1274. First National Bank (Rocky Ford, CO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
7082
Charter Number
7082
Start Date
February 26, 1912
Location
Rocky Ford, Colorado (38.053, -103.720)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
92ba47df36e0a913

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected, Full suspension

Other: Armed detectives and an armed escort accompanied the special train delivering currency (public security/escort), and later local citizens raised funds ($50,000) to assist reopening the bank.

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
70.5%
Date receivership started
1924-04-05
Date receivership terminated
1928-09-30
OCC cause of failure
Governance
Share of assets assessed as good
41.5%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
39.0%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
19.5%

Description

Two distinct episodes appear: a 1912 scare after the cashier's suicide when $100,000 in specie was rushed from Pueblo to prevent a run (an anticipated run that did not materialize), and a 1924 episode in which heavy withdrawals and a run led the bank to close (initially said to be voluntary) and shortly thereafter the Comptroller appointed a receiver. Classification reflects the 1924 run → suspension → receivership (closure). OCR errors in Article 5 corrected (e.g., fragmented wording about closing and reopening).

Events (5)

1. January 2, 1904 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. February 26, 1912 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Suicide of cashier George Harris (and recent arrest of a bookkeeper for embezzlement) provoked fear of withdrawals and rumors about solvency.
Measures
Special train rushed $100,000 in gold/currency from First National Bank of Pueblo to Rocky Ford under armed guard to meet any demands and reassure depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt
With five armed detectives on guard, a special train ... carrying one hundred thousand dollars in gold was rushed from here today to Rocky Ford. The purpose was to prevent a run on the First National bank at Rocky Ford.
Source
newspapers
3. March 20, 1924 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals following a run; bank closed its doors (described as voluntary closure) after heavy withdrawals/run; local fundraising attempted to reopen.
Newspaper Excerpt
First National Ford - which closed voluntarily, and heavy withdrawals following a run ... will re-open by soon ... A group raised $50,000 ... added to the bank's funds ... reopening is felt will be sufficient.
Source
newspapers
4. April 5, 1924 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. April 17, 1924 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Earl Haskins of La Junta has been appointed by the Comptroller of Currency as receiver for the First National Bank of Rocky Ford the financial Institution which recently closed its doors.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (6)

Article from The Canon City Record With Which Is Consolidated the Canon City Cannon, February 29, 1912

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

RUSH:GOLD TO ROCKY FORD BANK TO PREVENT A RUN / (By United Press) Pueblo, Feb. 26.-With five armed detectives on guard, a special train on the Santa Fe railroad carrying one hundred thousand dollars in gold was rushed from here today to Rocky Ford. The purpose was to prevent a run on the First National bank at Rocky Ford. George Harris, cashier of the latter institution, committed suicide Saturday night, although the officials say his accounts are in good shape. President Cunningham feared a run on the bank. To prepare for such an emergency he telegraphed John Thatcher of the First National bank of Pueblo. The latter is a stockholder in the Rocky Ford bank and he called a meeting of the directors who rushed the money to Rocky Ford on a special train.


Article from Rocky Ford Enterprise, March 1, 1912

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

IMMENSE SUM IN FIRST NATIONAL $100,000 Rushed to This City from Pueblo ON SPECIAL TRAIN MONDAY MORNING But Anticipated Run Upon the Bank Did Not Materialize and Currency Wasn't Needed To guard against any possible run upon the First National bank of this city because of the tragic incident of Saturday evening a special train bearing sufficient money to meet all demands was rushed from Pueblo on Monday morning and reached this city shortly before the bank opening hour. Contrary to expectations there was nothing in the nature of a run. But few depositors appeared to draw out their money and business men and the monied interests displayed their confidence in the solvency of the institution by making their deposits just P.S usual. Beyond the morbid crowd that gathered in front of the bank there were no disturbing signs during the day, nor has there been since. Under escort of Sheriff Potter, special agent C.B. Carlille teller Tim and O'Leary G. F. Trotter, of the Santa paying Fe, andcashier of the Pueblo bank-all heavily armed-an unimposing suitcase containing $100,000 in currency was transported from the First National Bank of Pueblo to the First National Bank of RockyFord on Monday morning,to prevent the possibility of a run on the Rocky Ford institution when the bank opened for business. President Cunningham of the Rocky Ford bank notified the First National in Pueblo Sunday that he feared the suicide of the cashier Harris, following so closely after the arrest of a bookkeeper of the same institution for embezzlement a short time ago, would cause a run to be made on the bank. As the Thatcher brothers, principal owners of the Pueblo bank, are heavily interested in the First National bank of Rocky Ford, it was decided to preclude such contingency by transmitting sufficient currency to Rocky Ford to pay off all who demanded their deposits. The financiers foresaw the possibility of a run on the institution, fearing that unrest regarding the bank's solvency after the series of calamities might cause the depositors to want their money, and it was decided to forestall a move in that direction. President Cunningham and the directors met Sunday and issued a stathment that the bank had suffered nothing from the unfortunate incidents. Some predicted that the bank had suffered from the manipulations of the cashier who committed suicide early Saturday evening. expressing the opinion that he had squandered the funds of the institution and unable to replace them decided to end his life. This was denied by the president and directors, who stated that everything was in first class condition, To guard against any rumor that might get into circulation reflecting upon the funds of the bank, it was thought best to prepare for an emergency. The two officials of the Pueblo bank, accompanied by the peace officers, all prepared for any resistance that might be offered, left the First National in the Thatcher automobile and hurried to the depot where a special train, consisting of a baggage coach and engine, stood in waiting to make the hurried trip. The money was placed in the mighty express safe and zealously guarded until it reached its destination-the cashier's cage of theFirst National bank here-where it reposed safely all day or until it was demonstrated beyond cavil that all alarm had been assuaged and confidence reestablished in the solvency of the home bank.


Article from The Ordway New Era, March 8, 1912

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Haps, Mishaps and Happenings Lamar has an oil excitement. China and Mexico are both in the throes of revolutions against their A million miners in England are on strike. newly inaugurated presidents. Rev. William Walder of Akron, Grand Junction expects to ship Colo., recently carried the war into 4,500 cars of apples this year. the enemy's country when he held Idaho Springs is to have new $100,religious services in a local pool room. 000 hotel, open the year around. There was a large attendance. Pueblo was without any mail from Leon Le Fevre of Denver recently the east for four days during the redied at the age of 84 Although for cent storm period. many years he had been supposed to While the price of beer and milk rebe a pauper and in direst want, he mains stationary, that of coffee is left a fortune in real estate and minsteadily advancing. ing claims valued at $100,000. One hundred and fifteen women in Mrs. Minnie Ward Patterson, who London were jailed the other day as recently assumed the pastorate of the the result of a suffragette riot. Hillside Congregational church at Robert Raymer, a 17-year-old DenColorado Springs, has received several ver boy bandit who held upeight citinotices warning her to abandon the zens, realized only 83 and is now in ministry. She says she will stay with jail. her job. Two bables were born in Pueblo last A highwayman in Denver tackled a month who will not have a birthday local pugilist and tried to hold him until 1916. They were born on Febup. By the time he had made his ruary 29 escape he had a black eye, a cauliflower The Pueblo steel mills have received ear, a badly bruised face and a wholean order from the Great Northern some respect for the fistic abilities of his intended victim. railway for $900,000 worth of rails at $30 per ton. Fellowing the suicide of George E. A fire in the penitentiary at Canon Harris. cashier of the Rocky Ford First National bank, $100,000 in gold City recently was put out largely by the efforts of the "trusties" of the was rushed from Pueblo to that ininstitution. stitution to prepare for an anticipated run which did not occur. The coin Goldie Henderson, a 13-year-old was sent on a special train. bride, has just been denied a divorce at Colorado Springs from her 19-yearThe Union Trading company, which old husband. operated fourteen stores in Colorado and was recently adjudged bankrupt Charles Lisenbord, a Los Angeles and its effects sold, has reorganized chauffeur, met, wooed and wed Mrs. and will endeavor to resume business. Sadie Ball, a widow of that city, all in The unsecured creditors will be of thirty minutes. fered 75 cents on the dollar. The fruit orchards of the western Miss Marion Weston Cottle, a womslope will this season use thousands an lawyer of New York city. says no of smudge pots to save the apple crop woman should think of marrying unfrom late frosts. less her prospective husband earns at Republican leaders deny that "Sunleast $1,200 a year. What a falling off ny Jim" Sherman will be Taft's runthere would be in Dan Cupid's busining mate this time. ness if this view were general! A plant for the manufacture of William Bunch of Rocky Ford cheap fuel briquettes from coal dust, jumped a board bill at a hotel in that garbage and street sweeping is to be town recently and was handed a bunch established at Pueblo. by the sheriff. who caught him at Leap year has proved a hoodoo for Lamar and returned him to the La the license clerk of Clear Creek counJunta jail. Later Judge McDaniels ty, but two licenses having neeD issued will hand Bunch another bunch. during the past two months. For stealing a pan of pork and Capt. Albert Berry, an army aviator beans two miners at Boulder tied a at Jefferson barracks, near St. Louis, stick of dynamite to a stray cur's tail successfully dropped 1,500 feet in a and lit the fuse. The dog crawled parachute from an aeroplane the under the cabin, which was blown to other day. splinters, the miners miraculously Horton Phipps of Denver, an auto escaping. P. dog was killed. dealer and son of a Pasadena million Judge MacFarland of Philadelphia aire, is bidding for fame by securing a has decided that a woman has a right divorce from his wife and being the to go through her husband's pockets. happy possessor of thirty bulldogs. John Dorcas, arrested for non support. The Iowa Shoe Men's association pleaded that he had to leave his wife are out after the shoe buttoner trust. because she had a habit of going What the married men of this counthrough his clothes and taking every try want is an organized movement cent he bad. The judge ruled that he against the waist that buttons up had no redress. behind." Dolly Dimple. a $25,000 cow belongJohn Stavish of Greenville, Pa., ing to F. Lathrop Ames, a North Edihurrahed for T. Roosevelt the other son, Mass., millionaire, has as her day and an ardent Taft partisan provalet and special attendant Alonzo ceeded to chew off an ear and otherHathaway, a graduate of the Iowa wise render him a candidate for the Agricultural college. Dolly has her hospital. daily perfumed bath of lukewarm Miss May Henderson of Denver is water, her hoofs and horns manicured in jail on a charge of shoplifting from and her glossy hide polished to a the Denver Dry Goods company. At shining finish. the police station she said she was An alleged joker in the W. C. T. U. stealing to get material for her wedprohibition amendment to be subding trosseau. mitted at the election next fall has Bob Harris, the negro murderer of been discovered in the following: "No the Rocky Ford marshals last fall and person, association or corporation who is in the "pen" awaiting execushall import into this state any intion, may escape that fate because of toxicating liquors for sale or gift." a movement on foot to abolish capital This is in violation of the interstate punishment in this state. commerce laws and in conflict with The Dustins, man and wife, of decisions rendered by the United States supreme court. The temperRocky Ford, who were implicated in the Balcom case wherein the defenance people claim that the words were dant, a former employe of a bank in interpolated into the petition by somethat city was accused of embezzleone desiring to render the amendment void. ment, have been released.


Article from The Monte Vista Journal, March 23, 1912

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

The Thatcher interests of Pueblo the other day, rushed, by special train, $100,000 to the First National bank at Rocky Ford to avoid a money panic in that town when it became known that the cashier had killed himself. Bankers are an accommodating bunch, even if a few of them do pull off "death bed" stunts and dibble in law, real estate and people's private business.-Alamosa Leader. The films portraying the beautiful and touching story of Lady Clare, one of Tennyson's poems, was shown to a delighted house Thursday evening, at the Iris theater. The management has also been fortunate in procuring some fine western pictures. These will be a box supper and an old-fashioned spelling match at Bowen school house, Friday evening March 29th Everybody is cordially invited. The ladies are requested to bring boxes. M. Stocking, an inmate of the Soldiers' home suffered a light stroke of paralysis at Alamosa. He was removed to the home Wednes. day and is doing nicely. Mrs. C. E. Hart went to Del Norte Thursday to conduct the Teachers' examination held at that place Wednesday and Thursday. Mrs. J. W. McConnell who has been a patient of the Del Norte sanitarium for some time, returned to her home Friday. G. L. Kohl formerly proprietor of the Crescent Tea and Coffee Co., arrived Saturday for a short stay in Monte Vista. Mr. and Mrs. Bruns and family of McCook, Neb., arrived Friday to make their home in Monte Vista. Try our glycerine soap. It's great. Fuller Drug Co.


Article from The Arvada Enterprise, March 20, 1924

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

LATE NEWS From All Over o COLORAI DO been Ault.-Roy McWilliams postmaster has at Ault. to be team, boys won nominated Delta.-Fruita a great comeback, basketball title by the deand staging Western Slope basketball 24 to 21. in the tourna- final feating feature Gunnison, game of the Slope from received ment. Denver.- A telegram the United States chief forester of Coolldge had executive est to the announced signed the an that Battlement President order National changing For- For the name of the Grand Mesa National by est. Denver.- At a fur bureau sale conducted of biological state the United conjunction States with the commis survey of in live stock inspection by governboard 155 skins collected sold to E. A. Stesioners, hunters were whose bid of phens ment $1,209.40 & was Co. of the Denver, highest of five which Comwere received. The Department announces, of for Denver.- at Washington preliminary merce state of Colorado, its Dec. 31. 1922, estimate the of the value. forms of wealth. the as of the principal to $3,220,352,000. 1912, compared total amounting with of 40.9 $2,291,614,000 per cent. Per in to capi- $3. an increase values increased from $2,674 285, ta or 22.8 per The cent. First National Ford. - which closed volRocky Ford, and heavy within a Bank Rocky of following a run few untarily, will re-open by Boon Best. days, it was institution. was withdrawals. of the announced which A group president raised $50,000 and this It of citizens bank's funds. asadded to is felt, the will be sufficient to sum. reopening. sure Morgan.-A paved Merino, highway Hillrose asFort through seems to of a in and from Brush Sterling, with the Fort acceptance Morgan system between route sured, the county. Brush for the and last Merino gap engineers in Logan under who the has diState highway William Lewis. making route opened rection an of office in Brush, of the are accepted cross-section between surveys Brush and Hillrose perMorgan Denver.- county. wedding of ceremony members of formed in the presence few intimate friends family and a former govA. Mrs. Louis of Colorado. Fort Collins. at Crose, bride's the ernor united formerly George of Carlson, and mother. apart- Mrs. the A. The A. Robert home Frank of Avery, the ceremony in the Kilbourne was performed Pollock. pastor church. ments. by the Rev. of the Dr. First United Presbyterian Denver.- cut total from of the 54,300 forests were Christmas of used Colo- in trees and were 47,400 of holiday them period. the acrado during the compiled by DenDenver to figures service in numver, United cording made States public force forester. by M. W. Of Thompson, this in Denassistant district retailed forher were about cut 5,500 on remainder trees the Pike were National obtained est, ver while the lands in the mountains from private Denver. a ndJacent Denver.- to AS the Denver climax of streets a chase and through downtown full sight of hundreds Nel bandit gun battle in Lawrence Clifford gang of pedestriansimber alleged Denver of a for the last terrorized and his month, Eugene Charles with 11 panion. was shot Arthur son, that has was Nelson fatally shot. Patrolman Vos was com- gun riot ar Wachter, gun rested. in the hands when of he shoot pulled the his officer he had from C. his pocket been to cornered with Vos after a police automobile. of Dennis by Denver.-The ploneer The Denver estate president business of man the Sheedy, financier. and will be Dry under the nnDenver and $175,000 Goods Company. state to an inherittaxed according department. tax law8, the tax inance nouncement by the estate, which In the Denver Dry The cluded value n controlling of Goods interest Company. was at $3,840,000. basby listed Boulder.- Windsor high the school Windsor ketball team. backed squad of more than the and n rooting Windsor fans. won frenzied at the hand 200 championship which came state to high the state tournament. defeated here. when to 13. school close team 31 they Windsor days of Canon City the entire three and as went through losing a game, on the play without captured the second which leg repreresult loving cup, the Colorado sents large the silver championship basketball of and which times high schools in three consecutive won the be taken They also must be retained. a permanent trophy. for Spalding to cup 118 the cup offered shield Canon City wins well as a bronze runnersup as for second place. The We Grande


Article from The Holly Chieftain, April 17, 1924

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

LA JUNTA MAN RECEIVER FOR ROCKY FORD BANK Earl Haskins of La Junta has been appointed by the Comptroller of Currency as receiver for the First National Bank of Rocky Ford the financial Institution which recently closed its doors. This indicates that there will be a thorough reorganization of the bank before It opens up for busl ness. No definite statement has been made concerning the future of the institution.