Looking for a topic (ANY topic!) to write about today, I came across a bit about "Pony Bob" Haslam 
and his career as Pony Express rider, Wells Fargo messenger, and entertainer.
The adventures of "Pony Bob" Haslam—so named for his fast riding for the Pony Express—made him the hero of a novel, Pony Bob, the Reckless Rider of the Rockies, 
a title rarely found today. Haslam rode 120 miles while wounded, in his Pony Express days, and was best known for covering 380 miles in 36 hours.
The Pony Express lasted only eighteen months, but a guy like Haslam is an asset anytime. Wells Fargo had acquired the Pony Express in its final months and kept Haslam on as a rider between Virginia City and Sacramento. By 1887, Haslam was ready to show his derring-do in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show , which took a grand European tour that year. The Wild West Show performed before the crowned heads and Haslam was part of that show.
Just before he was hired on with Buffalo Bill's tour, Haslam was out West selecting a few bison for Buffalo Bill's show. By that time, American Bison herds had decreased by millions in a short time, and from 2 million to 2 thousand in only ten years. One newspaper lamented: "What a sad criterion on the wantonness and heartlessness of the American hunter!"
So this post ends on a strangely sad note, as history often does. It shows all these ironies or paradoxes (take your pick!) that keep Historians combing the books for answers. Here's a guy, Haslam, whose strength and courage landed him fame. Here's the Pony Express, an enterprise doomed to fail but capturing a special place in American lore. Here's Buffalo Bill, whose Wild West Show pretty much laid out the mythic story of the West that we all recognize, even though it's largely false. All these things wrapped up in a moment's tale of Haslam joining Buffalo Bill's show.
Hey, it's what I do!
Hi,
Happy New Year!
I have an interior stagecoage plaque made by Abbot-Downing the famous makers in stagecoaches in NH. It reads: Wells Fargo Companys Stage Express Routes. It is brass, reads California,raised graphics of the route. Do you know if this is original? People are telling me it is a repro, but I really don't know.
Robin
Charles,
I grew up in Owatonna and have returned in recent years to photographically document the Wells Fargo bank there. Do you know of any plans for a 100th anniversary "celebration", "re-dedication"?
Thanks,
Tom S.
Robin
Sorry but these plaques sold on ebay never saw the inside of an Abbot-Downing nor a Wells-Fargo stagecoach. These fakes were made in the Far East sometime around the 1960's. Enjoy it for what it is - a creative fake!
Peter -- thanks for your expertise!
Robin -- Peter's answer beat us to the punch! And sad to say, he's right. But many "fakes" are getting as old as they need to be to become genuine un-genuine artifacts!
Hello Tom S.:
Owatonna's community event folks say they have nothing formal as yet. The Wells Fargo people in the community, however, may have some things planned. I will address it on the blog as I get the info.
I'm pulling together a museum exhibit on the Pony Express for next year's 150th Anniversary. The last section will be on the legend and myth which was created in part by Buffalo Bill in his Wild West extravaganzas. I'm looking for descriptions of the show including the "Pony Bob" Haslam ride in the arena, How was it staged? Did Buffalo Bill himself play the part of a rider? Are there any images avaliable?
pony bob is a great uncle and i thank you for writing about him.he's very close to my heart.my father told me stories about him since the early 50's.california owes him real gratitude,and i weep for the state of the state that i loved most.sincerely,william emerson haslam.