The chaotic history of a great western American enterprise that began during the gold strike of 1849, operated its mails on the Pony Express, pioneered courageous stagecoach lines, and went on to be an American banking institution. This book is a seminal history of Wells Fargo & Company that begins with the discovery of gold in 1848 near Sutter's Mill in California. It follows the transformation of the company in the early 20th century. This history also includes all the characters in this most fascinating time in American History including the prospectors, outlaws, Indians, and Pony Express riders A history of the first 100 years of Wells Fargo.