I was reading about the One of One Thousand rifles in Mr. Williamson’s book. He was discussing the period following the nationwide search in 1950 which brought these rifles to, “…leap from obscurity to fame…” Williamson writes, “So well established has the ‘One of One Thousand’ now become that, as a result of requests from school children, the Wells Fargo Bank and Trust Company of San Francisco felt obliged to add one to its famous collection of historical items relating to the early West in which it played such a significant part.”
Requests from school children! In California of all places! One only wonders how such a request from school children would be handled today.
I wonder if they still have the rifle? They probably never projected what a fine financial investment it would turn out to be.
I recall reading about this historic presentation Wells Fargo Henry rifle. At one time it was in the museum collection.
I don’t see any mention of a Model 1873 One of One Thousand in the museum but it may still be there.
https://www.wellsfargohistory.com/this-day-in-history/05-30-2020/
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
I recall reading about this historic presentation Wells Fargo Henry rifle. At one time it was in the museum collection.I don’t see any mention of a Model 1873 One of One Thousand in the museum but it may still be there.
https://www.wellsfargohistory.com/this-day-in-history/05-30-2020/
Yes, Williamson tells the story of Steve Venard who armed with a Henry rifles tracked down and delivered justice to three Wells Fargo stage coach robbers. He received $3000 cash reward and a, “brand new, suitably inscribed sixteen-shot Henry rifle. It had become fixed policy with express management, when a man showed himself adept at gunning bandits, to present him with a fine rifle and its hearty compliments.”
steve004 said
Bill Hockett said
I recall reading about this historic presentation Wells Fargo Henry rifle. At one time it was in the museum collection.
I don’t see any mention of a Model 1873 One of One Thousand in the museum but it may still be there.
https://www.wellsfargohistory.com/this-day-in-history/05-30-2020/
Yes, Williamson tells the story of Steve Venard who armed with a Henry rifles tracked down and delivered justice to three Wells Fargo stage coach robbers. He received $3000 cash reward and a, “brand new, suitably inscribed sixteen-shot Henry rifle. It had become fixed policy with express management, when a man showed himself adept at gunning bandits, to present him with a fine rifle and its hearty compliments.”
wish we could do that today.
1 Guest(s)