11423. American Bank (Laurel, MT)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
May 29, 1925
Location
Laurel, Montana (45.669, -108.772)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
6929f61f

Response Measures

None

Description

The American Bank of Laurel closed its doors on May 29, 1925 and was placed in receivership (George W. Graff appointed June 20, 1925). Multiple dividend payments were made and the receiver was finally discharged in January 1927 after liquidating assets. The articles do not describe a depositor run prior to closure; the bank was insolvent/defunct and wound up under a receiver, so classification is suspension_closure. Cause of the suspension is not specified in the articles (no clear rumor or run is described), so cause set to 'other'.

Events (9)
1. May 29, 1925 Suspension
Cause Details
Article states the bank 'closed' and was 'defunct' but gives no explicit cause for the suspension (no run or government action described).
Newspaper Excerpt
The American Bank of Laurel closed its doors on May 29, 1925
Source
newspapers
2. June 20, 1925 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
on June 20, Mr. Graff ... was appointed receiver.
Source
newspapers
3. December 14, 1925 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The first dividend was paid December 14, 1925, less than six months after appointment of a receiver.
Source
newspapers
4. March 12, 1926 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The second dividend was paid on March 12, 1926; the third on November 8, 1926 and the last on December 15, 1926.
Source
newspapers
5. September 15, 1926 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Another dividend by the defunct American bank of Laurel will be paid by the receiver, George W. Graft, on September 15. This will be the third dividend paid by the bank since its closing last May.
Source
newspapers
6. November 8, 1926 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
the third on November 8, 1926
Source
newspapers
7. November 30, 1926 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Fourth and final dividend by the American Bank of Laurel is to be paid to depositors Nov. 30.
Source
newspapers
8. December 15, 1926 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
and the last on December 15, 1926. Within less than 18 months after appointment of a receiver the bank has paid all but $16,418.22 of its $122,007.36 liabilities.
Source
newspapers
9. January 11, 1927 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
With the receipt of the final decree of discharge as receiver of the American Bank of Laurel, George W. Graff has just terminated a bank receivership...
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)
1. March 12, 1926 Livingston Enterprise Livingston, MT
Article from Livingston Enterprise, March 12, 1926

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Article Text

G. F. PATRIARCH KNOWS HOW TO HONOR BIRTHDAY GREAT FALLS. George Tripp, who celebrated his 75th birthday by becoming intoxicated and visiting the Odeon dance hall, was arraigned in the municipal court and released on payment of a $10 fine. Tripp admitted that he became intoxicated in the process of celebrating his birthday and indignantly denied that he was but 60 years of age, as reported. JOYRIDER ABSENTMINDEDLY DRIVES WRONG AUTO HELENA.-Phil Atlas, who, while employed as chauffeur for Louis Heitman of Helena, took the Heitman automobile for a joyride without permission, the ride ending in the automobile being driven over a cliff in the Wolf Creek canyon, where it was badly wrecked upon the Great Northern track below, must stand trial on a felony charge, according to a decision of the supreme court. Atlas was charged by information filed in the district court of Lewis and Clark county on Sept. 28, 1925, with having feloniously taken on Aug. 23, 1924, an automobile of the value of more than $5,000 and operating it on public highway without the consent of the owner. WOMAN MOTORIST CALLS ON POLICE CHIEF GREAT FALLS.-Mrs. J. B. Warner, 223 Second avenue north, was booked at police headquarters on a charge of exceeding the speed limit. Mrs. Warner, according to the officers, was driving her car 30 miles an hour on Second avenue north when arrested and is the first woman to have been booked on a charge of speeding in several months. BANK AT LAUREL TO PAY DIVIDEND BILLINGS.-An order for the payment of a divident of 30 per cent by the American bank of Laurel was signed by Judge Robert C. Stong Wlednesday afternoon, upon the petition of George W. Graff. bank receiver. The dividend will be paid on all approved claims against the bank, which closed last May. This is the second dividend to be declared since the receivership, another dividend of 30 per cent having been declared last December. GIBSON LOCATED AFTER 20 YEARS GREAT FALLS - A nation-wide search, which continued for more than twenty. years, was ended on February 8, when through the Great Falls police department and a news story published here, Samuel J. Gibson was located in Butte by relatives, according to information recelved Tuesday by Chief of Police Marcus Anderson. More than 20 years ago, Gibson, then a young man, left his home, in Indiana, and moved to Wisconsin, where all trace of him was lost. Broadcasting, newspaper and periodicals in all parts of the country were resorted to in an effort to locate him. On Feb. 20, Mr. and Mrs. Garrett Gib- Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Lee of Springdale were local visitors yesterday. Thomas Newcomb of Gardiner attended to business here Thursday. E. E. Hoglund of Gardiner was a business visitor here yesterday. F. Nichols of Big Timber spent Thursday with friends here. A. W. Strickland was in town yesterday from his home at Big Timber, Sam Lawson of Corwin Springs passed Thursday here. P. E. Crawley of Butte was here on business yesterday. John A. Soards of Clyde Park transacted business here Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Gannon of Seattle are local visitors. F. H. Buck of Great Falls passed Thursday in the city. D. C. McAllister of St. Paul was an out-of-town visitor in the city yesterday. Hans Larson and E. H. Fletcher of Yellowstone Park were in the city yesterday. Mr. and Mrs. Sam Dalley of Dailey's lake were in town yesterday. Luke Carpenter was in yesterday from his ranch Cottonwood creek. W. R. Bannon of Pine creek attended to business in the city Thursday. R. B. Smith and son, Francis Smith, were local visitors Thursday from their ranch home on Pine creek. E. T. Rich of Bozeman was a business visitor here yesterday. R. M." Griffith of Billings passed Thursday in Livingston. son of Muncle, Ind., solicited the aid of the Great Falls police department, a notice subsequently appeared In this newspaper. This article was later read by a fraternity brother of the missing man in Libby, Mont., who immediately recalled that Glbson was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of that town. Gibson, who resides in Butte, was notifled of the efforts made by his relatives and immediately dispatched a telegram which reached Muncle February 28. News of the ending of the search was termed by the relatives as "an almost unthinkable reality." which, It was stated, revealed that Gibson was "He who had sought the comradeship of the great northwest and been missing for 20 years."

2. September 17, 1926 The Producers News Plentywood, MT
Article from The Producers News, September 17, 1926

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Article Text

LAUREL BANK TO PAY DEPOSITORS DIVIDEND LAUREL-Another dividend by the defunct American bank of Laurel will be paid by the receiver, George W. Graft, on September 15. This will be the third dividend paid by the bank since its closing last May, making a total of 70 percent. The receiver expects to wind up affairs of the American at an early date, depending in a measure on final collections.

3. December 10, 1926 The Producers News Plentywood, MT
Article from The Producers News, December 10, 1926

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Article Text

Depositors Receive Dividend LAUREL.- Fourth and final dividend by the American Bank of Laurel is to be paid to depositors Nov. 30. The final dividend will be 1 1/2 percent making 71 1/2 percent paid in four installments, the first two being 30 per cent each and the third 10 percent. This will wind up the trust under the receivership of George W. Graft within 18 months from the time the bank closed and was placed in his hands. The smallest amount to be paid in this final dividend will be two cents. Other checks will run up to several hundred dollars.

4. January 11, 1927 The Billings Gazette Billings, MT
Article from The Billings Gazette, January 11, 1927

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Article Text

BANK RECEIVER NEW G. W. Graff Liquidates Laurel Institution in 18 Months. With the receipt of his final decree of the Bank George Graff has terminated bank that has vindicated his theory that for the best receiv as speedily as American Bank of Laurel closed May 29. 1925 and June 20. Mr. Graff, an experienced who had connected the for was appointed Bringing bear banking, Mr Graff set about to The first dividend paid December 1925. less six appoint ment of on third on November 1926 and the last on Decemthan 18 months after paid all but of its $122,007 liabili-

5. January 13, 1927 The Independent-Record Helena, MT
Article from The Independent-Record, January 13, 1927

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Article Text

Bank Receiver Sets New Mark in Laurel Billings, the receipt of the decree of discharge receiver of the American Bank George Graff has just Laurel, terminated bank receivership that has vindicated his theory that the best interests of depositors to for terminate bank receivership possible. The American Bank of Laurel closed its doors on May 29, 1925 and on June 20, Mr. an who that time had been banker, connected with the state examiners' office for two years, was appointed receiver. Bringing bear long experience banking, Mr. Graff set about to liquidate speedily as was consistent with conditions. The first divident was paid December 14, 1925, less months after appointment of receiver. The second dend paid on March 12, 1926; the third November 1926 and the December 1926. on Within than 18 months after appointment of receiver the bank paid all but $16,418.22 $122,liabilities.

6. January 13, 1927 The Independent-Record Helena, MT
Article from The Independent-Record, January 13, 1927

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Article Text

Bank Receiver Sets New Mark in Laurel Billings, Jan. the receipt of the final decree of discharge receiver the American Bank Laurel, George W. Graff has just terminated bank receivership that has his theory that the best of depositors terminate bank receivership speedily possible. The American Bank of Laurel its doors May 1925 and on June 20, Mr. Graff, experienced banker, who at that time had been with the state examiners' office for two appointed years, receiver. Bringing bear his long experience in Mr. Graff set about to liquidate as speedily as with The first divident was paid December 1925, than six months after appoint receiver. The second dend was paid March 12, the third November and Within less than months appointment of receiver the bank has paid but $16,418.22 of its $122,liabilities.

7. January 21, 1927 The Producers News Plentywood, MT
Article from The Producers News, January 21, 1927

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Article Text

BANK RECEIVER SETS NEW RECORD IN LAUREL Billings.-With the receipt of the final decree of discharge as receiver of the American Bank of Laurel, George W. Graff has just terminated a bank receivership that has vindicated his theory that it is for the best interests of depositors to terminate a bank receivership as speedily as possible. The American Bank of Laurel closed its doors on May 2', 1925 and on June 20, Mr. Graff, an experienced banker, who at that time had' been connected with the state examiners' office for two years, was appointed receiver. Bringing to bear his long experience in banking, Mr. Graff set about to liquidate as speedily as was consistent with conditions. The first dividend was paid December 14, 1925, less than six months after appointment of a receiver. The second dividend was paid on March 12, 1926; the third on November 8, 1926 and the last on December 15, 1926. Within less than 18 months after appointment of a receiver the bank has paid all but $16,418.22 of its $122,007.36 liabilities.

8. January 21, 1927 The Producers News Plentywood, MT
Article from The Producers News, January 21, 1927

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Article Text

MONTANA MAN FOR GOVERNOR Helena, Jan. nearly two weeks of adjournments and loafing the members of the Twentieth Legislative Assembly are getting down to business. Bills are now being poured into the hopper at the rate of approximately thirty day. Most of them are of a minor nature and their consideration will not even cause a smudge in the legislative heater. to Reduce Property Classification BANK RECEIVER One of the first bills to be reportSETS ed out the floor the House was NEW RECORD IN LAUREL Ryder of Roosevelt to reduce property on farm This bill ably the receipt of the supported by Sparling, the Farmerfinal decree of discharge of the Labor member from Daniels county, Bank of Lauret, delivered masterly maiden George W. Graff has just terminated speech on behalf of the farmers of bank that has vindicatNortheastern Montana. ed his theory that it is for the best of to Would Fine Sellers of Liquor to bank as speedily as pos- Minors sible. The only other measure which The American Bank of Laurel clos- caused ripple in the serenity of the its doors May 1925 and House one to fine June 20, Mr. Graff, an sell or give banker, at that time had been liquor to from two hundred with the state examiners' and fifty to one office for temps to reduce the penalty failed receiver. Bringing to bear long and the Bill is sent forward to third experience in banking, Mr. Graff reading. Contest of Taylor Fizzles. In the Senate, the unanimous rejection of the Larsen against Taylor was the feature of the week. The of the Senate considerthe frivolity of the complaint par contestant and decided that both had no place Montana's upper chamber. Big Interests Suffer Loss in House Some of inside history which has not crep into the State press that the big interest crowd suffered severe reverse in the organization the House. Eastern Montana Scores Victory and Consider Man for Governor Eastern Montana is last conscious and scored victory in election Davis speaker. couraged victory the Eastern Montana delegation are considering the nomination of man for will carry the banner of the wheat growers the state to (Continued on page Four)

9. January 27, 1927 Fergus County Argus Lewistown, MT
Article from Fergus County Argus, January 27, 1927

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Article Text

Laurel Bank Receiver Liquidates Bank Assets Billings, Jan. 27.-With the receipt of the final decree of discharge as receiver of the American Bank of Laurel. George W. Graff has just terminated a bank receivership that has vindicated his theory that it is for the best interest of depositors to terminate a bank receivership as speedily as possible. The American Bank of Laurel closed its doors on May 29, 1925, and on June 20. Mr. Graff, an experienced banker. who at that time had been connected with the state examiner's office for two years, was appointed receiver. Bringing to bear his long experience in banking. Mr. Graff set about to liquidate as speedily as was consistent with conditions. The first dividend was paid December 14. 1925. less than six months after the appointment of a receiver. The second dividend was paid on March 12. 1926: the third on November 8. 1926. and the last on December 15. 1926. Within less than 18 months after appointment of a receiver. the bank has paid all but $16,418.22 of its $122.007 36 liabilities.

10. February 4, 1927 The Bozeman Courier Bozeman, MT
Article from The Bozeman Courier, February 4, 1927

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STATE BRIEFS Moore-Moore meets. Hobson in the first debate of the year sometime before February 15. Hobson won the choice of place and Moore the choice of question. Helena-W. E. Albright of Granite county was elected president of the state association of assessors. W. T. Beaumont of Deer Lodge county was named secretary. Sidney-Earl T. Vance, eastern Montana's commercial aviator, who resides here, has gone to southern California to spend the winter months. He is traveling via plane. Sidney-Prohibition under an ordinance passed by the city council is to be given a tryout here following the passage of such an ordinance at the regular meeting of the city council. Helena-Four wolves, 43 mountain lions and 8,996 coyotes were killed for the bounty or by hunters of the predatory animal division of the United States biological survey in Montana last year. Wolf Point-Charles Gordon, secretary of the commercial club, has received a letter from Scott Leavitt advising that President Coolidge signed the Wolf Point bridge bill on January 15. Harlem-According to figures compiled by R. J. Niewochner, Great Northern agent, 754 carloads of produce were shipped out of Harlem the last year, and income shipments totaled 294 carloads. Great Falls-A recommendation that the first North Montana fair be held in Great Falls in the fall of 1928 has been submitted to the board of county commissioners by the Cascade County Fair association. Libby-Sam Anderson and Howard Hull pleaded not guilty when arraigned in district court here on the charge of murdering Frank Gregson, Great Northern operator at Eureka, on the night of January 2. Sidney-Monta Bane and Cora Moneilley, in charge of the Sidney Deaconess hospital for the past eight years, have retired from the management and gone to California where they will engage in a similar line of work. Troy-The annual election of the fire department resulted in the following being chosen for the ensuing year: L. A. Hosea, president; G. R. Nead, vice president; C. W. Hurley, secretary. These officers have served the department efficiently for several years. Big Timber-One of the biggest derricks ever used in Montana has been erected for drilling the Shoshone Consolidated Oil company's well on the Hamilton coulee structure, 10 miles northeast of Big Timber, according to C. E. Gunhus, field superintendent for the company. Sidney-The Sidney high school, working in conjunction with the Holly Sugar interests here, has started a night class in sugar technology. About 15 factory workers are attending the school which is being instructed by Prof. Silas Baiser and H. Nevins of the Holly company. Helena-Reduction of the bag limit for ducks as extended to the entire United States is approved by the state game commission. The subject was brought up by Chairman Marlowe, who said the federal authorities were considering the establishment of a limit of 15 birds a day. Great Falls-Payment of a 10 per cent divident, representing $12,015 to depositors of the insolvent State Bank of Belt has been authorized by District Judge W. H. Meigs on application of W. C. Blomquist, receiver of the institution. The dividend is the third which has been made since the bank closed in October, 1922. Helena-With about the same number of men employed, the coal mines of Montana produced a slightly greater tonnage during the year ending June 30, 1926, than during the preceding 12 months period The value of the year's production 01 2,758,739 tons is fixed at $6,691,548 at the mines by Ed Davies, state coal mine in spector, in his annual report. Valier-At the first meeting for this year of the Valier Community club a Hotel Valier, W. L. Bullock was elected president for the third consecutive term Henry Pond was elected vice president and Fred Plain, secretary. The discussion was chiefly concerned with the construc tion of the Park-to-Park highway and the advisibility of its passing through Valier Laurel-With the receipt of his fina decree of discharge as receiver of th American Bank of Laurel, George W. Graf has just terminated a bank receivershi that has vindicated his theory that it for the best interests of depositers terminate a bank receivership as speedil as possible. Within less than 18. month after appointment of a receiver the ban liabilities. has paid all but $16,418.22 of its $122,007. Helena-Lewis and Clark county is to have according its first Chinchilla rabbit industry t