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RE: [RC] Fort Schellbourne - Pam Bailie

Hi - We are planning on riding Monday and Tuesday but did not realize Fort
Schellbourne was so far!  Does anyone know of a layover spot on US 50
between Auburn, Ca and the ride?  We would like to drive home a little
leisurely - thanks!!  Pam Bailie
-----Original Message-----
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dream Weaver
Sent: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 7:03 PM
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [RC] Fort Schellbourne

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
<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
<http://www.xprides.com/2005_June_XP/SCHELLBOURNE_2005_Day_1.html>  ~ 2
<http://www.xprides.com/2005_June_XP_Day_2/SCHELLBOURNE2.html>  ~ 3
<http://www.xprides.com/2005_June_XP_Day_3/June_XP_Day_3.html>  ~ 4
<http://www.xprides.com/2005_June_XP_Day_4/June_XP_Day_4.html>  ~ 5
<http://www.xprides.com/2005_June_XP_Day_5/SCHELLBOURNE5.html>  

http://www.webpanda.com/WP_cemeteries/schellborne.html
<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/2wp
ghost.htm

<http://www.webpanda.com/white_pine_county/historical_society/Ghost_Towns/2w
pghost.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
<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
<http://whitepinecountygenhelp.accessgenealogy.com/Egan.html> 





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Replies
[RC] Fort Schellbourne, Dream Weaver