As the country celebrates the 100th anniversary of Rural Free Delivery, it's important to recognize the contribution RFD made to truly binding the "national" community through a network of carriers that reached every part of rural America. Just as the Postal Service played an important role in the development of modern aviation, RFD is credited as a catalyst for improved rural roads and bridges across the nation.
Thomas "Buddy" Owens, Jr. drives along a twisting two-lane country road just north of Charles Town, WV, on a historic journey back to October 1, 1896, the day Rural Free Delivery (RFD) officially became part of the American landscape. One eye on the road, the other on a decades-old map, Owens follows what was the first rural route, literally.
"This was Harry Gibson's route. He was so anxious to deliver mail, he started a few weeks before the official starting date," explains Owens, retired Charles Town postmaster. At first, the journey slices through an industrial area and past new housing developments on the edge of the community. Owens, with a shock of silver hair and dark, expressive eyes, displays a great enthusiasm for his hometown history, which is obvious as he points out antebellum homes along the narrow roadway that rolls and pitches under his car's tires.
Farther out from Charles Town, a long stretch of roadway appears much as it might have a century ago when young Gibson made his rounds. White multiflora roses mark the perimeter of plowed fields and purple clover blossoms grow along the edge of the road. In the distance, the Blue Ridge Mountains offer a dramatic framework for this idyllic country scene.
"Imagine what it must have been like," recounts Owens, "a lean rider galloping on horseback from farm to farm, placing a letter or newspaper in a cigar box, lard pail or other creative receptacle at the end of a long lane. The roads, worn with wagon-wheel ruts and mud from a summer rain, or nearly blocked by thigh-high snowdrifts, challenge man and horse as they deliver the day's correspondence."
Following the route, Owens has made a half-circle that began in Charles Town and curved north, east and then south. After crossing US 340, which connects Charles Town and Harpers Ferry, site of the Civil War's John Brown uprising, he drives toward the Shenandoah River. "The original road was cut in half by the construction of a quarry," Owens says as he takes a short detour, picking up the route again as it parallels the rippling bluish-green river.
Massive trees canopy the road, allowing in only flecks of sunlight. Families are camped along the edge of the river; campfire smoke circles toward the tree tops and three teenagers dangle their fishing lines into the swift-moving river. Perhaps it was here that Gibson allowed his tired horse to drink from the cool stream and nibble on the tender grass growing at the edge of the road. A few minutes later, he might have checked his pocket watch, remounted his horse and started the last leg of his daily rounds. Again heading northwest, Owens picks up Gibson's route and begins to slow his speed as he re-enters Charles Town.
"Four other routes also officially began October 1, 1896," Owens explains as he drives along streets named for family members of community founder Charles Washington, brother of George. "Harry Gibson, Frank Young and John Lucas left Charles Town on horseback that morning. Keyes Strider left on horseback from Halltown Post Office, and his cousin Melvin Strider delivered mail from the Uvilla Post Office. Melvin Strider was only 15 years old. He couldn't even collect a paycheck until he turned 16, and he rode his bicycle. Mind you, these routes were all around 20 miles long."
Earlier in the day, Owens stopped by to visit Joseph Christian, Melvin Strider's grandson. "My grandfather always talked about being one of the first rural carriers," Christian recalls. "He knew how important his job was and said the farmers really appreciated the service. He made a lot of friends on his route."
Nearing the center of town, Owens spies William H. Wilson, grandson of Postmaster General William L. Wilson, credited with launching RFD, coincidentally, in his hometown of Charles Town. Clipping a hedge in front of his three-story Victorian mansion, Wilson greets Owens. Then the two men settle into weather-worn, comfortable wicker chairs on the front porch, sheltered from the summer sun by a Virginia creeper vine.
"My grandfather (PMG Wilson) passed away before I was born, but I don't think he was as concerned with rural free delivery as everyone gives him credit for," Wilson says, a smile breaking across his face as he leans back in the woven rocker. "In his personal diary, he mentions RFD only once, in just one sentence. 'Talked to Marche about the experiment in Jefferson (County).' (Col. Thomas) Marche was one of his assistants."
Adds Owens, "It was Postmaster General John Wanamaker, a predecessor of Wilson's, who first suggested Rural Free Delivery in 1889, but it took several years to convince Congress to allocate funds. Wanamaker traveled throughout rural America, speaking to the Grange and Farmers' Alliance clubs about this service that had been enjoyed by city dwellers since 1863."
Back in his car, Owens drives to one more RFD historic location, the cemetery where Harry Gibson is buried. The grave marker reads:
"Harry C. Gibson, June 8, 1876; April 19, 1938; Carried First Rural Mail in the United States; October 1, 1896."
Several significant historic events happened a century ago: William
McKinley was elected President of the United States and Utah became
the 45th state. Buddy Owens hopes Americans won't forget, in
Jefferson County, WV, Rural Free Delivery began.