Strange Journey: When Children Could Be Sent Through the United States Postal Service
As it turns out, "courier" used to have a different meaning in the early 20th century.
Known as an interesting period in the history of the United States postal service, there was a period before 1920 when sending children through the postal service was an acceptable method of transportation under certain conditions. determined.
Children mailed must weigh less than 50 pounds and the postage stamp must be affixed directly to their clothing as form of payment. Miraculously, this method is often more cost-effective than taking the train. During the journey, the children will travel on the train, specifically in the mail car, where they are supervised and well-fed by postal staff.
One notable example of this unorthodox custom was a trip of more than 700 miles, from Florida to Virginia, for just 15 cents of postage. Not only is this a strange story about transportation, but it also reflects a distinct time in public service, when today's innovative and unimaginable solutions were once taken seriously. .
Today, in retrospect, this action seems utopian and even unsafe, but it reveals a rich historical picture of an America in the process of development, where the need for transportation and transfer has spurred unlimited initiatives. This story, now recalled as a cultural anecdote, reminds us of human flexibility and imagination in the face of life's challenges.
In the rich historical picture of the United States, there are odd patches of color that surprise us today. One of those patches is the early 20th century, when the postal service, a central institution in society, once had a role that was not only delivering letters and packages, but also more strangely. : is a means of "transporting" children.
This custom originated from a postal policy that allowed "packages" to live. Accordingly, children, these special "packages", are sent to relatives in different locations through the postal system, provided they weigh less than 50 pounds and are properly stamped. This comes from a lax regulation and the urgent needs of families who cannot afford expensive travel fees.
Although today the idea of sending children through the postal service seems extraordinary and unacceptable, at the time it was seen as a practical, even economical, option. The story of a little girl sent from Florida to Virginia with only 15 cents in stamp money became a testament to the feasibility of this method. The little girl traveled a long way, cared for, raised and supervised by postal staff as a member of the passenger group.
This method, although somewhat odd, also reflects an aspect of American history: creativity and adaptability to circumstances. The postal service, as a lifeblood connecting society, has witnessed many adjustments to meet the needs of the people. From this, we can see that any restrictions can be relaxed when necessary.
Today, photos and stories of "child sending" have become pieces of history that educate and remind us of the past. They allow us to look back and take stock of progress in society and the ways in which we value and protect the smallest and weakest individuals in our communities.
