overland mail

American  

noun

U.S. History.

1. a government mail service, started in 1848, for sending mail from the Mississippi to the Far West.

2. (initial capital letters) a stagecoach line, established in 1858, linking Memphis, St. Louis, and San Francisco, which was then paid by the government to carry U.S. mail to the Far West. With various changes in ownership, name, and routes it continued until the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overland mail

Helped by his oldtime experience as an overland mail contractor.

From Time Magazine Archive

Military protection for the emigrant, a telegraph line, and an overland mail were among the ostensible objects.

From Stephen A. Douglas A Study in American Politics by Allen Johnson

At one place, call it Bridgeton, there was an overland mail waiting to go out, but no engineer.

From Danger Signals Remarkable, Exciting and Unique Examples of the Bravery, Daring and Stoicism in the Midst of Danger of Train Dispatchers and Railroad Engineers by John A. Hill

Went ashore on the first opportunity, and found there awaiting our arrival several letters and packages of newspapers, which had reached by overland mail during our absence.

From Kathay: A Cruise in the China Seas by W. Hastings Macaulay

For in 1860 Russel, Majors & Waddel accomplished 267 a remarkable coup and brought the overland mail to the northern route.

From When the West Was Young by Frederick R. (Frederick Ritchie) Bechdolt