1013. Union Savings Bank (San Jose, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
January 31, 1899
Location
San Jose, California (37.297, -121.819)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
efa65a3358fc6a90

Response Measures

None

Description

The Union Savings Bank of San Jose suspended payment Jan. 31, 1899 after heavy unsecured advances/overdrafts to fruit dealer E.B. Howard (reported ~$300,000). The State Bank Commissioners and Attorney General moved to declare the bank insolvent and a receiver (Joseph R. Ryland) was appointed; affairs were turned over to a liquidation board in March. No clear contemporaneous report of a depositor 'run' causing the suspension — the cause given throughout is large bad loans/overdrafts to a customer. Bank was wound up and did not resume normal operations.

Events (2)
1. January 31, 1899 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Collapse precipitated by large advances and enormous overdraft to fruit dealer E. B. Howard (reported around $300,000) and inability to realize on assigned securities.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union Savings Bank of this city suspended payment today. The cashier, Anton Friant, stated that the trouble was due to inability of the concern to realize at once on assets.
Source
newspapers
2. March 29, 1899 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union Savings Bank was to-day turned over to President James W. Rea of the new board of directors for the liquidation of its affairs. The transfer was made by Receiver Ryland, on the order of the Bank Commissioners.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (24)
1. February 1, 1899 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Journal, February 1, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

TWO BANKS CLOSED. Suspension of the Union Savings, of San Jose, with Large Deposits. SAN JOSE, Cal., Jan. 31.-The Union Savings Bank of this city suspended payment to-day. The cashier, Anton Frient, stated that the trouble was due to the inability of the concern to realize at once on assets and further stated that in closing its doors the bank was following the advice of counsel. The bank's authorized capital is $1,000,000 and the paid-up capital is $300,000. The reserve fund is placed at $49,000. There has been no public statement of deposits for some time, but it is known that they were large. It is said that an immediate cause of the trouble is due to advances made to a customer.

2. February 1, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 1, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

SAN JOSE BANK CLOSES ITS DOORS Union Savings Institution Suspends. MADE DISASTROUS LOANS PRESIDENT SAYS DEPOSITORS WILL NOT LOSE. Collapse Caused by the Advancing of Large Sums to a Fruit Shipper Who Could Not Repay. Special Dispatch to The Call. Jan. 31.-The Union business Savings this SAN JOSE, this city suspended Bank of and the Bank Commissioners morning, to-morrow to assume will arrive here institution. The failure was to charge of the the bank making advances caused by a fruit shipper, amounting that E. B. Howard, $100,000, and from the fact the securities given. it to has about been unable to realize upon of the bank were opened were as The doors morning, but all checks News usual this and depositors turned away. no great refused failure spread rapidly, but crowd of the created. A small at the place, but all would be gathered that the depositors other excitement was expressed on confidence in full. There was no was run announced the doors paid banks. At 3 o'clock would it remain closed unin that were straightened. have til matters year rumors been shaky For over a the bank was circulation that deposits were withdrawn. the and many it became publicly known along that and wary. bank Lately was carrying Howard During the past few this days made acceptances people in Howard the shape were of time redrafts deposited by These amounted Bank to protested. The Union Savings turned its about $30,000. and it took all meet these morning, it is had working to capital. This $10,000 on hand. was less than manager, said, there Wright, president and to raise H. Ward San Francisco to try but was went to yesterday afternoon, decided to bank. some unsuccessful. money It was then close the Weaver, president. of the Saturday BerryT. R. Fruit Growers' Union, on fr sold attached essa Howard for $2059 Before for doing so to him by the to union. the Union Bank Fruit and Weaver went $2900 belonging atachment to the condrew out Union. This Howard's failure was certain Growers' bank that the instiraise vinced the and would involve were money futile tution. and Efforts the only to alternative was to all close. stockholders of the bank are $7,000.The whose wealth aggregates J. rich men Among them are C. H. and Hopkins, the De 000. O. Hirschfelder, Francisco. E. Mandel The deposits Laveagas to of about San $780,000. these. The securities The San amount nearly ample to meet Loan Association, are Jose Building and in the bank, has $8000 afwhich on deposit, has its but office otherwise will not of be the fected. morning an absolute and deed Mountain bank This premises Myra on E. Wright, First wife stockholders, of Wilstreets liam H. to Wright, the one Recorder's of the office. Revenue The stamps on it to deed was filed was in dated show June the 15, consideration 1898. to have been $60,000. whole batch of assign- were This afternoon Union a Savings Bank that had ments filed. from These the were about mortgages two years were: ago. I. been transferred assignees and the of amounts San Francisco, NeUnion The Trust W. Hellman, Company president of the $4900; vada Bank, $22,500. Bank was organized $1,000,000, The Union Savings with a capital of The reten years $300,000 ago was $40,000. paid up. The officers of which fund is given as president and manserve Ward Wright, president Anare: H. Henry Edwards, directors-1 vice H. Bow- W. Wright, ager; tone Friant, cashier; W. H. Wright Wheeler, den, A. Thomas Friant, Johnson, E. A. within H. President C. Morrill. Wright said Bank this evening: will reopen will assessing "The three Union months. Savings The depositors the the stockholdThe be paid in bank full by has good securities. to-day, was deed ers. The to_Myra E. Wright, $60,000 filed borrowed last of for security Thirty-five for thousand dollars The summer. already been paid. Howard bank's this loan failure has is due so to deeply carrying indebted him to along. He became had to keep securities advancing in the us that and we some of his not good. His inmoney, shape of drafts of nearly were $100,000 is probably debtedness for wo-thirds. succeeded Howard secured B. Howard, who an extensive busiE. has done fruits. He prob& St. and green for ness ably is indebted to of the bank will $100,000. in George, dried The failure orchardists nearly force Savhim into insolvency. of the Union Bank to In the last of report San Jose to its the condition State the morning Bank ings Commissioners of January as 1, 1899, the on data appears: following RESOURCES. 95,000.00 64 925 04 Bank premises debt

3. February 1, 1899 The Saint Paul Globe Saint Paul, MN
Article from The Saint Paul Globe, February 1, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

TELEGRAPHIC BREVITIES. NEW YORK, Jan. 31.- The steamer St. Paul, sailing from here tomorrow, will take out 755,000 ounces of silver. PITTSBURG, Pa., Jan. 31.-Michael Bumnisky, who strangled himself to death in the county jail on Jan. 17, confessed before committing suicide, that he had not only killed his wife, but had strangled his baby, three years ago. He was jealous of his wife. NEW YORK, Jan. 31.-The Electrical Company of America, it was announced in Wall street, today, has secured control of the Jamaica Electric Light and Power company. This is regarded as another step in the proposed consolidation of electric companies of Greater New York. SAN JOSE, Cal., Jan. 31. -The Union Savings bank of this city suspended payment today. It was stated that the trouble was due to inability of the concern to realize at once on assets. The authorized capital is $1,000,000 and paid up capital is $300,000. WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-Two new cases of small-pox were reported to the health authorities today, both of colored persons, me ing three in all which have occurred recently. The cases reported today are believed to have been contracted in Alexandria, where the disease has prevailed for some time to a limited degree. CHICAGO, Jan. 31.-Moses S. Greenbaum, president of the firm of Michael Greenbaum Sons Co., contractors, filed today a petition in voluntary bankruptcy, in which he schedules liabilities aggregating $264,054 and assets of $21.900. NEW YORK, Jan. 31.-Frederick Rolker,, Brooklyn, a former member of the firm of Sulzbach, Weinge & Rolker, which was dissolved in 1890, filed a petition in bankruptcy today. He acknowledges an indebtedness of $24,380.36, and has no available assets.

4. February 2, 1899 The Record-Union Sacramento, CA
Article from The Record-Union, February 2, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Depositors of the San Jose Concern Greatly Alarmed at the Outlook. A Large Portion of the Deposits of the Bank the Hard-Earned Savings of the Working Classes, Who See Little Hope of Recovering Their Money - Shady Transactions Connected With the Closing. SAN JOSE, Feb. -The feeling the of security which existed in regard earlier to Union Savings Bank during the place to hours of yesterday has given There one of dismay and bitterness. even threats of criminal prosecuare: tions. It is now being openly charged affairs about the street that the bank's that it in a terrible condition, and are not acted fair toward its depositors feeland has the commercial public. The well exof yesterday morning was said: ST ing pressed by one depositor, who 1 have $1,000 there, all the money have, but I know I will get my money, and the bank has large assets the for strong stockholders, and here is banking-house.' Later in the day the deed conveying E banking-house to Mrs. Myra went on record, and Other stories became Wright the public. of this became trans- fact of valuable assets and before banking afternoon a crowd public, ferring the away hours of anxious closed filled depositors in lined the sidewalks and great bank lobby. There was a of deal the of discussion and canvassing desuch facts as came out, and the positors became alarmed. The absence of President Wright and it reticence of the other officers made stateimpossible to get any official But by this morning many recfacts ment. had become public through in here and banks and records ords Francisco, and these facts brought disabout San the feeling of bitterness and in the which now generally exists stockminds may of depositors and smaller holders. The feeling was accentuated not when the doors of the bank did open this morning. the semi-annual statement was furnished When the State Bank Commission- buildon January 1. 1899, the bank iners furniture and fixtures were cluded ing, as an asset and valued at build- $95, 000. The deed transferring the and bears date of June 15, 1898, uning causes much comment of an afterfavorable this character. Then in the came the fact that assignments amountnoon from the bank of mortgages It to $74,000 had gone on record. such ing these things which cause few a reversal is of public sentiment in a hours. the bank made its statement 1st When the Commissioners on January over it to as due depositors slightly than that $791,000. gave No statement later the far been obtainable from banks officials. has so It is known that local Union, looked with distrust on the have and it is possible that some depositors Some withdrawn their money. week, have to do so during the past it that but tried did not succeed. Gossip extravagant has the bank has promised induce depositors their money rates to let of interest remain to there. of were a vast number depos- clerks There the working class and itors have from put their hard-earned sav- hurt who there. These are particularly with has been scale, B. ings and The disturbed bank conditions carrying large now. E. a fruit dealer on a This Howard, attached Saturday. the $72,000. has and precipitated he was trouble. It is said Howard owes the bank an that have been made to secure but the Efforts confirmation of this, the only official reply given is that he owes bank. San Jose Building and Loan con- AsThe is now being discussed in with the failure. assothe bank managed nection sociation dent of The talk the Presi- about and in the excited that ciation, streets to-day there are fears were at the suffer. Headquarters that the it may and it is conceded there. the bank, had $8,000 on deposit reveal the It association may take several days to true situation. were made during the foreEfforts get some statement as to These what noon to the bank would follow. after noon course unsuccessful, but just He said were Wright was seen. would President meeting of the Directors then that a some course would be held and upon. He thought, howhe decided that an assessment would and at once beever, levied on the shareholders would lieved be that $10 on each $15. share square things, certainly Every bank in declared that was officially town was seen to-day. At e a c h were it caught by the affected. Union Savings The none and in no way had been failure, declared that they the broken officers the difficulties of in aware of had protected themselves Union bank, and All checks on the yesterday 'ample tendered time. other banks tendering were Bank returned to the person them. the depositors of the while defunct those institution While are uneasy. and their all in the stockholders the who institution have may suffer, state- it ment may stock be, is of correct, if President that all Wright's depositors will

5. February 2, 1899 The Record-Union Sacramento, CA
Article from The Record-Union, February 2, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

be paid in full with no great delay. But it seems to be evident that there is something of a tangle to straighten out before the actual condition is known. Wright says that the transfer to Mrs. Myra Wright is only a mortgage and that she has been paid $35,000 on the debt. To-day a mortgage given January 16, 1899, by J. W. and D. L. Cunningham to the bank to secure $10,150, went on the record as assigned by the bank to I. W. Hellman. Some of the mortgages which have been assigned, as shown by yesterday's recordings, are probably worthless. That of L. A. Spitzer recorded yesterday was paid in full and discharged last November. E. B. Howard, the fruit dealer here who is mentioned as the bank defaulter. has assigned. He was attached Saturday for about $2,000 and on a small amount to-day, but was never disturbed by the bank. When seen by an Associated Press reporter he referred all questions to his attorney, S. F. Lieb, for answer. Lieb says that he cannot give Howard's assets and liabilities, and while he has made no assignment he will do so as circumstances force it. Howard also directs him to say that all creditors shall share alike whether attaching or not Howard has been an extensive buyer of fruit, and has been a bull in the market. He has been the best friend the fruit men ever had here. Had prices advanced on fruit he would have been a big winner. Lieb says the bank would not have disturbed him at all, and that he had offers of assistance, but could not see his way clear to come out, so will assign. PANK COMMISSIONERS INVESTIGATING. SAN JOSE, Feb. 1.-Bank Commissioners A. W. Barret, John Markley and Secretary Dunsmoor of the board, -ar rived this afternoon, and at once began their work of inquiry into the business methods of the suspended Union Savings Bank. Little that is official can be known concerning the internal affairs of the bank until their report is complete. This will not be until Friday at the farthest. It is not expected that Bernard Murphy, the newly appointed Commissioner, will be present at the investigations. Despite the difficulty of giving any detailed information concerning the status of the bank at present, President H. Ward Wright to-night said in an interview: "I am one of the most heavily involved stockholders of the bank at present, and I can state positively that the loss, whatever it be, will fall upon the stockholders. No matter what rumors may be afloat, nothing definite can be given out until the report of the Commissioners is finished. After going over about one-quarter of their matter this afternoon, the Commissioners expressed their satisfaction to me regarding the available assets of the bank. The entire matter has been precipitated by the pressure exerted upon us owing to the attachment of E. B. Howard, the fruit man."

6. February 3, 1899 The Record-Union Sacramento, CA
Article from The Record-Union, February 3, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Owes the Bankrupt Concern Fully Three Hundred Thousand Dollars. Allowed to Continually Overdraw His Account, Without Giving Any Securities-Will Require an Assessment of at Least Thirty Dollars a Share on the Bank's Stock to Pay Depositors. SAN JOSE, Feb. 2.-Another assignment of mortgage by the Union Savings went on record this is and is to Bank for $40,000, Wells, morning. Fargo The It & Bank of San Francisco. was executed by mortgage Co.'s January Thomas 18, N. Fisher and Ann Fisher, to the Union Savings Bank, and to Wells, Fargo & assigned 1898, Co.'s Bank, January 22, 1898. The mortgages which have been asthe bank as now appearing to considerably more It is said, just how $100,000. signed amount by correctly than cannot now be verified, that all these mortgages were included in the assets of the bank when the statement was furnished the Commissioners on January 1st last. The matter of the Spitzer mortgage has not been explained as yet. The records in the County Recorder's office the mortgage was last and show discharged that November, those satisfied yet the reassigned mortgage is among corded this week. does not hear so much talk of to-day as criminal One proceedings of yester- great day, but there is a feeling dissatisfaction toward the management, which is characterized as having been reckless, if not actually criminal. No statement of assets and liabilities of the institution has been printed here for while. The day of the failcould be had from ure a none long obtained the bank it people, and when one was the San headof the Bank quarters came from Commissioners. Francisco been Henry Edwards' name has appearing in local papers in the card of the bank as Vice President of the inHe is a man of means, his are authority for stitution. friends the state- bank and ment that he went out of the months ago, and had some time since his warned the management not to use name. The continued publication may have been by oversight. Stories come from sources which are deemed perfectly reliable, which, if true, show that the bank gave enormous inrates of discount to customers to duce them to take up their paper which had not matured. But the most startling development far to-day is the official statement bank sources that E. the fruit dealer, owes so from ard, the that the B. How- prac- bank or more, and the bank has no fully tically $300,000 security. became It is charged that when Howard for a customer he deposited security $40,000, and was one of the best customers the bank had But he got to overdrawing his account. He ran along he owed the bank $75,000. Strong were made to have refused him more efforts until The bank him money. settle. bank After much parley, so the charges, he agreed to raise the money and pay off the debt, if permitted to withdraw the securities deposited there. was eventually permitted to do so, He but never paid or brought any securi- put ties. The bank's attorney was The after him. Howard did nothing. directors became aware of the situa. and continued and renewed efforts howtion, to collect. Howard, master of the that if the were ever, announced developed made bank situation. pressed He he would file a petition in insolhim He continued to draw until the $300,000 vency. or more is due and practically unsecured. Howard states that he has suffered at the hands of the bank than more the bank has by him. But he is shut- and mouth on the whole proposition, refers all to his attorneys. His attorstated to an Associated Press idea reneys porter at noon that they had no and of his assets and liabilities, said yet were making no guesses. They assignthat so soon as it is ready an Last ment will be made by Howard. out week Howard sent a lot of fruit by freight. The Commissioners are in charge of the bank, but so far have no statement to give out. is now conceded that if every shareholder It pays it will take $30 a share or more to pay depositors.

7. February 3, 1899 Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Cresco, IA
Article from Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer, February 3, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Savings Bank Suspends. San Jose, Cal., Feb. 1.- The Union savings bank, of this city, suspended payment Tuesday. The cashier, Anton Friant, stated that the trouble was due to the inability of the concern to realize at once on assets, and stated that in closing its doors the bank was following the advice of counsel. The bank was organized a number of years ago under the laws of this state, and has done a general banking business. The authorized capital is $1,000,000, and the paid-up capital is $300,000. The reserve fund is placed at $49,000. There has been no public statement of deposits for some time, but it is known that they were large. It is said that an immediate cause of the trouble is due to advances made to a customer.

8. February 3, 1899 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA
Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 3, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

SAN JOSE'S BANK FAILURE. Howard, the Fruit Dealer, Owed It Nearly $300,000. SAN JOSE, Cal. Feb. 2.-Another assignment of mortgage by the Union Savings bank went on record today. It is for $40,000 and is to Wells, Fargo & Co.'s bank, of San Francisco. The mortgage was executed by Thomas N. Fisher and Ann Fisher, January 18, 1889, to the Union Savings bank, and was assigned to the Wells-Fargo bank January 22, 1898. The mortgages which have been assigned by the bank, as now appears, amount to considerably more than $100,000. It is said, just how correctly cannot now be verified, that all these mortgages were included in the assets of the bank when the statement was furnished the commissioners January 1st last. The most startling development today is the official statement from bank sources that E. B. Howard. the fruit dealer, owes the bank fully $300,000 or more, and that practically the bank has no security. It is charged that when Howard became a customer he deposited security for $40,000 and was one of the best customers the bank had. It's said that If all the stockholders pay up an assessment of $30 a share will not pay the depositors in full,

9. February 3, 1899 Little Falls Weekly Transcript Little Falls, MN
Article from Little Falls Weekly Transcript, February 3, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

MINOR ITEMS OF INTEREST. Sir Thomas Taylor, chief justice of Manitoba, has resigned. The Union Savings bank of San Jose, Cal., has suspended payment. Merchants' excursions will be run to the Twin Cities in February, March and April. The Chicago Great Western will fund about $7,000,000 indebtedness into debenture stock. Sir Francis Clare Ford, recently Britambassador at Rome, is dead. He of tered the diplomatic service in 1852. General Engan. it is asserted, will not be dismissed from the army, but may be suspended until his retirement in 1903. James J. Corbett and Thomas Sharkey have been matched to box six rounds in Chicago on the night of March 7. The comptroller of the currency has received a telegram announcing the failare of the First National bank of Rus sell, Kan. The comptroller of the currency has declared a dividend of 20 per cent in favor of creditors of the First National bank of Pembina, N. D.

10. February 3, 1899 The Anaconda Standard Anaconda, MT
Article from The Anaconda Standard, February 3, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

ANOTHER ASSIGNMENT. Startling Developments in the Union Savings Bank Failure. San Jose, Cal., Feb. 2.-Another assignment of mortgage by the Union Savings bank went on record to-day. It is for $40,000, and is to Wells, Fargo & Co.'s bank of San Francisco. The mortgage was executed by Thomas N. Fisher and Ann Fisher Jan. 18. 7899. to the Union Savings bank ,and was assigned to Wells, Fargo & Co.'s bank Jan. 22, 1898. The mortgages which have been assigned by the bank, as now appears, amount to considerably more than $100,000. It is said, just how correctly cannot be now verified, that all these mortgages were included in the assets of the bank when the statement was furnished the commissioners Jan. 1 last. The most startling development to-day is the official statement from bank sources that E. B. Howard, the fruit dealer, owes the bank fully $300,000 or more, and that practically the bank has no security. It is charged that when Howard became a customer he deposited security for $40,000 and was one of the best customers the bank had. It is said that if all the stockholders pay up that an assessment of $30 a share will not pay depositors in full.

11. February 3, 1899 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Herald, February 3, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

WILD-CAT BANKING. How San Jose Savings Bank Was Wrecked. San Jose, Cal., Feb. 2.-Another assignment of mortgage by the Union Savings bank went on record today. It is for $40,000. and is to Wells, Fargo & Co.'s bank of San Francisco. The mortgage was executed by Thomas N. Fisher and Ann Fisher, Jan. 18, 1889, to the Union Savings bank, and was assigned to Wells, Fargo & Co.'s bank on Jan. 22, 1898. The mortgages which have been assigned by the bank, as now appears, amount to considerably more than $100,000. It is said-just how correctly cannot now be verified-that all these mortgages were included in the assets of the bank when the statement was furnished the commissioners on Jan. 1 last. The most startling development today is the official statement from bank sources that F. B. Howard, the fruit dealer, owes the bank fully $300,000 or more, and that, practically, the bank has no security. It is charged tha! when Howard became a customer he deposited security for $40,000 and was one of the best customers the bank had. It is said that if all the stockholders pay up, that an assessment of $30 a share will not pay depositors in full.

12. February 5, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 5, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

SCENE OF THE FOUL CRIME cial statement, the bank was known to ure of the Union Savings Bank is the fact that commercial and savings debe tottering on the verge of collapse. That the commission should send the posits are involved. A few years ago the directors amended the articles of letter demanding that the bank officials take immediate steps to remedy the incorporaion so that a commercial busievils which the commissioners knew ness as well as a savings business could would cause its ruin if allowed to conbe transacted. The name of the bank, tinue to exist and then neglect to folhowever, was not changed and to unlow up and enforce its demand, is desuspecting people it continued to be exclared by prominent business men in clusively a savings bank. this city to be an unheard of piece of The responsibility of the wreck of the folly and an exhibition of incompeUnion Bank is upon the shoulders of the officers of the institution. Yet these tency and indifference to the welfare of the depositors almost unparalleled. very men who have ruined the bank The ostensible work of the commiswill wind up its affairs if the courts declare the bank insolvent. This is an sion has long been regarded as a farce anomaly of the law that the new Bank and the manner of conducting its business as shown in this instance Commissioners understand but emstrengthens the well-founded belief phatically do not indorse. When a bank that it is maintained simply for the is legally declared insolvent the law of purpose of providing jobs for men havthe State provides that the officers of ing political pulls. the defunct institution and not the Dr. Frank Finigan of this city is one Bank Commissioners shall carry the of those who were caught by the failure bank through liquidation. The comof the bank, but unlike his fellow vicmissioners may prescribe the number tims, he succeeded in dragging his of officers and may fix their salaries, but the authority thus exercised is money from under the wreckage, although in order to attain this result he purely supervisory. was obliged to resort to drastic means. A short time ago Dr. Finigan suffered a loss by fire and a few days before COMMISSION ACCUSED the failure he received a draft from the insurance company for nearly a thousand dollars in settlement of his claim. OF GRAVE OFFENSES He placed the draft in the Unions Savings Bank for collection. When the crash came the dentist hurried to the bank and demanded his money. He Wright Says Report of Bank's was informed that the bank having suspended, it was impossible to accomAffairs Is Maliciously modate him. Dr. Finigan then placed the matter Inaccurate. in the hands of Attorney S. F. Leib, who acted promptly. He notified the SAN JOSE, Feb. 4.-H. Ward Wright, bank officials that they must render an ex-president of the Union Savings accounting of the commission given Bank, declares that the State Bank them to collect the draft and that the Commissioners have willfully misrepremoney must be paid to his client at once. He gave the bank people until 3 sented the facts in regard to the finano'clock Thursday afternoon to produce cial condition of the wrecked instituthe coin, and informed them that if it tion and he denies absolutely that the was not forthcoming at that hour he bank ever received the letter alleged to would swear out warrants for the arhave been sent by the commission. rest of every officer of the institution This letter, which was published this on a criminal charge. The money was forthcoming at the appointed time. morning in The Call, called attention to

13. February 6, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 6, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

HE WILL HANDLE THE CROP ACTION BENEFITS UNION BANK DEPOSITORS. Defunct Savings Institution May Realize Something on the Shipper's Heavy Indebtedness. Special Dispatch to The Call. SAN JOSE, Feb. 5.-Rumors of further more sensational and developments out of the of the Bank are freeUnion growing Savings collapse being ly circulated, and the San Jose public is on of Ex-PresiWright the edge expectancy. dent broadly hints at the culpability other officials of the and it about that when is being of whispered bank, the true history of the failure is known the and their have depositors been trustingly business confiding men who money care of the wrecked inbe astounded the revestitution to will the by are to all the and lations. ask where People already 'money went, beginning they are answering the question themwhether these answers are on of or selves, based but actual knowledge simply guessing at the real facts is something that cannot be determined at this particular time. Ex-President Wright's reply to the published statement of the Bank Comhad the effect bracing up who missioners his has friends, now of declare more sinned that he will sinning that he and is against eventually than emerge from the cloud of doubt that now all connected in an official with institution cleaner envelopes record capacity with the a than the are now to all the those who seeking majority shift of responsibility for the disaster on to his the bank on the Howard something It shoulders. is probable indebtedness, will realize is difficult to situation. although the amount it The will materially say affect whether the creditors of the who is to have bankers for bled lative the shipper gullible alleged over specu- $300,000 are mostly cause fact that Howard of the market for the backbone of the fruit-growers, and has several been beyears reason of any shipper for are to stand by him. than inclined past, other by paying fruit, They more they are they stand a money due them of pressing confident getting their the better chance by not claims at this time than into will be given an Howard to by handle forcing the him insolvency, opportunity and vast quantity of now on hand, which he can do to better than he edly has advntage undoubt- prunes a receiver. feature of the of of prunes A sixty peculiar carloads belonging attachment to Howard by President T. R. Weaver of the Berryessa Fruit Company, which action was the signal for the closing of the doors, has just come to A before the acting as an levied few bank's days Weaver, attachment agent light. was for offered 61/2 cents a prune crop of X. E. Howard, the carload of Burns. pound One for the fruit was when Howard not care to make San that chases he Jose, for did brought announced any pur- to the present. were disposed of for 41/2 cents a and Earl Company subsequently day The pound, prunes to the a or so later Weaver crisis property for $2000 tated Howard's Berryessa the bank by attaching due precipi- the Fruit of Now the eager go as it then was he is president. to let Exchange, latter to which is grab as at to secure its debt. is more likely that the will something be than released attachment and it to-morrow. to a syndicate to fruit has fallen will be tempt Howard's Howard probably form through allowed The handle and atdeals with The bank complete unmolested. profit by his this Eastern depositors brokers will to arrangement, as 150 carloads of in the has amount tracted fully for in valley and prunes Howard a large conaddition in the agents. He and if his the Eastern market. practically holdings hands controls were of to on the market at could not fail to large amount of this trous. be the dumped result A be this fruit disas- time was to the Union to the failure as cash made to advances previous assigned of Savings Howard, security Bank but for just how much neither Howard nor the bank officials will say. The statement given that certain were in "cahoots" with while bank the effect officials circulation Howard, of the to plausible on its face in is as true. It is ally of good recent accepted developments, not the said gener- light on authority that the true has not yet been is the public is the when failure it liable told, story to and be of treated to a surprise of the sensational order. ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS The Plenic

14. February 9, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 9, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

SAN JOSE, Feb. 8.-The affairs of the defunct Union Savings Bank are to be wound up as speedily as the slow-mov.ing machiner of the law will permit. The directors will meet at 2 o'clock on Saturday to consider a detailed report of the condition of the bank's affairs, which is being prepared by the State Bank Commissioners. This report is expected to supply a basis for estimating approximately the resources of the wrecked concern. The drectors at Satfurday's session will issue a call for a stockholders' meeting to be held at an early date. At that meeting certain stockholders will be delegated to bring an action in the Superior Court to have a receiver appointed for the bank. There are already numerous applicants for the receivership, but in all probability the court will be asked to appoint ex-Mayor Paul : Austin, president of the:Security Savings Bank. Mr. Austin is amply qualified for the position, as he was for years engaged in the real estäte business in this city before taking charge of the Security Savings Bank several years ago. He is regarded as the best man for the position and as the one man who would be likely to be acceptable to both the stockholders and the depositors of the wrecked concern. The new board of directors of the San Jose Building and Loan Association tonight elected the following officers: President, J. M. Pitman; vice president, W: C. Andrews; secretary, F. V. Wright: assistant secretary, A. K. Whitton; treasurer, L. G. Nesmith; attorney, W. A. Johnston. The directors who were elected at the annual meeting of stockholders last night are as follows: C. M. Wooster, C. J. Steeple, V. Koch, M. Haas, J. M. Pitman, W. C. Andrews and S. N. Johnston. With the exception of the president and secretary, the list of officers is entirely new and will tend to restore con.fidence in the association, which is in a first class condition financially, although it has undoubtedly suffered through its indirect connection with the wrecked bank. The re-election of F. V. Wright as secretary was rather unexpected, as it was intended to drop him, as well as W: H. Wright, the old treasurer. and Antone Friant, the old vice president. But F. V. Wright pleaded so hard to be retained in his position, at least for a (while, in order that he might not appear to be "kicked out," that the original plan was modified to allow him to gracefully. The creation of the of secretary view, of the new, out ment get:out this office association assistant and the active will be manage- hence- bears forth in the hands of Colonel A. K. Whitton, who was elected to fill that position. Wright promised to resign as secretary after the bank scandal shall Have blown over, and then Whitton. will be elected secretary to succeed him and the position of assistant secretary abolished. Gradually additional facts in connection with the peculiar methods emplayed by the managers of the defunct Union Savings Bank are being unearthed, and the more the matter is sprobed the more reprehensible appears the conduct of the Wright-H. Ward and Frank V.--who. together with William H. Wright and a few close assoclates, retained undisputed control of the bank's affairs from the date of its inception until the final and total collapse of the institution a week ago. The failure said bv the bank officials to have been due principally to the enormous overdraft of E. B. Howard, the fruit speculator. Howard's indebted-

15. February 10, 1899 The Independent Honolulu, HI
Article from The Independent, February 10, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FOREIGN NEWS NOTES. In the face of the Call's charges and the verdict of the investigating committee, Howard E. Wright has resigned his office as Speaker of California's Lower House, and Hon. Alden Anderson has been elected in his stead. California's Senatorial fight is still in a deadlock. Chester G. Murphy has been elected Captain of Stanford's baseball nine. A Washington special to the N. Y. Herald, dated Feb. 1st, says: The prospects for the enactment of Nicaragua canal legislation are much brighter than they have been at any time since the beginning of the present session of Congress. The House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce will meet to-morrow to resume consideration of the subject, and it is expected an agreement will be reached to report a bill to the House. The measure that will probably be reported is the bill introduced in the House by Representative Hepburn of Iowa, chairman of the committee. It will not be reported, however, as a House bill, but will be substituted for the Senate bill, which is now before the committee. Archbishop Ireland has been granted an audience by His Holiness the Pope. California has had very wholesome rains. The U. S. refrigerating steamer Celtic is to be used to convey fresh meat to Manila. Her commanding officer is N. J. K. Patch. Tom O'Rourke and Bob Fitzsimmons are to have a glove contest. The gold fever has broken out in Marin County, California. P State Senator John Boggs, one of the finest of California's pioneers, is : dead at.a ripe old age. The Paris treaty is losing ground, and it can only be ratified by a compromise permitting a vote on the resolutions granting the Filipinos 9 1 independence, at least so says the Herald-Call combination. Los Angeles is afflicted with small t pox, and has had 15 cases. 1 Princess Marie Louise Parma Fer1 dinand of Bulgaria is dead. . h The negro soldiers of the 10th U. S. Cavalry, while passing through d Texarkana, Ark, went on a rampage d and had to be controlled by dynamite. n General Miles claims that he has e plenty of proof in regard to "embalmed beef." , 3, The Union Savings Bank of San d Jose has suspended business, perd haps only temporarily. e Thomas H. Reynolds, one of San y Francisco's best known politicians, is dead, aged 60. He was a pioneer d of 1851. Mrs. M. and Miss C. Butler, the e Australia's stowaways who were de e ported, threaten to return to Hono elulu. eIrwin J. Muma has been elected of football manager for the University r of California. 1-

16. February 11, 1899 The Democratic Advocate Westminster, MD
Article from The Democratic Advocate, February 11, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Business Troubles. In New York City.-The Malt Food Company, manufacturer of malt food produets, has made an assignment. The sheriff received an execution against Max Blumenthal, malt broker. Warren Sage, insurance broker, has filed a petition in bankruptcy, with liabilities $102,798. and no assets. Bernard S. Levy, builder, has filed a petition in bankruptey, with liabilities $62,753 in judgments and no assets. David & Moritz Well, have filed a petition in bankruptcy, with liabilities $38,215 and no assets. The Paragon Cocoa Company, has appointed a trustee. Eugene Bostwick, dealer in lime, builders' materials and farm implements at Elmer, N. J., has made an assignment. The assets of the Union Savings Bank, at San Jose, California, are $138,1 215 less its liabilities. Steps have been taken to declare the bank insolvent and order an assessment on its capital stock. Frank P. Boechat, a real estats dealer of South Buffalo, New York, has filed a petition in bankruptcy. Liabilities $191. 550; no assets. Keckman, Bissell & Co., leather dealers, of Boston, who assigned recently, have filed a petition in bankruptey. Liabilities $172,083, of which amount $26,983 is secured, $116,168 unsecured, $4500 in notes and bills and $23,617 in accommodation paper. Suit has been entered at Wabash, Ind., by the Bonding & Trust Company, of Baltimore, Md., for the appointment of a receiver for the Logansport & Wabash Valley Gas Company, which has a capital of $2,000,000. At St. Louis the Farmers' Elevator Company has assigned. W. A. Porterfield & Co., bankers and brokers, Washington, D. C., have assigned. Solomon Stern, Frederick, Md., has petitioned for bankruptcy. Kaufman Brothers, cigar manufacturers; Jacob Kaempfer, upholstery goods; Louis Kaufmann, tobacco dealer, all of New York city, have assigned. Charles H. Cramer, a farmer of Walkersville, Md., has applied for bankruptcy. The First National Bank of Russell, Kansas, has failed and been placed in the hands of a receiver. H. A. Menough, a leading merchant of Oxford, Pa., has made an assignment.

17. February 14, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 14, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

DEPOSITORS IN BETTER SPIRITS Union Savings Bank's Promises. DIRECTORS PLEDGE RELIEF DECLARE THAT NO ONE WILL LOSE A DOLLAR. Patrons Involved by the Failure Decide to Delay Legal Proceeding Pending Developments. Special Dispatch to The Call. SAN JOSE, Feb. 13.-The levying of an assessment of $10 per share by the directors of the defunct Union Savings Bank has allayed the fear of depositors that they would save but a few cents on the dollar from the financial wreck. This was especially discernible among those in attendance at the depositors' meeting at Hale's Hall this morning. There were not the worry and excitement that has characterized all their other meetings and the desire was expressed to wait and see what the directors would do. There has been a split among the depositors and two sets of them have organized. All the young attorneys who have had claims assigned to them have joined a combination headed by C. M. Hatcher. A policeman was stationed at the door and only those with pass-books were admitted. About 300 depositors were present. The meeting was called to order by C. W. Childs. The finance committee reported it had engaged Attorney T. R. Welch to look after the members' claims. This action was ratified. Chairman F. W. Potter of the finance committee resigned. A. L. Chrisman was elected in his place and H. T. Besse and B. D. Owsley were added to the committee. Potter reported an interview he had with Nicholas Bowden, a director of and attorney for the bank. Bowden said his duties were to pass upon securities offered the bank. Otherwise he knew little about the bank's business. He assured Potter the depositors would lose nothing. The assessment of $10 levied Saturday was only the first of a series of seven that would be levied if necessary to pay all indebtedness. The director said Howard's indebtedness was slightly over $300,000, with but little security. Bowden had been elected a director against his will and was sick in bed at the time. Potter said another director had assured him depositors would be paid in full. No action will be taken by the depositors immediately and they are inclined to wait until after the stockholders' meeting on February 28. Howard has promised his creditors to go into bankruptcy and papers will be filed to-morrow or the next day. Attorney General Ford this afternoon began proceedings in the Superior Court to force the Union Sayings Bank into insolvency. This was in the nature of a suit brought by John Markley, A. W. Barrett and B. D. Murphy, Bank Commissioners, against the Union Savings Bank and its board of directors. The complaint recites that the resources and assets of the Union Savings Bank at present and ever since January 31, 1899. are and were $706.068 25 and no more, and the liabilities on the same date were $844,283 60: "that the corporation is insolvent and it is unsafe for said corporation to continue and transact business any longer." The Commissioners recite that unless the bank be enjoined and prohibited by the court it will continue to transact and carry on business, to the irreparable injury of the people of the State.

18. February 14, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 14, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

The San Jose Bank. The State. Board of Bank Commissioners met yesterday and discussed the affairs of the defunct Union Savings Bank of San Jose, but nothing new was developed in the matter. Attorney General Tirey L. Ford was present, and it was decided that the proper move to be made was for the State's attorney to file papers to declare the bank insolvent. To that end Mr. Ford went to San Jose yesterday afternoon. Until the bank is officially in the hands of the court in which the proceedings are to be brought it is necessary that the concern should be in the hands of a receiver. Joseph R. Ryland has been appointed by the Commissioners as temporary receiver, and his bonds were fixed at $10,000, which were at once filed and approved by the board.

19. February 18, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, February 18, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

HOWARD SHIELDS BANK OFFICIALS Says the Wrights Were Not His Partners. Special Dispatch to. The Call. SAN JOSE, Feb. 17.-The bankruptcy petition of E, B. Howard, whose gambling in fruit wrecked the Union Savings Bank, will be filed to-morrow afternoon in the United States Court at San Francisco. Just what disclosures will be made his attorneys refuse to say, but it is hinted the papers will make interesting reading. It is expected the liabilities will run from $300,000 to $500,000, with practically no assets. Howard's attorneys have said positively that the papers will in no way connect the Wrights with their client's dealings, despite all the street talk that they had a secret partnership. The directors of the Union Savings Bank will hold another meeting to-morrow. The affairs of the bank will be thoroughly discussed and an effort made to find out just how badly things are mixed. This will be done in order that a report may be made to the stockholders when they meet on the 28th inst. Bank Commissioner Barrett is in town superintending affairs. District Attorney Campbell to-day made a vigorous denial of the story to the effect that he had refused to prosecute the directors of the Union Savings Bank when requested to do so at the instance of a depositor. Yesterday afternoon just as Mr. Campbell was about to argue in his election contest D. F. Leffler and another man came to him and asked for a warrant for the arrest of the directors of the bank. They exhibited a clipping from a newspaper and said they wanted the officials prosecuted for making false statements to the Bank Commission. He told Mr. Leffler that he would look into the case and he would do whatever was warranted. Leffler demanded immediate attention and was referred to Assistant District Attorney Coolidge. He was told to give his data to Coolidge and the subject would be investigated and if proof was forthcoming he would prepare papers. for him. This Leffler refused to do and made a tragical demand for justice that smacked strongly of politics. Campbell said to-day that he stood ready to prosecute all wrongdoers, but he intended to investigate cases before issuing warrants, especially when the warrants are for prominent men, who would not be liable to run away. W. J. Edwards to-day transferred a lot on William street to the Union Savings Bank. Edwards is an employe of the institution and he undoubtedly held the property for the bank. Attorney J. R. Welch, représenting a large number of Union Savings Bank apin the pearance depositors, to-day suit filed recently notice have brought of the by Attorney General Ford to bank declared insolvent. This action is

20. March 5, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, March 5, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

NEW DIRECTORS HAVE NO LEGAL STANDING Union Savings Bank Management Awaits Confirmation by the Court. SAN JOSE, March 4.-The Union Savings Bank directorate, as now constituted, has discovered it has no legal standing, and will hold no more meetings until the members shall have been appointed and confirmed by the court. This afternoon the directors invited Attorney General Ford to confer with them on Monday afternoon in regard to bank affairs. At that time it is proposed to have the Superior Court recognize the board as now. reorganized. Nothing has been done yet to give the depositors representation in the directory. F. W. Potter was to have been elected as their representative, but a question has arisen as to whether stock can now be transferred to him. It is said that even those who have been selected for the new board may be ignored by the court and that other names will be put forward for directors. The ownership of the fruit in the Sorosis Company warehouse was discussed today. Both Howard and the Sorosis people claim some $30,000 worth of dried fruit. It is being disposed of by the company, but the bank has decided to take no steps to stop this, as the corporation is responsible for such sum. There is a lively fight on for the receivership of the bank, P. P. Austin, T. F. Morrison and about a half-dozen being in the race.

21. March 11, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, March 11, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

MORE DELAY IN UNION BANK CASE Board of Directors Not Yet Named. COURT WANTS MORE TIME CONTINUES THE MATTER TO NEXT MONDAY. Judge Lorigan Intimates He Will Reappoint All but Two of the Members Who Have Just Resigned. Special Dispatch to The Call. SAN JOSE, March 10.-The appointment of a board of directors to close the business of the defunct Union Savings Bank was not made by Judge Lorigan this morning, but went over till Monday morning at 10 o'clock. The directors, stockholders and depositors were represented by counsel and Deputy Sturtevant appeared for the Attorney General. The court inquired if a person not a stockholder could be named as director. Sturtevant was not certain about this and said the safer way would be to name only stockholders. He was of the opinion that one who had acquired stock since the failure could become a member of the directorate Judge Lorigan said he was not yet ready to name the directors. If Director C. P. Braslan had resigned he would have had the stockholders elect a board. As it was he would appoint six directors, as Braslan would make the seventh. He had received a telegram from Gilroy asking the court to give the stockholders of that section representation on the board of directors. He felt inclined to give all sides a the at did not board of meeting sentative, it. The decided but they depositors directors care that the repre- about had last just resigned was in charge of affairs until its successor had been elected and it could make arrangements to look after its interests at the meeting of Howard's creditors to be held on Monday. Judge Lorigan has intimated that he will reappoint the directors, with probably two exceptions, that have just tendered their resignations. These are Amasa Eaton, Cyrus Jones, W. H. Wright, N. Bowden, L. Callisch, J. W. Rea and C. P. Braslan. Wright and Bowden are the only ones who were in the directorate at the time of the failure and Bowden had been elected but a couple of weeks when the crash came. The court has said he would not name an attorney and in this case Bowden, in whom all depositors have the greatest confidence, will not be reappointed. George T. Dunlop of Gilroy probably will be named in his stead. The board of directors of the Union Savings Bank met this afternoon and considered Howard's indebtedness. They selected C. H. Bills as their favorite in the choice of a receiver in Howard's bankruptcy. In case Bills be not elected they ask the creditors to consider Jacob Miller, Ralph Hersey and G. K. Fleming for the position, in the order named.

22. March 30, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, March 30, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

REA IN CHARGE OF THE UNION BANK Transfer Made by Receiver Ryland on an Order From the Bank Commissioners. SAN JOSE, March 29.-The Union Savings Bank was to-day turned over to President James W, Rea of the new board of directors for the liquidation of its affairs. The transfer was made by Re ceiver Ryland, on the order of the Bank Commissioners, and he took Rea's receipt for the entire business of the corporation. Paul P. Austin was formally installed as manager. The directors will meet to-morrow morning. Complications promise to arise then that will again cause delay. Charles P. Braslan. who claims to be director by virtue of electión to the board after the failure, will be present and insist on taking a hand in the management of the institution. This will make one too many directors, and as soon as the first vote shall have been taken the trouble will commence. Rea has a majority of the board and in all probability Braslan will be ignored, although he was recognized at yesterday's meeting. Direc. tors Callisch, Jones and Eaton will try to have Braslan seated. Director Stock would like to resign and make room for an eighth man, but Rea insists on him remaining in order to control affairs. The assessment of $10 a share levied by the old board will be set aside and a new assessment made. The assets will be gone over and the true status of the bank determined.

23. April 11, 1899 Gardnerville Record Gardnerville, NV
Article from Gardnerville Record, April 11, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Pacific Coast News. Items of Interest Picked from the Week's Dispatches. A Ballard, Wash., shingle mill in 1898 cut 322,000,000 shingles. Arizona's copper production in 1898 was worth over $19,000,000. Leadville, Colo., will buy the present water plant for $350,000. In 1898 San Francisco exported $40. 000,000 worth of general products. Spokane, Wash., is boycotting Chinese labor and Chinese-made goods. Seattle, Wash. last week let a $38,000 sewer contract to F. McLellan. Wages in Washington logging camps this season are from $1.50 to $8 per day. A $350,000 beet sugar factory is to be built in Spokane, Wash.. by D.C. Corbin. During 1898 Denver's manufactured products aggregated in value $25,600,000. The Oregon Railway & Navigation company will build from Moscow, Idaho, to the Clearwater country. Oranges and potatoes were the same price at Sacramento.,-25 cents per dozen. Sacramento, Cal., is about to bond it self for $400,000 for sewerage, street improvement and water works. The Santa Fe road has ordered 2000 freight cars in anticipation of a big wheat crop in the San Joaquin, Cal. valley. The new Alaska code of criminal procedure, in effect of July 1st, 1899, will provide to the United States treasury an annual revenue of $500,000. Through the sale of Mrs. Jane Stan ford's Central Pacific's railroad stock the Stanford, Cal., University will receive nearly $2,000,000 more. Wells-Fargo Express company has ab sorbed and ousted some of its competitors, and now nearly controls New Mex ican and Colorado business. Since Aug. 1st., 1898. 40,000 tons of coal have been sent to Manila, Philip pine islands, from this country, mostly from the Atlantic side via Suez canal. Despite a lack of recent rain southern California will have n prosperous season. all its varied industries being in good shape. In San Francisco Claus Spreckels and friends have organized the Independent Power Light & Power company, capital $10,000,000 to supply San Francisco rest. dents with electric light and power at considerably less cost than at present. The monitor Comanche, which has been bought from the government, is to be converted into a freight ferry boat to be run on San Franciesco bay. Her antique engines will be replaced with new machinery and she will be remodeled at a cost of $50,000. Two bodies were unearthed near Chico recently by woodchoppers. They were the remains of soldiers and are believed to have been buried after an Indian fight in earlier days. A special freight train of seven cars was wrecked near Auburn récently by one of the jumping the track. Three cars and the caboose were thrown over a a bank. Conductor Charles Cooper was badly brutsed. The cars were loaded with green hides and the contents com pletedly blooded the South Yuba canal The new directors of the Union Savings bank of San Jose have announced their intention of closing up the affairs of the bank as quickly as possible. News from Cranbrook, on Crow's Nest Pass railroad says that Terrence Ryan of Montreal had been murdered there. It is supposed that the crime was committed by an Italian who mis took the murdered man for a country man whom he had had trouble. The Italian who is suspected has fled, presumably across the border into the states. A shortage in the accounts of Ex County Clerk Thomas S. Bounean of Marin county is said to exist. The amount of the alleged shortage has not been made public. Elmer E. Day has been missing from Fresno since last December and a search is being made for him. When last seen he had $5000 in money on his person. W. Robbins, the forger with many alias, who was arrested in Visalia. pleaded guilty in the superior court at Martinez, and was sentenced to three and a half years in San Quentin. He passed bogus checks in many parts of the state. Charles Temple and James Bayse en gaged in a pistol duel at El Monte. Los Angeles county, recently. Temple's pistol refused to work and he received a bullet in the shoulder from Bayse's gun which may prove fatal. Family troubles caused the shooting. The executive committee of the Na. tional Educational association has written the passenger department of the Santa Fe that the total number of teachers who may be expected to KO to Los Angeles during the association's meeting in July will be between 10,000 and 15,000. It is reported that the revenue outter McCulloch will shortly be ordered to Manila. Work upon the Southern Pacific Coast line is being pushed with great rapidity. The Occidental Building and Loan association of Sacramento has decided to retire from business. Charles Goldsmith, formerly instructor of the late "Jack" Dempsey, the pugilist, has been committed to jail at Los Angeles, as a vagrant. Drought in New Sonth Wales has in

24. December 31, 1899 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, December 31, 1899

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Report of Grand Jury Filed in San Jose. MANY REFORMS SUGGESTED GAMBLING GAMES OF ALL KINDS ARE NOW RUNNING. Affairs of the Defunct Union Bank Examined Into, but No Indictments Could Be Found. Special Dispatch to The Call. SAN JOSE, Dec. 30.-The Grand Jury, A. Greeninger chairman, reported to The the county Judge finding Lorigan to-day. institutions report, in after good condition, makes several suggestions that are sure to please the taxpayers. The large number of John Doe warrants issued in Chinese cases in the Justice Courts are condemned. This costs the county thousands of dollars yearly. On some occasions the same charges will be preferred against the same men in the two Justices' courts in this city and at Santa Clara. The Grand Jury recommends that a stop be put to this business. It is recommended that an inspector of beef and milch cattle be appointed and the public warned against dairies and markets selling infected milk and beef. The county representatives in the Legislature are asked to work for an act providing for only one Grand Jury each year, and this at the end of the fiscal year. It is set forth that this will effect a considerable saving to the taxpayers and accomplish the same work now being done by two Grand Juries, The Grand Jury recommends that no Game Warden be appointed, and the salary that would thus be expended saved. The quarters provided for trial juries. are fien in which they compelled and it is suggest- to spend a night, are condemned, ed that better accommodations be furnished. The complaint is made that all sorts of gambling is allowed to run openly in San Jose, and lottery tickets are openly sold. The Chief of Police is requested to suppress these evils. The report is contended by every one to be the best one a Grand Jury has ever rendered in the county. The Union Savings Bank failure was thoroughly investigated by the Grand Jury, but not sufficient evidence of crookedness on which to base an indictment could be found. The books of the institution were thoroughly inspected and witnesses examined, but no vital discoveries were made. The deeding of the bank's property to Myra E. Wright was a subject of inquiry. This afternoon a new Grand Jury was selected. It is as follows: E. J. Wilcox (chairman). Valentine Koch. Thomas Sinnott, Martin Hobin. A. C. Sterrett, A. B. C. W. Howard, Milton CampSmith. A. G. bell, Hamilton, S. E. Huggins, Lipsett, Matthew W. H. Hemphill. Alex Peers, I. Moore. Henry Lefranc. H. B. Martin. Tobe Lord. W. W. Blanchard, H. H. Volis to report on June 30. charge to was mer. Judge The Lorigan's jury the in inspecting jury a long one. He stated that the various county institutions it was not to notify the chicken dinners could so necessary that superintendents, be prepared. He instructed them to investigate the war waging in Sixth street. Chinatown, bethe various factions. There are shootings going on being made. continual tween prosecutions The there Chinese and ap- no pear to be running things their own way, fusillade of shots exbetween the are a and changed the weekly factions He men- also ace to public life and property. asked that the actions of Justices and Constables in Chinese cases be further looked into.