First State Bank - Amidon, ND

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: January 1, 1921*
Location: Amidon, North Dakota (46.482, -103.322)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: a7cf413c

Response Measures

None

Description

The article (1933) refers to Pfeifer in 1921 as being in charge of the closed First State Bank of Amidon, indicating the bank previously closed (suspended) and was not operating; no detailed contemporaneous description of a run is given. Date of closure/suspension is not stated explicitly in the excerpt beyond the year reference to 1921. Also article concerns a 1933 dispute over appointments related to state banking officials rather than new bank operations.

Events (3)

1. January 1, 1921* Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: in charge of the closed First State Bank of Amidon, being Justed after the recall of Governor Lynn J. Frazier by the Nestos administration.
Source: newspapers

2. January 1, 1921* Suspension

Cause Details: Article only states the bank was closed; no cause (run, insolvency, or government action) is specified in the excerpt.
Newspaper Excerpt: in charge of the closed First State Bank of Amidon
Source: newspapers

3. October 28, 1933 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: Pfeifer appeared at Wenzel's office late Friday with the appointment from Governor Langer, designating him to take Wenzel's place... Pfeifer said he was special deputy state examiner for the banking department, in charge of the closed First State Bank of Amidon (1921).
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. October 28, 1933 The Bismarck Tribune Bismarck, Mandan, ND

Article from The Bismarck Tribune, October 28, 1933

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Article Text

Wenzel in the performance of his duties or possession of the office until his right to serve as a member of the board had been determined by the courts. Verret requested a vote on his demand to seat Pfeifer and Wenzel moved that the board go into executive session. It was carried. Preckel voting "yes" and Walker "no" and Pfeifer demanding that he be permitted to vote, asserting that he was a duly appointed and qualified member of the board. Before an executive session could be held, however, Verret again demanded a vote on the seating of Pfeifer and that the matter be recorded. Wenzel declined to put the motion and Verret then asked Preckel if this stand expressed his view. There followed the first of a long succession of silences with Preckel "on the pan." Finally he came up with the statement that he did not decline to act. Wenzel and Shafer left and the board reorganized by electing Walker as chairman, Pfeifer making and putting the motion and Preckel voting "aye." Appeared Late Friday Pfeifer appeared at Wenzel's office late Friday with the appointment from Governor Langer, designating him to take Wenzel's place, the governor having directed Wenzel's removal in an executive order late Thursday night. Wenzel told Pfeifer he refused to vacate, whereupon the latter called Verret who took up the argument in an effort to induce Wenzel to leave peaceably. This failed and Saturday Wenzel made it plain that he would stay on the job until an order was served which he considered legal or he was removed by a show of force. Wenzel's contention is that the governor has no power to suspend him pending a hearing and that the order for his suspension is illegal. Pfeifer's position was that he has been appointed to the office and wanted it, since he heretofore has been a member of the great army of unemployed. Wenzel had prepared a statement to be served upon whatever official came to oust him by force, warning him that the act is illegal and that he will be held personally responsible for his actions. Thus it appeared probable that one or more civil suits might follow the ouster. A fight against the ouster proper is considered inevitable. Pfeifer has been a resident of Slope county for 25 years, having homesteaded there in 1908. He was appointed Slope county's first register of deeds by Governor L. B. Hanna and served one term, during 1915 and 1916. In 1921, he was special deputy state examiner for the banking department, in charge of the closed First State Bank of Amidon, being Justed after the recall of Governor Lynn J. Frazier by the Nestos administration. Ardent Townley Man An ardent supporter of A. C. Towney, Pfeifer has shared the numerous adventures of that individual and participated in Townley's oil-promoting ventures throughout the state several years ago. Saturday he emphasized that his loyalty to Townley is undimmed. Born in Green Lake county, Wisconsin, 48 years ago, Pfeifer was educated in the public schools and took two years of preparatory work at Northwestern College, Naperville, Ill. Later he went to Ripon College, Ripon, Wis., for two years, playing on a football team which he declares is "the best Ripon ever had." For 11 years preceding 1925, Pfeifer said, he was in the insurance business, out recently has been a member of what he termed "Hoover's Army." Wenzel said the proceedings probably will ruin him financially but he is willing to be the goat to determine whether the governor can persistently violate the constitution of the state, ignore the rights of the courts and the rights of citizens. Any ouster by force, he contended, will make those participating in it legally liable for damages, since the courts are open as a remedy and the matter could be determined by a mandamus action begun in the regular way.