Last winter, I did a couple of blog posts about watches that were presented to employees by Wells Fargo for acts of bravery and protecting express shipments. Then a few weeks ago, a package for me arrived at Wells Fargo's Old Sacramento museum. (I never get mail at the museum!)

The contents were very interesting.

The surprise package was from a gentleman named Thomas A. Wright, who was a Wells Fargo team member for 29 years, mostly in San Francisco. Mr. Wright may have the last watch that Wells Fargo presented. Mr. Wright's letter was very descriptive — it included photographs and newspaper articles that explained how he received this prestigious award.

On March 5, 1963, Thomas Wright was seven years into his employment with Wells Fargo. He was Assistant Cashier at the New Montgomery and Mission Streets location, the San Francisco Examiner  reported, when a bandit walked in to the bank, walked over to a teller and handed her a stick up note. Wright noticed the teller's horrified look: "I knew something was wrong and ran towards her." At the same moment Wright jumped up, the robber ran for the door. He had stolen 515 dollars in cash and was trying to get away.

The robber had two accomplices. His "look out man" ran with him down the street, and a driver was waiting in a beat up  '46 Plymouth  down the street. Wright sprinted after the two men and tackled the hold-up man. Wells Fargo's Chief Clerk, Bill Thompson, tackled the other man. The police arrived and arrested the three robbers, who were found to be intoxicated.

For his bravery, Wright was awarded the last presentation watch Wells Fargo has issued to date. In his letter, Mr. Wright expressed that he wished it were a pocket watch like those given in the 19th century. Regardless, the watch is beautiful, made of gold. The engraving on the back reads:

To Thomas A. Wright, in recognition of his courageous conduct March 5th 1963 — Wells Fargo Bank

Thanks for bringing us this memory, Mr.Wright! And thanks again for your courage that day. Wells Fargo never forgets.