1958

Bash’s story begins when the only way letters were delivered was in a sack of mail throw on the corner table of a coffee house, to be picked up, perhaps, by the owner or his friend. Early envelopes, quill pens, sealing wax are shown, and then the first rides of the Post Riders, through difficult forest paths are described. The developments in various of the colonies add stories of letters passing from plantation to plantation, and of sheriffs empowered to commandeer horses and riders to deliver official papers. Then came the first paid postmaster, whose job it was to receive mail and see that it got to the proper addresses. Stagecoach delivery of mail ends the program, with a model of the famous Wells Fargo coach, and mention of the Pony Express. Songs include “Green & Yellow Basket,” “Cotton Eye’d Joe” and “Yankee Doodle.”

KQED, San Francisco; Bash Kennett

National Educational Television; Indiana University Audio-Visual Center

Educational; Children's; Historical; Music

Postal service; United States--History

National Educational Television

IUL Moving Image Archive

English

1 film reel (15 min.) sound,black and white/monochrome; 16 mm

Catalog Key: 7835164; Other: GR00466411; MDPI Barcode: 40000003113729