Wells Fargo - Staging & Banking in the Old West

Wells Fargo - Staging & Banking in the Old West

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When the Civil War broke out, the route changed, moving northward across the Great Plains and over the Rocky Mountains, before snaking its way to California.

In 1866, Wells Fargo expanded its operations again, buying Ben Holladay’s Overland Mail Express, to create the largest stagecoach company in the world. With this acquisition, they controlled virtually all the stage lines from Mississippi to California.

During these fast and furious stagecoach heydays, Wells Fargo also became the primary focus of bandits and thieves. One of the most famous of these was Black Bart, who robbed 28 stages before he was finally apprehended. But Black Bart was just one of the many men who attempted to make a career of robbing stage coaches; others included the James-Younger Gang, the Red Jack Gang, “Rattlesnake Dick,” and dozens of others. During the 1860’s alone, the company suffered 313 stagecoach holdups totaling to the amount of $415,000.

Black Bart

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

In the meantime, the railroad had been hammering its way across the west and in 1869; the Gold Spike joined the rails of the Transcontinental Railroad. This ended many of Wells Fargo's overland stage operations; however, they continued on a smaller scale, traveling into the many places that the railroad had not yet reached. The company also evolved into the railroad express business, which became its major focus until the early 20^th century.

Now, Wells Fargo was the target of bandits both on trains and on stagecoaches. The first big train robbery occurred in 1870 when the Central Pacific out of Oakland was held up near Truckee, California and seven masked men got away with $42,000 in gold and gold coin. As a result, Wells Fargo hired James B. Hume as its Chief Detective. Hume was with the company for 32 years and became one of the most famous detectives in the country. During his tenure, it was said "There are two institutions dangerous for bad men to tinker with— the United States Government and Wells Fargo."

By the turn of the century, Wells Fargo had more than 3,000 offices in nearly every state and in Mexico.

In 1904, Wells Fargo & Company moved its office to New York City and the following year, it separated its banking and express operations. Wells Fargo Bank then merged with the Nevada National Bank forming the Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank.

Wells Fargo was told to "throw down the box" from a Concord stage for the last time in 1908. The bandits were immediately pursued, this time in automotive vehicles. The last horse-drawn stage carrying Wells Fargo cargo ran between Tonopah and Manhattan, Nevada, in 1909.

Over the years, a number of mergers and acquisitions occurred changing both its banking and express operations. In 1918, the express company merged into the American Railroad Express Company, leaving only the banking portion to hold the title of Wells Fargo.

Today, Wells Fargo & Co. provides financial services at some 6,000 locations.

The company also sponsors nine museums throughout the country that display its rich history, real stagecoaches and gold nuggets, rare and authentic exhibits, and special tours and educational programs with advance reservation.

Additional Information:

Wells Fargo Museums
420 Montgomery Street (A0101-106)
San Francisco, California 94163

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