Monday, July 21, 2014

Western Union Horses

I was looking at something in regards to the Johnson County War the other day, and was reminded that the horses used by the Invaders were leased from Western Union. Indeed, one of the Invaders who detached from the column was identified as such by the fact that his horse bore their brand, and by that time, in Buffalo, they knew that the Invaders had Western Union horses.

Does anyone know the story behind Western Union horse. When did they stop leasing them and how much of their business was based no horse leasing?

2 comments:

Merideth in Wyoming said...

This probably refers to Western Union Beef Company rather than the telegraph company. I know they operated ranches in Arapaho County Colorado and also in Texas during this time period. They may have also had ranches in Wyoming at this time period.

Pat, Marcus & Alexis said...

That's very interesting. It simply didn't occur to me that there might have been a different Western Union, let alone one that leased horses. Thanks!