10614. First National Bank (Sedalia, MO)

View Charter #1627 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
1627
Charter Number
1627
Start Date
May 4, 1894
Location
Sedalia, Missouri (38.704, -93.228)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
516b53a1

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
18.0%
Date receivership started
1894-05-10
Date receivership terminated
1909-06-30
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
28.2%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
13.9%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
57.9%

Description

Multiple articles (May 4, 1894) report heavy withdrawals following publication of a fake telegram in a St. Louis paper; the bank failed to open May 4 and posted a suspension notice. A receiver (W. A. Latimer) was appointed and the institution was treated as a wreck with resumption out of the question. Thus a run (triggered by misinformation) led to suspension and permanent closure/receivership.

Events (6)
1. January 2, 1866 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. May 4, 1894 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Publication in a St. Louis paper months earlier of a 'fake' telegram falsely stating the bank had failed, which caused many depositors to withdraw funds.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
Fake telegram in St. Louis paper falsely reported the bank had failed.
Measures
Officers posted a notice on the door announcing suspension and said they would notify the Comptroller; bank closed its doors (failed to open for business).
Newspaper Excerpt
A False Report Causes Many Accounts to Be Withdrawn. ... a fake telegram from this city stating that the bank had failed.
Source
newspapers
3. May 4, 1894 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Suspension officially attributed to loss of business brought about by the earlier false telegram and resulting withdrawals and impaired standing among other banks.
Newspaper Excerpt
The First National bank ... failed to open today. A notice signed by the officers and directors was posted on the door notifying depositors of the suspension.
Source
newspapers
4. May 10, 1894 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. May 11, 1894 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
W. A. Latimer, national bank examiner, has charge of the First national bank, which suspended May 4... A RECEIVER APPOINTED. SEDALIA, May 11.-Bank Examiner Latimer has been appointed receiver the First national, having resigned temporarily as examiner.
Source
newspapers
6. May 31, 1894 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
A report ... says the institution is a complete wreck, resumption being out of the question.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (24)
1. May 5, 1894 The Dalles Daily Chronicle Dalles, OR
Article from The Dalles Daily Chronicle, May 5, 1894

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NEWS NOTES. The First National bank of Sedalia, Mo., failed to open yesterday. The suspension is attributed to loss of business brought about by the publication in a St. Louis paper several months ago of a telegram saying the bank had failed. Charles Robinson, lately one of the champion acrobats of America, died at his home in Muncie, Ind., from the effects of cigarette smoking. The interior of his mouth and throat had turned black. He had been a constant cigarette-smoker for over fifteen years. Dolph is receiving numerous congratulations from the workingmen's organizations of the East on the fight he is making on the Wilson bill. He is also in receipt of a letter, thanking him, from the executive committee of the American Protective Tariff League. The Oregon senator is making a good speech by installments.

2. May 5, 1894 St. Paul Daily Globe Saint Paul, MN
Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, May 5, 1894

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SEDALIA BANK CLOSED. A False Report Causes Many Ac⑉ counts to Be Withdrawn. SEDALIA, Mo., May 4.-The First National bank, of this city, one of the oldest financial institutions in Central Missouri, failed to open its doors for business this morning. A notice signed by the officers and directors was posted on the door notifying depositors of the suspension. It was brief and as follows: "We deem it best to close as affairs now present themselves to us; we are forced to this issue and will notify the comptroller of our action." The bank has a capital of $250,000, and was supposed to have a reserve fund of $250,000. The cause of the suspension IS attributed to a loss of business brought about by the publication 111 a St. Louis paper several months ago of a "fake" telegram from this city. stating that the bank had failed. Other banks became suspicious, and the standing of the First National bank became impaired. The notice of the suspension has caused much excitement throughout the city. It is the general belief that all depositors will be paid in full. The failure of this bank has not affected the remaining five banks, and none of them will be annoyed by a run on the part of depositors.

3. May 5, 1894 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Herald, May 5, 1894

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SEDALIA BANK SUSPENDS. Sedalia, Mo., May 4.-The First National bank failed to open today. The bank has a capital of $250,000 and was supposed to have a reserve of $25,000. The suspension is attributed to the loss of business brought about by the publication in a St. Louis paper several months ago of a telegram saying the bank had failed. Other banks became suspicious. It is the general belief the depositors will be paid in full.

4. May 11, 1894 Middlebury Register Middlebury, VT
Article from Middlebury Register, May 11, 1894

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DOMESTIC. Gov. Rich of Michigan has appointed John Patton, Jr., of Grand Rapids to succeed Senator Stockbridge. He is a lawyer and but 44 years of age. Hollander, Bradshaw, Folsom & Co., c rrying on a department store in Boston. have assigned: liabilities are stated to be $141,000; nominal assets, $256,000. Philip, Eugene and Benedict Jesselson, broth 'rs, have been arrested in New York charged with theft. They made a specialty of stealing overcoats, etc., from the cloak rooms of churches. A fire burned one of the smaller buildings at Aboott academy, Andover, Mass., Friday night. It created great consternation among the students, who rushed from the building in scanty attire. The loss is not heavy. The William M. Whitely reaper and mower works at Muncie, Ind., were burned Sunday loss $245,000, with no insurance. The greatest loss to Mr. Whitely is in the patterns, which were the work of a lifetime. The First national bank of Sedalia, Mo., one of the oldest financial insticutions in Central Missouri. has suspended payment. The bank has a capital of $250,000 and was supposed to have a reserve fund of $25,000. The national convention of textile workers, now in session in Philadelphia, has indorsed the strike of the Wamsutta weavers in Fall River, Mass. This means that a general strike will be ordered and that 5000 operatives will stop work. Chicago, since its school census of 1892, has added over 100,000 persons to its population. Two years ago the count revealed the presence of 1,428,010 dwellers within the city limits. Today there are between 1,500,000 and 1,600,000. All ingrain weavers of the Lowell Carpet company of Lowell, Mass., have struck because the company would not grant a request to run the mill more than 30 hours per week nor advance wages 10 per cent. The number of hands involved is nearly 500. An avalanche of silver dollars burst from rotten bags and fell with a roar at the mint in Philadelphia, Friday. Workmen engaged in counting the treasure in the great vault fled for their lives. They had a narrow escape. The counting will now have to proceed dollar by dollar, months. and cannot be completed for six Work is progressing rapidly on the new Moody auditorium at Northfield, Mass., that will seat 2500 persons when completed. and it is now expected that it will be dedicated July 4. Senator Frye of Maine will be the principal speaker. It is in this building that the Moody conferences for the summer will be he Id. The chief of police of Wichita, Kan., has received a letter from a crank residing at Kenyon, Minn, in which was inclosed $10 to buy flowers to be placed upon the body of Mrs. Lease on the day of her funeral, which he sets down for May 20. He savs the Lord has commanded him to kill Mrs. Lease. Mrs. Lease has been notified of her danger. The State treasury of Texas is empty, a condition of things that has not existed in 20 years, during which time its revenue balance has ranged annually from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000. Before the end of the year there will be a deficiency of S several hundred thousand dollars, and it is doubtful if the State will be able to meet the interest on its bonds, amounting to $4,000,000. As a result of negotiations between r the American and Canadian governments a band of Sioux Indians that has been e camped in Manitoba since '83 will short1v be removed to the United States. k They are the remnant of the Sitting Bull tribe, and with others took refuge in Canada after the Custer massacre. The Indians protest against the removal and trouble is feared. Another elopement of a white girl with a Sioux Indian is recorded. The girl is Alice Tucker of Niobrara, Neb., and the Sioux Indian is known by the adopted name of John Luman and belongs at d Rosebud agency. The two met for the first time at a dance given by the father of the girlin honor of her 16th birthday A secret correspondence has since been maintained and the elopement is the result. A silver jugget has been taken out of the Smuggler mine, near Aspen, Col. that surpaises anything on record for size and value. The chunk weighed 3,300 pounds, and contained silver to the value of $21,000. It is the largest sil ver nugget|ever known, and is almos pure. This beats the record made in the Gibson mine a few years ago, when nugget weighing 300 pounds was re moved. Last Monday, a negro at Miles Switch in Quachita county, Ark., was-take sick with some kind of a breaking-out d, which was thought to be smallpox, and t a doctor wis sent for, but for some reason he dil not attend the case. The negro was pat in a cabin, to which som one set fire, and he, being unable escape, perished in the flames. One re port says le was shot and then burned burned. while another report says he was onl FOREIGN 11.

5. May 12, 1894 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, May 12, 1894

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The Wrecked Sedalia Bank. SEDALIA, Mo., May 12.-Examination into the affairs of the First National bank grows more interesting daily. Yesterday it is asserted that Receiver Latimer will be compelled to order an assessment of 100 per cent on the capital stock, which means that the stockholders will have to raise $250,000 to pay off the depositors.

6. May 15, 1894 The Progressive Farmer Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Winston, NC
Article from The Progressive Farmer, May 15, 1894

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THE LATEST NEWS. Sparks from the Wires--Most Important Events Throughout the World for a Week. Bud Kaxon, a notorious moonshiner in Pickett county, Tenn., was killed by his two sons. The health officers of the District of Columbia have condemned the Coxey camp, and it will be ordered vacated. The Ashland Iron Company of Balti more county, has applied for a receiver to wind up its affairs. The company is capitalized at $300,000. NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 9.-S. Hen lin & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in tobacco and cigars, assigned this morning to Chas. Frankland. ST. JOSEPH, Mo., May 9.-Schuster & Co., wholesale clothiers of this city, assigned this morning. Their liabili ties amount to half a million dollars. UNIONTOWN, Pa., May 9.-Four workmen of the Coke plant here were beaten by strikers. One of the men is injured fatally. The deputies fired twenty-five shots but hit nobody. The strikers, however, quickly dispersed. NEW YORK, May 9.-An immense fire is raging here at the Clyde steamship docks. It started with an explosion of naptha. Shipping is imperiled. The adjoining ferry houses have already been burned. The loss will be large. Great excitement is caused by the fire. VIENNA, May 9 -The miners' strike at Olmutz, Moravia, is spreading rap idly. There are over 3,000 men out, and the number is being added to hour ly. The strikers have assumed a menacing attitude, and rioting is im inent. Two battalions of soldiers are stationed at Olmutz in readiness to quell any disorder that may arise. Sedalia, Mo., May 8.-It is reported here that J. C. Thompson, Cashier of the ruined First National Bank of this city, is an absconder and a forger to a large amount, and that a warrant has been issued for his arrest Mr. Thompson left here last Friday for St. Louis. At the latter city, it is reported, he bought a ticket for Washington, since which time nothing has been heard of him.

7. May 17, 1894 Iron County Register Ironton, MO
Article from Iron County Register, May 17, 1894

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MISSOURI STATE NEWS. The First National of Sedalla. SEDALIA. May 8.-W. A. Latimer, na tional bank examiner, has charge o: the First national bank, which sus pended May 4. It is said that he found less than $1,000 in cash Mr. Latime has been busy day and night investi gating the bank's condition, but when seen last night and interrogated about the rumor that Cashier J. C. Thomp son was a fugitive, he would neither affirm nor deny the report. He admit ted, however, that he had wired con siderable important information to Comptroller Eckles regarding the bank's condition, and also consid erable regarding Mr. Thompson personally, but beyond that he would say nothing. It is known tha Mr. Thompson has lost heavily in the past three or four years in real estate deals in Kansas City and California and the belief is fast gaining ground that depositors will realize very little out of the bank's assets. Mr. Thomp son has for years been one of the lead ing citizens of Sedalia, a pillar in the Episcopal church and there was never a public enterprise that he did not con tribute to it both his time and means His residence property has been adver tised at sheriff's sale to satisfy a judg ment in favor of the First national bank of Jefferson City; and this, it is be lieved. is but the beginning of much litigation. A few years ago the First national did the largest banking busi ness in the city, but when the rumor came a year ago that it was in a shaky condition many of its theaviest depositors changed to other banks, but up to the very last it had a goodly num ber who stood by it and were positive that the stringency of the times was the sole cause of the trouble. A RECEIVER APPOINTED. SEDALIA, May 11.-Bank Examine: Latimer has been appointed receiver the First national, having resigned temporarily as examiner. It is be lieved that Cashier Thompson has flec to Mexico. and the statement is made that he commenced crooked work in the bank two years ago. Thompsor has many friends, who express sym pathy for him, and they would have raised thousands of dollars to have prevented the crash. TURNS OVER EVERY DOLLAR. SEDALIA, May 11.-Cyrus Newkirk president of the suspended bank, has given a bill of sale on every dollar's worth of property owned by him, here and elsewhere, in behalf of the bank's depositors. HOT AFTER THOMPSON. SEDALIA, May 12.-Reliable information coming from a government official has been received from Washington to the effect that the treasury department is taking extraordinary measures to secure the arrest of Cashier Thompson. It is stated that the total of the misappropriation by Thompson can not be estimated with any accuracy; in fact a guess might easily be $100,000 away from the actual figures. LOOKS LIKE A CLEAN SWEEP. As the examination continues the condition of affairs grows worse. The investigation thus far, while far from being complete, warrants the statement that the bank examiner will be compeled at an early date to order an assessment of 100 per cent. on the cap ital stock. That means a levy of $250, 000, a sum which, as large as it is, may not be sufficient to repay depositors dollar for dollar. Republican State Convention. The Republican state central committee met at Excelsior Springs and decided to call the state convention for August 15, at Excelsior Springs. The basis of representation was one delegate for each 250 votes cast for Maj. Warner in 1892, and one for every fraction of 125. It is estimated that this ratio will give the state convention about 1,200 delegates. The date and mode of electing the delegates to the state convention was left discretionary with the county committees, provided that all delegates must be elected not later than August 11. A Coal Famine Imminent. It was stated on the 9th that the question of coal supply for St. Louis had reached a critical stage, caused by the miners' strike. There was estimated to be about a ten-days' supply on hand, and after that is exhausted, and the miners were still idle, many of the large industries would be compeled to shut down. The street railway companies had about a week's supply, the water-works about enough to run for two weeks, and the price of coal had jumped from 7 cents to 15 cents per bushel, with little to be had at those figures, Heavy Failure in St. Joseph. A. N. Schuster & Co., wholesale clothing. St. Joseph, have assigned; liabilities, estimated, $500,000. Mr. Schuster's real estate possessions in St. Joseph, aggregating $1,000,000, were placed in the hands of the assignee. The firm did a business of over $1,000,000 annually, and was until a short time ago considered one of the most substantial in the west. ST. JOSEPH, May 11.-The liabilities in the Schuster failure are placed at $500,000 and the assets at $800,000. From Washington. NEW POSTMASTERS. Edge Hill. Reynolds county. J.S. Eaton, vice David Latham. resigned. Leopolis. Livingston county, Arsenius Fable F. DeSales. vice resigned. Overton. Cooper county, W. F. Allen, vice H. H. Woolridge resigned. Valley Forge. St. Francois county, D. F. Giessing, vice Fred Giessing, resigned. W. H. Emerson. Hon. W. H. Emerson, ex-representative from Pettis county in the legislature, died at his home in Lamonte the other morning, aged over 50 years. A Great Strawberry Festival. The Daughters of the Confederacy have concluded

8. May 31, 1894 Iron County Register Ironton, MO
Article from Iron County Register, May 31, 1894

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# THE FIRST NATIONAL OF SEDALIA. Receiver Latimer is nearing the end of his examination of the affairs of the First national bank of Sedalia. G. G. Thorne, the government expert sent to Sedalia by Comptroller Eckles, has finished his labors and left for Washington with the report of Mr. Latimer, who is acting in the dual capacity of examiner and receiver. Receiver Latimer declines to make public the nature of the report, but gives out the ambiguous information that his duties as receiver may require his staying in Sedalia at least three weeks longer and possibly for twelve months.

9. May 31, 1894 Mexico Weekly Ledger Mexico, MO
Article from Mexico Weekly Ledger, May 31, 1894

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Children Cry for Pitcher's Castoria. A report has been forwarded to Comptroller Eckels by Receiver Latimer of the First National Bank of Sedalia, Mo. He says the institution is a complete wreck, resumption being out of the question.

10. September 14, 1894 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, September 14, 1894

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BANK DIRECTORS SUED. Receiver Latimer of the Sedalia First National Makes Sensational Charges. SEDALIA, Mo., Sept. 14.-W. A. Lattimer, receiver of the First National bank of this city, filed a suit yesterday in the United States circuit court at Jefferson City for $358,000 against the directors of the suspended institution. The petition is of a sensational nature and makes public for the first time the alleged methods of President Cyrus Newkirk and Cashier J. S. Thompson, as well as those of the directors, in conducting the business of the bank. J. C. Thompson, the cashier is a fugitive in Mexico, and Cyrus Newkirk, the president, is now residing in California. In a nutshell, it is charged that the directors allowed Newkirk to overdraw his account to the amount of $101,000iand permitted Thompson to gamble away $71,000 in stocks, wheat and real estate deals, besides allowing insolvent parties without security to draw $90,000 out of the vaults. The receiver alleges that the defendants as directors, during the whole time between September 6, 1890, and May 4, 1894, utterly failed and neglected to perform their duties and failed to hold meetings of said board of directors to look into and after the affairs of the bank. They also signed and attested, it is claimed, false reports to the comptroller.

11. September 14, 1894 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Journal, September 14, 1894

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SENSATIONAL CHARGES. Bank Officers Accused of Throwing Away Depositors' Money. SEDALIA, Mo., Sept. 13.-W. A. Latimer, receiver of the First National Bank of this city, filed a suit to-day in the United Circuit Court at Jefferson City for $358,000 against the directors of the suspended institution. The petition is of a sensational nature and makes public for the first time the alleged methods of President Cyrus Newkirk and Cashier J. C. Thompson, as well as those of directors, in conducting the business of the bank. Only three of the directors, E. G. Cassidy, H. C. Wood and John W. McClure, have property that can be reached by the suit. J. C. Thompson, the cashier, is a fugitive in Mexico, and Cyrus Newkirk, the president, is now residing in California. In a nutshell, it is charged the directors allowed Newkirk to overdraw his account to the amount of $101,000 and permitted Thompson to gamble away $71,000 in stock, wheat and real-estate deals, besides allowing insolvent parties, without security, to draw $90,000 out of the vaults. The receiver alleges that the defendants, as directors, during the whole time between Sept. 6, 1890, and May 4, 1894, utterly failed and neglected to perform their duties, and failed to hold meetings of said board of directors to look into and after the affairs of the bank. They also signed and attested false reports to the Controller.

12. September 14, 1894 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, September 14, 1894

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DIRECTORS WERE NEGLIGENT. Charges Made by the Receiver of a Sedalia Bank. SEDALIA, Mo., September 14.-W. A. Latimer, receiver of the First National Bank of this city, has filed a suit in the United States circuit court at Jefferson City for $358,000 against the directors of the suspended institution. The petition is of a sensational nature, and makes public for the first time the alleged methods of President Cyrus Newkirk and Cashier J. C. Thompson, as well as those of the directors, ir conducting the business of the bank. J. C. Thompson, the cashier, is a fugitive in Mexico, and Cyrus Newkirk, the president, is now residing in California. It is charged that the directors allowed Newkirk to overdraw his account to the amount of $101,000, and permitted Thompson to gamble away $71,000 in stocks, wheat and real estate deals, besides allowing insolvent parties, without security, to draw $9,000 out of the vaults,

13. September 14, 1894 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA
Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 14, 1894

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CRIMINAL NOTES. G. N. Henson, president of the Citizens' Bank & Trust Company, of Chattanooga, Tenn., was acquitted of the charge of murder, Thursday. He was tried for killing J. B. West, who, he claims, ruined his (Henson's) wife, A series of incendiary fires is causing intense excitement in Merced, Cal. Fires occur in different parts of the town within a few minutes of each other. The schools have been closed, and the mayor issued & prociamation Thursday warning all strangers to depart before night, and calling upon all citizens to aid him in putting the proclamation into effect. An attempt was made Thursday to kidnap Clarence, the 10-year-old son of Ferdinand Ward, of Grant & Ward fame, from the house of bis guardian at Thompson, Conn. The police were notified and the boy was recovered at Webster, where the two men who carried him off were arrested. The father has tried several times heretofore to obtain possession of his son. Two men and a woman, all colored, called at the house of George Woehluetter, a saloonkeeper, in the heart of Akron, O., Thursday morning, and demanded breakfast, which Mrs. Woshluetter furnished. Later the men returned, beat her to insensibility and asssulted her. They then bound and gagged her and (threw her into a cellar, afterwards setting fire to the house. Finally aid arrived and the flames were extinguished, Mrs. Woehluetter's condition is critical. The receiver of the First National bank of Sedalia, Mo., has brought suit against the directors of the bank for $358,000. The complaint charges gross neglect and mismanagement, and that the directors allowed the president, Cyrus Newkirk, to overdraw his account $101,000, gamble away $71,000 in stock speculation, etc., and loaning $90,000 to insolvent parties without security. The directors are also charged with signing and attesting false reports to the comptroller of the currency.

14. September 20, 1894 The State Republican Jefferson City, MO
Article from The State Republican, September 20, 1894

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THE SEDALIA BANK TROUBLE. f Receiver W. A. Latimer of the defunct First National Bank of Sedalia has begun suit in the United States court at Jefferson City against the directors of the suspended bank for $358,000. The defendants are Cyrus Newkirk,president; James C.Thompson, the fugitive cashier, who is now in the City of Mexico; John R. Barrett, a former wealthy citizen, whose property is now under attachment; F.H.Guenther, late assistant cashier, at present engaged in the dry goods business; Dr. H. W. Wood, patent medicine manufacturer and owner of Wood's opera house; John W. McClure, a prominent stock dealer, and E. G. Cassidy, wholesale liquor merchant.

15. October 4, 1894 People's Voice Wellington, KS
Article from People's Voice, October 4, 1894

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WANT THEIR WINNINGS, Sult Entered by Prominent Horsemen for Purses Won at a Fair. SEDALIA, Mo., Oct. 3.-M. Salisburv, the well known turfman, of Pleasanton, Cal., and nineteen other prominent horsemen yesterday entered suit in the Pettis county circuit court against William J. Maltby, receiver of the Missouri State Fair association, and W. A. Latimer, receiver of the First national bank, to compel the defendants to pay in full the purses won by plaintiffs' horses at the fair held here in 1893. The petition sets forth that there was paid into the First national bank, as trustee, for the fair association, the sum of $9,000, of which $3,061 ought to still be on deposit. The petition prays for an accounting and judgment, in order that the money may be prorated among the plaintiffs in payment of what is still due on their 1893 winnings.

16. January 1, 1895 Hopkinsville Kentuckian Hopkinsville, KY
Article from Hopkinsville Kentuckian, January 1, 1895

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LOOKING BACKWARD. Leading Events of a Memorable Twelve Months. THE YEAR 1894 PASSED IN REVIEW. Failures, Casualties, Crimes, Foreign and Industrial Happenings, Meteorology, Political, Social and Sporting Events Chronologically Recorded. BUSINESS FAILURES. BANKS GENERALLY. OTHERS FOR $500,000 AND OVER. Jan. 3-Southern Land and Improvement Co., Frankfort. Ky.; $500,000, Jan. 9-Citizens' bank at Ogden, Utah Bank of Port Washington, Wis. Jan. 10-W. T. Beek & Co., San Francisco commission merchants; $750,000. Jan. 14-Mendville (Pa.) savings bank Jan. 16-Merchants' bank, Ellis. Kan. Jan. 16-Third national bank, Detroit Bank of Zumbrota, Minn. Jan. 324 Westview savings bank, at Louisvilie, Ky. Jan. 24-First national bank, Fort Payne; Ala. Feb. 9-Signa Iron Co., of Philadelphia; $100,000 Feb. 14-American national bank at Springfield, Mo Burlington (Ia.) Fire & Tornado Insurance Co. Mar. 2-State bank at Brookville, Kan. Mar. 7-Bank of Harrison, Neb. Mar. 13-Bank of Excelsior Springs, Mo. Mar.28--Peoplelssavings bank of Duluth, and Merchants' bank of West Duluth. Apr. 6--J. B. Watkins Mortgage Co. of Lawrence, Kan: $5,550,000, Apr. 10-Aspen (Col.) national bank. Apr. 18-W. Thomas & Son. whisky dealers and distillers at Louisville, Ky.; $500,000. Apr. 19-West Superior Iron & Steel company of Milwaukee: $2,500,000. Apr. 24-Merchants bank of Enid, O. T. Apr. 27-Henry Newman & Co., importers of clothing supplies in New York: $1,500,000. Apr. 30-Scandinavian and Finland Emigrant Co. of New York; $4,000,000. May 4-First national bank of Sedalia, Mo. May 7-State national bank at Wichita, Kan. May 8-A. N. Schuster & Co., clothing dealers at St. Joseph, Mo.: $500,000. May 16-National bank of Pendleton, Ore. May 18-The order of Tonti to ha nds of receiver in Philadelphia. May 20-Traders' bank of Tacoma. May 24-Bank of Tempe at Phoenix, A. T. May 31-Bank at Enterprise, Kan. June 4-Steele & Walker, wholesale grocers at St. Joseph, Mo.: $700,000. June -Farmers' and Merchants' bank at South End. O. T. June German national bank at Denver, Col: $853,000. June 8-Union Warehouse Co. of New York; $1,000,000. June 10-American Investment Co. at Emmettsburg, In.: $800,000. June 18-Goodwin & Swift, of New York, electric railway builders and promoters; $750,000. June 21-Black Hills national bank of Rapid City, S. D. July 26-First national bank of Grant, Neb. Aug. 1-Baker City (Ore.) national bank. Aug. 7 Citizens' savings bank at Portsmouth, O. Aug. 10-Second national bank, Altoona. Pa. Aug, 18-Wichita (Kan.) national bank. Aug. 17-Commercial & Savings bankof Ludington, Mich. Sep. 6-Middleton (Pa.) bank. Sep. 7-Mutual Benefit Life associatio n of America ,headquarters at New York: $10,000,000 Oklahoma county bank at South Enid, O.T. Sep. 10-Citizens' bank of Plattsmouth, Neb. Sep. 21-Commercial bank at Weeping Water, Neb. Oct. 1-First national bank of Fayetteville, N.Y. Oct. 5-Coffin & Stanton, stock. brokers in New York: $3,600,000. Oct. 10-American Debenture Co., of Chicago; $1,500,000. Oct. 11-First national bank of Kearney, Neb. Oct. 12-Buffalo county national bank at Kearney, Neb. Oct. 16-Merced bank, at Merced, Cal. Oct. 23-George M. Irvin & Co., of Pittsburgh, Pai $1,000,000. Oct. 25-J. J Reithman and J. J. Reithman & Co. wholesale druggists in Denver; $500,000. Nov. 8-San Bernardino (Cal.) First national bank. Nov. 12-First national bank of Johnson City, Tenn. Nov. 10-Portland (Ore.) savings bank; $1,430,000. Nov. 23-Brown national bank at Spokane, Wash. Nov. 27-Kendall Banking company at Howard, S.D. Security National bank of Grand Island, Neb. Nov. 28-Bank of Canova, S. D. Dec. 4-North Platte (Neb.) national bank. Tacoma (Wash.) national bank. Dec. S-Farmers' Insurance Co., of Seattle, Wash. Dec. 11-Commercial bank, at St. Joseph, Mo.

17. April 19, 1895 Richmond Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from Richmond Dispatch, April 19, 1895

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Broken-Bank Assessment Resisted. SEDALIA, MO., April 18.-The stockholders of the suspended First National Bank have decided to resist the payment of the 75 per cent. assessment ordered to be paid by Comptroller-of-the-Currency Eckels prior to May 15th next. The ground for resistance will be that the bank was not legally chartered, nor had it been a legitimate banking institution since 1830, when, by false reports on the part of its officers, it was permitted to reorganize and increase its capital stock from $100,000 to $250,000. Legal talent has been retained, and protracted litigation is assured.

18. April 25, 1895 Iron County Register Ironton, MO
Article from Iron County Register, April 25, 1895

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Julia E. Dockery, Kirksville, chairman of ex-ecutive board. # Refuse to Pay the Assessment. Says a dispatch sent from Sedalia: Receiver W. A. Latimer has been officially notified that he would not be able to collect the 75 per cent. assessment against the stockholders of the defunct First national bank except by a lawsuit. The shareholders set up the claim that the bank was not a legally chartered institution at the time of its failure, nor had it been since 1890. In that year the bank was reorganized, aud at the same time its capital stock was increased from $100,000 to $250,000. The stockholders claim that had the proper authorities at the national capital given the case the investigation that it demanded, reorganization and the increase of the capital stock would have been impossible. When Receiver Latimer was interrogated on the subject he did not deny having been notified of the prospective litigation. "This is a case that must be tried in the courts instead of the newspapers," said the receiver, "and all that I care to say now is that I will institute suit against all shareholders who have not paid their assessment by May 15 next." # Sent to an Asylum. Information was filed in the probate court of Newton county, the other day, alleging the insanity of Mrs. Marie Crays, and on trial she was so found and ordered taken to the asylum at Nevada. Mrs. Crays is possessed of considerable financial means. She went to Neosho from Southwest City some three months ago, and since that time has been making life unbearable, it is said, for a leading attorney, against whom she threatened to bring suit for $300,000 for breach of promise. # Want to Be Close to Zion. The recent convention of Mormons at Independence was very successful. The statement in the convention that the time is at hand for the "Gathering of the Saints" in Zion (Independence) is bearing fruit. Many Mormons are in that town inquiring about houses and farms. They expect all the "Saints of the Lord" to gather there, and there await the coming of Christ, which they say is near at hand. # Supported by Tax-Payers. During the past year there were 2,723 patients admitted to the female hospital in St. Louis. There were 346 births at the institution during the year. The expenses averaged $232.61 per patient. There are about 525 paupers in the St. Louis poorhouse, the majority being males. In the insane department there are about 775, of whom the greater number are females. # Missouri University Glee Club. The students of the Missouri state university have organized a glee club, composed of thirty members, which will soon start on an extensive tour through Missouri and the adjoining states. # War On Tobacco Chewers. One of the most prominent street railway presidents in St. Louis has declared war on tobacco chewers. He calls them hogs, and says they can not expectorate and ride in his cars. # Sewers of St. Louis. There are about 66½ miles of sewers in the city of St. Louis, not including private sewers. There were about 15 miles of district sewers constructed last year. # Hanged Himself. John T. Wolff, a cigar-maker, aged 42, who resided at 3150 Iowa avenue, St. Louis, hanged himself with a clothes line. He was found by his wife. # College President Chosen. Rev, George A. Ayres, recently of Washington college, Tennessee, has been chosen president of the Presbyterian college located at Independence. # Miner's Head Blown Off. D. O. Lapoint, a miner, was killed in the Kohinoor mine, Joplin. A charge of dynamite exploded while he was stooping over it and blew his head off. # Married on a Train. Lafayette Ligon, of Liberty, and Miss Kate Horenecker, of Smithville, were married on a railway train. There were objections to the match. # Elected to the Legislature. Poy Woodside, democrat, was elected to the legislature in Oregon county by 7 votes over Alf. Harris, populist, to succeed J. B. Old, deceased. # By Shooting. Odis Simpson, aged 20, son of G. W. Simpson, fatally shot himself at Brunswick. The recent death of his mother was the cause. # Sedalla High School. The new high school building at Sedalia will be three stories high, 90 by 110 feet, will accommodate 600 pupils and cost $30,000. # An Old Citizen's Sudden Death. Geo. F. Fisher, aged 75, dropped dead at Independence of heart disease. He had resided in Jackson county for sixty-five years. # Death of a Bank Cashier. E. W. McJunkin, aged 53, died at Selalia a few days ago. Mr. McJunkin was cashier of the First national bank of that city.

19. April 25, 1895 The Pioneer Press Miller, SD
Article from The Pioneer Press, April 25, 1895

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From the Nation's Capital. Our government calls upon Guatemala for explanations regarding the abuse of Americans. The secretary of the interior decides against a Northern Pacific claim to land in Idaho. A statement of the condition of the treasury shows an available cash balance of $184,074,764 and a gold reserve of $90,329,135. The United States has been requested by the Chinese government to take under her protection the Chinese residing in Guatemala. Officials of the government take no stock in the statement that ex-Senator Ransom's appointment as minister to Mexico is illegal. William Latimer, receiver of the First National bank at Sedalia, Mo., was instructed by Controller of the Currency Eckels to levy an assessment of $187,500 upon the stockholders to pay the bank's indebtedness. The state deparement has checked in its inception an attempt, made by the Haytien government, to impose a discriminating tax upon American citizens and other foreigners residing in Hayti.

20. May 2, 1895 Iowa County Democrat Mineral Point, WI
Article from Iowa County Democrat, May 2, 1895

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The regents of the California state university have been informed by the executors that the bequest of the late J. C. Wilmerding of a trust fund of $400,000, for the building and maintenance of a school of trades for boys, is about ready to be turned over to them. An Indian, named James Yellow Bank, was found stabbed to death at Marshland, Wis. Suspicion rests on another Indian. The two had long been deadly enemies. Yellow Bank's friends have made a heap of brushwood and threaten to burn the suspect at the stake if he is captured. The stockholders of the suspended First National bank of Sedalia, Mo., have decided to resist the payment of 75 per cent. assessment ordered to be paid by comptroller of the currency Eckels prior to May 15 next. The ground for resistance will be that the bank was not legally chartered. An incoming passenger train on the Ironton branch of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad ran into an open switch at Dayton, Ohio. The engine was turned over and the baggage car smashed. Engineer Harry Kline escaped without severe injuries. Fireman William Smith was badly, perhaps fatally, hurt internally. O. A. Hubbell, the business man who disappeared from Harwinton, Conn., a few weeks ago, has been located in Buffalo. He writes a letter in somewhat incoherent terms to Thomaston relatives in which he says he found himself in Buffalo dazed, sick and 111terly at loss as to how he arrived there. A relative of Ansel White is in Santa Cruz, Cal., inquiring for his whereabouts, having come from the east. White is heir to an estate in New York valued at $4,000,000. He went to California in early days, and settled on a ranch near Santa Cruz. In 1865 he disappeared and has not since been heard of.

21. October 25, 1895 The Dalles Daily Chronicle Dalles, OR
Article from The Dalles Daily Chronicle, October 25, 1895

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# FEDERAL BANK SUPERVISION. Says the Globe Democrat: The stockholders of the collapsed First National Bank of Sedalia have raised a new legal question in their attempt to evade the assessment made upon them for the payment of the outstanding liabilities. They hold that they should not be required thus to make good the losses that ensued in spite of the supervision of the government through its bank examiner. In other words, they claim that they were released from liability when the government permitted the bank to run along in a bad condition. The plea is a plausible one, but it is hardly to be expected that any court will consent to help stockholders out of a bad place by such means. There is nothing in the laws pertaining to the national banking system which can be interpreted as making the government a guarantor of the absolute correctness of the investigations of its bank examiners. The fact is notorious that such investigations are rarely, if ever, thorough and reliable. Even when the examiner is competent and anxious to perform good service, he can be deceived more or less by the officers of the bank, and his report may represent a condition existing during his presence only, to be changed as soon as his back is turned. Deceptions of this kind have occurred so often that when a new one happens it does not cause any surprise. As a matter of fact, all forms of bank supervision are defective in some respects, and it will not do to depend upon them except in a general way and under favorable conditions. It is only occasionally that a federal bank examiner discovers that a bank is in a shaky condition, or that some of its officers or employes are stealing its assets. As a rule, such discoveries are made by accident, or by the confession of guilty parties, and the persons most surprised are those who should have found out the facts long before by reason of their relation to the business of the institution. There is a constant tendency on the part of the best banks and other concerns handling large amounts of money to impose closer restrictions upon their employes, and to introduce more effective plans of supervision. The directors of all kinds of corporations are taking more interest in their duties and acting upon a higher sense of responsibility. Much of this improvement is due to the guarantee indemnity companies, which have so much at stake in the integrity of their patrons; but there is reason to believe, also, that the necessity of self-protection has led to the adoption of better methods of surveillance and detection by private firms and companies. In due course of time, federal bank supervision will probably be made adequate and satisfactory; and until then, stockholders will be obliged to pay the losses which it does not prevent.

22. October 22, 1896 Iron County Register Ironton, MO
Article from Iron County Register, October 22, 1896

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MISSOURI STATE NEWS, An Inoperative Law. The Pettis county grand jury has made a recommendation which may lead to the repeal of an inoperative law. The report says: We recommend the repeal of the law requiring grand jurors to examine the books of the county officials. The improbability of the possibility of drawing 12 men at any one time that would have the ability to recognize an error in bookkeeping, even if such error should be bold on its face, conneoted with the limited time in which juries would be compelled to audit the books of every department to honestly find an error, makes it apparent to us that the law is very absurd and unreasonable. Therefore, we ask for its repeal, and would recommend in its place that the county court be empowered to employ experts to examine the books, when in their judgment the court thought it necessary, or a commission be appointed by the state, as in the case of banks. The Case of Ex-Banker Newkirk. At Sedalia Judge W. W. Wood overruled the motion to quash the four indictments found against Cyrus Newkirk, president of the suspended First national bank, charged with having received deposits when he knew the bank to be in a failing condition. The defendant, whois 76 years old, is quite ill in California, and his physicians say that to compel him to return to Sedalia in December, the time set for the trial of the cases, will result fatally. The bank failed May 4, 1894, with a shortage of $254,000, and the depositors have not yet received a dividend.

23. March 25, 1897 The Wichita Daily Eagle Wichita, KS
Article from The Wichita Daily Eagle, March 25, 1897

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other occupants of the schoolhouse to find his home in flames. It was impossible to enter the house, as it was crumbling when Penrod reached It. The children's beds were by the window, however, and Penrod burst the window open and succeeded in pulling the 8-year-old and 4year-old boys out, horribly burning himself in the act. They never regained consciousness and died in a short time. The others were burned (until only a few bones were found in the debris of the house. The coroner's inquest threw no light on the origin of the fire. A WHOLESALE FIREBUG. Detroit, Mich., March 24.-A special to the News from Cleveland, Ohio, says: William Ingless, under arrest here for incendiarism. confessed today to having set fire to forty buildings in Detroit. BICYCLE WORKS BURNED. Reading, Pa., March 24.-The large plant of the Acme bicycle works was destroyed by fire early this morning. All the valuable machinery was destroyed, making the total loss about $75,000, covered by insurance. The building contained material for fully 5,000 bicycles. BANKERS INVESTIGATED. St. Paul, Minn., March 24.-A Bismarck, N. D., special to the Pioneer Press says: The banking methods of some of the suspended national banks of the state are being investigated by the United States grand jury now in session. Two indictments have already been found, one against Lee Booker, extreasurer and president of Grand Forks National bank, and the other against H. F. Salayards, president of the First National bank of Minot. Booker is charged with making false returns to the comptroller of the currency. He was arraigned today, plead not guilty, and was held for trial in $5,000 bonds. Salayards is charged with aiding and abetting in making false entries in the bank's books. He pleaded not guilty and was held in $6,000 bonds for trial. The indictment of Booker came as a great surprise to his friends throughout the state. He was state treasurer for three years, entering the office in 1893, and has always taken an active part in state politics. BOGUS BONDS MUST BE PAID. Kansas Cty, March 24.-A special to the Star from Sedalia, Mo., says: Judge W. W. Wood, of the Johnson county circuit court, has decided that the Sedalia school district must pay $23,000 to the holders of school bonds issued in 1883 and fraudulently sold to eastern people. The bonds were paid ten years later and left in the custody of J. C. Thompson, cashier of the First National bank and financial agent for the school bonds. Instead of turning them over to the treasurer to destroy, Thompson resold them to eastern people and by paying the interest on the coupons the swindle was not detected until the bank failed and Thompson had fled to Mexico. SHOT HER PARAMOUR. Middlesboro, Ky., March 24.-A special from Hancock county, Tenn., states that Martha Bull shot and killed her paramour, Thomas McRae, and then shot herself. The Bull woman thirty years ago was a leader of society in Camden, Va. She claimed to be collaterally related to Washington. DURRANTS APPEAL San Francisco, March 24.-The attorneys for Theodore Durrant have filed a petition in the supreme court for rehearing of the application, previously dei nied, for a new trial. No new points are cited and it will be decided without argument. The prosecution believes the I petition will be denied.

24. September 1, 1897 The Sun New York, NY
Article from The Sun, September 1, 1897

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LETTER FROM SENATOR VEST. He Explains His Request Relating to the Sedalia National Bank. SEDALIA, Mo., Aug. 31.-United States Senator George G. Vest has addressed a letter to Congressman James Cooney of the Seventh Missouri district in reply to a recent communication from James H. Eckles, Comptroller of the Currency, in which the reader was led to infer that Senator Vest had requested in 1894 that the proposed examination of the Sedalia First National Bank, in April of that year, be deferred until certain that the bank's assets could be realized upon. The letter is as follows: "My attention has been called to a letter of the 22d inst. from the Hon. J. H. Eckels, Comptroller of the Currency, to the Hon. James Cooney, in which the statement is made that in April, 1894, I requested the postponement of an examination by the National Bank Examiner of the First National Bank of Sedalia. The facts are simply these: "In March, or April, 1894, Mr. Cyrus Newkirk, President of the bank, and Mr. J. C. Thompson, the cashier, wrote me that an examination of the bank was about to be made before the time fixed by the established rule of the Comptroller, and that, on account of a false report put in circulation by some one that the institution had failed, and the additional fact that on account of the stringency prevailing they were unable to collect, there was danger of a run on the bank if an examination was made before the regular time. They requested me to lay these facts before the Comptroller of the Currency. Believing them to be honest men, and that their statements were true, I did so. I have no apology to make, and hope there will G. G. VEST." be the fullest investigation.