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Archiver > IOWA > 2001-03 > 0983766344


From: Calvin Zippin <>
Subject: Re: [IOWA] expressman - coachman
Date: Sun, 4 Mar 2001 20:25:44 -0800
References: <000b01c0a363$093daaa0$6400a8c0@netins.net>
In-Reply-To: <000b01c0a363$093daaa0$6400a8c0@netins.net>


Inger,
My guess is that a "coachman" drove a horse-drawn enclosed carriage
or stagecoach probably between towns. An expressman could be a man
who rode the pony express (fast mail), or driver of a fast coach that
made few stops. The thesaurus says he is a stevedore or cargo
handler, freighter.

The "teamster" that Larry refers to drove a team of horses to haul
something like today's truckdriver. A farmer drove a team of horses
to pull wagons or plow, etc., but wouldn't belong to a teamster's
union.

Patricia Zippin

At 3:51 PM -0600 3/2/01, Larry & Carole Lieb wrote:
>From: "INGER" <>
>To: <>
>
> > A young relative of mine moved from Shenandoah Ia. to Omaha Ne. and worked
>as an "expressman" 1889 and as a "coachman" in 1890. What did he do?
>Transported people or mail? Does it indicate that he travelled long
>distances between towns or just delivered pizzas or whatever they had within
>the town?
> > Inger, Sweden
>
>Inger, I am guessing that "coachman" refers to a person who assists the
>needs of those riding "coach" class on the railroad.
>"Expressman" maybe means a person that handles or loads "packages" again
>probably with the railroad.
>Perhaps someone else on the list can provide additional insight.
>As a side note a "teamster" from that era was a person who drove a "team of
>horses". It took me a long time to understand that phrase.
>Larry, Iowa
>
>______________________________

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