See information at the Nebraska Historical Society.

http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/research/manuscripts/family/ira-draper.htm

Ira Alexander Draper carried the mail between Falls City and Pawnee City, Nebraska around age 15. His father, Ira Dillingham Draper had a government contract with the Pony Express to carry the mail on a sub route between those towns. Ira Alexander Draper was too young by Pony Express requirements to carry mail on the main route. The Draper family History says he was home every night, at his family farm home located 1 mile NW of modern day Dawson, Nebraska. We believe his route started from his home where he then he traveled to Falls City, NE to pick up the mail. Then he would deliver the mail along the route back to Dawson, NE. to spend the night. Then the next morning he would travel to Pawnee City, NE, drop off and pick up the mail and head back to his home to spend the night. His brother, John, also helped, and his younger brother, Robert, tended to the horses. The family history says the Draper's provided their own horses. Later, Ira fought in the Indian Wars, then returned to Dawson, Nebraska to farm. He made, sold and repaired violins. Ira and his wife, Elsie, were the first to own a telephone, along with her father, Marshall, in 1902. It was installed in the home that Marshall was renting to John O'donnell. It operated from there to the Jerry Kean farm where Ira and Elsie lived. "Many were the difficulties but none as great as when the long distance line filled with cross talk!", remarked Elsie. When he died, a newspaper article of the day stated: "He lived and died on the (Pony Express) trail". It was reported that on the farm where he died, part of the original mail route trail he followed was located on that farm. Ira Alexander Draper lived to be 93 years of age and lived the longest of all the sons of Ira Dillingham Draper.

Bio. by Dave Draper, Draper Family Historian.
Contributor: Dave Draper (50995047)