Out in Ruby Valley, William H. Shearman, an associate of Major Egan, began to hear grumbles from unpaid riders and other employees, and a number of them presented him with “certificates” attesting that they had been without pay for several months. Meanwhile, at Salt Lake City, Livingston, Bell & Co., suppliers to the Pony Express, were getting nervous over bills owing them, and before the end of next February would obtain a court order to attach all the company’s stage and express horses “in this territory.”
