James Lawther

Title: Receipt From North-Western Express Company
Type: Document
Date: 1858
Source: Goodhue County Historical Society

Description: Lawther shipped many items, including gold, by rail during his time in Red Wing. This is the receipt he received from one shipment of gold to Henderson, Minnesota.
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Activities:

1. The North-Western Express Company has agreed to ship gold worth $400 for Lawther. In what cases will the company not insure delivery of his package?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: They will not be liable (or responsible) for loss or damage of the shipment due to fire, improper packaging for transport, or fragile "fabrics" (contents) that have not been marked fragile. If the package is worth more than $50, the value must be documented on the receipt in order to obtain the full value of the package in the event of loss or damage.
2. Why might Lawther wish to deliver something as valuable as $400 by rail and not in person?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The trip from Red Wing to Henderson, Minnesota (north of Mankato) was probably a lengthy one, and the express companies were common, convenient, reliable, and inexpensive ways to ship goods.
3. If the North-Western Express Company needed to ship something to Europe, how would they accomplish it?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Their listing on this receipt shows that they can ship to other parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe by connectingwith the American Express Company.
4. What might the "perils of navigation" suggested on this receipt mean?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The company insures that all packages will be delivered safely unless circumstances beyond the company's control prevent this from happening. Unavoidable problems that might occur during the course oftransportation include a train wreck, extremely bad weather, or a crime.