Between February and November 1849 a pony express was employed to carry despatches containing European news from the steamer port at Halifax to Digby Gut, whence they were shipped to the telegraph station at Saint John, and relayed to the press of the American seaboard cities. The Halifax Express covered the 146 miles in as little as eight hours, with fresh mounts supplied en route and rider changes at Kentville. This successful system, financed by the Associated Press, was superseded after nine months by the extension of the telegraph to Halifax.