American Folk Figure. He was the last surviving Pony Express rider. Born Julius Mortimer in New York City, New York, he and his brother Walter Henry, were often in trouble. Their father made arrangements to have them work on a ship as cabin boys. When the ship they were working on arrived in San Francisco, both boys jumped ship. Walter was caught and sent back to New York, and Julius ended up on a ranch where he learned to ride a horse, and Spanish Vaqueros renamed him Broncho Carlos. To avoid being sent back to New York, he told people he was born in a covered wagon, and his parents had been killed by Indians. His new skill of riding was soon put to good use, when he became the youngest Pony Express rider at age 11. As part of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show, he performed before the Queen of England. When World War I broke out, he tried to join the United States Army, but was too old at 67. He was able however, to bluff his way into the Canadian Army claiming to be 44, serving two years. At age 81, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Pony Express, he collected letters from New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker, and set out on horseback to deliver them to Mayor Angelo Rossi's office in San Francisco. The trip took 7 months. At age 92, he once again tried unsuccessfully to join the United States Army during World War II, but did ride from town to town on horseback, to sell war bonds and speaking at bond rallies. His death in 1955 at age 105, brought to the close the legacy of the Pony Express riders.
American Folk Figure. He was the last surviving Pony Express rider. Born Julius Mortimer in New York City, New York, he and his brother Walter Henry, were often in trouble. Their father made arrangements to have them work on a ship as cabin boys. When the ship they were working on arrived in San Francisco, both boys jumped ship. Walter was caught and sent back to New York, and Julius ended up on a ranch where he learned to ride a horse, and Spanish Vaqueros renamed him Broncho Carlos. To avoid being sent back to New York, he told people he was born in a covered wagon, and his parents had been killed by Indians. His new skill of riding was soon put to good use, when he became the youngest Pony Express rider at age 11. As part of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West show, he performed before the Queen of England. When World War I broke out, he tried to join the United States Army, but was too old at 67. He was able however, to bluff his way into the Canadian Army claiming to be 44, serving two years. At age 81, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Pony Express, he collected letters from New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker, and set out on horseback to deliver them to Mayor Angelo Rossi's office in San Francisco. The trip took 7 months. At age 92, he once again tried unsuccessfully to join the United States Army during World War II, but did ride from town to town on horseback, to sell war bonds and speaking at bond rallies. His death in 1955 at age 105, brought to the close the legacy of the Pony Express riders.
Bio by: Bill Walker
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Miller memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
