11345. Merchants National Bank (Great Falls, MT)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
4434
Charter Number
4434
Start Date
July 24, 1893
Location
Great Falls, Montana (47.500, -111.301)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
d55b148e

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Receivership appointed by Comptroller; embezzlement charges against president follow suspension.

Description

The Merchants' National Bank of Great Falls experienced heavy withdrawals and closed July 24, 1893; a receiver was appointed shortly thereafter and criminal charges/embezzlement follow. Evidence indicates a liquidity-driven run tied to adverse bank-specific assets (heavy lending to sheepmen, inability to realize assets) leading to suspension and permanent closure with a receiver (L. G. Phelps/Louis F. Phelps) appointed. OCR typos corrected (e.g., Phelps spelling).

Events (3)

1. July 24, 1893 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy lending to sheepmen and illiquid assets; bank low on cash and unable to realize assets to meet heavy withdrawals.
Measures
Bank closed its doors at 1 o'clock and posted notice that depositors must await a receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
The last regular statement showed the bank was low on cash. it was carrying sheepmen heavily, and could not realize fast enough to meet the heavy drain of the last few weeks.
Source
newspapers
2. July 24, 1893 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Closure due to low cash and inability to meet heavy drain; bank suspended operations and awaited appointment of a receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
This bank is closed and depositors must await a receiver. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Source
newspapers
3. July 29, 1893 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The comptroller of the currency today appointed receivers of insolvent national banks as follows: ... Louis F. Phelps, receiver of the Merchants' National Bank of Great Falls, Mont.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (21)

Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, July 25, 1893

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Great Falls Bank Closes. Special to the Globe. GREAT FALLS, Mont., July 24.-The Merchants' National bank of this city closed its doors today at 1 o'clock, and the following notice was posted: "This bank is closed and depositors must await a receiver. We have assets amply sufficient to pay all liabilities. "THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS." The last regular statement showed the bank was low on cash. It was carrying sheepmen heavily, and could not realize fast enough to meet the heavy drain of the last few weeks. Five other banks here are not apprehensive, and some of them. had heavy deposits todav. The capital stock was $100,000; sasets and liabilities are not given.


Article from The Sun, July 26, 1893

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Other Bank Troubles. MEDFORD. Wis., July 25.-The Taylor County Bank. owned by Hartman and Matt. assigned yesterday for the benefit of creditors to F. L. Urquhart. The bank was the depository for county and city funds. Assets are given at sconded. $16,000. Herman Matt. the cashier. has abCONNORSVILLE, Ind., July 25.-The liabilities of the Citizens' Bank. which failed yesterday. are about $150,000. Mr. Huston's total assets will reach near $500.000. He holds more than enough collateral to liquidate the total indebtedness of the bank as soon as it can be realized upon. WASHINGTON, July 25.-Examiner Ford has been directed to assume charge of the failed Louisville City National Bank of Louisville, Examiner Escott of the failed Kentucky National Bank of Louisville, Examiner Young of the failed Indianapolis National Bank of Indianapolis. Examiner McDonald of the failed First National Bank of Orlanda. Fla., and Examiner Wilson of the failed Merchants' National Bank of Great Falls. Mon. The Comptroller of the Currency is advised that the Hutchinson National Bank of Hutchinson. Kan., which failed some time ago, is preparing to resume business. The First National Bank of Cisco. Tex., which suspended payment on the third instant. having complied with the conditions imposed by the Comptroller of the Currency. has been permitted to reopen its doors for business. The abstract of the condition of the national banks in Chicago. Ill., on July 12 last. shows the reserve to have been 30.6 per cent. The total lonns and discounts were $81,853,000: individual deposits. $66,000,000; surplus fund. $11,522,000, and gold and gold certificates. $12,500,000. The reserve for Detroit was 24.80, and for Minneapolis, 27.21 per cent.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, July 30, 1893

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Bank Receiver. WASHINGTON, July 29.-Comptroller Eckels has ordered Bank Examiner Thompson to take charge of the failed Chamberlain National Bank of Chamberlain, S. D., and Examiner Weirick of the failed First National Bank of Great Falls, Mont. The comptroller of the currency today appointed receivers of insolvent national banks as follows: Charles T. Gates Jr., receiver of the State National Bank of Knoxville, Tenn.; Louis F. Phelps, receiver of the Merchants' National Bank of Great Falls, Mo nt


Article from The Helena Independent, August 5, 1893

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JOTTINGS ABOUT TO WN. A. Porter et conjux has sold to H.B. Reed lot 9. block 48, Northern Pacific addition. for $900. L. C. Stebbins will RO to Cineinnati as the local representative there of the Great Northern railroad. A great forest fire was visible to the north of Helena last night. It appeared to be beyond the Missouri river and was spreading out. The Frances E. Willard W. C. T. U. will give a lawn party on next Thursday evening. Aug. 10, at the residence of Mrs. Stewart, Northern Pacific depot. Inspectors Wayland and Clement are expected back to-day from Seattle with Milt Wall, the colored man who confessed to robbing the registered-mail sacks at Livingston. An official circular from President Oakes, of the Northern Pacific, confirms the report that Chief Engineer Kendrick has been appointed general manager in place of W. S. Mellen. Ed Lafferty, the well known Helena horseman, drove the Oakwood farm's W. Wood in a winner in three straight heats 11 few davs ago at Oakland, Cal., in 2:201/5. 2:12 / and 2:121/6 The state treasurer has began suit against H. P. Rolfe, Will Hanks, Wm. Ulm, S. U. Dickey, C. H. Austin, E. R. Clingan, and John Sinolair, directors of the suspended Merchants bank at Great Falls, to recover $18,000 the state had on deposit in that bank when it closed. The entire force of olerks in the county recorder's oflice is now HB work at nights in changing the figures in the assessment books to conform to the 25 per cent raduo. tion ordered by the county board of equalization. The work has to be finished by a week from next Monday. Peter Maher, the heavyweight pugilist, will be at the opera house Monday night, with "Denvel" Ed. Smith. for an exhibition. Tae most interesting part of the programme will be a go between Maher and Ike Haves, the colored heavyweight Hayes gets $100 if he stands before Maher for four rounds, and the "talent" are betting that he wink the money. The 6 ntiment in favor of receiving city employes' warrants in payment of city taxes and licenses found great favor yester day, and the council will without doubt take steps looking to that end on Tuesday. Employes who could stand the waiting generally held on to their warrants yesterday and refused to stand the exorbitant ahave exacted by the money brokers. With city warrants in the same position as cash for paying taxes and licenses the merchants who receive them for goods will get the benefit of the interest up to the day they are turned into the treasurer.


Article from The Weekly Tribune, October 13, 1893

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"INSIDE" INFORMATION. If the Leader "knew" all along that the bonds would be returned in time why didn't it comeout and say so? Why did it keep up its chatter about "spite work," "mud-throwing," and so on, because the tax-payers appointed a committee to look into the matter if it had the inside information of which it boasted last evening? We do not believe it knew whether the bonds ever would be returned until a few days ago, when Mr. Cooper said at the school-board meeting that the receiver of the Merchants bank was corresponding about them and that they would probably be here in ten or fifteen days. The TRIBUNE published what he said three days ago. It has taken the organ all this time to find it out and now it yells "I told you so." If it had for several weeks the "positive information" of which it boasts. why didn't it publish the same? For the simple reason that it did not have one scintilla of proof that the Chicago bank would surrender them. Now that everybody knows that the bonds will probably be recovered the organ makes great haste to get into the band wagon. While springing some of its "inside" information will it kindly tell the taxpayers where every penny of that $1,250 went to? That is the point at issue. Can't you give us a little "inside" information on that score? We think you can if you sée fit.


Article from The Weekly Tribune, October 13, 1893

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# THE SCHOOL TRUSTEES MEET A School Ordered at Watson-Action on the Black Eagle Falls School Was Deferred. A Helena Man Wants an Option on the Bonds-Cooper and Kellison in a Wrangle. An adjourned school board meeting was held last night. Present, Trustees Wright, Kellison, Atkinson, Cooper, and Gockstetter. The first named acted as chairman in the absence of President Hanks. A school was ordered at Watson for six months and W. G. Frisbie was appointed teacher at $50 per month. Kellison brought up the matter of the Black Eagle Falls addition school, which was asked for at a previous meeting, and stated that there were twenty-two children living in that vicinity. The matter was laid one side until a committee, consisting of Cooper, Atkinson, and Kellison, had time to visit the Boston & Great Falls school and ascertain whether the children can be accommodated there, where they are supposed to attend. A. B. Cook of Helena appeared before the board and asked for an option for fifteen days on the $80,000 high school bonds, which are lying in the vault of a Chicago bank. No action was taken in the matter, but it brought out a lengthy discussion of the bond affair in which all the trustees participated. Wright read a letter from the assistant cashier of the American Exchange National bank of Chicago. That gentleman stated he had received severel inquiries from Great Falls in reference to the bonds, but in the future only communications which came through the receiver of the Merchants National bank would be considered. Attorney Cooper said the receiver of the Merchants bank had been advised by the Chicago bank that the status of the bonds was being looked into. Mr. Cooper gave it as his opinion that the bonds would be here in ten or fifteen days. Kellison made a motion that the county attorney be requested to be present at the next meeting of the board, as he is by law its only legal adviser. This called forth a sharp debate between Cooper and Kellison, during which each paid his compliments to the other. The motion prevailed. Some routine matters were considered, and then the meeting was enlivened by another one of Kellison's motions. It was to the effect that the Townsite company should be compelled to give a bond for a deed to the site of the proposed new high school. The chair refused to entertain the motion and the meeting was adjourned.


Article from The Helena Independent, October 17, 1893

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WILL HANKS ARRESTED. / Charged With Embezzlement by the Con. version of Bonds. Special to The Independent. GREAT FALLS, Oct. 16.-Will Hanks, president of the Merchants National bank, which recently suspended, was a:reited this evening on a complaint sworn out by L. G. Phelps, receiver of the bank, on the charge of embezzlement. He was released on $5,000 bonds. His bondemen are C. D. Wilt, cashier of the same institution, and H. P. Rolfe, one of its directors. The charge of embezzlement is based on the conversion to his own use of fifty shares of Cascade bank stock, assigned to Geo. R. Weils, at one time cashier of the Merchants bank.


Article from The Evening World, October 17, 1893

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Bank President Arrested. HELENA. Mon., Oct. 17.-Will Hanks, President of the suspended Merchants National Bank. of Great Falls, was arrested yesterday on the charge of embezzlement. The charge was preferred by L. G. Phillips. receiver of the bank. He was released on $5,000 ball. The charge is based on the conversion of $50,000 worth of stock in the Cascade National Bank. pledged to his bank to secure a loan. Hanks took the pledged stock and got a loan on It for his own use.


Article from The Anaconda Standard, October 17, 1893

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CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT The President of n Great Falls Bank Ar. rested on a Serious Charge Special Dispatch to the Standard. GREAT FALLS, Oct. 16.-On complaint made by L. G. Phelps, receiver of the suspended Merchants' bank, Will Hanks, expresident, was arrested this evening on the charge of embezzlement. Hanks was arraigned before United States Commissioner Pomeroy and held to appear for hearing Monday under $5,000 bonds. which were furnished. The complaint charges that Hanks converted to his own use 50 shares of Cascado National bank stock with a par value of $5,000, which had been assigned to George A. Wells, cashier, for security.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 17, 1893

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Montana Bank President Arrested. GREAT FALLS, Mont,, Oct. 16.-[Special.] -Will Hanks, president of the suspended Merchants' national bank of this city, was arrested tonight for embezziement on complaint of D. G. Phelps, the receiver. He was released on giving $5,000 bonds.


Article from The Yellowstone Journal, October 18, 1893

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Arrested fo" Embezzlement. GREAT FALLS, Oct. 17. Will Hanks. ex-president of the suspended Merchants national bank. was arrested this evening on a charge of embezzlement. The complaint was made by Receiver L. G. Phelps and charges that Hanks converted to his own use fifty shares of the Cascade National Bank stock. with a par value of $5,000. which had been assigned to the Merchants Bank as security. Hanks was arranged before U. S. Commissioner Pomeroy and placed under 85,000 bonds, which were furnished. Hearing Monday.


Article from The Madison Daily Leader, October 18, 1893

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Embezzlement Charged. GREAT FALLS, Mon., Oct. 18.-Will Hanks, ex-president of the suspended Merchants National bank, has + been ar rested on the charge of embexzlement. Complaint was made by Receiver L. G. Phelps, and charges that Hanks converted to his own use 50 shares of Case cade bank stock.


Article from The Helena Independent, October 19, 1893

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WILL BE A BUSY TERM. The United States Court Will Have Lots of Business Before It Next Month. Case Against Will Hanks to Be Tried and the Northern Pacific Train Robbers. Men Who Committed Offenses on Indian Reservations Big Damage Sult Against a Mining Company. Judge Knowles will open the term of the United States court in Helena Nov. 6. and the term promises to be a very busy one. There is a large amount of civil business to be attended to, and in addition there are some very important criminal cases to be tried. The case of Will Hanks, president of the suspended Merchants National bank, of Great Falls, will be among the important ones. Hanks is charged by Receiver Phelps, of the Merchants National, with having converted to his own use securities to a large amount that were the property of the bank. Another very important case, and one that will attract A great deal of attention ill be that of Charles Jones and James Smoot, who are now in the county jail. Jones was the leader of the gang that held up the Northern Pacific train in eastern Montana in August. Smoot was with him when one of the possee in pursuit of the robbers was killed at Big Medicine. The charge against them is murde, committed on the Blackfeet reservation. Another important case is that of Milt Wall, who is charged with robbing the Livingaton postoffice. Wall was in the employ of the railroad company at Livingston and his duties were to carry the mail from the postoffice to the depot and vice ve sa. Contrary to the rules in such cases he was allowed to enter the mailing room of the postoffice, a place where others than employes are not supposed to go. He had a key to the room and often when there was an early mail to be sent out he had oppotunities of being there nione. The mail pouches. when made up for the train, are always locked. The keys to the looks, however, are hung on the rack where the mail is made up. In that way Wall had complete necess not only to the mailing room, but to the inside of the mail pouches as well. Something like fifty-six registered letters mailed at Livingston were reported lost. He left Livingaton suddenly, but was arrested in Seattle. He confessed. It is supposed his stealings amounted to about $1,500. Another case involving robberv of the mails that will come up is that of Goo. W. Mo gan. He was a postal clerk, running between Butte and Havre. He opened letterm and took anything of value he could negotiate. He was caught by means of a decoy letter, arrested and confessed. He is supposed to have stolen several hundred dollars. Another case that will attract A great deal of attention is that of the United States against Edmundson and Russell. The charge against them is grand larceny on the Crow reserve. They found a wagon and a camping outfit on the reserve and appropriated it. Edmundson was only pardoned out of the penitentiary in April last. Two of the most ungrateful criminals that will appear before the court are Brennan and Hewitt, if the charge against them is proven. They are cowboys who were in Wyoming and wanted to get to Fort Custer. There is a stage line between Custer and the point where they were in Wyoming, and the driver of the coach, on the day Brennan and Hewitt wanted to make the trip, had six passengers. The cowboys had no money. but the stageman nevertheless ng eed to carry them. which he did to Fort Custer. The next day. on the return trip, it is charged that Brennan and Hewitt held the driver up and robbed bim of the fares he had collected on the trip on which they had been deadbeaded. There are two cases against men on the charge of selling whisky to Indians. One is against a man named Puivis, the offence alleged to have been committed on Blackfeet reservation. The other is against a man named Smith, charged with selling whisks to the Crows


Article from The Mitchell Capital, October 20, 1893

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Embezzlement Charged. GREAT FALLS, Mon., Oct. 18.-Will Hanks, ex-president of the suspended Merchants National bank, has been arrested on the charge of embezzlement. Complaint was made by Receiver L. G. Phelps, and charges that Hanks converted to his own use 50 shares of Cascade bank stock.


Article from Bismarck Weekly Tribune, October 20, 1893

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Embezzlement Charged. GREAT FALLS, Mon., Oct. 18.-Will Hanks, ex-president of the suspended Merchants National bank, has been arrested on the charge of embezzlement. Complaint was made by Receiver L. G. Phelps, and charges that Hanks converted to his own use 50 shares of Cascade bank S ock.


Article from The Weekly Tribune, November 24, 1893

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The demand for tickets for steamer passage to the old country is on the increase at the Great Northern depot ticket office by persons who want to spend the holiday season with "the old folks at home.' The tickets sold so far are for the round trip. Everybody should have a turkey for a Thannsgiving day feast and John Heavenrich, in the Tod block, is anxious to supply this article of food. This is an opportunity of a life time and every mao in Cascade county should purchase a new suit of clothes or an overcoat from Heavenrich and get a turkey free. See advertisement on first page. L. G. Phelps, receiver for the Merchants National bank of Great Falls, commenced suits yesterday in the district court against the following parties: James C. Blanding to recover $1,000; James C. Blanding, E. R. Clingan and Will Hanks, doing business as James C. Blanding & Co., to recover $185.55 on a note. A novel feature of the coming smelter employe's ball on Thanksgiving eve are the invitations sent to the several kin dred societies and heads of the smelter These invitations are printed on this sheets of copper, and make a very pretty as well as unique souvenir of the occa sion. The printing was done by the progressive young firm of Davis & Rid gley of THE TRIBUNE job rooms. Suit was commenced yesterday in the district court by Harry Hughes of Sand Coulee for $25,000 damages against the Sand Coulee Coal company. Hughes was employed in the mines as a coal shoveler, and he claims that a blast was fired off in the mine without giving him warning, and the result was that a large amount of coal fell on him, inflicting injuries that it became necessary to amputate one of his legs above the knee. The funeral of John Griffith took place yesterday afternoon from the Episcopal church and was largely attended. The deceased was born in Swansee, South Wales, Sept. 20, 1874, and came to America with his parents several years ago. He worked in the smelter at Anaconda for some time and came to Great Falls a short time ago to work in the B. &. M. smelter. Several days ago he was seriously injured at the smelter by falling from a ladder and was taken to the hospital where he died on Sunday. The deceased was a young man of good habits and during his residence in this city made many friends. H. T. Dodds was arrested "yesterday by Detective Gerin on the charge of stealing a revolver valued at $10 from the room of George A. Wells during his absence in Chicago in October. The gun was found in a pawn shop where a four-dollar loan had been procured on it by Dodds. At the trial in Justice Hawkins' court Dodds claimed that he had bought the gun from a man named Charles Gravey and paid him two dollars for it in the Ulm house billiard room, and said that Gravey was now working as a switchman in Butte. The justice evidently didn't believe Dodds' story for he fined him $10 and costs. the total amounting to $20.65.


Article from The Weekly Tribune, December 8, 1893

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The Grand Jury's Report. The grand jury was then discharged finally after making their report. In the report they say: "Your grand jury believes that it would be derelict in the discharge of is duty to the court if it failed to visit severe censure upon the directors of the Livingston National bank. the Merchants National bank of Great Falls. and the Stock-Growers' National bank of Miles City. Each of these institu tions has been compelled to close its doors, suspend payments to depositors and cease doing business. Receivers have been appoir ted in each case by the comptroller of the currency owing to the unsatisfactory condition of the banks' resources. The consequence is that de. positors who in good faith have done business with these institutions and have left their money for safe-keeping in full confidence that it would be honestly returned to them with legal interest have been grossly deceived and wronged, their confidence abused, their earnings frittered away in reckless speculation by those in charge. and, in some instances, have, been deliberately swindled by the bank officials out of sums large enough to be considered comfortable fortunes The grand jurors are of the opinion that the fact of being an officer or director of a national bank ought not to give any man license to swindle and defraud his fellow-men. The unfortunate condition of the banks named above and consequent hardship and loss to innocent depositors, as well as prostration of the business community, are, in the opinion of your grand jurors, largely due to the gross and inexeusable neglect of duty and apparent indifference to their oaths as directors so flagrant and resulting in effects grave and injurious alike to in dividuals and the public that it should be distinctly declared to be a crime by the UnitedStates laws. National bank di rectors owe a duty to the United States. to bank depositors, and the business public, and that duty is to faithfully and bonestly oversee and manage the busi


Article from The Helena Independent, May 6, 1894

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# ONE OF THE DIRECTORS. He Wasn't Informed of the Condition of the Accounts of Bank Patrons. An "Irish Dividend" the Only One Declared by the Merchants. Bookkeeper Burns Figuring up Hanks' Individual Liability - Indictments Found by the Grand Jury. The United States court only put in half a day on the trial of Will Hanks yesterday, the jury being excused for the afternoon. Thos. E. Brady, one of the directors of the Merchants' National Bank of Great Falls, wanted to get home on account of sickness in his family. Bookkeeper Brady was allowed to stand aside so that Mr. Brady could go on the witness stand. Mr. Brady testified that he was a director in the Merchants National Bank of Great Falls from the latter part of January, 1892, until the close of the bank. He did not know that W. H. Burgess & Co. had an account at the bank until after its suspension. Hanks had never mentioned the fact to him that Burcess & Co. had ove drawn their account at the bank; nor had witness ever been advised as to Hanks' individual indebtedness until a few days before the bank closed. Cashier Wilt, at the first meeting of the directors after witness was elected, presented a statement to the board of directors, which indicated an excellent condition of affairs, and that a dividend might be expected shortly. On being interrogated by Attorney Carter as to whether a dividend had ever been pail, he eplied that an "Irish dividend" had been declared, and that was all. Witness was asked by J. B. Leslie, assistant prosecuting attorney, if he ever saw a certifente of stock of the Cascade Bank of Great Falls, and said he had not; that he did not know the Merchants bank owned such a certificate of stock. The attorneys for the defense, on cross-examination, endeavored to prove by Mr. Brady that the directors had full knowledge of the condition of the accounts of patrons. The witness, however, testified that the board of directors had no such facts brought to their attention. Bookkeeper M. S. Buns was recalled. He was made to identify another lot of checks and some more book entries relating to Hanks' individual account at the bank. The prosecution was not through with him when the case was adjourned until Monday. At the time of adjournment witness had run up Hanks' individual indebtedness to something over $20,000. From present indications the case will run for more than a week yet.


Article from The Helena Independent, December 9, 1894

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HANKS NOW TURN The Defendant's Story of His Connection With the Merchants Bank of Great Falls. HIS ASSETS WERE ABOUT $120,000. The Reasons Given for Nogotiating the Different Notes and the Transfer of His Ranch. R cross-examination of Dr. was A. concluded The the treasury expert, court yesBarrett. in the United States was government terday and then the against will through with its case with misapprowhom it charges the MerHanks, $25,000 of the funds of Falls priating National bank, of Great opening chants' Carter then made the said that Lawyer statement for the defense. He of rectihad pursued a course Falls Hanks community of Great He tude in the man might be proud of. Merthat any the organization of the the subspoke of in 1890. and of make chants bank who falled to scribers to the stock Hanks was their subscriptions of good prosperous circumstances all as an then credit in and regarded by man. good young business the enterprising of the subscribers to good When some the bank falled to make order to stock subscriptions, of Hanks, in in his their the organization understa put facilitate it was the the own note to which, be carried along until parties. Ing. was sold to other stock should be carried along until the This note Hanks sales of closed. reducing it as when bank made. Then. in 1891, withdraw. stock were Wells decided to Hanks stock. George and R. other directors of the This bank acdecided to take $10,125 up his note in the needed Chicounted for the Later the bank negocago money bank and the $28,000 note was Cartiated. At the beginning Hanks' of indebtedness 1893, Lawyer to $20.- the property bank ter claimed. individually did not exceed worth $120.000. 000. while Then he there had came over session the of country events. most unexpected of long standing, in one with common ample e Houses involved Merchants bank, assets, destructive became ruin. became The involved difficulties and of Great Falls, which beset bank. in the country. general Depositors of sity the withthe through fear or July 1893. the either their deposits. In condition human a con drew Merchants' had foresight reached could dition not have bethe that anticipated control It of was Hanks. transact Mr sactions Carter yond then reviewed with the all bank the and held that and Hanks were had perfectly the legitimat credit of the but institution, of meant, they not to harm to assist it in the course Lobenbusiness Downing and Valentine witnesses for the heimer C. P were the first examined mainly near defense the They value were of considered Hanks' ranch worth acre as to Falls. One knew of Hanks refor Great the other $25,000 on it. fusing $150am to give an testified option to good Hanks repBoth utation witnesses for integrity being now called to the stand. it had The defendant At this point was the prosecution to stand indictment announ ced that counts of the and the charging on the false entries, and harging not to abstraction. four charging conviction on the nine said if that he would ask for conv Col. Sanders ask that the Judge was the instructed case to acquit. the and motion Knowles jury be said Col. he Sanders would took an exHe ception. then began his testimony. in Craw ford Hanks with his birth the story O., in 1860, and time gave he settled Falls went county of his life down in to 1885. the and started into the the in Great He r wards business and Tribune. esta and Insurance granized the Cas- of bank. real in the spring He of 1890 owned Later one-elghth he helped cade the stock the of that Merchants bank. was bank subscribed All the stock organize of the to the Merchants opening of tion the came bank. a to When prior the time for subscribers organiza did not re- in spond. the of stock was not number and of one large block taken. Cashier of it part particular his note to carry to carry the Wells put in put in his note was that as and Hanks underst erstanding disposed of the rest. The stock was taken from fast as the should be then traced to amount of received the notes. reduced Hanks until it got by either his note $2,500. it was when it was replaced dow the Benson note Hanks said his 160 prop- acre half On Jan 1891. sisted of his interest erty holdings near Great coal Falls land a Color at Nelthe 320 acres of townsite and Columbia to in in the Fris Falls townsi Great addition in the hart Highland park interest himself of inFalls the Fullerton insurance worth busing $5,000 worth sixth $2,500; nd F in the Liberty the Goodric mine drich Lumber 25,000 shares comthe have pany, worth in $1,250: Cornucopia some Mining realized comor which in which he 40 would cents share 18 and 20 and the third time he did sell for Baltimore, and Six Little Jodes inmarter the House worth $3,000; Maginnia Maiden the bond 25,000 on shares of the Prosp and silver share; 50,000 Helt company Mining a 10 share had of com the Mining Savage cents to worth Bear Paw, in the intere Altoget his up that 1, on 1893, March his in 1894 him that half the other half of the Hershtie de he said of the 150 acres Hershfield the MerH the note By doing NO bank of Helena relief from the Hel- All at Great get Falls bank


Article from The Anaconda Standard, June 1, 1895

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DISTRICT COURT. It Will Convene Next Tuesday-Cases Set for Trial. Great Falls, May 31.-The June term of the district court will convene Tuesday. Judge Benton called the calendar to-day and set cases for trial during next week as follows: Tuesday, state vs. Harry Crowe, charged with the murder of James Morgan, March 17; Thursday, White vs. Barbour, Teague vs. Baker, Kernigan vs. Currie; Friday, Phelps vs. Tolbut, Phillips vs. city of Great Falls, an action to recover damages for injuries caused to a horse which took fright at Vogel's paving engine, and Boston & Montana Commercial company vs. Kelley; Saturday, Sand Coulee Lodge Knight of Pythias vs. Ferry, Phelps vs. Martin, Bridges vs. Crowe, unless that of the state vs. Murray is set hereafter. There will be the racy suit of Donahue vs. Spencer, in which plaintiff seeks to recover $25,000 damages for injuries to her feelings caused by an alleged indecent act of defendant toward her, and the suit of the city of Great Falls vs. the bondsmen of the late city treasurer, P. J. Elliott, in which it is sought to recover the city funds deposited by Elliott in the suspended Merchants' National bank. The suit for damages of Sweenie vs. the Montana Central railway will also be stubbornly contested. A petition is being circulated asking the governor to pardon Jacob Gallagher, sentenced in Great Falls to 18 years' imprisonment for the murder of his mistress in a room in the Gore block four years ago. Judge Benton and Douglas Martin, who was the prosecuting attorney, have refused to sign the petition. Gallagher was a wife-beating brute, and the opinion of those who heard the case was that hanging would have been too good for him.


Article from The Coeur D'alene Press, July 24, 1897

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Fifteen per cent of the school children of Flathead county will have their books furnished them, according to the vote just taken on the question of free text books. The ranges are in excellent condition and stock rolling fat in the famous Judith basin. The Cascade county commissioners have ordered suit brought against the bondsmen of ex-Treasurer McClelland, for county funds deposited with the defunct Merchants' National bank of Great Falls. There is said to be a shortage of over $30,000 in that connection. Since the planting of so many trees in Billings the increase in the number of singing birds of all kinds is remarkable. Now the lawns and shrubbery are full of the creatures, and the citizens are treated to one of nature's concerts every morning. The growth of the grain in the past three weeks has been wonderful. Fields where two or three weeks ago there seemed to be hardly a blade of grain, are now covered with tall, thrifty oats. In the cleared lands below Frenchtown, in the vicinity of Hudson and down as far as Nine Mile, the grain is splendid and the ranchmen are happy, according to reports received at Missoula. The Ashley Lake Irrigating Company is at work on what will be the largest irrigation enterprise in Flathead county so far. The ditch will be about nine miles in length and will cover some 6000 acres of land northwest of town. It is taken from Ashley creek near the site of old Flathead City, and runs around the foothills to the northwest. As judged by this year's assessment, Teton county is more prosperous now than last year. The assessment as returned by the county assessor to the seate board of equalization shows an increase over that of last year of $144,396. The total assessment as returned is $1,749,726, of which $1,053,444 is taxed against personal property and $696,282 against real estate. The assessment book of Yellowstone county has just been completed. It shows a gain over last year of $260,639. The total personal property returned, including money, is $1,575,753; real estate and improvements, $1,812,477; total, $3,388,230. To this total will be added the amount assessed to the several railways running through the county by the state board of assessment. This amount is not known at present, but last year it was as follows: Rocky Fork, $5500; Big Horn Southern (Burlington), $188,360; Northern Pacific, $286,902.