Monday, December 28, 2009

Rural delivery -- on a motorcycle

This photo was sent by a reader, which came from her grandmother's possessions.

The postcard is dated 9/28/1913 and the back says that the rural carrier is strapping his mail sack prior to delivery using an Eagle motorcycle.

Many of our rural routes are a hundred miles or more. Can you imagine delivering them on motorcycle? I delivered on a horse, and let me tell you, after a few miles, it's no fun.

What do you think?


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is so cool!

Anonymous said...

The history of the postal service in quite interesting. I wonder what he was paid for delivery of the mail.

Anonymous said...

I still think the experiment the Postal Service did by launching mail, in a missle, from a submarine was the best example of us willing to go above and beyond for the public. We always strive to deliver the best and fastest way possible!

Anonymous said...

How appropriate that his motorcycle was an "Eagle." A motorcycle would probably get better mileage but not much fun in bad weather. I wonder if he had an alternate vehicle for rainy or cold days?

Forest Mermaid said...

In Key West, FL, in the old days, they delivered mail on "Conch" bicycles (small and short) with large baskets and strong kick-stands. This would probably work good again, during the summer, in many towns and cities!

Anonymous said...

My Grandfather, Eugene Fellows, delivered the rural mail in Vermont on an Indian motorcycle.