Amanda Hopper is an interpreter at the Old Sacramento History Museum, where she presents Wells Fargo's history to visitors. This is her second post for Guided by History. (CR)
A few days ago I was looking in a box on our desk that is filled with index cards 
that explain all the items in our museum. One card refers to a photograph of a man leaning against a pile of silver bars in our "safe room.". The caption to the image reads: "In 1877, Madison Larkin guarded silver from Arizona's Tip Top 
Mine."
The index card for the image reads, "Larkin's tenure as Wells Fargo Agent was fairly short but dramatic. He is the bold, alert fellow with the double-barrel shotgun cradled in his left arm; often pictured guarding a Wells Fargo treasure box and a huge pile of silver bullion." The information comes from the book Wells Fargo in Arizona Territory 
by John and Lillian Theobald. (Tempe, Ariz. 1978)
This card really sparked my interest. I wanted to know what happened to Madison Larkin. Was he killed? What was so dramatic about his time with Wells Fargo?
I began looking through all the books in our "cave" (our nickname for the backroom) and searched the blog to see if anyone had written about him. I asked Martha, who works with me here, if she knew anything about him. (Martha is the one who made all the index cards in the first place — plus, she knows EVERYTHING.)
After a little searching, she was able to answer all my questions about Mr. Larkin....
He was born October 15, 1855 in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
He worked in his father's private banking house until the deaths of his brother and sister. His own poor health made him look for work outdoors, which led him to drive 4,000 head of cattle from Goliad to Waco, Texas 
.
For his next adventure, Larkin found himself with three others on a boat down the Mississippi River 
. They reached their destination with no money and tattered clothing, selling what they could to keep from starving. Luckily, a family friend rescued him and brought him back to Cincinnati.
His health improved and Larkin felt the need to go West. This brought him to his uncle's home in Arizona, where he accepted a position as Wells Fargo's Agent in Phoenix. He also worked in a general store. Larkin narrowly escaped death while sleeping in that store — a tornado collapsed the roof and crushed the person next tohim. At one point, Larkin found himself fleeing a band of Indians but escaped, thanks to the speediness of his horse.
After that, Larkin held a series of jobs in banking, lumbering, meat packing and finally, a text book company. Nothing too exciting, but my questions were answered. Madison Larkin wasn't killed dramatically, and it was not so much his work with Wells Fargo that was greatly exciting, but his life in general.
But now I have new questions. My next research: Whatever happened to James Marshall?!
Hi. Interesting article. I am curious as to why the Wells Fargo archives would have a photo of Mr. Larkin 40 years after his employment with Wells Fargo. We he a particularly noteworthy employee?
Also, I find it kind of interesting how people found fresh air to be healthy and to have rejuvenating if not downright medicinal properties in the "old days" and now many people seem to avoid the the open air. we keep our windows rolled down in preference of the AC, we shut all the windows in our house and filter the air, etc. Could you imaging someone these days telling a sick person to get outside and do something strenuous? Its funny how attitudes change.
Thanks!
Dave
We better hurry with our research on James Marshall since the Marshall Gold Discovery Park is one of the State Parks that may close with the California budget issues!
Too bad since WFC has a strong connection with the location. Without that find and Sam Brannen's marketing, would there be a WFC? Also, one of the sites at the park is the foundation for the former WFC Express office.
what is price of doble barrel shotgun 1800's
Hi Dave:
(Sorry for the lag.) The Larkin pic was in an artcle in the 1910s about the good ol' days. They simply got a photo of him and published it. The article is in our Collection.
Hi das:
all I can tell you is a Remington double-barrel in 1902 ran you about $20.
Good luck with your research!