From Mail Pouch to Passenger: Why Could Americans Briefly Mail Their Children via Parcel Post in the Early 1900s?

Introduction

Imagine heading to your local post office, not just to send a letter or package, but your child. It sounds utterly unbelievable today, yet for a brief window in the early 20th century, some American parents did just that. When the United States Postal Service (then the Post Office Department) launched its Parcel Post service in 1913, an unexpected and peculiar practice emerged: mailing children. This wasn't widespread, nor was it legal for long, but its occurrence begs the question: how was this even possible? This post delves into the historical context, regulatory loopholes, and societal factors that explain why, for a short time, children could technically be sent through the U.S. mail.

Main Content

## The Dawn of Parcel Post: A Service for the People

On January 1, 1913, the U.S. Post Office Department officially launched the Parcel Post service. This was a significant development aimed at benefiting rural Americans and providing competition to private express companies, which often charged high rates. The new service allowed for the mailing of packages heavier than the previous four-pound limit. Initially, the weight limit for Parcel Post was set at 11 pounds, soon increased to 50 pounds (and even higher for shorter distances).

The primary goals were:

• Connecting Rural Areas: Enabling farmers and those in remote locations to receive goods and merchandise more easily and affordably.
• Boosting Commerce: Facilitating the shipment of goods directly from businesses to consumers.
• Standardizing Shipping: Offering a government-backed, reliable alternative to private carriers.

## The Unexpected Cargo: Identifying the Loophole

Crucially, the initial regulations for Parcel Post were focused on what could be shipped (merchandise, farm goods, etc.) and the weight/size limits. While certain items like hazardous materials were restricted, the rules were surprisingly vague about live animals. More specifically, there was no explicit rule against mailing human beings.

So long as a "package" met the following criteria, it was technically mailable:

• Weighed under the prevailing limit (initially 11, then 50 pounds).
• Had the correct postage stamps affixed.
• Was properly packaged (though definitions were loose).

Enterprising – and perhaps economically strained – parents quickly identified this oversight. If baby chicks could be mailed (which they could, under certain conditions), why not a small child weighing less than 50 pounds?

## Why Did Parents Mail Their Children?

Several factors contributed to this unusual practice, although it's vital to remember it was rare and short-lived:

• Cost Savings: This was arguably the biggest driver. Train tickets, even for short distances, could be expensive. Parcel Post rates were significantly cheaper. For families wanting to send a child to visit relatives nearby, mailing them could represent considerable savings. For instance, mailing 48.5-pound May Pierstorff from Grangeville to Lewiston, Idaho, in 1914 cost just 53 cents in postage, far less than a train fare.
• Trust in Postal Carriers: Especially in rural communities, the mail carrier was often a known and trusted figure. They weren't faceless couriers but familiar members of the community who traveled their routes daily. Entrusting a child to the care of the mailman for a short journey likely felt less risky than it sounds today. The child often rode alongside the carrier, not stuffed in a mailbag.
• Convenience and Novelty: For short distances between nearby towns or relatives, it offered a seemingly straightforward way to transport a child without an accompanying adult needing to make the round trip. There was also likely an element of novelty and perhaps even misplaced confidence in the efficiency of the new government service.

## Closing the Loophole: The End of an Era

The Post Office Department quickly became aware of this unintended use of Parcel Post. Stories like that of May Pierstorff, who was "mailed" to her grandparents, gained attention. While amusing in retrospect, postal officials recognized the inherent risks and inappropriateness of shipping children.

By 1914 and more formally enforced through regulations around 1915, the Postmaster General explicitly banned the sending of human beings via Parcel Post. Various directives were issued clarifying that humans were not mailable matter. This put a swift end to the practice, confining it to a roughly two-year period after Parcel Post's introduction.

Conclusion

The brief period when American children could be mailed via Parcel Post wasn't due to callousness, but rather a confluence of specific historical circumstances: the launch of a revolutionary new postal service, initially vague regulations, significant cost differences compared to other travel methods, and a level of trust in local mail carriers, particularly in rural settings. It stands as a fascinating, albeit strange, footnote in postal history, highlighting how new systems can have unforeseen consequences and how regulations must quickly adapt. While we rightly find the idea shocking today, understanding the "why" provides a unique glimpse into the realities and resourcefulness of American life over a century ago.