12149. Security State Bank (Columbus, ND)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
November 22, 1920
Location
Columbus, North Dakota (48.904, -102.780)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
1cee2642

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporaneous articles report the Security State Bank of Columbus closed in Nov 1920 because reserves were below required amount due to failed crops/depreciated collateral. The bank did not reopen and receivers were appointed in March 1921 (and a successor receiver named in Nov 1921), indicating permanent closure/receivership. No explicit run is described in the articles; causes point to local agricultural shock and depreciated collateral rather than rumor.

Events (3)

1. November 22, 1920 Suspension
Cause
Local Shock
Cause Details
Closed because reserves were below required amount owing to failed crops/depreciated collateral and farmers refusing to sell grain at existing prices; described as part of multiple ND banks closing for same reason.
Newspaper Excerpt
Two more banks closed their doors today ... the Security State bank of Columbus, Burke county ... The two banks which closed today were closed because the reserves were below the required amount.
Source
newspapers
2. March 10, 1921 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Receivers for four closed banks have been named ... Security State Bank of Columbus-Geo. Witty, of Columbus (appointed receiver). (Bismarck Tribune, Mar 10, 1921). George Witty of Columbus has been named receiver for the Security State Bank of Columbus, which closed last fall. (Mar 22/23 references). (see notes).
Source
newspapers
3. November 10, 1921 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
E. P. Pepke of Minot, was appointed receiver of the Security State bank of Columbus, to succeed George Whittey (Witty), resigned on account of illness. (Bismarck Tribune / Grand Forks Herald, Nov 10, 1921). (see notes).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (12)

Article from Grand Forks Herald, November 22, 1920

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Article Text

LOCAL FAILURES OF CROPS CAUSE BANK CLOSINGS No Cause For Alarm, Initiated Laws Not to Blame, Says Cathro (Special to The Herald) Bismarck, N. D., Nov. 22.-If North Dakota could sell all her grain at 1919 prices she could pay all mortgages in the state five and one-half times over, declared F. W. Cathro. director General of the Bank of North Dakota, today in commenting on the situation which has resulted in the closing of some banks m the state. The state as a whole is in excellent condition and the closing of banks in isolated communities where the crops have failed and the farmers have not sold their wheat does not affect the general situation, he said. Two more banks closed their doors today the examiner was advised by telephone, making a total of eight. They are the First State bank of Killdeer, Dunn county, of which Robert Willon is president, and the Security State bank of Columbus, Burke county, in the northwestern part of the state. No details were transmitted in the message, While none of the banks which have closed have re-opened as yet, the examiner says there is a strong probability that some will. The two banks which closed today were closed because the reserves were below the required amount. the examiner said. An examination is being made. Conditions which have caused the closing of some banks has nothing to do with the initiated law regarding the withdrawal of public deposits from the Bank of North Dakota after December 2. according to Mr. Cathro, although he says if the deposits are withdrawn some banks will be affected. Taking an optimistic view of the situation as a whole Mr. Cathro asserted that the resources of the state as a whole are so great that isolated failures cannot affect the general situation. He condemned all panic talk.


Article from The New York Herald, November 23, 1920

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Article Text

GOLDFIELD. 2 1 2 Great Bend.. Atlanta .... 1 * 5 Jumbo Ext.. 5 Booth 4 1 Kewanas 1 3 C o D IS 3 3 Lone Star... Comb Frac. 2 3 3 Red Hills F. 2 Cracker Jack 2 5 7 12 Silver Pick.. Flor Gold... 10 9 4 Spearhead 2 Gold Cons... 7 MISCELLANEOUS. 1.50 12 Roch Mines 1.40 Amparo 7 16 San Toy 5 Ariz United. 14 30 12 ..... 20 14 Tecopa Eden 2 1 Unit Amalg Mayflower... 1 2 9 White Caps. 7 Nov Hills... 1 17 2 W Caps Ext. 1 Nev Wonder 15 4 17 Yerington ... 3 Round Mt.. 15 2 NORTH DAKOTA BANKS CLOSE Low Reserve Causes Eight Institutions to Suspend in Week. BISMARCK, N. D., Nov. 22. - Two more North Dakota banks closed today. O. E. Lofthus, State Bank Examiner, announced to-day. They are the First State Bank of Kildeer and the Securities State Bank of Columbus. Mr. Lofthus said his advices indicated that the banks closed because their reserves were below the required amount. This makes eight banks that have closed in this State in the last week for the same reason.


Article from The Bennington Evening Banner, November 23, 1920

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SAVINGS BANK IS CLOSED BECAUSE RESERVE TOO LOW Barre Savings Bank Closed by Commissioner OF DEPOSITS $1,536,000 Details Unknown but Probable That Overdue Notes to Granite Men Crippled Bank. Barre, Nov. 22. George B. Carpenter, bank commissioner at 2 o'clock this afternoon closed the Barre Savings Bank and Trust company, following a partial examination of the bank's financial standing Mr. Carpenter took over the bank's management as provided by the general laws. Early last week unauthenticated rumors were spread in Barre and vicinity concerning the condition of the bank and on Friday a small run occurred. Saturday the run continued until 10 o'clock when the demand was SO great that the bank officials invoked the 60-day clause of the state bank ing law requiring that a notice be given before a deposit could be withdrawn. Bank Commissioner Carpenter was notified and this morning commenced the investigation of the bank's finances. As soon as that is completed, a public statement will be made. While no figures were given out, it is rumored that the run amounted to $150, 003 The total resources of the bank are $2,223,582.82 as shown by the bank's report to Mr. Carpenter on September 8. The liabilities are: Capital paid in, $50,000; surplus from reserve, $67,000; savings deposits, $1,536,910.43 certificate of deposit, $96,781.37; commercial deposits, $295,324.37: treasurer's checks, $65,066 65; bills payable $112,500. Bismark, N. D. Nov. 22.-Three more banks were added today to the string of North Dakota financial institutions that have closed their doors in the past six day due to depletion of their reserves which officials say is due to failure of farmers to meet notes held by the banks. The Farmers' State bank of Belfield, the State Bank of Killdeer and the Security State bank at Columbus closed today, making nine since the tain first of the week.


Article from Every Evening, Wilmington Daily Commercial, November 24, 1920

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NORTH DAKOTA BANKS CLOSE. Depreciated Collateral and Wheat Situmtion Given AH Reasons. Fargo, N. D. Nov. 24. - Nine banks have been closed in North Dakota during the last ten days as R esult of the "whent strike," three of the group of banks affected being closed yesterday. Depreciated collateral values, coupled with the refusal of the farmers to sell their grain or stock at existing prices, are the elements that have combined to force the suspension of business on the part of the banks. The three that closed their doore today are the First State Bank of Kill Deer, the Security State Bank of Columbus and the Farmers' State Bank of Bolfield. Prior to today the following banks had been closed: Bantry Bank at Bantry, Beach State at Bech, Security State Bank at New England, Farmers' State Bank at Havelock, the Tolley State Bank at Tolley and the First State Bank at Greene.


Article from Emmons County Record, March 3, 1921

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WE EXTEND OUR THANKS BULLETIN The local league organ, after maintaining the silence of the grave on curThe Free Press last week admitted rent affairs for several weeks, makes the loss of $17,688.31 on the Drake up for lost time last week by being mill. Before election the Free Press filled from end to end on dope on how assured its readers that the Drake "Big Bizz" is wrecking the "farmers' mill was making $40,000 per year. program." It is evident that the MACCABEE NOTES been "dope off editor" the job of temporarily, the Free Press and left has the league editor with no choice but to ignore everything that has been Mrs. Elizabeth Dow, of Mandan, going on. District Deputy for the W. B. A. of M. formerly known as Lady MaccaThe Record is again profusely accused of lying. That reminds us that bees, came down last Wednesday and once upon a time the Free Press outworked the town for beneficiary memfit said something about a $100 reward bers last Thursday and Friday. She succeeded in getting a large class of offer if the Record would prove statements that they claimed to be lies. new members, 11 ladies being initiated Friday night. When called, they shut up tight, as After the election and general busiEmmons county people will well remember. This time, the Record is ness session, a social session was held, closing with a fine lunch. charged with lying, but they are more This makes a membership of 23, and circumspect. They simply make the three more pledged to be taken in the charge, and let it go at that. next time they meet. Now, after waiting several weeks, This is a wonderful Benefit Associathe Free Press attacks the list of banks published by the Record Feb. tion, and there isn't any reason why it shouldn't prosper here. 10th. They say Linton banks were not included. Certainly they were not, and for the following reason: Our BANK AT BRADDOCK CLOSES original list was published simply to DOORS show what mammoth deposits were being made in some of the banks of Farmers State Bank, After Four or this state, and the capital and surplus Five Years of Existence, Gives Up. was given to show the comparative Farmers Elevator Reported Hard size of the banks so favored. The LinHit. ton banks were not included because they have not been carrying a lot of The Farmers State Bank of Bradleague paper, and consequently dock has closed its doors. Reports haven't had great favoritism shown received in Linton are to the effect them by the Bank of North Dakota. that the bank had overextended loans However, we will now be glad to acand was no longer able to meet its commodate the local league sheet. In obligations. Being unable to secure fact, it gives up an additional chance further financial backing, the directors to bring home to our readers the vast decided to close voluntarily favoritism shown by the great Bank of North Dakota. The only bank to close in Emmons as yet, the Farmers State Bank had a Here are the figures for the Linton banks, which the Free Press seems to large list of stockhelders. When it was organized, small blocks of stock desire: as of December 3d, the date of were sold to all who would buy in the report, the Braddock neighborhood. Some Liability to sixty or seventy farmers took stock Cap. Surp. Bk. of N. D. City National in varying amounts. Its total capi$35,000 $7,508.59 First National tal amounted to $20,000, and it has 9,256.28 40,000 never been able to build up any rePeoples State 25,000 2,008.89 serve. Its last published statement Now, then, Free Press, compare the was made Dec. 29th, and showed total figures of Linton banks with those deposits of $79,008.29. Of this published in our issue of Feb. 10th, amount, $36,750.97 were time deposits, which seems to have "gotten your and a great share of these accounts goat. We republish a few samples: Busted Banks: doubtless are tied up with the bank's closing. It is said that some $6,000 Liability to belonging to the Farmers' Elevator Cap. Surp. Bk. of N.1 Co., of Braddock, was in the bank Donnybrook State $33,400 $93,534.31 when it closed, thus making that in(A bank now busted, with capital stitution short on ready money. Its and surplus less than either the First loans and discounts amount to $100,National or City Natioanl, of this city, 000. has ten, times as much state funds as O. R. Martini was president, Henry either Linton bank.) Reamann vice president and R. E. $20,000 Tolley State $63,588.85 McCain cashier. Mr. McCain came Security State, Coto Braddock from Mott, where he had lumbus 27,700 50,129.55 been in the machinery business, to Fortuna State 20,000 47,111.06 take charge of the bank when it was (These are all closed banks) first opened. Banks Still Running: Slope County ALLIES AWAIT INAUGURATION State, Amidon 11,500 71,381.90 First State, KloLeague of Nations to Take up U. 8. ten 20,500 65,619.33 Tangle With Harding. (The bank Lofthus was running Paris-The League of Nations counwhen appointed state bank examiner) cil stopped work on matters affecting Farmers' Bank, the United States, pending inauguraRay 12,000 53,375.69 tion of the new president. Receiving And here are Jorgen Olson's three the American protest against the banks, with total capital and surplus awarding of the Mesopotamian manof $100,300, and liabilities to Bank of date to Great Britain, the council deNorth Dakota of $256,582.89. The cided to await a decision by the Allied Supreme Council. The Allied council three Linton banks total capital and at London already had indicated that surplus of $100,000 and their total it would take no action on American liability to Bank of North Dakota is affairs until Senator Harding became $18,733.76. president. Some fine comparisons, aren't they? And we're duly glad that the league MAIL PLANES MAKE RECORD paper called our attention to the possibility of these particular compariFilers in Relay Go From Coast to Coast sons. in 33 Hours 20 Minutes. The Free Press opines that the capiHazelhurst, N. Y.-Eight bags of tal and surplus has nothing to do mail dispatched from San Francisco by with the ability of the various banks airplane at 4:30 Wednesday morning arrived at Hazelhurst field here the to meet their obligations. Quite true, indeed. But, as the state examiner is next day at 4:50 p. m., establishing a cross country record of 33 hours the only one who can get a peek at and 20 minutes, with allowance for the paper in these various banks, the time zone changes in the coast to above is the most we can do to give coast flight. the people a line on relative condiThe mail was transferred from plane tions. to plane in a relay flight ordered by the Postoffice department to establish We might, however, state that the a new cross-continent mail record. evidence at the hearing in Bismarck shows that the state bank examiner's Kaiserin's Condition Worse. fieldDoorn, Holland-The physician atmen some be office showing had had reports of the from banks its to tending former Empress Augusta Vic toria considers her condition too seriin rotton condition which were being


Article from The Bismarck Tribune, March 10, 1921

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LIEUT GOV. IS RECEIVER FOR PROSPER BANK 1119270 Receivers for four closed banks have been named by the banking board, O. E. Lofthus, state examiner, announced today. Those named are: Bank, of New Rockford-A. J. Nathan, of Bismarck. Scandinavian-American Bank of Fargo-L. C. Reed, of Fargo. Security State Bank of Columbus-Geo. Witty, of Columbus. Prosper State Bank of ProsperLieutenant-Governor Howard Wood.


Article from Grand Forks Herald, March 10, 1921

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Receivers Are Named For Four Closed Banks Bismarck, N. D., March 10.-Receivers for four closed banks have been named by the banking board, O. E. Lofthus, state examiner. announced today. Those named are: Bank of New Rockford-A. J. Nathan of Bismarck. of Scandinavian-American Bank Fargo-L. C. Reed of Fargo. Security State Bank of ColumbusGeo. Witty of Columbus. Prosper State Bank of ProsperLieutenant-Governor Howard Wood.


Article from The Devils Lake World, March 16, 1921

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NEWS OF NORTH DAKOTA BRIEF ITEMS OF INTEREST FROM ALL PARTS state bank examiner. Auditor Pulls Gun. MINOT, N. D.-R. W. Frazer of L. C. Reep of Fargo, who has been in charge of the Scandinavian AmeriCrosby, clerk of the court for Divide can bank of Fargo since it closed county, was arrested in Minot last several weeks ago, has been named night on complaint of C. J. Clarke, as receiver for the institution by the Crosby banker. examiner, A. J. Nathan of Bismarck Clarke charged Frazer with carryhas been appointed receiver for the ing concealed weapons and assault. Bank of New Rockford of New RockFrazer pulled a gun on Clarke in ford, N. D., and George Witty of the offices adjoining the district court Columbus has been named receiver chambers durnig an argument, after for the Security State Bank of ColJudge Lowe had denied writ of haumbus, N. D. beas corpus for W. E. Vadnais. Vad-


Article from Grand Forks Herald, March 22, 1921

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Is Named Receiver For Columbus Bank March 23-George Columbus, Witty, farmer living near Larson, has been appointed receiver for the Security State Bank of Columbus, which closed last, fall. This bank was the only bank in Burke county to close.


Article from The Bismarck Tribune, November 10, 1921

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JOHANNSEN TO BE RECEIVER A. Johannsen. director of audits of the Bank of North Dakota, has been appointed receiver of the First State Bank of Sawyer. He will not assume active charge of the Sawyer bank for sometime. E. J. Pepke, of Minot, was appointed receiver of the Security State Bank of Columbus, to succeed George Whittey, resigned on account of illness.


Article from Grand Forks Herald, November 10, 1921

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RECEIVERS NAMED FOR TWO BANKS Bismarck, N. D., Nov. 10.-A. Johannsen, director of audit of the Bank of North Dakota, has been appointed receiver of the First State bank of Sawyer. He will not assume active charge of the Sawyer bank for some time. E.P. Pepke of Minot, was appointed receiver of the Security State bank of Columbus, to succeed George Whittey, resigned on account of illness.


Article from The Bowbells Tribune, May 5, 1922

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LARSON BANK WILL MOVE TO COLUMBUS The First State Bank of Larson to move to Columbus within the next few weeks is the news given out by O. Foss. president of that institution. The First State Bank of Larson is known as as Ackermann bank. O. T. Foss is president and A. M. Olstad cashier. Columbus has had three banks, but for the past year and a half only the Farmers State Bank has been open for business. The First International Bank quit business two years ago, leaving two banks, The Security State and Farmers State. During the financial depression the Security State Bank found it necessary to close, and is now in the hands of a receiver.