Editing Pony Express (section)

===Jack Keetley===
[[File:Jkeetley.jpg|thumb|upright|Jack Keetley]]
Jack Keetley was hired by A. E. Lewis for his division at the age of 19 and put on the run from Marysville to Big Sandy. He was one of those who rode for the Pony Express during the entire 19 months of its existence.

Jack Keetley's longest ride, upon which he doubled back for another rider, ended at Seneca, where he was taken from the saddle sound asleep. He had ridden {{convert|340|mi}} in 31 hours without stopping to rest or eat.{{sfnp|Bradley|1913|p=109}}<ref name="Visscher">{{cite book|last=Visscher|first=William Lightfoot|title=Pony Express, A Thrilling and Truthful History|publisher=Vistabooks|year=1980}}<!-- A Thrilling and Truthful History of the Pony Express https://books.google.com/books?id=5ucpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP1 --></ref> After the Pony Express was disbanded, Keetley went to [[Salt Lake City]], where he engaged in mining. He died there on October 12, 1912, where he was also buried.{{sfnp|Settle|Settle|1972|p=100}}

In 1907, Keetley wrote the following letter (excerpt):

{{blockquote|Alex Carlyle was the first man to ride the Pony Express out of St. Joe. He was a nephew of the superintendent of the stage line to Denver, called the "Pike's Peak Express". The superintendent's name was Ben Ficklin. Carlyle was a consumptive, and could not stand the hardships, and retired after about two months' trial, and died within about six months after retiring. John Frye was the second rider, and I was the third, and Gus Cliff was the fourth.<br />I made the longest ride without a stop, only to change horses. It was said to be 300 miles and was done a few minutes inside of twenty-four hours. I do not vouch for the distance being correct, as I only have it from the division superintendent, A.E. Lewis, who said that the distance given was taken by his English roadometer which was attached to the front wheel of his buggy which he used to travel over his division with, and which was from St. Joe to Fort Kearney.<ref name="Visscher" />|Jack Keetley}}