Wells is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 1,346 at the 2000 census. It is a railroad town and was once a stopover for passenger trains. The Humboldt River has its source in springs and a swampy area just north of town called Humboldt Wells. In the late 1800's the town of Humboldt Wells was burning down, and in a frantic plea for help, a telegraph was sent that said, "Wells is burning." After this the town was rebuilt and simply referred to as 'Wells.'