Stein began work as an "Overlander" in 1861. By 1862 the company he was working for, the Central Overland and Pike's peak Express Company, was purchased by stage coach magnate Ben Holladay. Stein soon became an agent in Holladay's company and was transferred to Salt Lake City in 1862. When Holladay's stage company acquired the contract to carry the mail to Montana, Stein was transferred again, this time to Virginia City in the Spring of 1863. Stein stayed in Montana until late October of 1865. At this time he moved back east and eventually ended up working in the banking business in California.

The only form of communication along the Overland Stage line of the early 1860s was written. Notes moved between station and line agents on the Salt Lake City to Virginia City line in a matter of two to four days. These notes were often requests for supplies, animals or queries on passengers. This collection of documents represents this communication system. The main block of material consists primarily of incoming correspondence to Stein when he was stationed in Virginia City. These letters were written from bear River, Fort Hall, Red Rock, Bannack City, Salt Lake City as well as other places. Division agent Paul Coburn and R.S.Thomas also have numerous items in the collection. In addition to the correspondence several pages of invoices, published accounts, and blank contracts dot the collection. The documents were originally collected by Herbert S. Auerbach of Salt Lake City, Utah. The purchase of this collection was made possible with a generous grant from the MARIE-ECCLES CAINE foundation.