This collection contains materials related to the development of overland mail service in the United States West (bulk 1850-1887) and is composed of two parts: the papers of Hiram S. Rumfield (75 pieces), assistant treasurer of the Overland Mail Company at Salt Lake City, Utah, which contain documents related to Rumfield family matters, the business affairs of the Overland Mail Company, and Indians in Utah Territory; and the papers of L.P. Williamson (90 pieces), superintendent of the North Western Overland Mail Company and president of the Western Mail and Stage Company, which include reports from stage drivers concerning road conditions.

The Butterfield Overland Mail Company, organized in 1857, carried mail between St. Louis, Missouri, and San Francisco, California, until the outbreak of the Civil War forced it to move north to the central overland route. It was known as the Central Overland and Pike's Peak Express Company until it was reorganized and General Bela M. Hughes was elected president of the Overland Mail Company in 1861.

166 pieces

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