February 2007 Archives

Charles

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Last night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented their 79th annual awards for achievement. These are the Oscars.

Well, I got to thinking. (This is my job—I'm an historian, and I blog. Neither are nothin' if you don't think. I digress ...) There are many famous Oscars that we can discuss on Oscar Night: Oscar De La Renta, the famous designer, Oscar Hammerstein, the great theater man, and Oscar Mayer, a member of your family, darn it. But there are so many important Oscars in history and—that's right—it's my job to help you remember. So without further ado ...

Oscar Robertson
The preeminent player in his generation, except maybe for Wilt Chamberlain. All-around excellence, good guy, head of the players union, coach, captain ... The Big "O" had it all. Maybe invented it all, at that.

Oscar Tschirky
The story is, he invented Eggs Benedict and the Waldorf salad. He was the maitre d' at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York long ago. A stockbroker was nursing a hangover with an unusual combination of eggs, toast and Hollandaise sauce. Oscar saw, Oscar noted, Oscar changed brunch forever.

Oscar Handlin
Historian, social scientist, changer of paradigm. Oscar(along with his wife, Nary Flug Handlin) wrote The Uprooted, which set the course for studies of immigration for a generation. Even current studies refer to Handlin. You can't get away from Oscar if you're doing American history.

Oscar II of Sweden
Kings are warriors or fat do-nothings or patrons of art. Oscar was the latter. He was also known as a pretty good mediator of international agreements. If you were studying art history during his reign, you could actually get an appointment with His Majesty to discuss your thesis. I myself would have tried it near lunchtime.

Archbishop Oscar Romero
The archbishop was a strong personality in Latin American Liberation Theology, which emphasizes human rights and advocacy for the poor. Oscar worked tirelessly for the people of his See in El Salvador. His opposition to civil war and atrocities angered his barbarous enemies in power, and Oscar was murdered at High Mass on March 24, 1980.

Oscar "Happy" Felsch
Happy was the center fielder for the outstanding Chicago White Sox the year they lost the World Series to Cincinnati, 1919. There were strong rumors that the series was influenced by gamblers, and indictments were brought against eight players, including Felsch. Oscar and his teammates were cleared, but baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banned them all for life anyway. "The joke seems to be on us," Oscar lamented.

So there it is—some famous and sorta famous Oscars. Practical history for you. But don't even ask about famous Johns!

Megan

Minnesotans, like most Midwesterners, love to talk about the weather. What else do you say to someone while standing in line at the post office?

In Minnesota, we made it an institution when Northwestern National Bank installed the 157-foot-tall Weatherball atop its building in downtown Minneapolis in 1949 (celebrated with fireworks and balloons, no less). The Weatherball broadcast the weather in a time before Doppler Radar and the Weather Channel with a simple color code. A snappy jingle made the code easy to remember. (The original jingle was updated in 1956—that’s the one most people remember. You know, "When the weatherball is shining white, colder weather is in sight!")

The largest bank sign between Chicago and the West Coast, the Weatherball and its 1¼ miles of neon tubing could be seen from more than 15 miles away. Originally a bank employee set the color each day at 4:15 p.m., but in 1977 a direct line to the National Weather Service allowed it to be updated four times a day.

The Weatherball was so popular that it became the bank’s symbol. In 1950 “Mr. Weatherball” was introduced. The “jolly creature” gave some life to the big steel sign and took on a life of his own. The Weatherball Dining Room was on the top floor of the original bank building with Weatherball silverware, placemats, and match books. That same year, smaller versions of the Weatherball appeared at nine other Northwestern National Banks in neighborhoods in the Twin Cities. Beginning in 1959, customers opening a savings account with a deposit of $25 or more could receive the collectable Weatherball coin bank.

The Weatherball could withstand winds up to 140 miles per hour but not a fire. On Thanksgiving Day 1982, a fire destroyed the Northwestern National Bank building in Minneapolis, putting out the light atop the Weatherball for good. The following year, the Weatherball was donated to the Minnesota State Fair with the intention of it being rebuilt on the fairgrounds. Instead, it languished in storage for 17 years until it finally met its fate at the scrap yard.

But never fear—the memory of the Northwestern National Bank Weatherball lives on at the Wells Fargo History Museum in Minneapolis, where visitors can bask in its glow. Let’s check the weather: Yes! "It's glowing red—warmer weather is ahead!"

Charles

Cereal City has closed.

The Kellogg Company used to have tours in its plant in Battle Creek, Mich., until 1996. Two years later, the company opened Cereal City USA, an interactive museum experience and store. The visitor numbers never reached their potential, and Cereal City closed its doors last month.

Other brands have enjoyed the success that bypassed Cereal City USA. Harley Davidson® attracts avid Harley fans in three different manufacturing facilities in three states. World of Coca Cola® in Atlanta has a state-of-the-art experience for its visitors. Wells Fargo History Museums in nine locations welcome nearly half a million visitors every year—and stagecoach appearances were seen by over 28 million people last year.

So why did Cereal City sink?

Allan

Customers are the name of the game and listening to customers is the best way to get to know what they are thinking. 200,000 people walk into our Wells Fargo History museum in the Old Town San Diego California State Park every year: I am never bored when I ask a visitor where they are from.

We’ve had a few famous visitors: when Bill Clinton came to visit the Old Town Mexican Café, Walter Cronkite stepped in and I happened to be working the floor. He stayed for several minutes, looking and smiling at the exhibits. I didn’t wish to bother him, so while we did exchange a knowing glance I didn’t think to ask him any questions. I’d say now that was a mistake!

I asked a fellow a couple days ago where he was from and while he said "Tempe, Arizona " his accent said " New Jersey." His wife chimed in that he had rebuilt an old wagon and he went on to say that he liked to restore old furniture to its original finish. His brother pointed out that he had a safe much like the 1885 Herring, Hall, Marvin & Co. safe we have in the museum. So I opened it for them.

"I got one of these in our basement, only it’s smaller and it’s got some shelves in it," he told me. (Old safes tend not to move around much—wonder what the story is there....)

Opening doors is not a bad way to look at what we do. The great part of the job is that our customers open a lot of doors for us as well if we take the time to listen to their stories as well.

Bob

On Valentine's Day, we at Wells Fargo look to our heartthrob—or annual bad pun—John J. Valentine (1840-1901).

In 1862, Valentine left Bowling Green, Ky., for far-distant California. Certainly no Civil War draft officer would find him high in the Sierra tending stagecoaches, telegrams, and Wells Fargo's express business.

Once on a snowbound inspection trip in 1867, his horse threw him over a 50-foot embankment. Valentine was buried head-first in the snow and feet flailing, leading his companions to observe, "He seems to thrive on labor and complexities." The next year, Valentine supervised Wells Fargo's express business.

How did a company expand and thrive when dependant on the rapid delivery of valuables by railroad? With difficulty. John J. Valentine became a great and opinionated diplomat, skillfully negotiating contracts that allowed Wells Fargo to traverse a multitude of fiefdoms, owned and guarded by a multitude of railroads, with competing express companies.

He was successful. In 1888, the doggedly determined general superintendent made Wells Fargo the first "ocean to ocean" express with a through line between San Francisco and New York City. The year 1892 brought him the presidency of Wells, Fargo & Company, Banking and Express.

Valentine's heart was in the right place, and not just on Feb. 14. Above all, he was a humanist. For the world, Valentine led Wells Fargo to organize relief efforts for sufferers from fire, flood and pestilence. A great company, though, goes beyond making money. "The rights of man are of more importance than the paltry consideration of the dollar," he believed, and he took care of Wells Fargoans. For instance, Valentine personally bought circulating libraries to encourage self-improvement.

Speaking for Wells Fargo, Valentine stated simply, "In the administration of our affairs, we appeal to all that is fairest and open and best." At his funeral in 1901, Wells Fargo as a company mourned "Our Guide and Friend."

Charles

On Monday, Feb. 12, the Wells Fargo History Museum in San Francisco is unveiling a new special exhibit:

Wells Fargo Crime Scene Investigation: "Officers in Pursuit"

Protecting the assets of Wells Fargo and its customers has been an important part of the Wells Fargo story since 1852. Using evidence from our corporate archives, "Officers in Pursuit" shows investigative techniques Wells Fargo used to track down stagecoach robbers like Black Bart. The exhibit will also feature today's techniques used to pursue modern bandits.

There is an inaugural Open House event on Thursday, Feb. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You're invited to see the new exhibit and speak with Wells Fargo historians and curators. From noon to 1:30 p.m., Wells Fargo Historian Dr. Robert J. Chandler will personalize copies of his new book, "Wells Fargo," newly released by Arcadia Publishing and part of its "Images of America" series.

Come along with Wells Fargo's special agents as they work to thwart fraud and theft and uphold the vow "Wells Fargo never forgets!"

Charles

Why do people hate the Electoral College?

You know, that anonymous group that actually selects the President, based on the popular vote count of The People. There are a number of organizations that exist to, um ... change the way votes are handled and countless others who include Electoral College reform in their activities.

A "National Popular Vote" plan was just bounced in both North Dakota and Montana, so the movement has to regroup. (Is "movement" the right word?)

What's this all about? Weigh in, readers.

Charles

In 1948, Yvonne De Carlo starred in a silly western film, "Black Bart." The movie co-starred Dan Duryea, Jeffrey Lynn and Percy Kilbride.

The plot of this film involves Charles Boles, alias "Black Bart," going through a Robin Hood outlaw shtick. Bart meets up with famed entertainer Lola Montez, and the pair strike up a romance before the film ends.

There is no historical record of Black Bart and Lola Montez meeting, let alone tasting the sweet, sweet fruit of illicit love. (And since when do movies play fast and loose with the truth? Someone should DO something!)

Whatever the errors in execution, "Black Bart" was a movie, first and foremost—it's purpose was to sell tickets and make producers rich, not teach us about Western history. And a prime component in selling tickets in those days was "the personal appearance." The cast of "Black Bart" stopped by Wells Fargo's History Room, as it was known then, to pose for some publicity photos during the world premiere in San Francisco.

Each of the stars made lots more movies. Yvonne De Carlo and Dan Duryea co-starred in the memorable "Criss Cross," and Miss De Carlo enjoyed her greatest fame on television. She passed away only a month ago.

But these publicity shots, like the movies she and every actor leave behind, keep her alive and goofing around on the stagecoach. And with the Golden Spike. Yeah, they're all working for a living, but they seem to be having a nice time. And how about Lynn's righteous bow tie? They just don't make 'em like they used to.

Charles

With the Colts' win over the Bears in Super Bowl XLI (pronounced, "41"—you figure it out!), it's just like old times in The Circle City. All of us at my party—yours too, I'm sure—harkened back to the building of the National Road through Indy back in 1834 or so.

After the U.S. obtained the vast Louisiana Territory, Americans were hot to build transportation lines to the West. There were many ideas, including roads, canals and the newfangled railroad. Congress authorized a road in 1811 from Cumberland, Md., to the Missouri River in Jefferson City, Mo., but it got as far as western Illinois before the whole thing was dropped. Indianapolis was on the National Road, but it had been the State Capitol since 1821. The point is, Indy was happening, and the Road wanted a piece of the action.

Chicago, meanwhile, was trying to figure out how to establish itself. The site was an important geographic point but was a boggy piece of real estate (in other words, a great idea, but does anyone have a squeegee?). By the time the National Road got to Indianapolis, Illinoisans were hard at work building the Illinois and Michigan Canal to connect Great Lakes and Mississippi River traffic—and maybe beat some of the National Road business. It was finished in 1848, the same year the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad (G&CU) reached the Mississippi at Clinton, Iowa. In a short time, Chicago became a major transportation point for the world.

A year earlier, the Madison and Indianapolis Railroad had connected Indianapolis with Ohio River logistics. River boats and railroads had become the main transportation for commercial traffic. They connected established Eastern cities with those growing quickly in today's Midwestern region.

Indianapolis was established, grew quickly and flourished, before and after the National Road. Chicago got started, found its way, burned to the ground and rebuilt as the premier city in the region—and soon, a world-class place (an "alpha city," if you like). Indianapolis got good fast and has kept itself in the middle of things. Hey, they just won the Super Bowl!

There will be other Big Games, and a few will likely involve Indy. For the next few days, Chicago will have to content itself with being, well—Chicago. My Kind of Town.