Bounding Into History - Johnny Fry and the First Pony Express Ride
Johnny Fry was the first rider of what would become a legendary 18-month enterprise called the Pony Express
One of the most important lessons in history to grasp is the fact that all historical figures were just people like you and me. They weren’t made of clay, they didn’t have super-human abilities, and they didn’t know how the story was going to turn out. That’s what makes people’s stories in history both useful and inspiring. Oftentimes the people who make history are just standing in the right place at the right time. So seems to be the case of the first Pony Express rider; Johnny Fry.
The Pony Express was a grand idea. Ever since the West Coast had experienced their population booms in the 1840s, there was a great need to connect the country. It’s important to remember that by 1860 both California and Oregon had been admitted as states in the Union. Part of their ability to participate in the national debates rested on their ability to get information from the rest of the country. You see, although California and Oregon were states, there was nothing but “The Great American Desert” between them and Missouri. The Butterfield Overland Stage attempted the first deliveries, but some people of the time were convinced the run could be made faster. As a result, a freighting company called Russell, Majors & Waddell took the financial risk to establish the Pony Express.
The Pony Express was a daring idea that required more than 150 stations along the way to change horses and riders. At those stations, more than 500 horses were to be cared for and grained constantly. More than 80 riders were initially hired along with division superintendents, station managers, and hands employed to help with the animals. All of this added up to a huge expense for Russell, Majors & Waddell. Nevertheless, by April 3, 1860, the necessary investments were made and the initial Pony Express run was scheduled to start. And the first rider of the historic venture was to be a young Kansas boy named Johnny Fry.
Johnny Fry.
According to The Expressmen, Johnny Fry was a young Kanas ranch boy “who had won several local horse races and at least as many girls’ hearts.” After one race in particular he was approached by firm partner Alexander Major about riding for the Pony. Fry accepted and eventually was scheduled to become the first rider of the Pony Express that left St. Joseph, Missouri. The Weekly West published on April 7, 1860, describes the moment as the following:
“THE GREATEST ENTERPRISE OF MODERN TIMES
“At a quarter past seven o’clock, last evening, the mail was placed M. Jeff. Thompson, on the back of the animal, a fine bay mare, who is to run the first stage of the great through Express from St. Josephy to her sister cities of the Pacific shore. Horse and rider started off amid the loud and continuous cheers of the assembled multitude, all anxious to witness every particular of the inauguration of this the greatest enterprise which it has as yet become our pleasant duty, as a public journalist to chronicle.”
Although the paper does describe the atmosphere of the Pony send-off, the very next line actually says:
“The rider is a Mr. Richardson, formerly a sailor…”
Here is one instance where Johnny Fry’s status as the first Pony Express rider comes into question. However, The Expressmen linked above also says that Richardson would disclaim the honor later in his life and admit the first rider was indeed Johnny Fry.
Here is a neat short dramatization of the first Pony Express ride.
Johnny Fry is recognized as having served faithfully as a Pony Express rider until the enterprise faded with the completion of the telegraph line in October of 1861.
As the Pony closed its station, Fry was still a spry 21 years old and apparently full of life and adventure. The onset of the Civil War opened many avenues for a young man such as him and Fry eventually joined the Union Army to serve as a messenger and scout. Just two years after he left the Pony Express, Fry was delivering a message from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma to Fort Scott, Kansas when he was waylaid by the Confederate guerilla force known as Quantrill’s Raiders. Reports seem to differ as to how the fight unfolded, but by the end of the skirmish young Johnny Fry was dead.
At just 23 years old, Johnny Fry led what turned out to be a short life. Still, we remember him today for his contribution to our national history. As the first rider, Fry and the Pony Express will be forever linked. Just a regular Kansas ranch kid, Fry teaches about the risks people take and the spirit of those who take them.
