Jim Miller's gold watch and chain, c. 1866 The Golden Timepiece: Jim Miller's Dazzling Bullion Pocket Watch Long before Wells Fargo decided to bolster their security with armed guards, the stage drivers stood as the sole defense against potential robberies. In the mid-1860s, a daring driver named Miller embarked on a fateful journey, accompanied by five passengers and a staggering $30,000 in freshly minted gold designated for a mining payroll. As the stagecoach descended a steep grade, the dusky twilight bore witness to a spine-chilling command that echoed through the air - "Halt!" The menacing order, "Throw down the box!" growled from the shadows, rousing the ever-watchful Miller to action. He sprang into motion without hesitation, expertly wielding his buckskin lash to strike at the near-wheel horse while drawing his revolver. Fire and lead belched from his gun, a defiant declaration of Miller's resolve. Lurking bandits, concealed in a nearby ditch, un...