Article Text
RUN ON UNION COUNTY BANK. MANY DEPOSITORS DRAW OUT THEIR MONEY-ALL DEMANDS MET. Rahway, Jan. 5 (Special).-There was a run on the Union County Bank, of this city, to-day, for which there seems to be no good reason. As soon as the bank opened for business this morning depositors began to arrive and draw out their balances. The news spread rapidly that there was a "run" on the bank. and soon the counting room was crowded with depositors anxious to withdraw their money. Edward H. Sherwood, the cashier, who also acts as teller. paid all checks as fast as presented until 11 o'clock. when all large depositors who demanded the balance of their accounts were told that they would have to await the arrival of currency from New-York. The president of the bank, Edward S. Savage, who practises law at No. 31 Nassau-st., New-York, went to the city on an early train, and by 1 o'clock a messenger arrived here with a large amount of currency, and payments were resumed. There was a steady run on the bank until 3 o'clock, when the doors were closed for the day. All depositors in the bank before 3 o'clock were told to remain, and their checks were paid. State Bank Examiners L. R. Vredenburgh, of Somerville, and Thomas F. Chambers, of Trenton, have been examining the bank's affairs for the last two days. The examination, they assert, was made in the regular course of their work. and not because of any suspicion that the bank's affairs were. at all involved. Their presence. and the report in a New-York newspaper on Sunday that proceedings had been begun against a certain insurance concern in New-York City, seem to be the only reason for the "scare" that seized the depositors. The bank examiners state that so far as they have completed their examination the institution is perfectly solvent. Many of the largest depositors and the business men generally have not withdrawn their. accounts and express themselves as satisfied that the bank is in good condition. The officers and directors of the bank are: Edward S. Savage, president: M. D. Valentine, vicepresident: W. V. McKenzie, W. Bloodgood, J. M. Silvers and J. Lester Laforge, directors. The bank was organized in 1887 with a capital of $50,000, and has a surplus of $25,000. A semi-annual dividend of 4 per cent was declared on December 21, and for several years an annual dividend of 8 per cent has been paid on its stock. It is believed to-night that the worst is past and that confidence in the bank will be fully restored before another day is over.