Wells Fargo Express.
A saloon keeper and highwayman, Charles A. “Jack” Harris hailed from New England but, by 1861, lived in Carson City, Nevada, where he opened a saloon. Though he did brisk business, it was seemingly not enough for Harris, as he secretly robbed stagecoaches on the side. While serving his customers, he always kept an alert ear out when talk turned to any valuable shipments on the Wells Fargo Express. Then, acting as a lone agent, he would be waiting for the stagecoaches, hiding behind a mask and aiming his rifle.
Usually working alone, he made a mistake in June 1865 when he robbed a stage with two other men named Moses P. Haines and A.P. Waterman, plus two others known only as Pitcher and Love. Hitting a stage hauling a $14,000 payroll shipment bound for the Comstock district, they held it up near Silver City and made off with the cash with no trouble.
Wells, Fargo, and Co. quickly offered a reward for the money’s return and the robbers’ arrest and conviction. Though the descriptions of the men were not very good, Harris and Moses Haines were arrested. After questioning a drifter named Red Smith, who provided helpful information, the officers pressured Haines. The evidence was slim; had he held fast, the officers probably would have dropped the charges. However, Haines began to talk, identifying both Harris and A.P. Waterman.
Waterman, who was found in possession of the plunder, was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison. With Haines talking, Harris knew he was in trouble, but he was good at making deals. He had a lot of information about other crimes and outlaws, which he soon traded for a light sentence. Although he was still sentenced to prison, he was released after serving only a couple of months because of the information he provided. He then left Nevada and was never heard from again. Because he had turned state’s evidence and helped recover most of the stolen money, Haines served no time at all. The others received shorter terms.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated October 2026.
Also See:
Stagecoaches of the American West
Stagecoach Kings (Lines) & Drivers
Stagecoach & Wagon Photo Gallery
See Sources.