10337. Kansas City Safe Deposit & Savings Bank (Kansas City, MO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
January 20, 1891
Location
Kansas City, Missouri (39.100, -94.579)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
1bfc2936

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Books examined

Description

Multiple contemporaneous newspaper dispatches (Jan 20-22, 1891) report a run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit & Savings Bank triggered by the suspension/failure of the American National Bank of Kansas City. The Safe Deposit & Savings Bank continued to pay depositors, met demands, and the run abated within a few days; it did not suspend. OCR corrected minor typos in articles (e.g., 'Sas City' -> Kansas City).

Events (1)

1. January 20, 1891 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run was triggered by the failure/suspension of the American National Bank of Kansas City, and depositor uneasiness about connections between the institutions.
Measures
Paid depositors promptly in cash; officials stated bank could meet all demands and continued paying out during the run.
Newspaper Excerpt
The run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank continued to-day. ... In the two days during which the run has been made, about $60,000 has been withdrawn from the bank. The officials of the bank say they are amply able to meet demands on sight.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)

Article from Evening Capital Journal, January 20, 1891

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FINANCIAL. RUN ON A BANK. KANSAS CITY, Mo,, Jan. 20.- The run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank continued to-day. When the bank opened this morning the crowd was larger than at any time yesterday. The Kansas City Car and Wheel Works at Birmingham, a suburb of the city, shut down to-day for an indefinite period. Superintendent Suoerland says the works will probably remain closed until they can get a freight rate that will permit of their doing a profitable business. ANOTHER BANK IN TROUBLE. PALEMRO, Neb., Jan. 20.-There was a heavy run on the Deposit bank yesterday resulting in a rumor that the institution is in an unsafe condition. The bank paid all demands in full, and Cashier Shipley has gone to Omaha to arrange for funds to tide over the crisis. INTERNATIONAL COIN COMMISSION. WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.-The finance committee of the semate to day direct a favorable report be made upon the nominations of Nathaniel B. Hill, of Colorado, Lambert Tree, of III, and William A. Russell, of Massachussetts, for commissioners to consider the establishment of international coins.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, January 20, 1891

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Comptroller Lacey Advised. WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-Lacey, comptroller of the currency. received a telegram this morning from Bank Examiner Marshall, announcing the suspension of the American National bank of Kansas City. He said there has been a very heavy run on the banks and that the situation looked serious. He added, however, he did not think the bank's liabilities exceeded $1,000,000. The comptroller said he thought the bank was suffering from its efforts to assist it correspondents in Kansas, four of which had failed recently. The deposits of the bank are about $1,200,000, having fallen to that amount from $4,000,000 since the 1st of last October. It is ascertained that the bank owes over $800,000 of borrowed money. A gentleman in a position to know the condition of other national banks of this city said this morning that they were in unusually good condition and would not be materially affected by the failure. The run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank continued all day. To all appearances the bank has plenty of money and it is the general opinion of those in a position to know that the bank is all right, and there is no occasion for a scare.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, January 20, 1891

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of the concern. As a result of the failure a great deal of uneasiness was created among depositors of the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank and American National bank which are supposed by many to be connected with the American National bank. There is a run on the first named bank, which is paying all depositors promptly and the officials claim they can meet all obligations.


Article from New-York Tribune, January 21, 1891

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THE KANSAS CITY BANK FAILURE. IT CAUSES ANOTHER INSTITUTION TO CLOSE ITS DOORS-THE RUN ON THE SAVINGS BANK MODERATING Kansas City, Mo., Jan. 20.-Pank Examiner J. F. Marshall. with a large corps of assistants, was busy to-day examining the condition of the American National Bank, which suspended yesterday. He declined to make any statement concerning the bank's affairs, and said his report to the Controller would probably not be made for three weeks. There is some talk of the bank's resuming business. President Stimson says that if the stockholders care to repair the impatred capital of the bank. he sees nothing to prevent resumption. The stock of the bank was held principally in the East. and inasmuch as the depositors will probably be paid in full, the effect upon local business men will be slight. A dispatch to "The Star" from Atchison, Kan., says: "The Bank of Downs, at Downs, Mitchell County, closed its doors this morning. It was connected with the American National Bank of Kansas City, which failed yesterday. The liabilities and assets cannot be ascertained." The run which was begun on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank yesterday, continued to-day. As early as 7 o'clock this morning fully 250 people were standing in line in front of the bank waiting for the doors to open. When the bank was opened at 9 o'clock, the crowd was as large as at any time yes terday. and there was a wild rush for the paying teller's counter. As the day wore away a feeling of contidence began to appear among the weary depositors, and at noon many had dropped out of line, having decided to leave their money with the bank. When the hour of closing approached the crowd had thinned out measure ably. It is believed now that the backbone of the run has been broken. and that in a day or two complete confidence will be restored. In the two days during which the run has been made. about $60,000 has been withdrawn from the bank. The officials of the bank say they are amply able to meet demands on sight. The failure of the American National Bank was not wholly unexpected in this city. Bankers had been growing cautious in view of the extent to which the Southwestern land speculations had been carried. and their own necessities in last December prevented the far Western institutions from securing relief from seaboard. There was no new word here as to the the condition of the bank, and the city correspondents are believed to be well protected. George G. Williams, president of the Chemical National Bank, one of the correspondents, said yesterday that lie believed the depositors of the Western bank would be paid in full. From all that he had heard. he said, President Stimson was a man of integrity and the deposits had been reduced so much that there should be a successful liquidation of the affairs. He thought that Mr. Stimson's published statement was a clear exposition of the situation.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 21, 1891

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THE KANSAS CITY BANK PANIC. Depositors Still Alarmed K ansas and Nebraska Failures. KANSAS CITY, Jan. 20.-The run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank continued today. When the bank opened, at 9 o'clock this morning, the crowd was larger than at any time yesterday. It is believed that the backbone of the run was broken today, and that confidence will soon be restored. The officials of the bank say they are amply able to meet all demands on sight. The bank examiner is still working on the books of the American National. ATCHISON, Kan., Jan. 20. - The Bank of Douns, at Douns, Osborne county, Kan., was closed this morning. It was connected with the American National bank, of Kansas City, which failed yesterday. The liabilities and assets cannot be ascertained. PALMER, Neb., Jan. 20.-There was a heavy run on the Deposit bank yesterday, resulting from a rumor that the institution was in an unsafe condition. The bank paid all demands in full, and Chashier Shipley has gone to Omaha to arrange for funds to tide over the crisis.


Article from The Roanoke Times, January 21, 1891

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The Run Continues. KANSAS CITY, Jan. 20.-[Special]The run which was commenced on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank yesterday continued to-day. As early as seven o'clock this morning fully 250 people were standing in line in front of the bank waiting for the doors to open. When the bank was opened at 0 o'clock the crowd was as large as at any time yesterday and there was a wild rush for the paying teller's counter. In the two days' run $60.000 was withdrawn, but the bank officials claim to be able to stand the strain.


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, January 22, 1891

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KANSAS CITY, Mo, Jan. 21.-While the run inauguarted on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings Bank last Monday morning continued this morning, the indications that the end is near are very strong. At the hour of opening there were not over 125 persons standing in line. Since then the line has decreased very materially. This, taken in connection with the fact that the bank bad over $900,000 in deposits on Monday morning, and that less than $70,000 has been paid out, shows that there is a strong undertone of con fidence among the depositors. There is nothing new this morning in connection with the American National Bank fuilure,


Article from The Madison Daily Leader, January 22, 1891

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The Run About Over. KANSAS CITY, Jan. 21.-While the run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank continues today, the indications are that it is about over.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 22, 1891

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MANY BUSINESS FAILURES. Two Big Ones in Montreal-Westinghouse Applies the Air-Brakes. MONTREAL, Jan. 21.--The firm of Gilmour, Lindsay & Co. had two demands for assignment made upon them today. Their total liabilities are $225,000. McLachian Bros. & Co., whose troubles were noted a few days ago, have assigned, with liabilities of $800,000. NEW YORK, Jan. 21.-The Equitable Insurance Company, because of small capital affairs. and unprontable business, will wind up its The Mound City Distillery Company has secured in New York attachments for $1,291 against Bamberger & Keanpfer, wine dealers, San Francisco. The Suffolk National bank, of Boston, hold a note for $5,000 against Higgins & Co., Brooklyn, N. Y., soap makers. The bank learns that the company has transferred, hence an attachment has been sued out. PITTSBURG. Jan. 21.-A letter from London states that Westinghouse has received $250,000 for airbrake patents from a London company. He is also to receive $30,000 a year to cover any airbrake inventions he may produce. It is the expectation here that Westinghouse will now rescue his electric company, which is in sad financial straits. OMAHA, Jan. 21.-For some unknown cause a run was made on the South Omaha branch of the Nebraska Savings and Exchange bank this afternoon. The bank was kept open till a late hour to pay all the depositors in full. President Miles says the bank is fully prepared to meet every obligation. ATCHISON, Jan. 21.-The Cawker City state bank has failed and is in the hands of a receiver. The liabilities and assets cannot be ascertained. CHICAGO, Jan. 21.-George M. Bogue was this morning appointed receiver of the Pacitic Railway Company, of Los Angeles. Cal., on complaint by judgment creditors. The bill sets forth that the company, which was organized in 1889 by C. B. Holmes, a well-known cable road man, and other capitalists with a capital of $25,000,000, is insolvent. It is stated as probable that the company will shortly be reorganized. A confession of judgment the other day for $1,628 on a note executed January 6, to Edward W. Russell by C. B. Holmes, is said to be the entering wedge in that direction. The Pacific railway is a cable road operated by C. B. Holmes. its president. Thestockholders are mostly Chicago men. Over $1,000,000 was raised in this city alone. Instead of being a paying investment the road has lost money from the start, and now its indebtedness is said to reach $500,000. The trouble seems to be that the investment was too heavy for the amount of business to be done. The recent judgment is said to be the first move by the Chicago stockholders to put the Pacific railway on a new basis. It is, "in fact, a preconcerted movement on the part of the creditors to obtain other judgments and have the road placed in the hands of a receiver. It is the intention to completely reorganize the company. It is said that the road is now earning $350,000 a year net, and that by cutting down expenses and running it on close business principles it can be made to pay, or at least clear expenses. There is a side issue in connection with this matter. A corporation known as the National Railway Company met yesterday. It is one of C. B. Holmes' street car syndicates, and it seems that some of the stock of its St. Louis lines was transferred to the Los Angeles road. The stockholders were inclined to trake a row about it, until explanations were made and a 7 per cent. dividend declared. KANSAS/CITY, Jan. 21.-While the run on the Kansas City Safe Deposit and Savings bank was continued this morning, the indications were that the end is near.


Article from The Big Stone Post, January 23, 1891

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BANK FAILURE. The American National Bank of Kansas City Closes Its Doors-Depositors Will be Paid in Full. KANSAS City, Mo., Jan. 22-The American National Bank of this city has suspended. The bank had a capital of $1,250000 and was a member of the Kansas City Clearing House, and carried on a special department for bank and mercantile collections. Its surplus was $500,000 and undivided profits 70,000. The national bank examiner of this State has taken charge of the affairs of the bank. The bank had made a heavy loan. and was not able to get enough money in to meet the demands of the depositors. A loan of one million dollars was asked from the Clearing House and was refused by the committee, which was in session yesterday and until four o'clock this morning. The depositors will probably not lose anything, as the stockholders are liable for twice the amount of the bank's capital. It has loans and discounts amounting to $3,000,000 and a surplus of over $300,000. The deposits amount to about $2,000,000. The failure to open its doors this morning caused a run on the Kansas City Safe, Deposit and Savings Bank in the same building, and the entrance to the building and streets surrounding were crowded by a great throng. This bank has SO far paid everybody, and it is believed it will tide through the day.


Article from The Semi-Weekly Tribune, January 24, 1891

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Kansas City Bank. ANSAS CITY, Jan. 22.-The run on the sas City safe deposit and savings k caused by its occupying quarter in same building with the American onal bank, which suspended last day, ended at ten o'clock this mornSince Monday the savings bank has out $150,000 to depositors and was red to pay full amount of deposits, ,000. The Central bank was absorbed today by the Merchants National bank which will pay all its claims and receive all its funds and accounts. The Central bank entirely solvent and wentout of busi'simply because its profits were too 11 to pay an adequate interest on $100,000 capital stock.