1092. Hibernian Bank (San Francisco, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
state
Start Date
September 12, 1906
Location
San Francisco, California (37.780, -122.419)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
af43e82c

Response Measures

Books examined

Other: Bank declined offers of assistance from other banks; state bank examiner issued a statement of soundness.

Description

Multiple September 1906 newspaper reports describe a run on the Hibernian Bank in San Francisco (Sept. 11-14) driven by rumors/false reports. The bank met all demands, paid in full, declined offered assistance, and a man was arrested for inciting depositors. No suspension or closure is mentioned, so classified as run_only. Bank described as a large savings institution; inferred as a state savings bank.

Events (1)
1. September 12, 1906 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Persistent rumors and false reports about the bank's failure; an individual (John Carter) was arrested for urging depositors to withdraw and reportedly spreading false reports.
Measures
Bank paid all demands in full; declined offers of assistance from other banks; state bank examiner issued statement of soundness; officials sought persons responsible for rumors.
Newspaper Excerpt
The run on the Hibernian bank continued today. Two hours before the bank opened there were 500 people before its doors.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (9)
1. May 23, 1906 East Oregonian : E.O Pendleton, OR
Article from East Oregonian : E.O, May 23, 1906

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Article Text

San Francisco, May 23.-This morning at 9 o'clock the commercial banks opened their doors for the transaction of regular business unhampered by clearing house restrictions. Gold in plenty filled the vaults and there is as much money in the banks today as ever in the history of San Francisco. The stability of the financial situation is such that there is not the slightest evidence of a money panic, every bank in the city now being in a position to meet all obligations without undue strain. While the official date for the formal opening of banks is next Monday, many savings institutions opened this morning. The Mutual Savings bank opened for unrestricted business with $20,000,000 in money and active securities in the vaults. The California Safe Deposit & Trust company opened at its old quarters at the corner of California and Montgomery streets. This bank is one of the first to have temporary quarters completed. The Humboldt bank opens tomorrow morning. About 30 per cent of the Humboldt's loans were in the burned district, and the bank announced it will return all its insurance money to borrowers for rebuilding purposes. With no more rush or excitement than usually attended the settling on a day before the fire, the Hibernian bank, the city's largest savings institution, thre wopen its doors at 9 this morning. Every look and every action of the hundreds in line before the doors opened betokened confidence. The line began to form at 6:45. At it extended down Jones street and then down Golden Gate as far as Market and back again towards Jones. Old women, young clerks. begrimed teamsters and pretty stenographers were there, all as cheerful as a crowd of theater-goers waiting their turns at the box office. A young fellow in working clothes stepped out of line to give his place to an aged woman in a shawl who tightly hugged to her breast her little yellow-covered book. Others followed suit, and soon the woman was far up the line. Many brought lunches and stools and prepared for a long wait. When the doors opened the first 10 persons were told off and allowed to enter. Two paying tellers had their money benches heaped with gold and quickly passed out the coin. Few withdrew their total deposits, and

2. September 12, 1906 Rock Island Argus Rock Island, IL
Article from Rock Island Argus, September 12, 1906

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Article Text

ON RUN ON BANK GOES Hundreds Before Doors of Hibernian Institution at Frisco. San Francisco, Sept. 12.-The run on the Hibernian bank continued today. Two hours before the bank opened there were 500 people before its doors.

3. September 13, 1906 Albuquerque Morning Journal Albuquerque, NM
Article from Albuquerque Morning Journal, September 13, 1906

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Article Text

Run on San Francisco Bank. San Francisco, Sept. 12.-Local financiers were puzzled to account for the run yesterday on the Hibernisn bank. Other banks offered assistance to the Hibernian but it was declined. The institution is said to be able to meet an immediate demand for thirty million dollars, and San Francisca banks in general have such a plethora of money that they have loaned nearly fifty millions in Wall street. The run continued today there being about five hundred people in line when the doors opened. The withdrawals were mostly by small depositors.

4. September 14, 1906 The Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL
Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, September 14, 1906

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Article Text

JOHN CARTER ARRESTED. Charged With Exciting Nervous Bank Depositors In San Francisco. --San Francisco, September 13.-John Carter was arrested today in front of the Hibernian bank, where he was exciting the timid depositors who are continuing the run on that bank. Carter was urging the elderly women in the throng to dispose of their bank books to him, declaring that the failure of the bank was imminent. The arrest was made by Joseph Tobin, attorney for the bank. The bank officials declare Carter was employed by enemies of the bank to spread false reports of its stability. Carter denies this. He says he is a recent arrival from Tennessee.

5. September 14, 1906 The Bennington Evening Banner Bennington, VT
Article from The Bennington Evening Banner, September 14, 1906

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Article Text

Bank Pays All Demands. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 14.-The run on the Hibernian bank continues. All demands were paid in full, the bank having millions of dollars available for immediate use. The state bank commissioners having reported that the institution is absolutely sound, the run, which has not assumed large proportions, is expected soon to cease.

6. September 14, 1906 Daily Capital Journal Salem, OR
Article from Daily Capital Journal, September 14, 1906

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Article Text

RUNS ON BANK IS STILL ON RUN San Francisco, Sept. 14.-When the Hibernian bank opened its doors this morning a long line of depositors was again on hand, waiting to withdraw their money. The number, however, was not so great as on previous days of the run. The bank continues to meet all demands. Many of those in line brought funds for deposit. Active steps are being taken by the officials to run down the persons responsible for the rumors that caused the run.

7. September 14, 1906 Daily Capital Journal Salem, OR
Article from Daily Capital Journal, September 14, 1906

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Article Text

San Francisco, Sept. 14.-Hibernian bank officials state that, while the runs continue, the amounts withdrawn are only 75 per cent of those of yesterday, depositors taking only a portion of their accounts. Deposits are normal and the bank can stand an indefinite run.

8. September 19, 1906 Edgefield Advertiser Edgefield, SC
Article from Edgefield Advertiser, September 19, 1906

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Article Text

in Concord, N. H. The Connectient Democratic State Convention natied n ticket, but made 10 mention of Bryte in the platform. The movement started by James C. Colgate in favor of the Mutual Life administration ticket resulted in the formation of an association which will work for the slate. The United Fruit Company has been sued by the American Banana Company for $6,000,000 under the Sherman Anti-Trust law. The run on the Hibernian Bank, in San Francisco, slackened following a statement by the State bank examiner. A Kansas City man was mourned four months as dead is said now to be on his honeymoon. President MacColl, of the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, in his semi-annual address, urged that the South be aided to maintain its supremacy in the cotton world and made some valuable suggestions. British War Minister Haldane issued an order formally constituting a general staff, according to reeommendations of the Esther commission. Emperor William was particularly gracious to the American officers who are atending the German maneuvers. General Moeller-Sakomelsky has been appointed commander of the troops at Warsaw and will undertake the task of pacifying the city. The girl who dssiginated General Min at Peterhoff on August 26 has been hanged. The Humbers, whose swindling operations netted them millions, are to be released from prison conditionally. Paul O. Stansland, former president of the wrecked Milwaukee Avenue Bank, in Chicago, started home from Tangier in the custody of detectives. The Duchess of Fife, daughter of King Edward, has been operated on. Hope that peace will be restored in Cuba is now very faint; and the veterans' committee has abandoned all efforts in that direction. Troops have been searching houses in Siedlce for terroists and terible scenes are described. Plans have been made for the defense of Havana in case of an attack by insurgents. At the session of the Polar Congress it was announced that expeditions to the South Pole as well as the North Pole are planned. At the German maneuvers 30,000 infantry was marched 24 miles against cavalry and artillery. Earthquake shocks are reported from Ambato, Ecundor, of such severity as to cause people to desert their houses. Negroes in New York stoned policemen after the shooting of a negro by a policeman. It was stated by Sir Edward Grey that Sir Robert Hart is to remain at the head of the Chinese customs service. Secretary Root and party visited interesting sights in Lima and wo. men strewed flowers before him.

9. September 21, 1906 Kingsbury County Independent Desmet, SD
Article from Kingsbury County Independent, September 21, 1906

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Article Text

BANK RUN CONTINUES. San Francisco, Cal., Sept. 11.-The run on the Hibernian bank continued today. Two hours before the bank opened there were 500 people before its doors.