Bank of Richton - Richton, MS

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type: state
Start Date: May 7, 1914
Location: Richton, Mississippi (31.349, -88.939)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 9cd2cf67

Response Measures

None

Description

Cashier of the Bank of Richton committed suicide; bank closed temporarily (suspension) but president and article state it will reopen the next day and is solvent. No run reported. Cause coded as bank-specific adverse information (cashier's death and related troubles).

Events (2)

1. May 7, 1914 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: With two bullet wounds through the heart, the body of John McDowell, 32, cashier of the Bank of Richton, was found last night ... A jury of inquest found that he had killed himself two hours previous, as a result of worry over personal financial troubles.
Source: newspapers

2. May 7, 1914 Suspension

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Cashier John McDowell killed himself; bank closed temporarily pending audit and examination; closure appears precautionary following cashier's death and his personal financial worries.
Newspaper Excerpt: The bank closed today, but will re-open tomorrow ... President Stevens states that the bank is well able to take care of any run that may develop.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. May 9, 1914 The Semi-Weekly Leader Brookhaven, MS

Article from The Semi-Weekly Leader, May 9, 1914

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Article Text

CASHIER KILLS HIMSELF y As a Result of Worry Over Money Troubles-President Says Bank is Solvent. Richton, Miss., May 7.-With two bullet wounds through the heart, the body of John McDowell, 32, cashier of the Bank of Richton, was found last night at 7.30 o'clock in the rear of the bank. A jury of inquest found that he had killed himself two hours previous, as a result of worry over personal financial troubles. The bank closed today, but will re-open tomorrow A thorough audit of the books of the institution was made two months ago, and the bank was found to be in splendid condition. President C. H. Stevens today wired the state bank commissioners to send a man here to make another audit, though no apprehension is felt as to the outcome of the examination. President Stevens states that the bank is well able to take care of any run that may develop. The dead cashier is survived by a wife and one child, as well as a brother in Illinois The body was today sent to Bay Monnette, Ala, his old home for burial. The doors of the bank were closed yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock by the assistant cashier, David Thoms. About 7 o'clock Mrs. McDowell telephoned Thoms, stating that her husband had not returned home, and making inquiries as to his whereabouts. Thoms went to the bank building and found McDowell's body. Persons near the bank building later recalled hearing two shots about 5:30 o'clock, but paid no attention to them at the time. An inquest was held over the body, the finding being that Mc. Dowell came to his death from pistol shots fired by himself.