A new print by Dan Mihalko - Attack on the Mail
Special Agent Charles Davis is Killed Protecting the U.S. Mail 1867
During the 1860s, trails like the Overland Trail, Mormon Trail, and Oregon Trail were crucial to delivering mail across U.S. territories by stagecoach. But they became increasingly dangerous as conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes were common.
On May 14, 1867, Charles M. Davis was appointed a Special Agent of the U. S. Post Office Department to protect the mail on stagecoaches from attacks. On May 31, 1867, a Wells Fargo stagecoach departed Julesburg, CO, transporting the mail, nine passengers, two drivers, and Special Agent Davis along the Overland Trail.
On June 2, the stagecoach was attacked near Moore’s Ranch. One of the stagecoach drivers was killed, and Special Agent Davis was severely wounded. Despite being wounded, Davis helped protect the other passengers and fought off the attackers.
Following the attack, Davis was rushed to the nearest doctor in Fort Sedgwick, but his wounds proved to be fatal. Special Agent Davis died three days later, on June 5, 1867. He was the first known Postal Inspector to die from wounds suffered in the line of duty.
Signed and numbered giclee prints are 15 by 20 inches and printed on archival watercolor paper. Run of 500 prints.
$95 each plus postage. Included is a 5 by 7 historical story.
25 Artist's Proofs are $110 plus postage and include a rubbing of Davis's name from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Wall.