Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

This ride goes over a lot of historical trails - original Pony
Express trail as well as the Overland Stage routes and several items of
historical interest can be seen each day. The winter rains and snow
should also provide plenty of grass and wildflowers, in addition to
providing plenty of drinking water for the horses. The Duck says that
there are less bogs this year and not as much snow, so we may get to do
the Ranger Trail!  Lunch will be provided each day and dinners will
be available at the Schellbourne Station for an additional fee. Ride
entries can be submitted online at:

http://www.xprides.com/RideEntry.html  If you haven't already
entered and are planning on attending, please enter so we can be better
prepared.  We are going to be camped on the Schellbourne Ranch which
will be really great! This is one of my favorite rides, hope you can join
us!  Karen  
 
Here are some links with more information on the area:

2005 Fort Schellbourne.  Day 

1 ~

2 ~

3 ~

4 ~

5 

http://www.webpanda.com/WP_cemeteries/schellborne.html Graves in the
area, that you will see on the ride.

http://www.webpanda.com/white_pine_county/historical_society/Ghost_Towns/2wpghost.htm

SCHELLBOURNE (FORT) -
Fort Schellbourne is located south of the Cherry Creek road at the
junction of US 93 and C. R. 2, then 3 miles east; 39 miles north of Ely
in Steptoe Valley. Named for Major A. J. Schell, a commander of the
troops guarding the Mail line. It has a long history of Indian fighting,
and first served as George Chorpenning's Jackass Mail and later as the
Schell Creek Pony Express and Overland Stage Station; later as a fort for
the US troops. Then, it served as a mining camp during the
1870's.

The Schell Creek Station and corral was built by the Pony Express in the
Spring of 1860. The Overland Stage Line also used the Schell Creek
station for stock exchange and an inn for travelers until 1869.

Nearby "paydirt" discoveries led to the formation of a mining
camp in 1871. By December of that year a post office was established for
Schellbourne. The Schell Creek Prospect newspaper published a weekly
edition by July of 1972 for the 300 residents. A Wells Fargo building or
bank was erected with heavy steel doors which are still on the old
building.

http://nvghosttowns.topcities.com/whitepine/wplst.htm
SCHELLBOURNE (Fort Schellbourne)(Schell Creek Station)

Pony Express built a station here in 1860. After three were
killed by Indians, Fort Schellbourne was established and used until 1862.
The Overland Stage used the station until 1869. Mining made the place
boom beginning in 1871. 400 residents by 1872. Strikes at Cherry Creek
drained the town and many buildings were moved across the valley.
Population down to 25 by 1884. Small ranch operates at the site but many
beautiful stone and log buildings remain. A definite must! 

Here is a great Pony Express story about the area:

On the morning of August 11, 1860, an armed band of Indians
surrounded the station keeper at Egan, Mike Holden and ?Slim? Wilson, a
rider waiting for his next relay. The express men began firing, but the
Indians steadily advanced. Indians captured the express men when they ran
out of ammunition. The Chief demanded ?Bread!? and the Indians proceeded
to eat all the bread that the men had previously baked. The Indians
demanded that the white men build a fire and continue baking bread.
Toward evening, the Indians had their fill of bread and the chief ordered
the men killed. The Indians began piling dry brush around Holden and
Wilson, the braves began piling dry brush around them after tying them to
a wagon tongue that was stuck in the ground.

Then - just like an old-time melodrama - a troop of U.S. Calvary rode
over the hill to the rescue. Holden and Wilson owed their good fortune to
William Dennis, a Pony Express rider in route from Ruby Valley Station to
Egan Station. Dennis saw what was happening as he approached the station
and slipped away before the Indians spotted him. He found Lieutenant
Stephen H. Weed and a detachment of soldiers, whom he had passed shortly
before reaching Egan. Lieutenant Weed left a non-commissioned officer and
seven men with his two wagons, and hurried to the site with the rest of
his party. William Dennis returned with Lieutenant Weed and the company
of soldiers to the station where they found about 75 to100 Indians
surrounding the station, nearly all armed with rifles. An even greater
number of Indians were from five to eight hundred yards away on the
mountains. Lieutenant Weed gave orders to surround the Indians near the
station but two or three of his men commenced firing prematurely, thus
alerting the Indians and giving them a chance to retreat. The Indians
were soon in the mountains south and east of the station, that protected
them from the fire of the Calvary. Since the Indians were well supplied
with rifles and ammunition, in addition to being superior in numbers,
Lieutenant Weed prudently did not attempt to attack them in their strong
position. The two white captives were not in the least doubt they would
have been killed if not for the detachments timely arrival.  
to read more: 

http://whitepinecountygenhelp.accessgenealogy.com/Egan.html