail, a palpable tension hung in the air. The Paiute Indians were on the warpath, their signal fires blazing across the peaks for miles, a stark warning of impending conflict. Settlers in the area were frantically fortifying their properties, bracing for potential attacks. Undeterred, Haslam pressed onward, carrying the precious mail.
His first leg took him 60 miles to the Carson River station. However, upon arrival, he encountered an unforeseen obstacle: the settlers, gripped by fear and necessity, had commandeered all the available horses for their campaign against the Native American threat. Faced with this setback, many would have faltered, but Haslam remained resolute. He continued his journey, pushing on the remaining 15 miles down the Carson River to Buckland’s Station. There, another challenge awaited him. The relief rider, overwhelmed by the looming Indian threat, refused to take the mail.
Without hesitation, Pony Bob Haslam prepared to ride again. Within a mere ten minutes, he was back in the saddle, embarking on an extraordinary feat of endurance. He rode 35 miles to the desolate Carson Sink, secured a fresh horse, and then traversed another 30 miles without a single drop of water. He continued onward, changing horses at Sand Springs and again at Cold Springs. After a grueling 190 miles in the saddle, he finally delivered the pouches to J.G. Kelley at Smith’s Creek.
After a scant nine hours of rest, Haslam embarked on the return journey with the westbound mail. The dangers of the trail were amplified by the escalating conflict. At Cold Springs, he discovered that Indians had raided the station, killing the keeper and driving off the horses. As darkness descended, Haslam found himself facing a perilous 37-mile stretch to Sand Springs on his already weary animal. He secured a remount and pressed on towards the Carson River sink. Later, he learned that during the night, he had unknowingly ridden straight through a ring of Indians heading in the same direction. Despite these harrowing encounters, he reached Buckland’s Station without incident, arriving a mere four hours behind schedule. This remarkable 380-mile round trip stands as the longest documented ride in the history of the Pony Express, a testament to the extraordinary courage and stamina of Pony Bob Haslam.
Beyond the sheer distance of his longest ride, Haslam is also remembered for another remarkable contribution to the Pony Express. Arguably his most important ride, covering 120 miles in just 8 hours and 20 minutes while wounded, showcases his incredible speed and unwavering commitment. The message he carried on this occasion was none other than Abraham Lincoln’s Inaugural Address, a document of immense national significance during a pivotal moment in American history. This ride cemented his reputation as one of the most valuable and dependable riders in the service.
Despite the Pony Express demonstrating the viability of the central/northern mail route, Russell, Majors, and Waddell, the company behind the enterprise, failed to secure the contract to deliver mail over the route. The Pony Express met its end in October 1861.
Following the demise of the Pony Express, Haslam’s skills and experience remained in high demand. He joined Wells, Fargo & Company, a prominent express and banking firm operating between San Francisco, California, and Virginia City, Nevada. As the telegraph lines expanded, reaching Virginia City, Wells Fargo dispatched Haslam to Idaho to establish and maintain an express route. He later transported freight between Salt Lake City and Denver, Colorado. He also served as a scout for the U.S. Army, demonstrating his knowledge of the terrain and his ability to navigate dangerous situations. Further showcasing his commitment to law and order, Haslam served as a Deputy United States Marshal in Salt Lake City, Utah. His reputation for bravery and reliability led him to accompany his friend Buffalo Bill Cody on a diplomatic mission to negotiate the surrender of Chief Sitting Bull in December 1890, a testament to his standing within the community and his ability to navigate complex and sensitive situations.
In his later years, Pony Bob Haslam found employment at the Congress Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. There, he created a personal business card featuring a sketch of himself as a young Pony Express rider and entertained guests with tales of his daring adventures. Although he occasionally faded from public attention, he remained a figure of fascination for those who remembered the legendary days of the Pony Express. He passed away in Chicago on February 29, 1912, at the age of 72, succumbing to a stroke.
While it was widely reported that Buffalo Bill Cody had paid for Pony Bob’s headstone at Mount Greenwood Cemetery in Chicago, business records indicate that a family member was responsible for the expense. Regardless of who funded the monument, it stands as a lasting tribute to a man whose courage, endurance, and unwavering dedication helped to shape the legend of the American West.