10928. Brandon Bank (Brandon, MS)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: February 1, 1838*
Location: Brandon, Mississippi (32.273, -89.986)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 3accc86f

Response Measures

None

Description

Newspaper articles from 1838–1840 describe the Brandon Bank having suspended specie payments during the 1837–38 crisis (a nationwide suspension) and later failing (went to the wall), with specie seized by a U.S. marshal and the president committing suicide. There is discussion of public hostility and accusations against officers, but no clear, discrete depositor run described in the sources provided. Thus sequence is a suspension (during the 1837–38 panic) followed by permanent failure/closure.

Events (3)

1. February 1, 1838* Suspension

Cause: Macro News
Cause Details: Suspension occurred as part of the wider 1837–38 banking suspensions and distress in Mississippi; articles mention the suspension throughout the country and statewide banking distress during 1837–38.
Newspaper Excerpt: The circulation since the suspension has not increased ... and the bank has cotton enough on hand ... The bank is ready to resume specie payment with the rest.
Source: newspapers

2. July 1, 1839* Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: the president, however, was W. H. Shelton, and he committed suicide in Pearl river here when the great bank went to the wall, its specie having been seized by United States Marshal Gwin in Jackson bank. ... The crash brought ruin to hundreds of citizens in all parts of the state and created panic, the like of which has never since been seen in this section. (retrospective account).
Source: newspapers

3. January 9, 1840 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: it was stated ... the cashier of the Brandon Bank, E. L. Hyams, had run off with the funds of the bank ... he states that the amount, $25,000, was a special deposit, and that he removed it to Jackson for the benefit of the bank. (explanation from cashier).
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (8)

1. February 27, 1838 Southern Telegraph Rodney, MS

Article from Southern Telegraph, February 27, 1838

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LIBERAL CONDUCT.-Judicious arrangement.-It appears by a letter of Presilent Shelton, of the Brandon Bink, Miss., that the purchases of cotton made by it amount to about 80,000 bales, and m stlv in collect tion of debts due said bank by planters, &.; $40 a bale being advanced on each baledelivered. This arrangement, made list summer, saved many planters from ruin, by furnishing them funds fir provis ons, &. for their slaves to carry on the present crop.The circulation since the suspension has not increased $250,000, nl the total is now less then 700,000, and the bank has cotton enough on hand at $50 a bale to redeem the whole. The plunters have honorably and punctiliously fulfilled their engigement, The New Orleans merchants seem improperly to take exceptions at the arrangement, as indicating hostilitv. Mr. Shelton denies this in toto, and says the planters will pay all their foreign debts, but do not wish to be shaved 10 or 15 per-cent, on their State paper. The bank is ready to resume specie payment with the rest.N. Y. Star.

2. July 31, 1838 Southern Argus Columbus, MS

Article from Southern Argus, July 31, 1838

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AND DIRECTORS BANKS IN OF E SEVERAL THE STATE OE Mississirpi. situation, Gentlemen THE The circumstances, high and and responsible the authority of the the respective in which State of Legislature have Institutions preside, placed you as officers have been called to much over high secures which to you you the power, great of evil. dispensing With the or of inflicting and business men, would the State, minded, choice good, honorable be easy and to make; and their the great- wel- will fare of the people, but the course you conest pleasure to serve partially sene, and be the felt by pursue, is already entail, soon will the people of first obscured the sucsequences the adversity it will Mississippi. When with each horizon dark of 1837, and the this State, in and wider cloud of rent July wider, hitherto still, unceeding flash, produced in our chasm threatened to enbeneath one paralleled impending invawning prosperity, each and institution mass every gulph, country, peneusolitary and forth from interest, deed in the gloom, alone," step was seen to welcome your trate the deep its feeble, though ranks, and hunger and ruin, save extend from Loud, indeed, and the vocifer- perish- but ing and distressful. the cries of the needy, were the ears, others, deaf ating continued marble and of unfeeling as walls, were the hearts this scene was stretched did pity, nor which now it in adamantine arm of lamentation and would-seem, forth wo. to No save, you eye to destroy. of except determined this one, Ere unfair the means distress have you are by every harsher shalf over, and insinuation, (to use no the only inuendo endeavoring to prostrate that has enepithets) institution in the State, citizens chartered deavored to alleviate succeed the wants in this of unrighteous her useful it And, should you the most valuable and avail warfare Bank in against Mississippi, what would institutions in it place your own rotten confidence Would condition ? or create more capital, better If your banks lack integin yourselves? the officers who preside over them, indeed, afrity, and the spoils of the enemy might, lack neither of much but if you small. Created ford you triumph would be in the abate, these, by the your same power, should and your placed confidence same situation, why by the extent of your doubt both the solvency unless, own slender indeed, to foundation warned and corruption, cause, and integri- you either are induced of others. If there be any just Brandon Bank, ty the solvency of the its afto doubt of those who manage emanated from or the integrity it not have been fairs, why should institution has proper source. That of citizens the examined by a committee motives, recently integrity and disinterested of its conof known most favorable report re-examwho make and a the Board now invite a appoindition; the Bank Commissioners, in any ination from the Legislature of the State, Directors ted by think proper. The estates to the way have they also may pledged their large apprehension bank, to remove every possible of the bill might arise in the minds further, to secure that their integrity; and, institution to ers, as to certain ability of the loans of security bank, bonds, discharge the more have all of been its liabilities. on the very The best deeds in the transfertrust, and judgments been large, the in the world, operations to wit, and cotton have executions Last set SOcurity thousa nd red. son it Its controled ample, and seventy the profits millions great. bales of dollars of cot`ton, equal in amount to four will contro next season, probably, is the danand the more. Where, then, and facts half as With many all these circumstances man doubt the staring ger? him in the face, can any resume Specie pay ability of this institution to banks in the State fears ment But, gentlemen, as soon as the I fear other that that excites it is not your the ba 'condition of this bank condition, and th but its solvent has with and the Found people that fact, provoke I would favor it prejudice. To proveothia institutions have your remark, that each of your dollars in th ,probably from 30 to 80 thousand and you not notes of this same Brandon bank, at the sain begin torefuse to receive any more; Brande also refuse to loan this same of who time, you to the people, large numbers best beset money your counters daily, offering from the sacrifie to save their property afraid the Sheriff's hammer. If and this the people will their and curity, money borrow answer you are it, And, if it will they give good to the pose, bank. and have it! They are security, not nfraid why fru let them withholdi the Brandon bank if you are. By any mor this money, and refusing o receive the people, inflict a twofold injury upon which they you stamp as worthless, that consequer you may have among them, and, will not answ ready uncurrent and another; known, that, now, we of ly, it becomes it the is purpose well of passing from one thousands to have little'e is to pay off the What,then, executions, that are daily matt State ments several and Courts, throughout must the ens in our loss and sacrifice have, The greatest be stript of they can still left in and The people debt. will In conclusion, I ask, to the injudicious ple, longer ruinous pursue in course? this If you whatever amount are really.8 the Brandon banky receive, to the rece may have or to issues you security; and, continue borrow, and upon loan good it so long they will which means a course run will tend to institution; and such accommodate the port credit, and payment EQUIT until the banks its the resumption in this State, of shall Specie test:the gols ALL. of the .ey of The Right Instruction SAME BUT In a

3. October 27, 1838 Columbus Democrat Columbus, MS

Article from Columbus Democrat, October 27, 1838

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Extract from a letter President Brandon Bank, to C in this dated OCTOBER 1st, 1808 We are peculiarly situated in relation to issues. and we have placed ourselves in this unition by endeavoring, at the risk of our credit to save from sacrifice the property of individual who were punctual to us last Year, and wão received the benefit of our surplus issues UP pledges of the present year's crop. If this mo they (upward of one and a half million,) turned 10 08. or cotton delivered to nell that mount, we are then ready to pay specie-the be crop having amply provided us with means deem all our notes, which were in circulation the commencement upon this The not by or any as directers, funds of the bank of body have advances else, been has squaudered been crup are are but consequently resented. Our their directors debts large large; stockholders even cluding their stock, are not so large as those the directors of the several other banks, and we do owe is doubly secured. Great injustice is done on this ground, and again our liabilities are, from the fac we bound that much larger for have but advances than they little for really each others. Wo very except our own debts, is we It not the with fact funds that from this have bought the much property bank: most of thedirectors were large property, holders I do one that in that way. of these used not know led the dollar No of crisis. sir, exchange None It has has causes been have I to present been brought about by nothing more nor less, than a disposi tion on our part to save a suffering community thereby throwing large amounts, of our paper the hands of foreigners sheriffs, marshals, bro. kers, &.c. and the systematic opposition to the change of the products of our state from the hands of the commission merchants into our OWD and that of other banks. Our citizens who have been saved from utter ruin by this change, have chimed in with those who have heretofore had them enchained, to break down or change the policy and once more rivet the fetters on Missis ippi, from which by our policy. she was freedand might easily remain so, if she would be true to to herself. These, sir are the true grounds opposition to us, and not the many false grounds that have been assigned. We are now rapidly receiving returns for ton shipped last season, and although the delay in sales has been a source of disatisfaction to ma. ny, the sales show that our policy of holding up our cotton has been correct. We have reason to hope the planters will be well pleased, and these returns will be an inducement, added to moral oblinations, for them to comply with their engagement.-This being done to the extent of shipments of the last season, we can resume specie payments on the first of January next. In the mean tune, we are prepared upon delivery of cut on to pay in part funds any ballance we may owe the planters. Unless our customers docum. ply, or we can negotiate a loan to the extent of our advances on this crop, we cannot resume until we can collect something like the amount above mentioned. If we succeed( both get ing cotton and a loan,) we can not only resume, ut can give more aid to our customers next spring. We still have confidence that we will come out conquerors, and more than conquerois. Southern Sun.

4. May 25, 1839 Lexington Union Lexington, MS

Article from Lexington Union, May 25, 1839

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him or it, the recipient of virulent censure and wanton assault, no good can possibly arise from this course, great evils may. 1 know that there is not a more sterling and undeviating Democrat in this State than HIRAM G. RUNNELS. Ispeak advi sedly; since my arrival at this place l'have had frequent conversation with him, and I say to you that he is a warm and ardent supporter of Martin Van Buren and of every prominent measure of the General Administration. True there is a personal difficulty existing between hiar and Gov. e McNutt, but is that a sufficient cause for all this censure of the Natchez and Vicks. burg editors. I know that the course pursued by these gentlemen does not meet the approval of the executive, nor of the party l generally. But enough of this. D The Brandon Bank is becoming very e odious and justly so, in consequence of the course she has pursued in the collection of her debts, the notes given to the Bank have been transferred to bill holders, who have instituted suit on them and demanded the bills of specie paying banks; this has produced great excitement, and sovreigns 1 talk loudly of pulling down the Bank and making distribution of assetts. The Madisonville and Pearl River shin plaster shop exploded yesterday-their issues are utterly worthless; what a glorious business this banking is? Judge Gholson has become very popular with the Bar, the Nathez gentry will begin to understand after a while that " some good can come out of e North Mississippi." The Union Bank is ! checking on New Orleans at sixty days at di two per cent. premium; upon no other t point. There are two candidates from this county for the Chancellor, Hutchison and n Buckner, both of them very capable and S clever gentlemen. Some of the whig papers have attempted to introduce politics if into the canvass; what have the people of d Mississispi to do with politics in the selection of a Chancellor? no man can or ought to succeed in a canvass for a judicial station e who will be guilty of the meanness of asking support from any political party; 1 I know that Mr. Buckner is utterly incapable of doing this, and would spurn the office with indignation, if it is offered to him by S the whig, or any other, than the " intelligent party" of the State. Our friend Campbell is very well known here, and will receive a warm support V from his old Alabama and Tennessee S frends. McCardle is recovering slowly from Hagan's shot. Yours with great respect.

5. June 27, 1839 The Rodney Telegraph Rodney, MS

Article from The Rodney Telegraph, June 27, 1839

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TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND ALABAMA RAIL ROAD COMPANY GENTLEMEN:--Havin: resigned the office of President of the Mississippi and Alabama Rail Road Company, which was twice con ferted me by you, upon duty gratitude and courtesy for prompt me to express my your and confidence. two I have been kindness years, assiduously For more engaged than that in that office; discharging-The-duties during time, pertaining exuberant praise, to and abuse, to me; still sustained by you, ed t the after the Bank operaShortly unmeasured pursue path of duty. has commenced specie I been have applied endeaver- payments tions a suspension of throughout the country, was announced; distress pervaded the land, and no section of the suffered more of the suspension trons country effects from than the Missis disassippi. The oldest banks of the State were compelled to restrain their issues, some from to the General from in others indebtedness express prohibition Government, their charters. At this juncture we were importuned advances on the cotton crop; of the in person, to us, pourtraying their necessities to dressed language, make planters others and in subsistence distress;nay the by strongest letter many ad declared that the upon Bank. To their solicitations, we their not the repeated a Brandon families*depended few yie!ded; urgent discounts discounts the oft by of our conduct was were made; State approved; teemed rublic prints throughout the of the noble e of the Brandon Bank; the commendations policy and strongest generous evidence of public approbation was tendered and so long as our discounts continued of discontent was not me, a whisper discounting, heard. But we determined to quit a of was feeling when disapprobation manifested; which from a of engendered, to the present has much I may be it may spirit however that time hostility impracticable denounced, increased. will be at But and this redeem our issues, you declaration that our means are sufficient, our loans to and solvent men; time, however timately me made in to the good having and sustain enter- been that ulwhen they were made, no doubt was but that by collections, and the exour shipments of would redeem her issues, resume tained, change Bank upon and cotton, the specie payments at the same time of the banks of the State. Our wishes and our would have other anticipations heen Bank realized, in the cotton pledged to the had the of '38, been of '37 and the spring or even one half it; of ere and our k been realized in d assert the best evidence, have winter delivered, we not upon disappointed; collections. that expectations but if in justice I now this is accorded us, every dollar of our paper redeemed. In the present embarcondition of the State, some may to accomplish this be can rassed required be object; time ultimate but if doubt is entertained as to the solvency any of the Bank, my assent will be cheerfully given for an investigation into it condition, by a committee of honorable men r from any part of the State. t In retiring from the Presidency of the S it is not my intention to withdraw d from Bank, the Directory, on the contrary, every y aid in my power sball be given you; neither nor threats, shall ever deter n a faithful discharge of my vulgar have me from been abuse, adversity duty. and the child of the of 1. prosperity, and am prepared to enjoy n comforts of the latter, or submit to the priof the former. My interest is idenW with that of the people of is tified vations Mississippi, befa1 me, whether good or evil shall to co-operate with you am the affairs of the Bank to a ing and I will do this with a y to that I enjoyed in to and termination, resolved equal co-operating successful issues in bring- pleasin giving relief by our è fellow citizens. in of this Bank, when not. h to the borrower, or was our ure with The oppressed paper useful you loaned, '37 the it and either 38. to the purposes of S, is that he s bound by every his of justice and honor, to ciple with the Bank. If, the If was er, applicable I contracted contend liquidate however, borrow- prinW debt of this Bank did not answer not be the money of the borrower; and could it purposes him to useful purposes, that rational, intelligent, with applied by and is enter not so strange should have sought it who was prising much avidity? men But every man

6. January 9, 1840 Morning Herald New York, NY

Article from Morning Herald, January 9, 1840

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Its revenue during the year was 36,638 There has been paid during the same year to contribution banks, on account of dividends, $29,631 The practice of loaning the credit of the state to the speculators is considered the happiest effort of legislature financiering, and it is strongly recommended to persevere in the system. The Lilnois State Register of the 21st ult., states that a resolution before the directers of the Illinois State Bank, to resume on a certain day, was lost by a large majority. The sixty days during which, by the charter, the bank may suspend specie payment, has expired. The bank had declined to resume, and the legislature to legalise the suspension; the bank will probably wind up its affairs. A resolution was passed by the directors, discharging the clerks after a certain day, preliminary to closing the concerns. Mississippi Union Bank post notes to the amount of $300,000, were thrown upon the New Orleans market recently, by the agent of the United States Bank. In consequence of which, the discount rose from 8 to 18 per cent in three days. It was stated some days since that the cashier of the Brandon Bank, E. L. Hyams, had run off with the funds of the bank to Jackson. This has drawn forth an explanation from that officer, in which he states that the amount, $25,000, was a special deposit, and that he removed it to Jackson for the benefit of the bank. We recently gave a brief view of the opium trade with China, in which we mentioned that the Americans were chiefly concerned in the Turkey opium. A late French paper, brought by the Iowa, states that the Turkish government has issued firmans to suppress the cultivation of the poppy throughout the empire, and to order the planting of corn in its place, on the ground that the market for the drug is now destroyed. This will increase the difficulties of the China trade, if carried into force. The irregularity of the mails has a great influence upon the domestic exchanges, greatly retarding operations and disappointing dealers in their remittances. The following table shows the range of prices this week. CURRENT RATES OF EXCHANGE AND BANK NOTES. Bank Notes. 1990 Exchange. 1990

7. January 21, 1840 The Rodney Telegraph Rodney, MS

Article from The Rodney Telegraph, January 21, 1840

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GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE The following document is copied from the Vicksburg Whig of the 16 inst., which says was found a few days since in the neighborhood of the state house, and is supposed to be the original draft of the message of his excellency, governor McNutt." Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives comes to inform you that we are al is how is with yourselves? well; This is Craps twenty good and we don't care if corn scance rights is going No aint spit on me in some slic many of our God! body A good fulks time, have is thank for notwithstanding. er the Early on Texas drap. shipments, Cotton the forced rath by broken banks, and suspenthe Brandon Bank I it. South Carolina sion cause shipments of of thats and think flat; Georgia is and the will have to quit raising cotton then folks must come over and buy some of mv land on Deer Creek. do this the Mr. Van Buren says bis people. You must something session boys for can't do thing. The Sub-Treasury humbug is over. You must divide the people into the rich and poor, legislate for whichever has the majority of votes and to the devil with the rest. constitution is now a seven year old full mouth of democratic as well as ever the with The a people teeth, expect- and ed such a critter would go, As my part property here at now, am to a goes I have just bought convention Jackson for because be wanting to move 1 a blanket or so further they and House I might opposod north, the and those State be afraid to oppose it you see, fellows go it for me northern would like and wrath.- for hew So I had better just try down Code so ns to let it alone. You see peo tion and think Pray's you fit that the constitu the ple won't vote for your amendments, they aint worth have ether fish to fry So it while to make any more. of more towns ought to be done away with. am agin This thing incorporating ] of any how: one them Gov. of town fined incorporations Boggs, Missouri, limits, five and dollars for a pistol in its some of in our State have getand being noisey in them shooting drunk laws and the against street.- man This is a democratic country a has right to holler if he chooses; the voice of word the people ought not to be stifled. "A to the wise" &c., some of you know the ballance, and those of you that don't know can nsk the others. to be to elections. It is to contesting Something ought done always in relation well an on the future. Though we're in we are not in for keep now eye always. election To guard accidents At next you bird better me the power to for each county to vassers against give fixed. (I know appoint This who can- feland the thing is low Clerk of the appoint) Dixon, his long. Chancery He ought Court, holds office too to be He struts streets here he spit on me. take rotated pretending out. will about let him the will down it as a kindness if you a button hole or two. You must also say how much is to be deducted from the salaries of officers for keeping sober and neglecting to drink a gallon as the law requires, for your Governor is determined to abide strictly by the law. Extensive powers.are vested in the boards of and much has their action, to in police, improvident accordance evil with remedy resulted the which estab- from our party you intheir Let crease lished recommend principles powers of until they do that right. them fill all vacancies in their own bodies and other county offices, for these popular elections are not the things to my notion, notwithstanding what 1 said about our democratic constitution. Something ought to be done to prevent Sheriffs and Coroners from resigning just before Court, for it is only in a few counties that it is done. If it was done in a majority of the counties it would be all right, for the majority is always right. most of are in a a of I am Told that tumbled up condition, the clerk's proof offices what I new tion has the you to me appoint people. said I answered recommend before, the that expectations the let constitu- of a Clerk General to examine all the offices. See how that Bank Commissioner system has improved the currency, and 1 have more of the same sort of boys at my command, who are just as well qualified to examine clerk's offices as same to so a them, they gettheir banks-it eight just dollars the day and mileage. The Clerks and Sheriffs make too much money. To remedy this evil, I recommend that all over a certain sum a year be paid into the treasury, it would furnish the governor's house It is not worth while to reduce the costs that the debtors have to pay, because you know the true democratic doctrine is, that "those who trade on borrowed capital ought to break," and we-must carry out our principles and make them break. again call your attention to the subject of common schools. I have written to all the state, say that are and is making schooling schoolmasters they and cheap. all in the the Hard boys times.is and well, they schoolmasters plenty. You can form no

8. September 3, 1909 The Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL

Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, September 3, 1909

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SEEKING LAWS TO HELP CHILOREN Governor is Heartily in avor of Child Labor Laws REFORMS ARE DEMANDED Committee Which Has Charge of Ar rangements to Entertain President Taft in Jackson in No. vember Perfects Plans. Jackson, Miss. September 2 .-(Special.) -Governor Noel has received a letter from Mr. A. T. Stovall, an attorney at Okolona, in which he tells of his visit to Detroit, Mich., as a commissioned delegate from the state of Mississippi to attend the conference of commissioners on uniform state laws Mr. Stovall states that he was "honored by appointment on several standing committees, and especially by appointment on the special committee of five to investigate child labor legislation, and report at the next meeting in August, 1910, the draft of a bill to be submitted to the American Bar Association for approval, and by it recommended to the various legislatures. Governor Noel is heartily in line with any effort that may be made for uniformity of laws-not only as to child labor laws, but in several other respects, and the next legislature that assembles in Jackson will no doubt find some suggestions as to the best modes of procedure. In this connection it is excusable to note the agitation of the demand for an increase in the age of consent law, as it goes hand in hand with child labor laws. The last legislature increased the age of consent from ten to twelve years, and the W. C.T. U. and other kindred organizations were disgusted. They demanded 16 or 18 years, but would have been somewhat content with 14, but they never got that, and they will be before the next session of the law-making body with a demand for an increase in the number of years, and there are thousands of virtuous men in the state who will back them up in their demands. In all of these demands the women of the state will find Governor Noel is with them cheek by jowl, and that he will do everything in his power to secure the reforms they are demanding in laws that affect the children of the state of Mississippi. The committee charged with the entertainment of Mr. Taft on the occasion of his visit to Jackson on the first day of next November held a meeting yesterday at Pythian castle and arranged all the preliminaries for the reception and the entertainment of the President of the United States. All of the members of the committee showed their interest in the matter by being present at the meeting of the committee and entering heartily into business of the evening. Governor Noel was among those present ,and stated to the committee that he would entertain the President when he came to Jackson at luncheon and gave that his very hearty endo rsement to all had been done by the committee. It was resolved by the executive committee that the personnel of the leception committee should not be given out for the present. A letter from Postmaster General Hitchcock to Mayor Crowder was read be in which he stated that he would of present on the occasion of the visit President Taft to Jackson if possible. R. L. Saunders, chairman of the banquet committee, stated that the banquet would consist of nine courses, and estimated that about seven speeches might be indulged in during the course of the entertainment, provided each did not exceed 10 minutes. At 8:30 the President will be given an automobile ride around the city, winding up at the capitol, where he will be introthe multitude that is supposed to assemble duced to there during the afternoon. The Jackson speakers at the banquet be Judge A. H. Whitfield, chief juswill C. Crowder, tice of the supreme court; A. mayor of the city, and H. M. Quinn, member of the legislature. Governor Noel and Judge Niles of the federal court will speak as the representatives the state, and Judge Dickerson, Postmaster of General Hitchcock and the Presthe ident will be among the responses, President being last on the list. The newspapers of the city and the correspondents of the out-of-town papers were requested to announce that the price of seats at the banquet to the President will be only $25 per plate. Robert P. Farris of St. Louis has sent Superintendent R. Dobyns of the Mississippi to Institution for the Deaf and Dumb a well-preserv $100 Post note was issued by the Brandon bank in 1839, that and Mr Dobyns has turned same over to Director Rowland of the department of archives and history and it has been placed in the Hall of Fame for safekeeping This old note calls up a chapter or two state history that is full of interest. of It was issued in the flush times of Mismissippi and helped no little to make them flush during its rather short career. The note is handsomely engraved for those early times. bearing the likeness of a handsome woman in the center of the upper edge. and on the right end picture of DeSoto. On the face of the note is the following Twelve month after date the Mississippi and Alabama Railroad company promises to pay $100 to the bearer on deinand with 5 per cent interest per annum until paid. Brandon, July 1839. The signatures of the president and cashier have faded out long ago. The president, however, was W. H. Shelton, and he committed suicide in Pearl river here when the great bank went to the wall, its specie having been seized by United States Marshal Gwin in Jackson bank. It was found that the Brandon bank (which was really the railroad company) had $4,000,000 of such notes outstanding, and that its profits for several years had been about $700,000 annually. Its crash brought ruin to hundreds of citizens in all parts of the state and created panic, the like of which has never since been seen in this section.