Greetings from the Don:
On behalf of Mr. James Birch, the current chief administrator and major stock owner of the San Antonio to San Diego Overland Mail, I would like to welcome you folks to El Valle de Guatay. My name is Don Mac, or Señor McClintock, and I have been with Mr. Birch for some time in the capacity of an independent mule buyer. Together we built the California Stage Line. Let me first apologize for his absence. Business has drawn him to the East Coast, something to do with his stockholders and the bid for the Great Overland Mail Route being favored to Butterfield by President Buchanan. For now, welcome and Bienvenidos a California. It is well that you have come - a grand reception awaits you in San Diego, where the pueblo is astir with the arrival of the first dependable mail delivery from the East. This could foreshadow great things for the area.
On behalf of Mr. Birch I would also like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of our fallen passenger. His name has not officially reached our offices, but word is that his life was given in a valiant effort to save his fellow travelers from a ferocious attack by the Mescalero Apache along the Devils River just outside of Fort Clark, TX. Twenty-one of our mules were taken, the wagon was all but destroyed and some of our side riders were injured. For those of you involved we apologize and thank you for your efforts. It is our hope that the presence of the United State’s Cavalry in the area will extinguish any further disturbance.
The End of the Trail
Some 50 days later and you are here at the Valle de Guatay with Julian Sandoval as your host. Only two days from San Diego and the completion of the first Overland Mail to San Diego. Let me express my gratitude for being allowed to be a part of this marvelous effort to have the line up and running in less than 40 days, covering a distance of 1450 miles from San Antonio to San Diego. On arrival the first line will have spent 52 days on the trail and the second 38 days. We hope to shorten this to 30 days as soon as possible.
Again, we welcome and congratulate you for being a part of this history-making event and apologize for any inconvenience that you received. Tomorrow you will be off the mules and back in the wagon for your approach to San Diego. Please enjoy your meal and sleep well as it is our intention to depart no later than nine in the morning. Thank you.
The Jackass Mail - Then and Now
The Jackass Mail, as it came to be called, lasted but a short two years. It was replaced by the Butterfield Stage Line. James Birch was not allowed the privilege of seeing the completion of his efforts. He went down on the Side Wheeler, 400 miles from Cape Hatteras in Central America, along with over two million dollars in gold, not all of which was his. Not even 30 years of age and his life ended, but not without leaving his name in the history books. His Overland Mail came to be called the Jackass Mail at the hands of a San Francisco chronicler whose intent it was to ridicule Birch’s effort. Instead it brought historical glory to Birch and the mules’ efforts to tame the West.
The term “Jackass” in this sense refers to the noble mule who allowed Birch to be successful. Every mule is a half ass horse, and anyone who has ever owned and enjoyed one can relate to why he sometimes gets called a Jackass. The mule’s independent effort to survive often leads his personality to be contrary to the desires of his owner; as his actions often reflect that character, I think the expression SOB also comes from the handler of mules. To think it objectionable to refer to a mule as a “Jackass” comes from those without the divine experience of owning a mule, for often in the relationship both rider and beast can act as such.
History has given this stage line the characteristic reference, and for an archaeologist of the State Park System to try to change this reference brings to question the ability and integrity of one who is supposed to observe history, and not to redefine it. Public officials are hired as representatives not mandates. The name Jackass Mail will stand to time indefinite and will continue to bring honor to the noble beast who almost singlehandedly conquered the West. Without such a reference most would think the mail on this route was delivered by horses. Anyone who knows anything about mules, their personality and ability, will likewise appreciate the “derogatory” reference to such a superior creation. We could also have the audacity to think that it was “man” who delivered the mail, when it was really a “woman.”
All said and done the mail was delivered to Descanso or Valle de Guatay in a reenactment of the Jackass Mail and it is continuing its approach to San Diego. It will arrive on the 31st of August for the 150 year anniversary of its conception. Be sure to be there for the celebration. Visit Old Town State Park for more information.