1015. Bank of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
state
Start Date
August 27, 1875
Location
San Francisco, California (37.780, -122.419)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f421b1c2

Response Measures

Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Capital injected, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Events refer to the failure/suspension of the Bank of California (San Francisco). Many articles describe runs on several SF banks; U.S. Treasury transferred coin; trustees/syndicate subscribed funds to reopen.

Description

Most articles discuss the failure/suspension of the Bank of California in late August 1875. Several dispatches note that the Bank of San Francisco experienced slight runs around Aug. 27–28 but there is no mention of it suspending or closing; the runs appear tied to the panic caused by the failure of the Bank of California. Classified as run_only for this bank.

Events (1)

1. August 27, 1875 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Runs were triggered by the financial panic following the failure/suspension of the Bank of California and related institutions; depositors withdrew funds from other San Francisco banks.
Newspaper Excerpt
Among those now with doors shut is Merchant's Exchange, Bank of London & San Francisco, and Bank of San Francisco are having slight runs.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (25)

Article from The Silver State, August 27, 1875

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WESTERN DISPATCHES [SPECIAL TO THE SILVER STATE.] THE VERY LATEST. SAN FRANCISCO, August 27 10 A. M. We are experiencing a real sharp but probably short-lived financial panic. There is less excitement this morning among the crowds on California and Montgomery streets, owing to the fact that banking and stock business is at a stand still. The Stock Exchange remains closed to prevent further depression in values of stocks, and the officers of the National Gold Bank and Trust Company gives formal notice that their business will be discontinudd temporarily owing to the panic and a scarcity of coin, offering at the same time assets to all of their depositors who desire them. The Savings Banks are open but reserve to themselves the by-law privilege. The depositors are being paid over the counter at the Hiberma-the largest of them. Some of the banks determined to remain closed to-Gay. Among those now with doors shut is Merchant's Exchange, Bank of London & San Francisco, and Bank of San Francisco are having slight runs. The Savings Banks are paying out deposits of less than one hundred dollars. Following observations are gleaned from a mass of floating rumors in print and otherwise, and will be found near the facts: The Bank of California has during two years past been in collision with one or more of the stock combinations, and prejudicial reports relative to its condition have been circulated from time to time, which, however, have been generally discredited as outgivings of speculators and desperate politicians. It is admitted on the other hand that the bank has been advancing sums of money on mining and manufacturing enterprises a little aside from legitimate banking. There has been a steady draia of coin to the East and Europe for some months, to which has recently been added an unusually heavy demand for payments on the wheat and wool crops. This of itself could have been gotten along with but for the manipulations of the stock brokers, who in their frantic efforts to depress prices began to hoard money. The Bank of California paid two millions at 2:20 yesterday. Some large checks were presented, one of them said to be for $300,000. On representations being made that it was impossible to count out so large a sum that night, payment was insisted on, and after hasty deliberation it was concluded to stop business. Flood & O'Brien, the great holders and manipulators of the Consolidated Virginia, Ophir, California, and all the Comstock mines with whom the bank has heretofore been in collision, deny that the run on the bank was in any way promoted by them and the latter emphasised his denials by stating that he had forborne to draw $200,000 of deposits in order not to cripple the bank.


Article from Yankton Daily Press and Dakotaian, August 28, 1875

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The Stockholders to be Assessed to Pay the Liabilities. Wheat Advancing. PACIFIC COAST. The Suspended Bank of California. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28.-The affairs of the Bank of California have been put in the hands of an executive committee, consisting of Wm. Alvord and Geo. H. Howard. D. O. Mills, ex-president, has not owned a share of stock for the last three years. A statement of the condition has not yet been prepared, but reliable information shows that the liabilities will be upwards of fourteen million dollars. Reliable assets, seven to eight million dollars. The principal stockholders will probably have to be assessed from 40 to 50 cents on the dollar to pay off the liabilities. The following are the names of some of the principal stockholders: Baron estate; Thomas Bell; Nicholas Lating; Moses Ellis; Capt. J. B. Thomas; Asa T. Hamton; Geo. Howard; William Norris; John O. Earle; John Parrott; D.J. Tallent; Michael Reise; D. O. Mills; M. Livingston and O. T. Griffin. NEW YORK, Aug. 28.-Whether the stockholders of the bank areliable beyond the amount of their stock for debts of the bank is not known. If they are liable the creditors will get dollar for dollar. One of the stockholders of the bank alone is reputed to have property to the amount of two million dollars. NEW YORK, Aug. 28.--A London dispetch says that the president of the Oriental Bank, of London, agents for the Bank of California, states that the failure will not effect his institution. To prevent loss and annoyance if possible, the Oriental Bank are endeavoring to arrange with the Traders Bank, of California, for a guarantee, so they can honor drafts of travelers when presented. When the news of the failure of the Bank of California first reached London it was feared by some that the result would be most disastrous, but as yet it has had no effect on either money or values. LONDON, Aug. 28.-Circular notes of the Bank of California are largely held by travelers, but they may soon be paid under arrangements now pending. SUICIDE OF PRESIDENT RALSTON. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 27.-The ex citement in the streets is subsiding. Banks anticipate no trouble during the day. ,The death of Ralston forms the principal topic of conversation. The flags at half mast throughout the city in respect and sympathy for deceased. Late information tends strongly to dispose of the theory of suicide, and statements of attending physi-


Article from Daily Kennebec Journal, August 28, 1875

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A Report. New York, August 27. A report is current here that the losses of Ralston and his clique in California, on mining stocks and other speculations, will reach $6,000,000. Private despatches from gentlemen in San Francisco, say that matters look better so far as the best interests of the city and State are concerned. The financial panic is tearful; the losses by the failure of the Bank of California will be heavy.


Article from Daily Kennebec Journal, August 28, 1875

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FROM CALIFORNIA. y 4, HEAVY FAILURES. S u u Several Banks Suspend Payment. a a An Embezzling Official Commits S Suicide. San Francisco, August 27. The National Gold I Bank & Trust Co. makes the following announcement "In consequence of the panic and the impossibility to obtain coin, the National Gold Bank & Trust Company will close until further notice. The bank has $1,500,000 over and above its liabilities. As soon as coin can be obtained it will resume business as usual. In the meantime, any creditor so desiring can have good assets of the bank to the amount of his claims. (Signed) HENRY L. DAVIS, President. I A run is expected on the San Francisco and the Merchants' Exchange banks, to-morrow. A meeting of bank presidents is called to concert measures for relief. The board of brokers has 8 called a meeting. I The Merchants' Exchange bank closed its doors as this morning. The directors have prepared the following notice for the papers: "In consequence of the excitement and disappointment of getting coin, the directors deem it for the best interests of all concerned not to open our doors for the present." The Secretary states that the bank has $100,000 in coin on hand. The amount liable on deposits is $800,000, but against that there may be over $400,000 in notes. The bank is perfectly solvent. The only trouble is the lack of coin. There is a run on the London and San Francisco bank, but manager Latham asserts his ability to meet all the demands without trouble. Crowds of persons surrounded the Bank of California, and the suspended National Gold Bank & Trust Company; also the Savings bank. The action of the officers of the latter institution, last night, effectually prevented a run on them. The excitement is great. San Francisco, August 27. The First National Gold Bank reports everything secure, and the same may be said of the Bank of British Columbia and the Pacific and Commercial banks. Private banks report no excitement, and everything is going on as nsual. Generally speaking all the city banks are considered sound except the Bank of California. President Ralston this morning, said that there was nothing in addition to his statement of yesterday. Many rumors are current regarding the condition of the Bank of California. One statement, apparently from good authority, is that the bank will pay depositors in full, and stockholders 50 cents on the dollar. On the other hand, a prominent stockholder states that the most the bank can do will be to satisfy the demands of depositors, and it will scarcely be able to do that. There has been a slight rush at the Hibernian Savings Bank, but it was promptly met within the rules as expresed in the by-laws of that institution. On the whole confidence seems to be returning, and it is believed the worst is over. But little uneasiness is felt as to the affairs of either the National Gold Bank and Trust Co., or the Merchants'


Article from New Orleans Republican, August 29, 1875

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FINANCIAL The Effect of Raiston's Failure. SAN FRANCISCO; August 27, Midnight.-It is difficult to state the effect of Kaleton's failure upon his manufacturing enterprises. It is feared the Kimball Manufacturing Company are unable to stand the shock; the rolling milla are in better condition. The Cornell Watch Manufacturing Company will be seriously crippled. The effect on mining stock can not be estimated; all business in that line is suspended. Raleton is thus quoted: "I tell you this failure is the result of a persistent effort for months to break this bank." The directors applied to Flood & O'Brien on the day of failure for relief, offering that firm the entire paid up stock of the bank$5,000,000-also $1.500,000 in bank, and an additional $1,000,000 to be assessed on stockholdere, in all $7,500,000, provided Flood & O'Brien would assume the liabilities of the bank. This proposition was refused and the bank was compelled to suspend. No doubt the liabilities of the bank are $14,000,000; assets $7,000,000, which will probably shrink before realized. The true condition of the bank was concealed from the directors till Thursday. At a full meeting of the directors, yesterday, Ralston resigned, and was then ordered to leave the room. The board was still in session when the drowning was announced. The stockholders will lose stock, and to meet liabilities will be compelled to stand an assessment of fifty per cent. The Circumstances of Ralston's Death. SAN FRANCISCO, August .28.-A meeting of the directors requested Ralston to resign, which he did. It is believed he took poison before going into the water. He was still alive when brought ashore, but the efforts of the physicians failed to restore him. Later information tends strongly to disprove the theory of suicide and the statements of attending physicians go to show the death of Mr. Ralston resulted from apoplexy while bathing yesterday. Mr. Ralston transferred all his property to Senator William Sharon for the benefit of his creditors, and Mr. Sharon in receiving the trust pledged his honor to stand by his old friend to the last dollar of his own private fortune. The Trustees The affairs of the Bank of California have been put in the hands of an executive com mittee consisting of William Alvord and George H. Howard. The Stockholders, The following are the names of some of the principal stockholders: The Barron estate, Thomas Bell, Nicholas Laning, Mose EHie, Captain J. B. Thomas, Asa T. Hamton, George Howard, William Norris, John O. Earl, John Parroll, D. J. Taliant, Michael Reese. D. O. Mille. Mark Livingston and O.F. Giffans. The Inquest on Raision's Body. An inquest has commenced on the body of President Raleton. In Mourning. The Bank of California is dressed in mourning. Everything is qhiet on California street, and matters are assuming their usual aspect. Futile Attempt to Make Trouble. The rufnors relative to popular feeling and demonstrations against the Bulletin and Call, because they had steadily opposed Ralston's policy in political affairs, were idle utterances of excited individuals and incendiary efforts on the part of some persons personally and politically hostile to those journals to create enmity against them. The attempt fell stillborn. No Failares Apprehended. Business men do not apprehend failures on monday next, which is collection day. Resolution of the Stock Exchange. The Pacific and San Francisco Stock Exchanges have adopted resolutions deploring the death of Mr. Raleton, and resolved to attend the funeral. The National Gold Bank and Trust Company to-day authorized the president and eashier to borrow


Article from Nashville Union and American, August 29, 1875

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NEW YORK. Effect of the California Failure. Sterling, Ahrens & Co. Failure of a Manufacturing Firm. Rotteu? Is the Whole Commercial Fabric NEW YORK, Aug. 28.-The and financiers concurrent here is testimony of bankers effects are likely to of result the that no East injurious from the saspension Francisco. One to Bank the of California seemed in San thoroughly in- of gentleman who financial business formed regarding the the Flood-O'Brien of in "no way California, though stated distinct that from had the clique party, of California, its suspenthe Bank an attempt to compel for several joined sion, but in on since the the contrary, humored embarrass- the months, even was published their ment spring, of the had corporation done tottering everything institution. in new past sustain the of the power to end the incorporators received a proposition To this Nevada had the Bank of Califor- inBank of directors of will, but an from the purchase their good made it evident nia to of the books at a great vestigation done except at the party, loss, that this could and terms not O'Brien proposed. be in In general though the Nevada terms they the had Flood gained to the exclusion supremacy care of the to Bank see of Cal- the of mines did not on account ifornia, to the ground have, not only the damaging latter fall effect own interest, it would but throughout upon coast. their Ludlow & Co., Cali- the Mr. Ludlow, of of the information Bank of any New York states agents that the first the subject of fornia, in his office was had contained upon in the late morn- hour the one suspension Since then, up to no a additional to information Ludlow vesterday, ing papers. they that had which received had said already all been bills as agents of published. them Mr. had been indorsed and conseque not were Co. drawn the Bank by of California, individually involved. & Ahrens imsugar so The ly they Failure of refiners Sterling, the in this suspension city, an far of from a pression Among prevails & that Co., Baltimore, trade in New No sustained pecuniary Sterling, injuriously Ahrens affecting time, benefit the it largely. here. Extensive York, will, after loss will be ManufacturFailure of an ing Firm. manulargest a A Cowing firms & Co., in one the William of United the B. States, Lathrop, made They of facturing assignment to their factory is. street in Murray Louis, in The Kansas was cern Seneca have an a large Falls, and concern depots in Chicago, places. St. Cow- confounded ing. this city, City and other in 1841 by John D. Exomerated. late and of the financial Panama agent who funds, by Treaurer assistant Robinson, superintende was has of been appropria- exon- and erated directors, both sides in Wall ting Railroad, the company's the new board have of been withdrawn. Street. b followt I street suits Effect on of the Failure Post furnishes the The Wall and # are stocks The Mining of publication: quiet to-day, San higher. S nothing contain o all are ing in advance markets are The all advices startling, from and are e mending. st implace dispatch, here house Francisco to the effect that in which leading we banking there. I 5 It was dated this and received The plicit latest confidence, from their is to respondents M., yester- morn52 ing. confidence at from "Panic over; transfers p New in th day, It says: coin scarce, but be those returned. made the transfer through CC the into gold returning. will referred probal to were Treasury. suba notificaCT vesterday The are putting on telegraphic sub- that treasury. at the San du Francisco treasury Bankers here, out and of the San prevaiwill be We also hear opened Monday. in g the on the has tion taking The it Stock Exchange there intebanks W the of and in of are liability assets California 00 000 and assets dollars. $14,000,00 of the the Whether of of been The estimates the Bank five of million bank are for the their stock liable beyond B to the of we been debts bank, unable th an immakes doubt. beyond re ascertain to the and N depositors portant if of as, are the they differend liable, creditors of one for will get dollar, creditors of rethe the being of to to the have amount property is The stock wenty market millions. and than strong yesterday. di and and Mr. and Mrs. child Sartoris in for ev Jesse to-day Grant, England lis the Baltic b1 W California. Treasury at of Application: transfer made $600, 000 in gold Francisco. C


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, August 29, 1875

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THE FINANCIAL STATUS. GENERAL OUTLOOK. CONFIDENCE RETURNING. Special Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune, SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 23.-The city is comparatively quiet to-day. The panic is apparently over. A feeling of sadness prevails on account of the tragio death of Ralston. The flags are half-mast throughout the city, but there is no evidences of a renewal of the run on the banks. The Merchants' Exchange Bank and National Gold Bank and Trust Company expect to reopen for business on Monday. Tbe Directors of the latter institution to-day authorized the President to borrow $1,000,000 in gold coin upon securities of the bank by giving mortgages on the real estate of the bank. It is declared that the bank is not only able to pay all creditors, but in liquidation could pay the stockholders large premiums over the par value of the stock united. The State's mint employs its whole force coining 820 pieces. The Superintendent pays from the bullion from recepposits within twenty-four hebody has been STOCKING UP COIN for some time past. It is said that Flood & O'Brien have large amounts stored in vaults. Gold coin is extremely scarce in the market. The Coroner's inquest over the body of Ralston adjourned till Tuesday. Public opinion is uncertain whether his death was by suicide or accidental downing. Many believe the action of the Directors of the bank, insisting upon his resignation of the Presidency, stung Ralston BO deeply, coming from old friends and associates, that he determined to end his life. It is doubtful when the regular stock operations will be resumed. BO many brokers have accounts in the Bank of California. Ralston filed yesterday for record a deed oonveying all the Ralston property, real estate or personal, in San Francisco, San Matso County, or elsewhere, to W. Sharor in trust. THE VERY LATEST. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 28-10 p. m.-The city is quiet as usual. The Trustees of the Bank of California adjourned this evening, after a protracted session, to meet on Monday and attend the funeral of Ralston in a body. They will resume their session on Tuesday. Nothing whatever is known concerning their deliberations, and inquiry develops the fact that various manufacturing enterprises in the city in which Ralston was interested show no signs of weakness Coin was being transferred during the day from the United States Treasury, and, though no loans are yet to be obtained, money is easier. Real estate dealers say the effect on that branch of business will be rather beneficial than otherwise. Prices have bren maintained. THE INTERIOR. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Aug. 28.-Excopt in Los Angeles, where all the banks are temporarily suspended, the Bank of California failure does not seem to have affected the interior.


Article from Alexandria Gazette, August 30, 1875

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THE SAN FRANCISCO FAILURES.-The latest dispatches from San Francisco show that the failure of the Bank of California has not produced the serious effect that was feared, and that there is already a reaction. The city was quiet on Friday night, Saturday and yesterday, and the excitement has almost entirely abated. It is admitted that President Ralston's ventures had been both rash and immense, and that startling developments are yet to come. He did not wish to resign his position, but the directors refused his appeal to be allowed to continue in office. The liabilities of the bank are $14,000,000, and the assets between $7,000000 and $8,000,000. A call on the stockholders for additional subscriptions is talked of, af ter which eighty cents on the dollar may be paid to creditors. Beyond the suspension of the Merchants' Baok and the National Gold Bank financial institutions have not suffered. The former will open this morning and the latter in a few days, and both will pay up in full. This is settlement day in San Francisco, and if there are to be any further failures they will probably occur DOW.


Article from Alexandria Gazette, August 31, 1875

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NEWS OF THE DAY. "To show the very age and body of the Times." Since the failure of the Bank of California $1,401.000 in gold has been transferred from New York to nine or ten San Francisco banks by means of deposits with the Assistant Treasurer at New York, but the United States Treasury declines to make any further transfers at present, notwithstanding that several applications to that effect have been received from New York. A Georgia grand jury, yesterday, commenced the investigation of the recent Georgia "insurrection." The jury was charged by Judge Herschel V. Johnson to make a fair and im partial investigation, to ignore the fact that the accused had been slaves, and to deal with them as it they were whites. The case of Westervelt, accused of connection with the Charley Ross abduction, was commenced, yesterday, at Philadelphia. The prisoner's wife, also indicted for similar complicity, but who had cluded arrest, presented herself in court and demanded to be tried with her hus. band. The Comptroller of the Treasury has in structed N. B. Longford, National Bank Examiner for the Pacific Coast, to proceed to San Francisco to make an examination of the affairs of the National Gold Bank and trust Company. The pacing race at Boston, yesterday, for $5,000 and the championship of the United States, was won by "Sleepy George,' "Sallie" second, "Copper Buttom, third. Time, 2.271, 2.26, 2.21, 2.27}. "Sallie" took the first heat. The destruction of $509,400 in legal-tender notes has been ordered by the Secretary of the Treasury, being eighty per cent. of the national bank notes issued during the month. The amount of legal tenders outstanding is $374,245,708. A person named C. S. Smith, who has been collecting money at New Alexandria, Pa., ostensibly for the aid of the suffering people of Kansas, is denounced as a fraud by the Governor of that State. James Dunn, Catholic, and Bobert Coulter, Protestant. had a religious discussion Sunday in Columbus, O., resulting in Coulter shooting Dunn in the side and then escaping. The wound will probably prove fatal. A large fruit-drying establishment was burned at Milford, Delaware, yesterday. The loss sustained by the owners in the destruction of the building and the fruit which it contained is estimated at $20,000. At Hopkinton, Mass., yesterday, a fifteen year old boy accidentally killed two of his sisters, wounded a third, likewise himself, by a single discharged of a gun. He intended to kill a cat. The Atlanta Mills at Lawrence, Mass., resumed work yesterday morning after being idle seven weeks. The mills gave employment to one thousand hands. The telegraph reports a better feeling in financial circles in San Francisco, yesterday. The Merchants' Exchange Bank and the National Gold Bank did not open their doors. The publishing house of Lee & Shepard, of Boston, and Lee. Shepard & Dillingham, of New York, have suspended. The liabilities are estimated at half a million. Jost's distillery at Antioch, Cal., containing 26,000 gallons of spirits, valued at $50,000, was seized last Saturday by internal revenue officers on a charge of illicit whisky manufacture. A gun-cotton and chemicals manufactory at Jersey City exploded yesterday, destroying the building. The disaster is believed to have been the result of spontaneous combustion. Hon. Geo. B. Schall, a prominent lawyer of Allentown, Pa., committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself through the head. No cause is assigned for the act. The excitement over the failure of Messrs. Stirling & Ahrens has measurable subsided, and yesterday was comparatively & quiet day in Baltimore business circles. The Maryland, Chesapeake and Merchants' Refineries in Baltimore are "running out" odds and ends of stock, and will probably close in a few days. Two new cases of yellow feuer were reported from Fort Pickens on Saturday and one on Sunday. Pensacola is declared free from yellow fever and perfectly healthy.


Article from Pioche Daily Record, September 3, 1875

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In the San Francisco municipal election Clayton is generally conceded a majority for Mayor, Bryant probably next. The Independents feel hopeful of a good showing on city offices generally. Ellis, Independent, for Chief of Police, is thought to have beaten Crowley. SANTA BARBARA, Sept. 2.-This county has gone Democratic. The full returns are not yet in. MARYSVILLE, Sept. Eleven precinets in Yuba county give Phelps 528, Irwin 711, Bidwell 536. Luttrell will have a large purality in the county. Bradley, Independent, for Assembly, is probably elected. The county ticket will be divided between the three parties. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2.-Returns on the Congressional election in the Second District shows the following results, as far as the count is completed: In Alameda county the vote stands Page 50, Tuttle 20, Larkin 50. This includes two precincts in Oakland, but nothing else. From the principal towns in Amador county Page receives 152, Tuttle 57, Larkin 175; Calaveras county, Page 107, Tuttle 10, Larkin 64; Contra Costa county, Page 254, Tuttle 26, Larkin 131; El Dorado county, Page 377, Tuttle 120, Larkin 420; Nevada county, Page 134, Tuttle 509, Larkin 151; Placer county, Page 377, Tuttle 203, Larkin 248; Sacramento, outside of the city, from which nothing definite is known, Page 71, Tuttle 73, Larkin 12; San Joaquin, outside of Stockton, Page 151, Tuttle 28, Larkin 110; Tuolumne county, Page 124, Tuttle 31, Larkin 153. The Congressional returns from all large towns are very meagre, in most cases none being yet given. Third District - Lake county gives Denio 40, Luttrell 96, Reed 21. Marin county-Denio 105, Luttrell 94, Reed 60. Plumas county-Denio 83, Luttrell 85, Reed 32. Sierra county - Denio 201, Luttrell 226, Reed 106. Siskiyou county -Denio 105, Luttrell 149, Reed none. Solano county, including one precinct in Vallejo-Denio 295, Luttrell 394, Reed 77. Sonoma county-Denio 251, Luttrell 457, Reed 158. Tehama countyDenio 138, Luttrell 192, Reed 38. Trinity connty-Denio 30, Luttrell 20, Reed none. Yolo county-Denio 1, Luttrell 79, Reed 124. Yuba connty-Denio 38, Luttrell 48, Reed 5. Fourth District-Los Angeles gives Houghton 162, Wiggington 145, Thompson 25. Merced county -- Wiggington 115 majority. Monterey ton 114, Wiggington 198, Thompson 66. San Luis Obispo county-Houghton 50, Wiggington 130, Thompson 11. San Mateo county-Houghton 270, Wiggington 182, Thompson 63. Santa Barbara county-Houghton 51, Wiggington 40, Thompson 9. Santa Clara countyHoughton 143, Wiggington 335, Thompson 92. Stanislaus county-Houghton 331, Wiggington 727, Thompson 71. Tulare county-Houghton 20, Wiggington 42, Thompson 22. San Diego county - Houghton 540, Wiggington 125, Thompson 30. Santa Cruz countyHoughton 358, Wiggington 217, Thompson 298. In the First District returns are very meagre, but Piper is probably elected. The present talk is that the contest for Mayor is close between Clayton and Bryant, with chances in favor of the latter. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2.-D. O. Mills authorizes the statement that capitalists interested in the Bank of California will obtain transfers of stocks from holders, relieving the holders from liability, and guaranteeing them against any loss. He will subscribe funds to place the bank in a condition to pay all demands and put it on a sound basis. Should any surplus arise in settlement, it will be credited pro rata to the stockholders. The arrangement will go into effect in a few days. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2.-The Pacific Mail Company's new line to Australia will commence running October 9th, with the Vasco de Gama, followed!by the Colima, monthly service via Honolulu and Auckland to Sydney, with steamer connection thence to Melbourne and Brindisi. The Court of Inquiry in the case of the seurvy smitten ship Bremer, rendered a decision mildly censuring the captain for not making for Honolnlu at


Article from The Carbon Advocate, September 4, 1875

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The Bank of California. Business was dragging, and even stocks were extremely languid, in New York, when the quiet of the market was broken, Friday morning, by the announcement of the failure of the Bank of California, followed by the suspension of the Merchants Exchange Bank and the National Gold Bank and Trust Company, and also the failure of the large sugar house of Stirling, Ahrens & Co., in Baltimore. For a time there Was great excitement, says the N. Y. Observer, but to day the public mind seems to be hopeful that these failures, unexpected and large though they have been, will be local in their effects. It is asserted that the panic in San Francisco is at an end, and that the excitement has been allayed, so far as the sound institutions are concerned, by the relief afforded through the tele. graph by the Treasury Department. The Death of Mr. Ralston will doubtless complicate the affairs of the Bank of California. at least to the extent of delaying a statement of its condition, for Mr. R. had full control of the institution, and perhaps few besides himself had an intimate knowledge of its operations. Information is furnished, however, from what it claimed to be a reliable source, that the liabilities will exceed fourteen millions, and placing the reliable assets at between seven and eight millions. The Bank of California was supposed to be one of the strongest institutions in the country. It had a capital of $5,000,000, and had many important branches and agencies. The President, W. C. Ralston, whose death while bathing the day after the failure of the Bank gives the painful impression of suicide, was widely known as a brilliant financier, and lived in a style that has no parallel on the Atlantic ccast. His house was a palace, and the extravagence of its appointments and management has been often portrayed. Prudent men have often said that the time of disaster would come but so shrewd and successful have been the operations and enterprises of the late President of the Bank of California, so vast his command of capital and so powerful his political influence, that many have believed that his case would form an exception to the general rule that extravagent living and continuous speculation end in ruin. The World says that the effect of the failure of the Bank of California, with the loss of 50 or 75 per cent. of its $14,000,000 of estimated liabilities, is likely to be felt in trade with the Pacific Coast for some time to come. Not enough is yet known to enable people here to estimate the disaster correctly, or to place the distribution of losses. The reliance to be placed upon the assessment of the bank's stockholders, of course depends upon who they are, and if Mr. Ralston was the largest stock. holder the value of any assessment will be much reduced. Independent of the liquidation, which California despatch-


Article from The Home Journal, September 9, 1875

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and 112411 during one past month. " CAME to his death by accidental drowning," is the verdict of the San Francisco jury in the case of Ralston. THE Freedmen's bank commissioners think that n dividend car be declared for the unfortunate depositors by Christmas. PHILADELPHIA this year heads the list of United States ports in the molasses trade. The bulk of the importations for the year are usually made in the first half year. RECENT reports say that the colony of Liberia is prospering. New plantations are developing, commodious dwellings are going up, and the schools and churches are well attended. NEXT Tuesday will be a black-letter day in the annals of Arkansas. No less than six murderers are then to be executed at Fort Smith. Arkansas can claim pre-eminence in one respect at least. THE wheat belt " is enlarging its area. Arkansae, for instance, will ex port small grains this year for the first time in its history. The same general tendency to raise more and buy less is observable throughout the south. THE Atlantic Mills, at Lawrence, Mass., started on Monday, after being idle seven weeks. The stock on hand has been sold to good advantage. There is a prospect now for steady employment for one thousand hands. THE eminent composer, Gounod, has declined the directorshop of the proposed American College of Music, gently hinting at the same time that an American institute of the kind should have an American director. IN an agrieultural convention at Dalton, Ga., a few days ago, a gentle man called on all present who owned sheep and no dogs to rise, and thirteen rose. He then called upon all who owned dogs and no sheep to rise, and sixty or seventy responded. THE great suspension bridge between New York and Brooklyn is assuming shape. The towers on both sides will be completed next spring, and the Roe. across blings, bridge who constructed the Ohio the at Cincinnati, suspension will perform the feat of spanning the sixteen-hundred feet chasm with wire. VALMASEDA has called on the loyal merchants and planters of Cuba for $800,000 in gold to pay for the transHe portation gives each of the person fresh troops twenty from four Spain. hours to respond favorably. If they do not not ce his circular they are declared rebels. Valmaseda will squeeze the gold out of these unfortunates. THERE is evidence that the French government will put stop to the German Catholic pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in the south of Frauce, if it can do so. The pope has given his blessing to the movement, however, and he will hardly interdict it now. The French fear complications with Germany. THE liabilities of the late bank of California are estimated at $14,000,000 and its assets at $7,000,000. The stock holders will lose not only their investment in stock, but will be heavily assessed to pay the claims of depositors, the entire assets of the bank only footing up about eighty per cent. of such claims. DESPITE the laws governing the im portation of cattle in England, which are 80 strict that if only one animal is found diseased the whole cargo is slaughtered, the distemper has broken out are spreading. in Dorsetshire, Happily, and few cattle is rapidly to the but the brought warrant Europe, every precaution present United circamstances States being from employed at American ports to guard our herds from this fearful plague. THE government is reported to have more silver on hands than it can stow away. An effort has been made to get space in the Boston custom-house, but the blundering Mullett put the vault in the supand can ports, second only story $3,000,000 without mill sufficient the be placed there. government is out the and as the of the treasury secretary contemplated coin the for of the Pa oide lines has at come to and the almost of of America of a is now into vast The Union millions pass, THE the fractional speedy Western telegraph owns monopoly. entire Every gathered much-mooted of dollars, substitution continent rattling Union telegraph rags. money and consolidation the it Western system Atlantic North of silver looks control last silver by & if absorbs the rival corporation, the terms of the transfer being a guarantee of an annual dividend of 7 per cent. upon


Article from Mineral Point Tribune, September 9, 1875

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losing Day of the Bank of California. as not until one p. m. that the S of the institution became much d. About that hour several checks .00,000 or $200,000, or similar ts, came to be cashed from deposit usually disturbed by rumors of al trouble. All these were paid t a murmur, but they kept on ing. The scattering drops became a atter, and the patter became a heavy : By two o'clock the steady withof funds had quickened into a : which attracted attention and drew d of spectators about the doors. The an along the street like a prairie ausing the greatest commotion brokers and operators, who rushed the center of interest, some with ooks in their hands, others simply d with a desire to join in the exnt. As the news spread to the ng streets, and into the quarter of ity devoted to heavy business, sed everywhere the same attention. and workshops were emptied - occupants, either to see the exciter to enable a withdrawal of deposits the hour for closing the bank, was now at hand. The people thus curiosity or interest streamed from rters toward the corner of California nsome streets, filling the space in cality for a square in every direcAt half-past two the excitement culd in a scene of extraordinary interich could be taken in at a glance n elevated position. The streets ronged as far as the eye could the crowd being quiet in certain in others alive with motion. The t all banks and offices were packed ectators. A pale face was seen at ane of every window. Wild men ushing in all directions, papers flutin their hands, and among them the ble bank-book. Pale women, with red hair and dresses, began to apiving the scene a little variety of nd striving vainly to reach the nartrance at the door of the Bank of nia, besieged with crowding, strugobstreperous, white-faced men. scene at the bank-door was so wild, confused and tumultuous that it but imperfectly described. Po, in uniforms and without, were d about in all available places to e crowd in the best order possible he circumstances. The great iron as closed, and through the little door in the center, like the en.


Article from New Orleans Republican, September 10, 1875

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MISCELLANEOUS. A Fishing Party at Franklin Struck by Lightning-Two Men Killed. FRANKLIN, La., September 9.-The following named gentlemen of this place, W. D. Brown. E. J. Smith, W. D. Trowbridge, John Murphy, and a colored man, while out fishing in an open boat off Long Point, twelve miles from here, this afternoon, were caught in a violent thunder storm, during which a bolt of lightning fell upon them, instantly killing Brown and the colored man, and seriously injuring Smith about the head, face, cheet and legs. The others, Murphy and Trowbridge, were knocked senseless, but soon recovered. As soon as the sad tidings reached here the relatives and friends of the unfortunate men repaired to the place, bringing the survivors and the dead bodies home. Will Open. SAN FRANCISCO, September 9 -Itis stated that the Bank of California, Bank of Nevada and Stock Boards will open about the fifteenth. No Run on the Treasury. There is no perceptible run on the United States treasury to-day for redemption of the gold notes of the National Bank and Trust Company. The State University. The regents of the State University have elected D. O. Mills as treasurer vice Raleton. The finance committee of the board report that the University will lose nothing by the failure of the Bank of California. CONTINUED ON TOURIS PM


Article from The Andrew County Republican, September 10, 1875

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packed with spectators. A pale face was seen at every pane of every window. Wild men were rushing in all directions, papers fluttering in their hands, and among them the inevitable bank-book. Pale women, with disordered hair and dresses, began to appear, giving the scene a little variety of color, and striv- ing vainly to reach the narrow entrance at the door of the Bank of California, besieged with crowding, struggling, obstreperous white-faced men. The scene at the bank door was so wild, eager, confused and tumultuous that it can be but imperfectly described. Policemen, in uniforms and without, were scattered about in all available places to keep the crowd in the best or- der possible under the circumstances. The great iron door was closed, and through the little narrow door in the center, like the entrance to a prison cell, the panic-stricken depositors crowded, pressing their way between serried ranks of ragged, moneyless spectators, to whom the failure of all the banks in the world would not have been a matter of the slightest conse- quence. An effort was made to keep out those having no business inside, but it was only partially successful. Those who came for deposits were largely brokers' clerks and the representatives of business men in the lower part of the city. # THE SCENE INSIDE THE BANK was even more intensely exciting than that outside. A crowd lined the coun- ters from end to end, nervously shoving checks under the noses of tellers who glanced at them, and as their only an- swer shoved over to the excited men who brought them little piles of gold or great piles and boxes of silver. Every teller had a white, scared look, and the book-keepers and the faces of the clerks seen at the distant desks, looked ghast- ly as snow-drifts in the moonlight. Now and then a bank trustee was seen flitting about in a ghostly way, disappearing in the direction of the rooms belonging to the officers. The old Chinese clerk, who must have been cotemporary with Confucius, sat on a high stool gazing wisely through his spectacles, which are large as watch crystals, at the half-crazed crowd press- ing forward for their money. Great piles of gold and silver coin glistened on shelves just beyond the reach of those so vociferously demanding it. The clink of coin fairly drowned the din that came from the thronged street through the narrow entrance. The crowd in- creased rapidly from 2 o'clock until 2:30, when there was scarcely room for them at the counters. Then the man- agement decided to stop payment, and so telegraphed to their Eastern corre- spondents. At 2:30 the little narrow iron door swung to in the faces of sever- al anxious depositors. The handsome face of Billy Duncan's clerk, bearing a look of intense disappointment, was the last seen from within through the aper- ture. An effort was made from without to push it open, but a policeman with strong arms shoved it to and drew the heavy iron bolts, forbidding further ingress. Then the crowd began beat- ing a fierce tattoo, to which the tellers and clerks, who stood still in their places, listened with a faint smile of sat- isfaction and a deep-drawn sigh of re- lief. But the mission of the great Bank of California was ended.


Article from The New Orleans Bulletin, September 10, 1875

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CALIFORNIA NOTES. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9:-There is no perceptible run on the United States Treasury to-day for the redemption of the gold notes of the National Bank and Trust Company. The regents of the State University have elected D. O. Mills as treasurer, vice Ralston. The Finance Commlttee of the board report that the University will lose nothing by the failure of the Bank of California, being protected by the late treasurer's bond for $150,000.


Article from Pioche Daily Record, September 12, 1875

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LET THE DEAD REST. The action of the San Francisco Bulletin and Call in throwing odium on the grave of Ralston, is a groveling phase of journalism to which we thought none but ghouls could descend. Ralston was not a perfect man, nor were the works of his hands perfect. He had his faults — "let him who is without sin cast the first stone." He is dead, let the mantle of oblivion fall over him. Manly antagonism ceases when the adversary falls; fiendish malignity throws clods of muck on the coffin-lid. By a perversion of facts the Bulletin now attempts to show that some great villainy was on foot at the time of the Bank's suspension, and still continues its devilish attack on the memory of the dead. The plain facts of the matter are that Ralston was indebted to the Bank to the amount of $3,000,000, and turned over his private fortune in trust to Mr. Sharon to make up the deficiency. This is the Bulletin's capital and it makes the most of it. We enter on no defense of Ralston, but right is right, and once more we say let the dead rest.


Article from The Bismarck Tribune, September 15, 1875

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of that State Gen. Ruggles and clerks, arrested on of John Gordon complaint for surrendered assault were Gordon his and tried to escape parole discharged. that and the clerks detained him and on the suit was based. The insurrection in Georgia proves to have been gotten up for political effect, and canards to fire the Democratic heart were manufactured to order. But all is quiet now and the persons arrested have been discharged. Judge Parker is announced as editor H. Foster, manager of the conDuluth The to new name and solidated Ed. only objection Minnesotian-Herald. the is the hyphen. In all other respects the combination is good. Setting Bull declares his intention to remain in the Sioux country as long is in the country. He he dont want to but dont want to get as there says if they any game fight the hurt whites they must keep out of his country. The Bank of California will resume business. Its stock holders being liable for all loss will save. what they can of the wreck and supply any deficiency which may exist. The Merchants Exchange reopened some days ago. The new owners of the Northern Pacific meet for organization on the 30th inst. will then be prowhether Mr. Mead's bably, It Dakota determined, recomenda- Division tion to operate the during the coming winter will be adopted. Ralston's widow will have two million dollars after all his debts are paid. The Bank of California will resume on the 20th inst., the capitalists of California having subscribed and deposited gold enough to tide it over present difficulties. Six murderers were hung at Little Rock Arkansas on the 2d inst. Is it not time that judicial murder was checked? Wheatly the Montana conhis last. was vict'died He protesting probably innocence the victim Franz to the of Shaffer and Stears as much as Warl. Superior Times has adopted the the BISMARCK TRIBUNE now as a five column, appears form The of entirely and home Douglas has a sensible This patent made change. paper. made inside to be business is a nuisance that ought rejceted in all well regulated printing offices. Prof. Hayden's party kept up 8 running fight with the Utes four days, duwhich time they passed miles of country hundred ring ravines. terribly over four The cut deep cannons and were in the saddle 85 of their baggage lost party up by all and hours instru- and ments, but no lives. Wash outs occurred through the reon nearly all excepting the cent the northwest storms the Northern Southern roads in The Root River in was on the rampage destroyed Minn. Pacific. fearfully extensive and some of the most of and expensive bridges on the line the S. M. R. R. and miles of embankment. Welsh is repudiated by Bishop Hare all the rest of the Indian commiswho declares the of Commissioner sioners) (and integrity confidences What Smith in and Delano. if Hare does Bishop Secretary repudiate his matter him. side Behold he has Tom Murrey on and has he not declared Tom thoroughly reliable? A Dubuque ruffian claims to have heen so hard up at Sioux City recently offered to kill a man for five A offered to man dollars. that he pal find the search divide but after a long not find a man with more could for a ruffian than no three dollars. As the was three dollar man he jumped the place. Minnesota was visited by, a two flood just as the were their grain; and as a consestacking weeks farmers of that much of the wheat crop was seriously injured. quence state fifteen The inwill probably reach per The injury to grain on of Northern Pocific is jury cent. the reported the line trifling, however, owing to cool weather during the time the storms prevailed. Sheridan and have in a recommendation joined Generals Ord charge that the of Department resume Negroes, and Indian the Seminole running return them wild They are now and being destitute are outlaws. Col. Hatch says to in to become Texas, Florida. distinct liable from of them "they are entirely like the Seminole Indians. They are and derina ennerior all negroes, except they are accustomed


Article from The Morning Herald, September 30, 1875

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Suspension in San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, September 29.-Charles Clayton & Co., produce and commission merchants, suspended payment to-day. Their liabilities are $200,000. Their creditors, who are wealthy San Francisco men, will hold a meeting to-morrow and if a long extension is granted to enable the firm to collect accounts for advances made to farmers whose crops this year are short, the firm will be able to contintie business. The produce commission merchants have been obliged to make advances to help farmers, and must wait for the crops for their payment. The Bank of California has heretofore resisted the merchants to carry the farmers over the season of short crops and the failure of the bank crippled the firm. Large accounts with importers for bagging, bought on four months, came due on Monday. Mr. Clayton was a member of the last Congress, and recently the candidate of the Republican and tax-payers' party for Mayor of San Frrncisco. His standing in commercial circles is high.


Article from Alexandria Gazette, September 30, 1875

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# NEWS OF THE DAY. "To show the very age and body of the Times." The annual reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee commenced at Des Moines yesterday. President Grant, General Sherman, the Secretary of War and other distinguished personages were present. General Sherman was re-elected President. It was resolved to hold the next reunion on the 21st, 22d and 23d of July-at Philadelphia on the two first days, and at Washington on the last, when the statue of General McPherson will be unveiled. The court-martial on the officers of the English iron-clad Vanguard, which was sunk off Wicklow Head, in a collision with the Iron Duke, has resulted in a severe reprimand to Captain Dawkins, the first and second officers and the engineer, and the dismissal of the former from his command. Another court martial will probably be held on the officers of the Iron Duke. A dispatch from Albany, N. Y., says that the Jaggar Iron Company, whose blast works, &c., cost $561,000, is in such a condition as to produce fears that the stockholders haye lost nearly the entire amount of their investment. The heaviest creditors are the Pennsylvania coal companies, and they are secured by mortgages on the property. The New York holders of the ten per cent. bonds of the city of Houston have agreed to accept the offer of that city's agent to give them seven per cent. thirty-year bonds in place of the bonds they hold, the understanding being that the State of Texas and city of Houston shall guarantee the payment of the new bonds. The Court of Commissioners of Alabama Claims reassembled yesterday, all the Judges being present. Several awards were made in the case of the "Golconda," after which the Court adjourned, the counsel for the Government being unable to proceed on account of an affection of the eyes. The Indians seem to have something besides dark flour to complain of. Special United States Commissioner Shanks reports 1,800 horses stolen from the Indians while on their reservations near Fort Sill, and only 40 recovered and returned to them. Jay Cooke's superb residence of Ogontz, near Philadelphia, is now being sold. There is the tomb of his father, removed from old Ogontz (Sandusky) and reinterred under an $18,000 mausoleum. The tomb goes with the estate. Sixty Indians attacked the hay train of John Phillips, between forts Fetterman and Laramie, and after a fight of two hours and a half killed and got off thirty head of cattle aud four horses and wounded one man. Since June forty members of an organized band of criminals, composed mostly of outlaws from the States, have been captured in Indian Territory, and with those previously arrested make nearly one hundred now awaiting trial at the next term of the court at Muskogee. The observers of the solar eclipse at Manchester, N. H., Albany, N. Y., Cambridge University and other points in the North were not rewarded with satisfactory results, on account of cloudiness at the time of the eclipse. At a meeting of the bondholders of the Northern Pacific railroad, at New York, yesterday, the report of the purchasing committee, and the receiver, G. W. Cass, were read and approved. The notorious Jack Corbett, a desperate criminal who was arrested on suspicion of being the murderer of Mr. Noe, in New York, has been sentenced by Recorder Hackett to ten years' imprisonment on a charge of burglary. Judge Miller, of the U. S. Circuit Court of St. Louis, has held the parties charged with conspiracy to defraud the revenue by whiskey frauds in $8,000 bail each. Mrs. E. Barrett, of Elizabeth, N. J., widow of the late Lieutenant Barrett, U. S. navy, committed suicide on Tuesday by taking morphia. Theodore Tilton lectured at Cooper Institute, New York, last evening on "The Problem of Life." There were 2,000 people present. Richard Robinson, the murderer of Mrs. Dixon, at Norwichtown, Coon., died in jail yesterday from the effects of poison, taken after his arrest on Monday. One hundred and eight thousand pounds sterling were withdrawn from the Bank of England yesterday. The foot and mouth disease continues in England. In the county of Gloucester over 12,000 beasts are affected. The Canadian defaulter, Nicholls, and his father, have been arrested in St. Augustine, Fla., by New York detectives. The Ultramontanes have elected the President, Vice President and other officers of the Bavarian Diet. The Bank of California will reopen Saturday next. Turkey admits the necessity of reforms, and will introduce them throughout the Empire. # Savings Bank Failure.


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, October 4, 1875

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# THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA. For years the whole business of the Pacific Slope has been supposed to turn on the Bank of California as a central pivot. It was indeed a gigantio concern. It had a capital and surplus of $6,000,000; its deposits wero $12,000,000; its daily balances were close upon $4,000,000. It was interested in all manner of things, from stage-lines to mines, from farms to steamships, from railroads to manufactories. It was the entertainer of all prominent strangers, the organizer of all prominent schomes, the industrial backbone of the Pacific Slope. It would naturally be supposed that the failure of such an institution would be like the destruction of a foundation, and would so bring the superstructure toppling to the ground. But nothing of the sort came to pass. When RALSTON had made away with $3,000,000 of the bank's monoy-an amount nearly equal to the combined capital of the four largest banks of this city-payment was necessarily suspended. But this failure involved none others. The two banks which closed their doors for a few days have reopened them. Not a single mercantile house has failed; not a single broker; not even a stock speculator. Manufacturing has not been interrupted. Building has gone on without a day's delay. The mines have been worked. The mills have been run. The savings-banks have not been run upon. We quote from a San Francisco paper when we say that "not one single mechanic or laboring man has been thrown out of employment." Collections, thanks to a judicious and mutual forbearance, have been made without difficulty; the court-dockets have not been made to groan under the weight of new suits against old debtors; and the "panic" has been a mere tempest in a teapot, beginning and ending inside the offico of the Bank of California, and doing precious little permanent damage there. This is a marvelous story of commercial strength. In 1873, when one Eastern bank-a bank which was not interested in half as many schemes as those planned by RALSTON's mind and pushed by the money of the Bank of California-failed, our great business houses fell like houses of cards. The wires were overladen with the stories of failure, of assignments, of business wreck and ruin. This crash came twenty-three months ago, but we have not yet recovered from our hurts. In California, the wounds have been mere scratches, and forty days have sufficed to heal them all. We need not go far to find the reason for this striking contrast. Eighteen centuries ago, an inspired hand penned the parable of the house that stood on the sand and the house that was built on a rock. Wo know what happened when the rains foll, and the winds blow, and the floods came. And so, when a commercial cyclone sweeps over the country, the business that is built up on paper falls, and the business that rests on solid gold stands the shock triumphantly.


Article from Green-Mountain Freeman, October 6, 1875

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# BANK OF CALIFORNIA. The bank of California re-opened its doors, Saturday, and the result of the day's business was most encouraging for the future prospect of the ins itution. Preparations had been made for an expected large demand upon the bank, made not from any want of confidence, but simply from the need of the coin which has been so long locked up. When the doors were opened at ten o'clock, $3,500,000 in gold were in sigh, and the tellers and counters ready to pay it all out if need be The demand was large, and during the forenoon large amounts were withdrawn, but it came back in equal and even larger deposits, and when at one o'clock, an hour later than the usual closing hour, Saturday, the bank doors were swung to, it was found that the day's receipts exceeded the disbursements by $750,000. The re-opening of the bank, and still more the unexpected results of the day's business, were, of course, the signal for rejoicing, which was manifested by the flying of flags, booming of cannon, and in the evening, a serenade to Senator Sharon, who has taken the late Mr. Ralston's place-in the feeling of the street-as has Mr. Mills at the bank. The total amount of the subscription fund of the trustees, syndicate and stockholders is now announced as $7,930,000.


Article from The New York Herald, October 6, 1875

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BANK OF CALIFORNIA. MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS-ELECTION OF TRUSTEES-MR. MILLS TO BE PRESIDENT-A GRATIFYING EXHIBIT-A VOTE OF THANKS TO THE SYNDICATE AND TRUSTEES. SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 5, 1875. The stockholders of the Bank of California met today, at eleven A. M., to hear the report of the directors and elect new trustees. Thirty thousand shares of stock were represented, and out of these Mr. Sharon, as President of the Syndicate, voted 28,000, the balance being in the hands of individual holders. The following gentlemen were elected trustees: -D. O. Mills, Thomas Bell, William Sharon, George H. Howard, William Alvord, William Norris, John O. Earl, James R. Keene, Robert H. Morrow, Nicholas Luning and E. J. Baldwin. The trustees will organize to-morrow. It is understood Mr. Mills will be president. A committee was appointed to revise the constitution and bylaws, consisting of Judge Hager, H. W. Carpentier, Charles Mayne, G. P. Howard, William Sharon and D. O. Mills, to report 9th of November. A second statement was made to the meeting of the present condition of the bank, together with some review of the causes leading to suspension and matters connected therewith, but on these points the officers preserve profound reticence. The intimation, however, is vouchsafed that as regards the present condition of the bank the latest reports that the assets, with good management, would pay the depositors and leave $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 for the stockholders were substantially correct. The stockholders are reported to be pleased with the exhibit of affairs and disposed to congratulate themselves on the successful management. A vote of thanks to the Syndicate and trustees was passed and the meeting adjourned. THE STOCK BOARDS. Both of the big stock boards opened this morning with seats full and a great crowd of enthusiastic spectators. Business opened lively, transactions were large and prices well maintained, shading off a little, however, on the street after the board.


Article from The New York Herald, July 28, 1876

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RALSTON'S DEFALCATION. D. O. MILLS' STATEMENT-HOW THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA WAS DRAINED OF FOUR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SAN FRANCISCO, July 27, 1876. In the Bulletin-Alta libel suit further testimony of Michael Reese and D. O. Mills was taken before the Third District Court Commissioners yesterday. Reese testified to the following effect:Tne failure of the Bank of California was caused by Ralston's taking money from it to expend on outside affairs; Ralston was the architect of a job to sell the Spring Valley Water Works and the Calaveras Valley scheme to the city at a profit of about $8,000,000; I helped him, furnishing large amounts of money to buy up stocks; I advanced between $3,000,000 and $4,000,000 and he had the whole management of it; he expected to make enough out of the job to save the bank from failure; it was the last thing to do to save it; if the scheme had been carried out I don't think the bank would have failed; Ralston took the funds of the bank to carry on the water scheme, the Palace Hotel, the Kimbali manufactory, the Mission Woollen Mills and other outside enterprises; no one thought he would take the money due to the stock. holders; 1 thought it was, his own fortune he was operasing with. I PAID IN THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS in exchange one day to make good the account of Leland Stanford at the bank at the latter's request; after the failure I found that the amount had not been credited on the books, but that Ralston had taken it; I got a guarantee from Raiston that the amount should go to Stanford's credit, but received no certificate of deposit, but took as security bonds of the Southern Pacific Railroad, which Stanford had deposited with the bank as security for its overgrafts. D. O. Mills, referring to the charge in the Alta of September 21, 1875, that the proprietors of the Bulletin and Call remitted money to Simonson in New York to speculate in stocks; that they strove to make the panic as disastrous as possible, and were in a conspiracy to break the bank. testified as follows:-"I know of no effort of those parties to affect stock values, or to break the bank, or to cause the public to lose confidence in it; the cause of the fatlure of the bank was that Raiston used its funds for his own purposes, and did not replace them; this he did surreptitiously, 1rregularly, and without the knowledge of the directors. THE LARGEST DEFICIT was found in the refinery account, amounting to above $2,000,000; the refinery was a separate corporation, but under the control of the bank; the books of the bank contained a debit to the refinery account of upward of $2,000,000, which was fictitiously manufactured by Ralston. who had evidently used the money for his own purposes; we also found instances in which certificates of deposit had been issued on which the money had never come into the bank; one instance was that of Carpenter's certificate for over $500,000; Ralston's total indebtedness Was over $4,000,000; you may call it what you like-it was misappropriation.


Article from New-York Tribune, April 5, 1877

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CALIFORNIA BUSINESS TROUBLES. # FAILURE OF A. FRIEDLANDER, A SAN FRANCISCO GRAIN OPERATOR. SAN FRANCISCO, April 4.-The failure of A. Friedlander, a prominent grain operator, was announced to-day. Mr. Friedlander states that in case he can collect the amounts due him his unsecured indebtedness will be about $600,000. As nearly as he can judge from the present condition of affairs his indebtedness is entirely local and affects few persons or firms,all of whom can stand it with perhaps the exception of one or two in the interior. He attributes his failure to some extent to losses on charters, having early in the season chartered vessels at comparatively high figures which he subsequently was obliged to recharter at much lower rates; but the greatest weight under which he labored was the condition of affairs in San Joaquin Valley. He had purchased large tracts there which he subsequently sold to a farmer, who paid down a small portion of the purchase money. Bad crops prevented a continuance of these payments, and he advanced means to enable him to sow the ground and continue business. Last year a portion was repaid him, but the gloomy prospects for the present season in that section of country convinced him that it was useless to struggle longer. A meeting of creditors will be held on Saturday or Monday next, when the future course will be decided. The report has created great surprise and called forth much sympathy in this city. The failure is the principal topic of conversation, and rumor has been running wild, as usual. As regards creditors, whose names Mr. Friedlander at present declines to mention, it is reported on apparently good authority that the principal one is the Nevada Bank. It is known that after the failure of the Bank of California Mr. Friedlander transferred his account for some two months to the London and San Francisco Bank, from which they were carried to the Nevada Bank. The officers of that bank decline to make any statements, but it is reported that Mr. Friedlander owes there upward of $1,000,000, secured on real estate. There is also a reported indebtedness to the Bank of California, contracted prior to the failure of that institution, of several hundred thousand dollars, and also secured on real estate. Falkner, Bell & Co. are reported to hold his notes for some $200,000, and Balfour, Guthrie & Co. for about half that amount. There seems to be good grounds for the belief that arrangements will be made by the creditors to enable Friedlander to resume business at an early date. He states personally that the failure of the Bank of California placed him in a very cramped position for available funds from which he has not since been able to extricate himself.