10038. Bank of Altamont (Altamont, MO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
February 2, 1904
Location
Altamont, Missouri (39.889, -94.089)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
54c47e2e

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporaneous articles (Feb 2–11, 1904) report the cashier Lee DeFord absconding with/embezzling bank funds and the bank being placed in the hands of a receiver and described as closed/defunct. No run or depositor panic is mentioned; the suspension led to receivership/closure due to internal embezzlement.

Events (2)

1. February 2, 1904 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Cashier Lee DeFord alleged to have embezzled about $21,000; bank closed and placed in hands of temporary receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
A warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of Lee DeFord, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, charged with the embezzlement of $21,000 of its funds. The bank has been placed in the hands of John Meade as temporary receiver.
Source
newspapers
2. February 11, 1904 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
appointed John W. Mead ... to be special agent in charge of the defunct Bank of Altamont, which recently closed its doors ... will act until a receiver has been appointed by the court. It is thought that the Bank of Altamont will be able to pay its creditors in full (Mexico Missouri Message, Feb 11, 1904).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (9)

Article from The Topeka State Journal, February 2, 1904

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Article Text

CASHIER IS GONE. Is Charged With Embezzlement of $21,000. Altamont, Mo., Feb. 2.-A warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of Lee DeFord, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, charged with the embezzlement of $21,000 of its funds, but he left the city before it could be served. The bank has been placed in the hands of John Meade as temporary receiver. DeFord, who is 30 years of age and married, is a son of a wealthy Altamont man. It is believed he lost the money in speculation.


Article from Deseret Evening News, February 2, 1904

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Article Text

A Cashier Skips. Altamont, Mo., Feb. 2.--A warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of Lee De Ford. cashier of the Bank of Altamont, charged with the embezziement of $21,000 of Its funds, but he left the city before it could be served. The bank has been placed in the hands of John Meade as temporary receiver. De Ford, who is 30 years old and married, is the son of a wealthy Altamont man. It is believed he lost the money in speculation.


Article from Bismarck Daily Tribune, February 3, 1904

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Article Text

SHORT IN HIS ACCOUNTS. Warrant for Arrest of Altamont (Mo.) Bank Cashier. Altamont, Mo., Feb. 3.-A warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of Lee de Ford, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, charged with the embezzlement of $7,000 of its funds, but he left the city before he could be secured. The bank has been placed in the hands of John Meade as temporary receiver. De Ford, who is thirty years old and married, is the son of a wealthy Altamont man. It is believed that be lost the money in speculation.


Article from The Bemidji Daily Pioneer, February 3, 1904

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Article Text

SHORT IN HIS ACCOUNTS. Warrant for Arrest of Altamont (Mo.) Bank Cashier. Altamont, Mo., Feb. 3.-A warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of Lee de Ford, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, charged witlA the embezzlement of $7,000 of its funds, but he left the city before he could be secured. The bank has been placed in the hands of John Meade as temporary receiver. De Ford, who is thirty years old and married, is the son of a wealthy Altamont man. It is believed that he lost the money in speculation.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, February 3, 1904

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Article Text

WARRANT ISSUED FOR A MISSOURI CASHIER Lee De Ford, of Altamont, Is Charged with Embezzling $21,000 of Bank Funds. ALTAMONT, Mo., Feb. 2.-A warrant has been sworn out for the arrest of Lee De Ford, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, charged with the embezzlement of $21,000 of its funds, but he left the city before it could be served. The bank has been placed in the hands of John Meade as temporary receiver. De Ford, who is thirty years old and married, is the son of a wealthy Altamont man. It is believed that he lost the money in speculation.


Article from The Stark County Democrat, February 5, 1904

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Article Text

IS A FUGITIVE Altamont, Mo., Feb. 2.-Lee De Ford, cashier of the bank of Altamont, is a fugitive from justice charged with the embezzlement of $21,000 of the bank's funds. The bank is in the hands of a receiver. It is believed De Ford lost the money in speculation,


Article from The Penn's Grove Record, February 5, 1904

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Article Text

Bank Cashier Gone With $21,000. Lee DeFord, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, Mo., is a fugitive from justice, charged with embezzling $21,000 of the bank's funds. The bank is in the hands of a receiver.


Article from Mexico Missouri Message, February 11, 1904

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Article Text

John M. Mead Receiver. Jefferson City, Mo.: Secretary of State Sam B. Cook, who is by virtue of his office at the head of the State Bank Inspection Department, has ap. nointed John W. Mead of Gallatin, DaViess County, to be special agent in charge of the defunct Bank of Altamont, which recently closed Its doors. Special Agent Mead is president of the Farmers' Exchange Bank of Gallatin, and will act until a receiver has been appointed by the court. It is thought that the Bank of Altamont will be able to pay its creditors in full


Article from The Abbeville Press and Banner, February 24, 1904

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Article Text

# Bank Cashier Gone With $21,000. Lee DeFord, cashier of the Bank of Altamont, Mo., is a fugitive from justice, charged with embezzling $21,000 of the bank's funds. The bank is in the hands of a receiver.