The Transcontinental Telegraph put the Pony Express out of business in 1861not the railroad in 1869. The Telegraph was installed along the Platt River trail system from Omaha, NE on the Missouri River to Salt Lake, Utah, to Carson City, Nevada and finally to San Fransico. Someone had ask earlier the best route from Denver, Co. to Selma, Ala. during the 1860s. This would have been a relatively safe and quick route, although a short detour along the South Fork of the Platt River would be required. The Platt River trail was heavily traveled by stages, wagon trains, Pony Express, freight companies, military, and now Telegraph maintenance crews. It was also populated with forts, stations and settlements. Once to the Missouri at Omaha it was a hop, skip and jump to Selma, Ala.