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| This building was originally at Ruby Station when Frederick William Hurst was stationed there in 1860-61. |
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| Great, Great Grandpa Hurst |
Each station had its overseer, stock tenders, and a blacksmith shop for shoeing the horses. Extra ponies were always kept in readiness.
Often targets of Indian attacks, Pony Express Stations were built as indestructible as possible of rocks, adobe and logs. Many were burned to the ground during Indian uprisings.
Men such as my Great, Great Grandfather, who were chosen to manage these stations were exceedingly courageous, since their job was perhaps the most dangerous on the route. More station men were killed than riders during the operation of the Pony Express.
The Indians in
the vicinity at that time were very hostile toward the settlers, who were building upon their lands and consuming their game and food. Great, Great Grandpa Hurst believed as did the Prophet Brigham Young that it was better to feed and love the
Indians rather than fight them. Grandpa had a compassionate heart and desired to alleviate their suffering, giving them bread and also a
kind of poi he had learned to make while on his mission in Hawaii . His history illustrates this love at Christmas time when he steamed a large plum pudding in flour sacks over a bonfire and presented it as a special treat to the Indians. As a result, the natives loved and trusted him and often warned him of hostile bands
who were bent on destroying the station, giving him time to secure proper defenses.
Nevertheless, Frederick was in continual peril, as exhibited by the following letter he sent by a special Pony rider to Major Howard Egan in May, 1860, concerning the attacks on Pony Express Stations:
- DEAR SIR—It is in great haste that I sent myself, for the purpose of informing you that James Carlow has just arrived and states that the Pah-Ute Indians have forced the boys to leave every station between Diamond Springs and Carson Valley. He reports that John Applegate and Raphael (Ralph) Lozier were killed for certain yesterday. Dry Creek, at 10 o’clock, a.m., May 22, Wm. Streeper took the cut-off with the mail, and has not been heard of since. Silas McCandless and Lafayette Ball arrived at Roberts’ Creek last night, at 9 o’clock; the Indians chased them for five miles, shooting with their rifles; the boys were on foot. They all left Roberts’ Creek last night, at 12 o’clock, with all the horses and mules. They saw a great number of fires in the hills; they report sixty men killed at Carson sink. The chief of the Shoshones is here and anxious to see you. The Indians around here appear to be friendly at present. Shacup says he would like to have a big talk with Alfred Huntington. Your orders respecting the stations have and will be promptly attended to. Yours, F. W. HURST
