1123. Nevada Bank (San Francisco, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
state
Start Date
September 17, 1887
Location
San Francisco, California (37.780, -122.419)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
bd93d3bb

Response Measures

Capital injected

Other: Papers to appoint a receiver were prepared but a rescue of cash prevented suspension/receivership.

Description

Multiple contemporary articles (Sept. 1887) describe heavy withdrawals and a dramatic last-minute cash infusion that averted a receivership. Papers for a receiver were drawn up but a rescue (California Bank $1,000,000 and Senator Fair $1,500,000) prevented suspension/closure. Cause tied to an internal wheat speculation/mismanagement by cashier George L. Brander (bank-specific adverse information). I corrected OCR typos (e.g., 'Fair' and amounts) where context made them clear.

Events (1)

1. September 17, 1887 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Large wheat speculation managed by cashier George L. Brander (misuse of bank funds/huge losses) produced heavy withdrawals and near-collapse.
Measures
Emergency cash infusions: California Bank ~$1,000,000 and ex‑Senator James Fair ~$1,500,000 placed in the bank; sale/disposition of wheat and securities to cover losses; receiver papers were prepared but not executed.
Newspaper Excerpt
He came to the rescue in the nick of time. The sum he advanced is stated to be one and a half million dollars, and it was placed in the vaults of the bank when most sorely needed. Not an hour had elapsed when the cash he had invested was called into service to pay a large claim on the bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (14)

Article from Rock Island Daily Argus, September 17, 1887

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VAULTING AMBITION TO CORNER ALL THE WHEAT THERE WAS IN SIGHT Brings the 'Frisco Syndicate to a Very Deep Hole-The Nevada Bank in for $6,500,000, and the Syndicate Loses $7,500,000-National Bank Failure-Pope's Liabilities-A Fidelity Suit. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 17.-William Dresbach's statement of liabilities and assets, filed Friday, shows that the Nevada bank is a creditor for $550,000 on promissory notes and $6,000,000 guaranteed by Charles F. Reed. The bank is tbus shown to have advanced $6,500,000 to the wheat bull clique. Reed is a farmer and large land owner of Yolo county, and a brother of Mrs. Paran Stevens, of New York. He has other wealthy relatives, but it is not known how he satisfied the bank. The amount of cash on hand is $978. Among the assets are enormous amounts due from London and Liverpool consignees of wheat, but they merely present grain in transit. Rosenfelt's liability on joint account is $107,000. The total unsecured debts are $7,500,000, and this sum practically depresents the loss by the wheat deal. Mackay and Flood sold eight large valuable lots Friday afternoon. There are rumors that Flood has even placed his new brown stone Nob Hill mansion in the market, as well as Menlo park. Fair has advanced $1,500,000 to rescue the bank. Suit Against a Fidelity Stockholder. CINCINNATI, Sept. 17.-Suit was filed by the receiver of the Fidelity National bank, David Armstrong, through District Attorney Burnet and E. W. Kittredge, at 1:15 P. m., Friday, against William Wood for the payment of his subscription of $13,500 by note on the second $1,000,000 of stock. The Fidelity bank had advertised to increase its capital from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, and by a vote of its directors resolved to increase it to that amount, but in doing so did not strictly follow the statute. The subscribers to the increase were given the privilege of paying in cash or note. This suit is brought to test the validity of the issue of the second million, it being claimed to be invalid because of the alleged irregularity and non-compliance with the statute. Failure of 24 National Bank. ERIE, Pa., Sept. 17.-The First National bank of Corry, Pa., closed its doors Tuesday morning by order of Bank Examiner Young. Thursday it was announced that the bank had purchased the Clark & Warren Independent Oil refinery for $133,000, property now said to have been taken to secure loans. Liabilities not stated. The Pope Failure Growing Worse. NEW YORK, Sept. 17.-The failure of T. J. Pope & Bros., iron merchants, proves more extensive than at first reported. The liabilities are now placed at $800,000. The assignee asserts that from 75 to 100 per cent. can be realized.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, September 19, 1887

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PACIFIC COAST EVENTS. California's New Governor-Dramatic Style in Which Fair Saved the Nevada Bank. Special to the Indianasolis Journal. SAN FRANCISCO. Sept. 18.-The past week afforded various and important topics for discussion by the public. Indeed, so unexpected and important were some of them that it is a great surprise that commercial affairs were not seriously disturbed, as *they undoubtedly would have been under similar circumstances in almost any Eastern city. The first event of note occurred on Monday, when Governor Washington Bartlett departed this life at Oakland, where he had been lying in a precarious condition for several weeks. The deceased was a Democrat and his demise brings into the office of chief magistrate of California, R. W. Waterman, Republican, a man acknowledged to be endowed with honesty and a large quantity of common sense, but baving little acquaintance with the amenities and proprieties of official life. He has already intimated, in his inaugural address, his favorable view of civil-service laws, and it is believed he will make no sudden changes in offices to which he has the appointive power. It is understood, however. that he will place Republicans in all such offices as fast as the terms of the Demoeratic incumbents expire. He has the fullest confidence of the whole State, and the regret expressed over the death of Governor Bartlett is purely for the man. No similar expression is heard regarding the change of political administration brought about by his decease, notwithstanding that such a change at this time will materially affect the result in this State of the presidential election next year. Governor Waterman will hold his office until Jan. 1, 1891. Next in order came the announcement of a change in the management of the Nevada Bank. The reconciliation between James Fair and J. W. Mackay led to numerous surmises as to what it portended, but none were bold enough to guess that Fair would again throw his fortune in with the Nevada Bank people. He has done so, however, and now the street is busy striving to discover the motive for his apparently placing coals of fire on his recent enemy's head. Some credit him with purely selfish motives. claiming that he has bought into the bank and secured control of it on very advantageous terms. Others, again, say that he recognized the peculiarly opportune time for getting into the bank and consummating a plan of revenge against Mackay by forcing him, eventually, out of it. Whatever the cause for his Action may be, it is certain that he sees his way clear to come out ahead with large gains. He came to the rescue in the nick of time. The sum he advanced is stated to be one and a half million of dollars, and it was placed in the vaults of the bank when most sorely needed. Not an hour had elapsed when the cash he had invested was called into service to pay a large claim on the bank. The incident was most dramatic in its character. Had the money not been on hand it is difficult to tell what the consequence would have been. This feat on the part of the Nevada Bank people is to rank with the performance of the shrewd bank teller who, during a run on his bank, heated several trays of coin to give his customers the impression that the bank was receiving its resources fresh from the mint in unlimited quantities. There never was any doubt of the solvency of the bank, but ready cash was not plentiful with it lately, and it is known that Flood had been disposing of personal securities and trying to sell real estate in this city in order to keep pace with the demand for cash recently made on the bank.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, September 19, 1887

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AN EVENTFUL WEEK. Sorrowful, Startling and Peculiar Happenings in California. Death and Funeral of Gov. Bartlett---Succeeded By a Republican. Senator Fair's Money Put Into the Nevada Bank Just at the Right Time. Speculation on the Deal--Does it Mean Ultimate Revenge on Mackay? Special to the Globe. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 18. The past week afforded various and important topics for discussion by the public. Indeed, so unexpected and important were some of them that it is a great surprise that commercial affairs were not seriously disturbed, as they undoubtedly would have been under similar circumstances in almost any Eastern city. The first event of note occurred on Monday, when Gov. Washington Bartlett departed this life at Oakland, where he has been lying in a precarious condition for several weeks. The deceased was a Democrat, and his demise brings into the office of chief magistrate of California R. W. Waterman, Republican.a man acknowledged to be endowed with honesty and a large quantity of common sense, but having little acquaintance with the amenities and proprieties of official life. He has already intimated, in his inaugural address, his favorable view of civil service laws. and it is believed he will make no sudden changes in the offices to which he has the appointive power. It is understood, however, that he will place Republicans in all such offices as fast as the terms of the Democratic incumbents expire. He has the fullest confidence of the whole state, and the regret expressed over the death of Gov. Bartlett is purely for the man. No similar expression is heard regarding the change of political administration brought about by his decease, notwithstonding that such a change at this time will materially affect the result in this state at the presidential election next year. Gov. Waterman will hold his office until Jan. 1, 1891. THE NEVADA BANK. Next in order came the announcement of a change in the management of the Nevada bank. The reconciliation between James Fair and J. W. Mackay led to numerous surmises as to what it portended, but none were bold enough to guess that Fair would again throw his fortunes in with the Nevada bank people. He has done so, however, and now the street is busy striving to discover the motive for his apparently placing coals of fire on his recent enemy's head. Some credit him with purely selfish motives. claiming that he has bought into the bank and secured control of it on very advantageous terms Others again say that he recognized the peculiarly opportune time for getting into the bank and insummating a plan of revenge against Mackay by forcing him eventually out of it. Whatever the cause for his action may be, it is certain that he sees his way clear to come out ahead with large gains. He came to the rescue in the nick of time. The sum he advanced is stated to e1$50.000, and was placed in the trays of the bank when most sorely needed. Not an hour had elapsed when the money he had invested was CALLED INTO SERVICE to pay a large claim on the bank. The incident was most dramatic in its character. Had the money not been on hand it is difficult to tell what the consequences would have been. The feat on the part of the Nevada bank people is worthy to rank with the performance of the shrewd bank teller who, during run on his bank, heated several trays of coin to give his customers the impression that the bank was receiving its resources fresh from the mint in unlimited quantities. There never was any doubt of the solvency of the bank, but ready cash was not plentiful with it lately and it is known that Flood had been disposing of personal securities and trying to seH real estate in this city in order to keep pace with the demand for cash recently made on the bank. MAY MAKE UP. Now that ex-Senator Fair has become a subject of public discussion in connection with the affairs of the Nevada bank another story about him has come to the surface. It is stated that it is not one of the impossible things that he should make up with his divorced wife and again enter in a life partnership with her. it is well known that he has no unkind feelings toward her and only wishes her good. In fact he has been magaging her property for some time past. A REVELATION. The statements filed by William Dresbach and John Rosenfield on Friday last were a revelation to the public, though not as comprehensive as they might have been. They made clear, at least, the connection of the Nevada bank with the recent wheat deal, and showed that the bank had advanced to the manipulators nearly $8,000,000. For $6,500,000 the bank was guaranteed against loss by Charles F Reed, granger of Yolo county, who, it is believed, was interested in the deal as a silent partner. It is now doubtful whether his resources will cover the amount of his liability to the bank. The most wonderful feature of the transaction is the marked contrast between the financering methods of Dresbach and Rosenfeld. Dresbach, who before the deal was probably not worth more than $10,000, succeeded in obtaining credit to the amount of thirteen and a half million dollars, while Rosenfeld, who was actually worth a million and a half dollars, failed for only for four and a half mil-


Article from Press and Daily Dakotaian, September 20, 1887

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AIR SAVED THE NEVADA. THE SENATOR'S MILLIONS PREVENTED A FINANCIAL CRISIS. Years of Hatred and Contention Healed in Desperate Times-A Granger's Part in the Big Wheat Deal-Mrs. Eair May Rejoin Her Husband-G. A.R. Off for St. Louis. SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 19.-The announcement of a change in the management of the Nevada bank was the one topic for discussion. The reconciliation between James Fair and J. W. Mackay led to numerous surmises as to what is portended, but none were bold enough to guess that Fair would again throw his fortunes in with the Nevada bank people. He has done so, however, and now the street is busy striving to discount the motive for his apparently placing coals of fire on his recent enemy's head. Some credit him with purely selfish motives, claiming that he has bought into the bank and secured control of it on very advantageous terms. Others again say that he recognized the peculiarly opportune time for getting into the bank and consummating a plan of revenge against Mackay by forcing him eventually out of it. Whatever the cause for his action may be it is certain that he sees his way clear to come out ahead with large gains. He came to the rescue in the nick of time. The sum he advanced is stated to be one and one-half million dollars and it was placed in the trays of the bank when most needed. Not an hour had elapsed when the cash had been called into service to pay a large claim on the bank. The incident was most dramatic in its character. Had the money not been on hand it is difficult to tell what the consequence would have been. The feat on the part of the Nevada bank people is worthy to rank with the performance of the shrewd bank teller who during a run on his bank heated several trays of coin to give his customers the impression that the bank was receiving resources fresh from the mint in unlimited quantities. There was not any doubt of the solvency of the bank, but ready cash was not plentiful with it lately and it is known that Flood had been disposing of personal securities and trying to sell real estate in this city in order to keep pace with the demand for cash recently made on the bank.


Article from The Russellville Democrat, May 17, 1888

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MISCELLANEOUS. ON the 7th the following bonds were offered to the Government: $1,066,900 registered 4s, at 126% to 127: $35,800 coupon 4s, at 126 % to 127: $543,000 registered 4 1/2s, at 10714 to 107%; $12,000 coupon 4 1/88, at 108. Total, $1,656,800. The following were accepted by the Government: $1,000 registered 4s, at 126 % : $7,800 coupon 4s, at 126 to 126% $3,000 registered 4 %s, at 107% Total, $11,800. IT is reported that the plan to reorganize the Nevada Bank of San Francisco has been declared a failure, and that the bonanza millionaires will have to wind up its affairs. ON the 7th it was feared that any attempt to enforce the Pope's decree against the plan of campaign and boycotting in Ireland would result in an open revolt of the laity of the country against the church. COMPLAINTS have recently been received by the Treasury Department from art dealers that works of art are being imported free of duty under representations that they are to be temporarily exhibited and re-exported, but which are in fact sold in this country. More stringent regulations to prevent such evasions will be formulated. IT is reported that the special naval board, convened on the claim of Cramp Sons for an extension of time on the cruiser Baltimore, the gunboat Yorktown and the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, have recommended that the contractors be allowed four months over the time specified for the completion of each vessel, without paying the daily penalty of twenty-five dollars on each vessel. THE convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, in session in New York City, adjourned on the 10th. A FAVORABLE report on the bill providing for the allotment of lands in severalty to the Indians upon the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin, has been ordered by the House committee on Indian affairs. THE Lord Mayor of Dublin, in accordance with a requisition signed by sixtysix members of Parliament, has appointed a meeting, on May 17, for the purpose of discussing the papal rescript. ON the 8th a riot occurred at Dunmanway, Ireland, while the police were effecting the removal of some prisoners to Cork. The police charged upon the rioters with batons, and dispersed them. ON the 8th the following bonds were offered to the Government: $2,620,000 registered 4s, at 127; $5,000 coupon As, at 126%, $1,390,000 registered 4 18 8, at 106 % to 108 1/2. Total, $4,015,000. The bonds accepted by the Government were: Registered 4s, $250, at 126%: coupon 4s, $5,500, at 126M IN Sudbury, Mass., the famous old tavern which Longfellow immotalized in his "Tales of a Wayside Inn," was sold at auction on the 9th. It is some two hundred years old. ON the 9th the following bonds were offered to the Government: $2,425,000 registered 4s, at 127; $8,900 coupon 4s, at 127: $36,000 registered 4 1s s, at 107% $4,000 coupon 4 1/88, at 108; of which $186,000 4 1/2 per cent. registered bonds were accepted at 107 % IT is reported that the steamer S. B. Baker, which left the port of Bayfield, Wis., on the 7th, for Duluth, is wedged in the ice somewhere on the route, and likely to run short of coal and provisions.


Article from The West Tennessee Star, May 18, 1888

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MISCELLLANEOUS. ON the 7th the following bonds were offered to the Government: $1,066,900 registered 4s, at 126% to 127; $35,800 coupon 4s, at 126 1/2 to 127; $543,000 registered 4%s, at 107% to 107%; $12,000 coupon 4 s, at 108. Total, $1,656,800. The following were accepted by the Government: $1,000 registered 4s, at 126% $7,800 coupon 4s, at 126 to 126 1/2; $3,000 registered at 107%. Total, $11,800 IT is reported that the plan to reorganize the Nevada Bank of San Francisco has been declared a failure, and that the bonanza millionaires will have to wind up its affairs. ON the 7th it was feared that any attempt to enforce the Pope's decree against the plan of campaign and boycotting in Ireland would result in an open revolt of the laity of the country against the church. COMPLAINTS have recently been received by the Treasury Department from art dealers that works of art are being imported free of duty under representations are to are that and they re-exported, be but temporarily which exhibited in fact sold in this country. More stringent regulations to prevent such evasions will be formulated. IT is reported that the special naval board, convened on the claim of Cramp Sons for an extension of time on the cruiser Baltimore, the gunboat Yorktown and the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius, have recommended that the contractors be allowed four months over the time specified for the completion of each vessel, without paying the daily penalty of twenty-five dollars on each vessel. THE convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, in session in New York City, adjourned on the 10th. A FAVORABLE report on the bill providing for the allotment of lands in severalty to the Indians upon the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin, has been ordered by the House committee on Indian affairs. THE Lord Mayor of Dublin, in accordance with a requisition signed by sixtysix members of Parliament, has appointed a meeting, on May 17, for the purpose of discussing the papal rescript. ON the 8th a riot occurred at Dunmanway, Ireland, while the police were effecting the removal of some prisoners to Cork. The police charged upon the rioters with batons, and dispersed them. ON the 8th the following bonds were offered to the Government: $2,620,000 registered 4s, at 127: $5,000 coupon 4s, at 126% $1,390,000 registered 4%s, at 106% to 108% Total, $4,015,000. The bonds accepted by the Government were: Registered 4s, $250, at 1261/: coupon 4s, $5,500, at 1263: IN Sudbury, Mass., the famous old tavern which Longfellow immotalized in his "Tales of a Wayside Inn," was sold at auction on the 9th. It is some two hundred years old. ON the 9th the following bonds were offered to the Government: $2,425,000 registered 4s, at 127; $8 900 coupon 4s, at 127: $36,000 registered 45's, at 107%: $4,000 coupon 4%s, at 108: of which $186,000 4 1/2 per cent. registered bonds were accepted at 107% IT is reported that the steamer S. B. Baker, which lets the port of Bayfield, Wis., on the 7th, for Duluth, is wedged in the ice somewhere on the route, and likely to run short of coal and provisions.


Article from The New North-West, October 26, 1888

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keeping n liquor saloon in San Francisco, which became a kind of exchange, much to the profit of its proprietors. In 1862 these men made their first investment in the Comstock lode, Nevada. John W. Mackay joined his fortune with theirs the first year, and in 1869 James C. Fair became the fourth partner in the mining property owned by the firm. Whoever suffered by the collapse of the Comstock "boom" ten or eleven years ago, Flood and his associates came out ahead. It was Mr. Flood who projected the Nevada bank. He had for associates James C. Fair and John W. Mackay. After finishing the immense row of buildings called the "Nevada Block," in San Francisco, and just before starting the Nevada bank, Flood made that heavy call on the California bank which led to its suspension and incidentally to thedeath of William C. Ralston, the popular Californian, whose fall and subsequent suicido was greatly deplored by the public. In personal appearance Mr. Flood recalled his Irish origin. His figure was imposing, and bis features gave him an aspect of power. His house in San Francisco is a costly structure, of plain architecture. The handsomest country house on the Pacific coast is that built and occupied by him in San Mateo, in the Santa Clara valley. Flood was never a well man after the disastrous wheat deal that so nearly wrecked the Nevada bank a year ago, and from which he suffered a loss of $6,000,000.


Article from The Wichita Daily Eagle, December 11, 1894

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CAUGHT ON A PIN ONCE USED MILLIONS OF OTHER PEOPLES MONEY. Now Indicted for Plain Perjury Alleged to Have Been Committed in a Rather Paltry Cause-History of an Enormous Wheat Deal and a Mieroscopic Cash Balance. San Francisco, Dec. 10.-The man who spent $11,000,000 of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank, concluded a financial operation that startled the world, is now indicted for making a false report of the condition of an insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887, using the money, the securities and the credit of the Nevada bank, of which he was cashier. He confessed his loot of the millions, and now for the first time is made public the statement of that confession and the relation of other facts about the wheat deal and the manner in which a financial panic was averted. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him without being charged with theft than any other man who ever figured in the history of this state as A Napoleon of finance. The act for which be was indicted-that of swearing that 523 shares of stock of the State Investment and Insurance company was $41,840 cash on band-is a trifle com pared with his grand operation in 1887. The losers by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance company do not seem to be particularly vengetul, though many of them have held on to their stock all the months since the institution was wound up, in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation' Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return the warrant for Brander's arrest on Seturday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not within the jurisdiction of a state court. The inside history of the big wheat deal, published here for the first time, shows that Brander put the Nevada bank in such a way that it stood to lose seventeen million dollars on the deal. The day the state of affairs was discovered, there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to resume business next day. The late James Flood, then the head of the Nevada bank, could see no way out and decided to have a receive r appointed. The necessary papers were drawn up, when the California bank came to the rescue with a million dollars. Ex Senator Fair had a million and a half to spare, and with that the bank was anabled to tide over the crisis. The wheat brought by Brander was gradunily disposed of and when the bank final ly closed up the deal it was found that Brander's enterprise had cost just $11,000,000 None of this enormous amount of money stuck to Brander's hands, and he Was penbiless when discharged from the bank. He engineered the deal merely for the glory he thought he would obtain AS a financier. 'Flood wanted toget rid of him and gave him $15,000 to leave the country. Brander did so, but came back and became the head of the State Investment and Insurance company. He is believed to be in Scotland at present.


Article from The Record-Union, December 11, 1894

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BRANDER'S WHEAT DEAL. Said to Have Cost the Nevada Bank Eleven Million Dollars. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10.-The - man who spent eleven millions of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank, and concluded a financial operation that startled the world, is now indicted for making false reports of the condition of an insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887, using the money, the securities and the credit of the Nevada Bank, of which he was Cashier. He confessed his loot of the millions, and now for the first time is made public the statement of that confession, and the relation of other facts about the wheat deal and the manner in which a financial panic was averted. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him without being charged with theft than any other man who ever figured in the history of this State as a Napoleon of finance. The act for which he was indicted-that of swearing that 523 shares of stock of the State Investment and Insurance Company was $41,840 cash on band-is a trifle compared with his grand operation in 1887. The losses by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance Company do not seem to be particularly veugeful, though some of them have held onto their stock all these mouths since the institution wound up, in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation. Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return the warrant for Brander's arrest on Saturday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not within the jurisdiction of a State court. The inside history of the big wheat deal shows that Brander put the Nevaria Bank in such a way that it stood to lose $17,000,000 on the deal The day this state of affairs was discovered there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to commence business the next day. The late James Flood, then the head of the Nevada Bauk, could see no way out, and decided to have a receiver appointed. The necessary papers were drawn up, when the California Bank


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 11, 1894

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A NAPOLEON OF FINANCE. How Cashier Brander Nearly Wrecked the Nevada Bank. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 10.-A man who spent $11,000,000 of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank and concluded a financial operation that startled the world, is now indicted for making a false report of the condition of an insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887, using the money, the securities and the credit of the Nevada bank, of which he was cashier. He confessed his loot of the millions, and now for the first time is made public the statement of that confession and other facts about the wheat deal and the manner in which a financial panic was averted. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him, without being charged with theft, than any other man who ever figured in the history of this state as a Napoleon of finance. The act for which he was indicted-that of swearing that 523 shares of stock of the State Investment and Insurance Company was $41,840 cash on hand-is a trifle compared with his grand operations in 1887. The losers by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance do not seem to be particularly vengeful. though some of them have held on to their stock all these months since the institution was wound up, in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation. Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return the warrant for Brander's arrest on Saturday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not within the jurisdiction of a state court. The inside history of the big wheat deal, published here for the first time, shows that Brander put the Nevada bank in such a way that it stood to lose $17,000,000 on the deal. The day this state of affairs was discovered there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to commence business next day. The late James Flood, then the head of the Nevada bank, could see no way out, and decided to have a receiver appointed. The necessary papers were drawn up, when the California bank came to the rescue with $1,000,000. ExSenator Fair also had $1,500,000 to spare, and with this the bank was enabled to tide over the crisis. The wheat bought by Brander was gradually disposed of, and when the bank finally closed up the deal it was found that Brander's enterprise had cost just $11,000,000. None of this enormous amount of money stuck to Brander's hands, and he was penniless when discharged from the bank. He engineered the deal merely for the glory he thought he would obtain as & financier. Flood wanted to get rid of him and gave him $15,000 to leave the country. Brander did go, but came back and became the head of the State Investment Company. He is believed to be in Scotland at present. A spoiled cake is no better than & spoiled child. Nothing IS spoiled with Dr. Price's Baking Powder.


Article from The Helena Independent, December 11, 1894

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PLAYED OFF $11,000,000. Inside History of the Big Wheat Deal of 1887. San Francisco, Dec. 10.-The man who spent eleven millons of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank, concluded a financial operation that startled the world, Is now indicted for making a false report of the condition of an Insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887, using the money, securities and credit of the Nevada bank, of which he was cashier, He confessed his loot of millions, and now for the first time is made public a statement of that confession and the relation of other facts about the wheat deal, and the manner in which a financial panic was averted. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him, without being charged with theft, than any other man who ever figured in the history of this state as a Napoleon of finance. The act for which he was Indictedthat of swearing that 523 shares of stock of the State Investment and Insurance company was $41,840 cash on hand-was a trifle as compared with his grand operation in 1887. The losers by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance company do not seem to be particularly vengeful, though some of them have held on to their stock all the months since the institution was wound up in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation. Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return a warrant for Brander's arrest on Saturday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not within jurisdiction of the state court. The inside history of the big wheat deal, published here for the first time, shows that Brander put the Nevada bank in such a way that it stood to lose $17,000,000 on the deal. The day this state of affairs was discovered there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to commence business next day. The late James Flood, then head of the Nevada bank, could see no way out, and decided to have a receiver appointed. The necessary papers were drawn up, when the California bank came to the reseue with a million dollars. Ex-Senator Fair had a million and a half to spare, and with that the bank was enabled to tide over the crisis. The wheat bought by Brander was gradually disposed of, and when the bank finally closed up the deal It was found that Brander's enterprise had cost just $11,000,000. None of this enormous amount of money stuck to Brander's hands, and he was penniless when discharged from the bank. He engineered the deal merely for the glory he thought he would obtain as a financier. Flood wanted to get rid of him and gave him $15,000 to leave the country. Brander did so. but came back and became head of the State Investment company. He is believed to be in Scotland at present.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, December 11, 1894

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San Francisco, Dec. 10.-The man who spent eleven millions of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank, and concluded a financial operation that startled the world, is now indicted for making a false report of the condition of an insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887, using the money, the securities and the credit of the Nevada bank, of which he was cashier. He confessed his loot of the millions, and now for the first time is made public the statement of that confession and the relation of other facts about the wheat deal and the manner in which a financial panic was averted. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him without being charged with theft than any other man who ever figured in the history of this state as a Napoleon of finance. The act for which he was indictedthat of swearing that 523 shares of stock of the State Investment and Insurance company was $41,840 cash on hand-is a trifle compared with his great operation in 1887. The losers by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance company do not seem to be particularly vengeful, though some of them have held on to their stock all the months since the institution was wound up in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation. Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return the warrant for Brander's arrest on Satuday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not within the jurisdiction of the state court. The inside history of the big wheat deal, published here for the first time, shows that Brander put the Nevada bank in such a way that it stood to lose $17,000,000 on the deal. The day the state of affairs was discovered there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to commence business next day. The late James Flood, then the head of the Nevada bank, could see no way out, and decided to have a receiver appointed. The necessary papers were drawn up, when the California bank came to the rescue with $1,000,000; ex-Senator Fair had $1,500,000 to spare, and with that the bank was enabled to tide over the crisis. The wheat bought by Brander was gradually disposed of, and when the bank finally closed up the deal, it was found that Brander's enterprise had cost just $11,000,000. None of this enormous amount of money stuck to Brander's hands, and he was penniless when discharged from the bank. He engineered the deal merely for the glory he thought he would obtain as a financier. Flood wanted to get rid of him and gave him $15,000 to leave the country. Brander did so, but came back and became the head of the State Investment company. He is believed to be in Scotland at present.


Article from Elmore Bulletin, December 15, 1894

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LOOT OF MILLIONS History of the Gigantic Wheat Deal of 1887. THE CASHIER WAS A PLUNGER George Brander's Ambition to Be a Financier Cost the Nevada Bank $11,000,000, San Francisco, Dec. 10.-The man who spent eleven millions of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank, and concluded a financial operation that startled the world, is now indicted for making a false report of the condition of an Insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887. using the money, securities and credit of the Nevada bank. of which he was cashier. He confessed his loot of millions and now for the first time is made public a statement of that confession and the relation of other facts about the wheat deal and the manner in which a financial panic was avoided. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him, without being charged with theft, than any other man who figured in the history of this state as a Napoleon of finance. t The act. for which he was indictede that of swearing that 523 shares of I stock of the State Investment and Ine surance Company was $41,840 cash on hand-Is a trifle compared with his grand operation in 1887. The losers by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance Company do not seem t to be particularly vengeful, though some of them have held on to their t stock all these months since the institution was wound up in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation. Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return the warrant for Brander's arrest on Saturday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not in the jurisdiction of the state court. THE WHEAT DEAL. The inside history of the big wheat deal, published here for the first time, shows that Brander put the Nevada bank in such a way that It stood to lose $17,000,000 on the deal. The day the state of affairs was discovered, there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to commence business next day. The late James Flood, the then head of the bank, could see no way out and decided to have a receiver ap pointed. The necessary papers bank were drawn up. when the California dolto the rescue with a million came Ex-Senator Fair had a million the and lars. half to epare and with that bank a was enabled to tide over the crisis. wheat bought by Brander was the The gradually disposed of and when bank finally closed up the deal It was had found that Brander's enterprise cost just $11,000.00. None of this Bran- enoramount of money stuck to when der's mous hands and he was pennlless endischarged from the bank. He glory gineered the deal merely for the finanthought he would obtain as a of him he Flood wanted to get rid councler. gave him $15,000 to leave the back and Brander did so. but came Investtry. became head of the State to be and ment Company. He is believed in Scotland at present.


Article from The Kootenai Herald, December 15, 1894

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History of the Gigantic Wheat Deal of 1887. THE CASHIER WAS A PLUNGER George Brander's Ambition to Be a Financier Cost the Nevada Bank $11,000,000. San Francisco, Dec. 10.-The man who spent eleven millions of other people's money, nearly wrecked a bank, and concluded a financial operation that startled the world, is now indicted for making is false report of the condition of an insurance company. George L. Brander conducted the great wheat deal of 1887, using the money, securities and credit of the Nevada bank, of which he was cashier. He confessed his loot of millions and now for the first time is made public a statement of that confession and the relation of other facts about the wheat deal and the manner in which a financial panic was avoided. Brander used more San Francisco money that did not belong to him, without being charged with theft, than any other man who figured in the history of this state as a Napoleon of finance. The act for which he was indictedthat of swearing that 523 shares of stock of the State Investment and Insurance Company was $41,840 cash on hand-is a trifle compared with his grand operation in 1887. The losers by the collapse of the State Investment and Insurance Company do not seem to be particularly vengeful, though some of them have held on to their stock all these months since the institution was wound up in the hope that Brander would make good his promise to interest sufficient foreign capital to revive the corporation. Some one was interested, however, for Detective Coffey did not return the warrant for Brander's arrest on Saturday until he had satisfied his superiors beyond question that Brander was not in the jurisdiction of the state court. THE WHEAT DEAL. The inside history of the big wheat deal, published here for the first time, shows that Brander put the Nevada bank in such a way that it stood to lose $17,000,000 on the deal. The day the state of affairs was discovered, there was only about $300 left in the bank with which to commence business next day. The late James Flood, the then head of the bank, could see no way out and decided to have a receiver appointed. The necessary papers were drawn up, when the California bank came to the rescue with a milllion dollars. Ex-Senator Fair had a million and a half to spare and with that the bank was enabled to tide over the crisis. The wheat bought by Brander was gradually disposed of and when the bank finally closed up the deal it was found that Brander's enterprise had cost just $11,000,00. None of this enormous amount of money stuck to Brander's hands and he was penniless when discharged from the bank. He engineered the deal merely for the glory he thought he would obtain as a financier. Flood wanted to get rid of him and gave him $15,000 to leave the country. Brander did so, but came back and became head of the State Investment Company. He is believed to be in Scotland at present.