In the winter of 1913, southeast Texas was traumatized by floods. The Guadalupe and Trinity rivers overflowed, and the Brazos and Colorado rivers flooded thousands of square miles of land. The flood even changed the Brazos' course, according to the Brazos River Authority: 
property damage was about 3.5 million dollars in the Brazos Valley.
That season was "obviously a classic El Niño year," states a USGS report (scroll down to 1913). 
"There were 180 drownings...Water was waist deep in downtown Bay City... The Colorado River went over the right bank above Columbus and made an island of the town."
Railroads were washed out, including the several on which Wells Fargo & Co. Express carried packages and express shipments. Some trains even stalled en route as flood waters overtook the tracks. In Wells Fargo Messenger, the Company's internal newsmagazine, route Messenger Creighton tells of being stuck on a train near Marlin for a day and a half before rescue. He helped passengers into boats before getting out himself.
Wells Fargo agencies throughout the devastated area volunteered people and equipment to handle supplies and generally assist. Bay City Agent C.L. Aubin opened his home to refugees and his office to the company's horses. After the waters receded, Texas Governor 
O.B. Colquitt acknowledged Wells Fargo's local efforts. In two florid sentences to Mr. G.A. Taft, Wells Fargo Express superintendent in Houston, the governor wrote:
"I am writing for the purpose of thanking you sincerely on behalf of the State Government and the flood sufferers, for the generosity of your company in offering to transport shipments of bedding, blankets, clothing, groceries and other supplies sent out under the direction of the Governor's Office to flood sufferers at various points on the Brazos and Little Rivers during the past four or five weeks."Your prompt and efficient service greatly aided the efficient distribution of assistance furnished through the Governor's Office.
"Yours Truly,
(Signed) O.B Colquitt, Governor"
Leave a comment
Please Note
By posting content on this Blog, you expressly grant Wells Fargo (and its affiliates) the right to use or distribute the posted content in any form, worldwide, and in perpetuity. You also agree to indemnify and hold Wells Fargo harmless against all liabilities, losses, claims and expenses arising from your posting of materials on this Blog (this includes any claim that Wells Fargo's use of the content or images infringes on someone else's intellectual property rights). Comments published on this Blog do not necessarily reflect the views of nor are they endorsed by Wells Fargo. We reserve the right not to publish comments that violate our Community Guidelines. NOTE: If you'd like a response to your comment, please use this form.