FIRST RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE.

Stephen Sweet, of Middletown, was agent of the stage company that ran in connection with the railroad, taking care of the mails and passengers. The stage line had the government contract for carrying the mails, and a mail agent travelled on the railroad from New York to look after them. The first agent, in 1841, was James H. Reynolds, who was succeeded by Leander Millspaugh. Tickets were sold in New York over the railroad and the stage line.

In October, 1845, the Erie itself made a contract for carrying the mails. The first agent's name was Robinson. The cars then ran only as far Middletown. The agent's duties were to receive and mail letters deposited in the car at the different stations, and deliver mail on which postage was prepaid at all regular stopping places. This was the beginning of railway mail service on the Erie.