Tombstone in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Wells Fargo & Company
1879
Photographed by James Hulse, June 16, 2024
1. Wells Fargo & Company Marker
Inscription.
Wells Fargo and Company. Wells Fargo had several locations in Tombstone. They were the major carrier of mail, bullion and payroll in the early years. While they hired agents and shotgun messengers, they contracted with local stage coach lines to carry express cargo. Messengers rode beside the drivers to protect passengers and valuable cargo. Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp were shotgun messengers while in Tombstone. Due to the amounts of money, bullion and valuables they carried, Wells Fargo was a major target for robbery. In one attempt to rob the stage, a driver and passenger were shot, though the robbery was not successful. The messenger, Bob Paul, was able to regain the reins and drive the stage safely to Benson. They hired detectives to apprehend thieves and offered rewards for their capture. In 1918, the federal government combined all of the express companies and only the banking portion retained the Wells Fargo name., Captions , Illustration courtesy of the Wells Fargo Archives collection
Wells Fargo had several locations in Tombstone. They were the major carrier of mail, bullion and payroll in the early years. While they hired agents and shotgun messengers, they contracted with local stage coach lines to carry express cargo. Messengers rode beside the drivers to protect passengers and valuable cargo. Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan Earp were shotgun messengers while in Tombstone. Due to the amounts of money, bullion and valuables they carried, Wells Fargo was a major target for robbery. In one attempt to rob the stage, a driver and passenger were shot, though the robbery was not successful. The messenger, Bob Paul, was able to regain the reins and drive the stage safely to Benson. They hired detectives to apprehend thieves and offered rewards for their capture. In 1918, the federal government combined all of the express companies and only the banking portion retained the Wells Fargo name.
Captions
Illustration courtesy of the Wells Fargo Archives collection
Erected 2009 by Tombstone Restoration Commission. (Marker Number 29.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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• Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.
Location. 31° 42.726′ N, 110° 3.933′ W. Marker is in Tombstone, Arizona, in Cochise County. It is at the intersection of East Allen Street and South 6th Street, on the left when traveling west on East Allen Street. The marker is located along the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 517 E Allen St, Tombstone AZ 85638, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sky Islands and in Southeastern Arizona. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Gadsden Purchase.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 747 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
