1277. State Bank (Rocky Ford, CO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
April 3, 1906
Location
Rocky Ford, Colorado (38.053, -103.720)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f14660a4ac28c559

Response Measures

None

Description

There was an initial run in April 1906 sparked by an erroneous report that the bank would retire; the president brought $50,000 to stop withdrawals. Later, on Jan 2, 1908 the State Bank of Rocky Ford failed to open following a run and was put into receivership (G. M. Hall). The institution did not resume as an operating bank; receivers made partial dividend payments over subsequent years and officers were prosecuted. OCR corrected minor typos (e.g., Godding/J. E. Godding).

Events (3)
1. April 3, 1906 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Erroneous report circulated that the State Bank was to retire from business; rumors during a special election day.
Measures
President E. G. (John E./J. E.) Godding brought $50,000 by special train and stacked it behind the cashier's window to reassure depositors; wealthy men offered assistance.
Newspaper Excerpt
Yesterday developed considerable excitement at this place in the nature of a run on the State Bank of Rocky Ford ... report ... that the State bank was to retire from business and this report caused a panic among the small depositors
Source
newspapers
2. January 2, 1908 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Officers accused certain financial interests of intentionally starting rumors questioning the bank's solvency; closing followed a run and the bank failed to open.
Newspaper Excerpt
The State Bank of Rocky Ford closed its doors today, following a run.
Source
newspapers
3. January 3, 1908 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
State Bank Examiner Beatty is making an investigation of the bank ... Receiver Hall is carrying on his work ... Receiver Hall returned ... representing the defunct State Bank of Rocky Ford in the annual stockholders meeting ... Receiver G. M. Hall of the defunct State Bank of Rocky Ford is making final arrangements ... final dividends paid by receiver Hall since the bank failure, totaling 21 percent (later close to 25%). (composite of articles).
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (25)
1. April 3, 1906 The Daily Sentinel Grand Junction, CO
Article from The Daily Sentinel, April 3, 1906

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Special to The Sentinel. Rocky Ford, April 3. Yesterday developed considerable excitement at this place in the nature of a run on the State Bank of Rocky Ford, and a special city election called for voting on a proposition for or against water bonds. The report was circulated early in the day among the employees of the American beet sugar company to the effect that the State bank was to retire from business and this report caused a panic among the small depositors, who participaten in and caused the run on the bank, which lasted until noon, at which time confidence was partially restored O.

2. April 4, 1906 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The San Francisco Call, April 4, 1906

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FAST TRAIN SAVES A COLORADO BANK Arrival of Store of Gold Reassures Depositors. SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE CALL. ROCKY FORD, Colo., April 3.-By means of a special train which rushed hither the proceeds of the sale of his summer resort, President Gooding of the Rocky Ford State Bank checked a run on his bank early today. Satisfied at seeing $50,000 stacked up behind the cashier's window, the depositors returned to calmness and let their deposits lie where they were. The run on the bank was started yesterday, The bank is the oldest financial institution in this county. It is supposed that the scare originated in a report started by a person whose identity is unknown to the effect that the State Bank was to retire from business. Besides, it was the day of a special city election, called for the purpose of voting for or against water bonds, and various rumors of a general nature were afloat. Many wealthy men offered to aid the bank.

3. April 5, 1906 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, April 5, 1906

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HE CHARTERED A TRAIN. The President of a Colorado Institution Arrived With $50,000. Rocky Ford, Col., April 5.-A run was made on the Rocky Ford State bank yesterday. The timely arrival of E. G. Gooding, president of the bank, with $50,000 cash, saved the institution. The run was caused by an erroneous report that the bank was to close. Mr. Gooding brought the money on a special train from Pueblo.

4. January 3, 1908 The Morning Journal-Courier New Haven, CT
Article from The Morning Journal-Courier, January 3, 1908

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STATE BANK CLOSES DOORS. Officers Accuse Financial Interests of Intentionally Starting Run. Rocky Ford, Col., Jan. 2.-The state bank of Rocky Ford closed its doors today, following a run. The liabilities exceed $400,000 and the assets are placed at $425,000. They consist mainly of loans on high grade farm lands. The bank has been regarded as ot.e of the soundest in the Arkansas valley, It is capitalized at $30,000, and its surplus is $30,000. The officers hope to resume in a short time. One of the officers of the bank said to-day that certain financial interests in Rocky Ford had caused the bank's closing by starting rumors that Its solvency was questionable.

5. January 3, 1908 The Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL
Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, January 3, 1908

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STATE BANK CLOSES. Officers Hope To Resume Business At An Early Date. Rocky Ford, Col., January 2.-The State bank of Rocky Ford closed its doors today, following a run. The liabilities exceed $400,000 and the assets are placed at over $525,000, mainly loans on high grade farm lands. The bank has been regarded as one of the soundest in the Arkansas valley. It is capitalized at $30,000 and its surplus is $30,000. J. E. Godding is president and State Senator Swink is vice president. The officers hope to resume in a short time. The other two banks in Rocky Ford have not been affected by the suspension.

6. January 3, 1908 The Daily Sentinel Grand Junction, CO
Article from The Daily Sentinel, January 3, 1908

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ROCKY FORD BANK MAY RE-OPEN SOON (By Associated Press.) Rocky Ford, Colo., Jan. 3.-The State Bank of Rocky Ford closed its doors yesterday following a run. State Bank Examiner Beatty is making an investigation of the bank, which has been regarded as one of the strongest in the Arkansas valley. The liabilities of the bank exceed $400,000. and the assets are placed at over $525,000. mainly loans on high grade farm lands in this vicinity. The bank is capitalized at $30,000, and the surplus is $30,000. The officers of the bank are: President, J. E. Godding; vice president, Senator Swink: cashier, E. H. Smith; assistant cashier, D. F. Barclay. There are two other banks in the city-the First National and the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank. Neither of these has been affected by the suspension of the State Bank. The officers of the State Bank hope to resume business in a short time. One of them made the charge today that certain other financial interests in this city conspired to secure the closing of the State Bank by starting rumors last week that its solvency was questionable.

7. January 3, 1908 The Marion Daily Mirror Marion, OH
Article from The Marion Daily Mirror, January 3, 1908

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A Bank Failure in Colorado. Rockyford, Col., Jan. 3.-The State Bank of Rockyford closed its doors Thursday following a run. The Habili ties exceed $400,000 and the assets are placed at over $525,000, mainly loans on farm lands.

8. January 4, 1908 The Glenwood Post Glenwood Springs, CO
Article from The Glenwood Post, January 4, 1908

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Officials of the State Bank of Rocky Ford Fear Run and Shut the Doors EXPECT TO RE-OPEN Rocky Ford, Jan. 2.-The State Bank of Rocky Ford failed to open its doors this morning and the affairs of the institution are now being investigated by the state bank examiner. It is stated by the bank officers that the closing order was given in order to prevent a run. They are confident that the bank will resume business within a few days. No statement of the assets or liabilities has yet been made. Some of the most prominent business men of Rocky Ford are identified with the management of the bank and all declare that business will be started again with little delay.

9. January 10, 1908 Perrysburg Journal Perrysburg, OH
Article from Perrysburg Journal, January 10, 1908

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MISCELLANEOUS. Dr. Nicholas Senn, Chicago's "fighting doctor" and one of the foremost surgeons of the central west, died at the age of 63 years. Lamar Jackson, a full-blooded Choctaw Indian, has been appointed to a cadetship in the United States military academy at West Point by Congressman Charles D. Carter of Oklahoma. The State Bank of Rockyford, Col., closed its doors following a run. The liabilities exceed $400,000, and the assets are placed at over $525,000. Friends of Secretary Taft outvoted the Foraker faction in the Ohio state committee and primaries were ordered for February 11 at which Ohio Republicans will express by direct vote their choice for presidential nominee, Two women were killed by an explosion in a fireworks factory in Rochester, N. Y. Gov. Folk of Missouri announced the appointment of Virgil Rule to succeed Circuit Judge Jesse McDonald, who resigned. Judge Rule was once a St. Louis newsboy. Louis M. Givernaud, a member of the firm of Givernaud Bros., said to be the first to establish silk manufacturing in the United States, died at Los Angeles, Cal., of heart trouble, aged 73 years. United States Circuit Judge Pritchard at Richmond, Va., named two receivers for the Seabord Air Line railway. Suffering from melancholia, Charles Becker of Belleville, Ill., former state treasurer, shot and killed himself. Nightriders raided the town of Russellville, Ky., dynamited the tobacco warehouses and burned other buildings. Allison J. Nailer, secretary general of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Order of Scottish Rite Masons, southern jurisdiction, died of the grip in Washington. John D. Rockefeller gave $2,191,000 more to the University of Chicago. Count Boni de Castellane and his cousin, Prince Helie de Sagan, had a sensational fight in Paris. Ulrich Augustus Hoegger, a Swiss artist, was probably fatally burned in a fire which burned his studio in Philadelphia and destroyed paintings said to be worth $100,000. Although officially declared dead several years ago and for many years believed by his wife and friends to have died, George M. Gable appeared in court at Lancaster, Pa., to claim $12,000 from the estate of his uncle. His wife had remarried. During the calendar year 1907 the bureau of navigation reports 1,056 vessels of 502,508 gross tons built and specifically numbered in the United States, compared with 1,045 vessels of 393,291 tons in 1906. Phillip F. Kramer of Portland, Ore., a locomotive engineer employed on the Isthmian canal, was murdered by robbers. The vaudeville war was finally concluded when George Middleton, president of the Western Vaudeville association, and his associates signed an agreement to take over Cella & Oppenheim's theaters in Kansas City, Milwaukee and Louisvile and the new theater being built at St. Louis. The torpedo boat flotilla arrived at Para, Brazil. The New Jersey pardon board refused to pardon Walter A. McAllister and William Death, who were sentenced to 30 years' imprisonment in 1901 for complicity in the murder of Jennie Bosscheieter of Paterson. Prof. Thomas Day Seymour, senior professor of Greek in Yale university, died in New Haven, Conn., after a short illness of pneumonia. An alleged attempt was made to assassinate Father Volitas, pastor of St. Ann's Catholic church at Spring ValBoy, III.

10. January 17, 1908 Rocky Ford Enterprise Rocky Ford, CO
Article from Rocky Ford Enterprise, January 17, 1908

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THE STATE BANK IN STATU QUO None of the Rumors of Relief for the Depositors is Realized REPORTED REQUIS!TION FOR ARRESTS Receiver Hall will Require Three yet to Make Statement. The local bank situation does not definitely present any new phases in the week that has elapsed since our last report. The most sensational news of yesterday was that a requisition had been made to the district attorney for papers of arrest for the bank officers. Enquiry at the offices of the attorney and the sheriff failed to confirm the rumor. District Attorney McDaniels declined to answer any questions, as did also those depositors who attended a meeting held Wednesday night. That meeting !eft any depositor present to act in the matter on his own initiative. and the popular assumption is that somebody acted Thursday morning. At a meeting of a number of depositors of the State Bank. held on the night of Jan. 15. the following resolution was adopted: "Whereas. The committee appointed by these depositors to confer with the bank officials reporting that the said officials have refused to assign any of their property to a Trustee or the Receiver of the said bank for the benefit of all depositors, and the said depositors assembled. believing nothing further can be done. believe it advisable to discharge said committee. "Now we. the depositors assembled. having discharged said committee. wish to report to all of the depositors that we do not believe that we can do anything further along this line." 0 An interview with Receiver Hall brings only the statement that it will require several days yet to complete the statement of the bank's affairs. and as soon as this is done it will be given to the public. While the Beet Growing farmers were in meeting assembled at Odd Fellows hall Saturday afternoon, Judge Minor appeared on the scene and asked the presiding officer if he would be permitted to give the gathering a message that did not pertain to beets. be was accompanied by Miss McCoy, the stenographer from the State Bank. The Judge was given the privilege of the floor and said that he came with a message from Mr. John E. Godding. He wished it to be understood that he did not come. to the meeting as the attorney of Mr. Godding. nor yet as the attorney of Mr. Hall. the receiver of the State Bank: : he came simply to deliver a message as it had been given him. and what he said would be taken down by a stenographer that what he did say might be verified if necessary afterwards. Mr. Godding had called him up by 'phone and asked him if he would take a message to this meeting. and with Mr. Hall's consent he had promised to do so. The message was this: Mr. Godding wished to say that three plans were on foot with a view to re-opening the State Bank, one or other of which he had reason to believe would be successful. That each of those plans included the purpose to pay every depositor of the bank dollar for dollar of his deposit; that ) meither of the plans would be adopted except with that condition. He wished this to know that he to was working gathering hard of effect this result and was hopeful success.

11. January 18, 1908 La Junta Tribune La Junta, CO
Article from La Junta Tribune, January 18, 1908

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May Pay Dollar for Dollar. Judge Minor, attorney for G. M. Hall, receiver of the State Bank, appeared before the Beet Growers' Association at Rocky Ford last Saturday and stated that John E. Godding, president of the defunct bank, had asked him to say that the bank officials had under consideration three propositions for reorganizing the State Bank: that if any one of them was perfected the depositors would receive 100 cents on the dollar. The officials are doing their utmost to carry out their promise to have the bank open in ten days, the time asked of the depositors to reorganize.

12. January 24, 1908 The Ordway New Era Ordway, CO
Article from The Ordway New Era, January 24, 1908

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OFFICERS ARRESTED The Chieftain. Ford, Jan. 20.-Sheriff H. W. came up from La Junta today ced three of the officials of the state bank under arrest. re John E. Godding, president; mith. cashier, and O. W. Barkassistant cashier. The comwhich was sworn to by C. H. n, charges the officers of the 1th receiving money for deposit Im on December 27, 1907, when new the bank to be in an insolcondition. The bond required is for each of the officials. The men for John E. Godding and Smith are George Hammond rank Stoop. The bond of Mr. ey is signed by L. W. Babcock, Rex. James Butterfield. Henry ott and T. W. Barkley, Sr. Rocky Ford Tribune got out a edition this afternoon giving ver Hall's report of the condition e bank. Copies were eagerly t for by depositors. Receiver refused at this time to give any ment as what in his opinion the itors would receive, as there are any notes and loans that are hless and slow collection that he d not give out an accurate state't. ceiver Hall is carrying on his k in an excellent manner, and it nceded by everybody that no betman could have been chosen for position.

13. April 25, 1908 La Junta Tribune La Junta, CO
Article from La Junta Tribune, April 25, 1908

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District Court. The district court was in session the first three days of this week, Judge Essex presiding. A synopsis of the proceedings had and done is as follows: In the case of the People vs. J. W. Kelly and James Edmonds, charged with the larceny of thirtyfive horses from the vicinity of Fowler, both of the defendants pleaded guilty. The young men are recent arrivals from Missouri, and both claim to be under age. They searched in vain for work and resorted to crime as a last resort, al leging that it looked easy to run a bunch of horses off the open range and dispose of them. Appearances indicated that Kelly had been chiefly instrumental in inducing his younger partner to stray from the path of rectitude and Judge Essex gave him a sentence of not less than three nor more than five years in the penitentiary. Edmonds was sentenced to the state reformatory at Buena Vista. Chris Meachum and Archibald pleaded guilty to burglarizing claim shanties in the vicinity of Timpas. Meachum received a penitentiary sentence of from two to three years and Apt was sentenced to the reformatory. Michael Malano was tried by a jury on a charge of as ault to mur der J. F. McCormick, night depotmaster for the Santa Fe at this point. The crime was committed several months ago, Malano stabbing McCormick when the latter attempted to arrest him. The jury brought in a verdict of assault with a deadly weapon, which is not a penitentiary offense, and Malano was given the full limit of the law by Judge Essex, of or e year in the county jail and a fine of $2,000. The case of M. Nechels vs. J. C. Nichols resulted in a non-suit, the costs being assesso d to the plaintiff. Nichols built a house for Nechels-the only house located in the City Park addition to La Juntafor $2100. Nechels sued for $1,000 damages. alleging d'efective construction, and the case resulted in a non-suit.| Twelve cases against William Spaur, charged with the larceny of various and sundry horses were nolle prossed, upon agreen ent, it is alleged, that the defendant return to the alleged owners all of the alleged horses alleged to have been stolen. The chief witness for the prosecution was L. A. Roland, and the district attorney was evidently doubtful as to a conviction being secured upon the evidence of a man who has served a term in the penitentiary for stealing cattle. Spaur was tried upon one of the informations several months ago and acquitted. The ex periment of trying to convict Spaur of horse stealing cost Otero county in the neighborhood of $1,000-probably more than the whole bunch of horses alleged to have been stolen were worth. Court adjourned last Wednesday afternoon. Next Monday Judge Rizer will come down from Pueblo to hear the case of State Bank Examiner Beatty vs. the State Bank of Rocky Ford. The cases have been set for hearing April 27th, 28th and 29th, and there are quite a number of them to determine claims for offsets-claims of people who had money in the bank at the time it failed who desire to offset their debts due the bank for money loaned.

14. December 19, 1908 The Monte Vista Journal Monte Vista, CO
Article from The Monte Vista Journal, December 19, 1908

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STATE NEWS ITEMS The Colorado Kennel club will hold a bench show in Denver next Spring. A movement has been started to organize a new mining stock exchange in Denver. The Crystal Theatre Company, capItalized at $12,000, has been incorporated to conduct a vaudeville theater at Greeley. Antonito has voted for a gravity water system to be owned and operated by the town, drawing its water from large springs. On January 28th Leadville will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary by a "home coming" of Leadville pioneers. There will be "high old times"-about two miles high. A congress of Colorado Sunday school associations will be held at Pueblo Dec. 27th-29th. This will be the first time the congress has been held outside of Denver. The thirty-eighth annual session of the Colorado State Teachers' Association will be held in the East Side high school at Denver, Dec. 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. Manager A. B. Hullt of the Kansas Colorado Power and Transmission Company, expects the road to be completed from Pueblo to the top of the Royal Gorge by May 1st next. On the night of the 8th inst. fire destroyed the shaft house and build. ings of the Mesa Mining & Milling Company at Unaweep, entailing a loss of $12,000. There was no insurance. Another 5 per cent. dividend has been declared by Richard H. Malone, receiver of the defunct Fidelity Sav. ings Association of Denver. This dividend means the disbursing of $41,000, and makes a total of 40 per cent. paid to depositors. Stephen N. Bennett, a pioneer nearly eighty-three years old, and brother-in-law of ex-Lieut. Gov. Brush, died at Greeley on the 10th inst. of disease incident to old age. Mr. Bennett came to Greeley over thirty years ago. John E. Godding, late president of the State Bank of Rocky Ford, convicted of receiving deposits after the bank was insolvent and sentenced to eight to ten years in the penitentiary at Canon City, was received into that institution on the 12th inst. Railway mail service to Walden, Colo., from Laramie, Wyo., will soon be turned over to Laramie, Hahn's Peak & Pacific railway, going by train to within thirty-five miles of Walden and then by star route. At present seventy miles is covered by stage. The scientific students and members of the University Scientific Society of the State University are cooperating with the office of state dairy commissioner for the purpose of purifying the milk and milk products which are produced in Boulder county. There is still talk at Fort Collins of Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson becoming president of Colorado Agricultural college. While it has not been definitely decided who will succeed Dr. B. O. Aylesworth, and probably will not for several weeks, there are rumors that Mr. Wilson will be chosen. The new town of Kuner, nine miles east of Greeley, has notified C. S. Morey, president of the Great Western Sugar Company, that it will donate eighty acres for a building and furnish water if he will establish a sugar factory there. Kuner town has a large cultivated area tributary to it. Conrad Markus, who came to Colorado from Russia six years ago to work in the beet fields, has just purchased an 80-acre farm a mile west of Greeley, for $13,000 from A. z. Salomon of Denver, who has held the land twenty years. Salomon purchased 320 acres for $1.50 an acre and values his remaining tract at $150 an acre. The Denver Reservoir Irrigation Company has just let a contract for the completion of the Stanley Lake dam, one of the chief works of the project, five miles north of the city limits of Denver. Kenefick & Quigley, of Kansas City, have undertaken the work for $420,000. To date on dams, canals and tunnels for the system, the irrigation c empany has let contracts calling for an expen jiture of about $1,620,000. At Cripple Creek Tucsday William Campion, a brother of Andy J. Campion, a commission man of Denver, sat down in a chair in the Jobbx of the No

15. December 19, 1908 The Glenwood Post Glenwood Springs, CO
Article from The Glenwood Post, December 19, 1908

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STATE NEWS ITEMS hold Colorado Kennel next club Spring. will bench The show in Denver started to organize a A movement a new mining has been stock exchange in capDenver. The Crystal Theatre has Company, been incorpor- theater at ated italized to at conduct $12,000, a vaudeville Greeley. voted for a gravity operAntonito has to be owned and water ated by water system the town, drawing its celefrom On large January springs. 28th anniversary Leadville will by a brate its thirtieth Leadville pioneers. There *home will coming" be "high of old times -about two miles high. of Colorado held Sunday at A congress associations will This be will be the first time the school Pueblo Dec. 27th-29th. congress has been held of outside The thirty-eighth of Denver. Teachers' annual session Associathe Colorado State in the East Side high 30th and tion school will at be Denver, held Dec. 28th, 29th, Manager 31st. A. B. Hulit of Transmission the Kansasroad to be Colorado Company, expects Power Pueblo the and to the top of com- the from 1st next. fire pleted Gorge by May 8th inst. Royal night of the and buildOn the shaft house Milling loss at Unaweep, no ings destroyed of the the Mesa Mining entailing insurance. & a Company of $12,000. There was dividend has 5 per cent. H. Malone, Another by Richard Savof the This receiver been declared defunct of Denver. Fidelity $41,000. diviAssociation of dend means a total of 40 per ings and depositors. makes the disbursing cent. pioneer paid to N. Bennett, a old, and nearly Stephen eighty-three of years ex-Lieut. the Gov. 10th brother-in-law died at Greeley on old age. Mr. Brush, of disease incident to over thirty years Bennett inst. came to Greeley of ago. E. Godding, late president Ford, conJohn State Bank of Rocky after the victed the of receiving deposits and sentenced to was insolvent the penitentiary 12th eight bank Canon to ten City, years was in received inst. into Walden. that institution at on mail the service to be Railway from Laramie, Wyo., Hahn's will soon Peak Colo., over to Laramie, by train to turned Pacific railway, going of Walden and within & thirty five miles At present seventy then by star route. stage. miles The is scientific covered students by Scientific and members Society of the University State University are dairy cooperat- coming with the office purpose of missioner for products of the the milk of state purifying which of the produced milk and in Boulder county. Collins are There is still talk at Fort James Wilson Secretary of Agriculture of Colorado Agribecoming While it has Dr. cultural college. president who will succeed not been definitely B. O. Aylesworth, decided and there probably are will rumors not weeks, chosen. miles that for several Mr. Wilson will be nine new town of notified Kuner, C.S. Mor The of Greeley, has Great Western president that it will for a east ey, Sugar Company, of building the and furnish donate faceighty acres will establish a sugar large water there. if he Kuner town to has it. a to Colocultivated tory area tributary came Conrad Markus, who years ago to work from Russia six just purchased the beet west of rado dn 80-acre farm fields, a mile has Z. Salomon Greeley, of Denan from A. land twenty Salomon values for ver, $13,000 who has held purchased and the 320 his acres reyears. $1.50 an acre an acre. maining for tract at $150 Reservoir Irrigation the Denver contract for dam, completion works Company The has of just the let Stanley a of the Lake project, of the chief of the city limits five miles morth & Quigley, of one Kenefick undertaken the canals work Kan- of Denver. have dams, sas for $420,000. tunnels City, for To the date system, contracts on the calling irrigafor William and tion an company expenditure has let of Tuesday about $1,620,000. Cripple Creek Andy J. Cam a of Campion, At commission brother man of Denver, of the Na sat a in the lobby A hotel and went to discovered later a The coroner's pion, minutes down tiona! in a chair dead. porter sleep. death that was few au Campion disclosed was the fact that the heart. topsy due to a blod a clot butcher, near thirty-four years Campion old. was He leaves of a Trinidad, widow. Demo Ben Beshoar Senate at cratic Dr. nominee for has the served state notice of the last election, Senator Casimero election contest has upon just received secretary his cer Barela, who of election from contest the was also tificate of Isaac state. Notice W. Boyles and of served upon W. Ranublican recenta

16. December 19, 1908 The Colorado Statesman Denver, CO
Article from The Colorado Statesman, December 19, 1908

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COLORADO A novement has been started to organize a new mining stock exchange in Denver. Antonito has voted for a gravity to be owned operthe town, drawing ated water by system and its water from large springs. A short distance west of Fort Morgan a Union Pacific train ran into a herd of about 125 antelope, a few days since, killing two of them. Invitations have been issued by the of Colorado for a conferof and ence University principals superintendents Boulder of high schools of the state at Jan. 1st and 2nd. The taxpayers of Denver on January vote on the about $1,000,000 of 19th suing will question school bonds of build- isfor the erection of new school ings, repairs and additions. On January 28th Leadville will celeits thirtieth of brate "home coming" anniversary Leadville pioneers. by a There will be "high old times"-about twe miles high. A congress of Colorado Sunday school associations will be held at Pueblo Dec. 27th-29th. This will be the first time the congress has been held outside of Denver. The thirty-eighth annual session of the Colorado State Teachers' Association will be held in the East Side high school at Denver, Dec. 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st. Manager A. B. Hulit of the KansasPower and Transmission expects the road to Company, Colorado be of com- the pleted from Pueblo to the top Royal Gorge by May 1st next. On the night of the 8th inst. fire the shaft house the Mesa Mining & destroyed ings of and Milling build- loss Company at Unaweep, entailing a of $12,000. There was no insurance. The new sewer system at Fort Morgan has been completed at a cost of about $60,000. Work has been going on for four months and sixteen miles of pipe have been laid. This covers the entire town and all additions. Another 5 per cent. dividend has Richard of the defunct been receiver declared by Fidelity H. Malone. divi- Savings Association of Denver. This dend means the disbursing of $41,000. and makes a total of 40 per cent. paid to depositors. Colorado College is planning a sumof in Manitou park every ducted mer school surveying to and June, be civil con- as part of the work of mining It will cost of has already which engineering $1,000 been $2,500, donated by a Denver man. N. Bennett. a Stephen old, pioneer and nearly eighty-three years of died at Greeley on brother-in-law Brush, ex-Lieut. old the Gov. 10th Mr. inst. of disease incident to age. Bennett came to Greeley over thirty years ago. John E. Godding, late president of the State Bank of Rocky Ford, convicted of receiving deposits after the insolvent and to to ten years in the eight bank was sentenced penitentiary into at Canon City, was received that institution on the 12th inst. scientific students and members of of University are The the the University State Scientific cooperat- Society comwith the office of state dairy for the purpose of and milk missioner ing the milk products purifying which are produced in Boulder county. The new town of Kuner, nine miles east of Greeley, has notified C.S. Morof the that it ey, Sugar president Company, Great will and Western furnish donate eighty acres for a building water if he will establish a sugar factory there. Kuner town has a large cultivated area tributary to it. It is reported that a $500,000 strucbe most attractive in archiand a combination a for the new nal tecture ture depot to electric of railway termifirst-class hotel, is to avenue in and on Union a Pueblo, and be hotel built that Sam F. Dutton of the Albany of Denver has practically consented to take its management. Denver.-A Grand Junction dispatch says: A steam railroad from Grand Junction to the Plateau valley, a disof miles, will the people ed, tance provided forty of be that construct- section will raise a bonus of $75,000. This was the announcement made by George Smith, a Western slope promoter, who has just returned from New York. The Denver Reservoir Irrigation has just let a contract for the of the chief works of one Company completion of the Stanley the Lake project, dam, five miles north of the city limits of Denver. Kenefick & Quigley, of Kansas City, have undertaken the work To date on and tunnels for the system, for $420,000. contracts dams, the calling canals irrigation has let for of who came to ColoConrad an c mpany expenditure Markus, about $1,620,000. rado from Russia six years ago to work

17. December 31, 1908 The Rich Hill Tribune Rich Hill, MO
Article from The Rich Hill Tribune, December 31, 1908

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FINANCIAL (O) Jan. 2-State Bank, Rockyford, CoL, closed doors. 6-Four big New York diamond firms forced into trustee's hands; liabilities, $4,500,000. $-Chicago Great Western railroad JOHN placed in hands of D. receivers. ROCKEFELLER 16-Western Bank and Trust Co., Dallas, Tex., largest Texas saving bank. placed in receiver's

18. January 2, 1909 The Guthrie Daily Leader Guthrie, OK
Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, January 2, 1909

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FINANCIAL no Jan. 2-State Bank, Rockyford, Col., closed doors. 6-Four big New York diamon d firms forced into trustee's hands: liabilities. $4,500,000 S-Chicago Great Western railroad JOHN placed in hands of receivers. 16-Western Bank ROCKBFELLER) and Trust Co., Dallas, Tex., largest Texas saving bank. placed in receiver's

19. January 15, 1909 Rocky Ford Enterprise Rocky Ford, CO
Article from Rocky Ford Enterprise, January 15, 1909

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CASHIER SMITH GETS THREE YEARS Sentence Imposed by Circuit Judge on Wednesday PLEA FOR NEW TRIAL OVERRULED defendant's Attorney Granted Sixty Days in Which to File Bill of Exceptions Judge Rizer on Wednesday morning overruled the plea for a new trial in the case of E. J. Smith, the recently convicted the defunct cashier of dramatic State Bank wit- of Rocky Ford. A scene was nessed at the sentencing, when the judge said: "Mr. Smith. you may stand up. "You have been found guilty by a jury in court of Ford State you Rocky this receiving Bank after deposits in knew the that it was insolvent. Have you anything to say why the sentence of the court should not be passed upon you at this time?" Smith said he had nothing to say at present. Attorney Hoffmire then arose and said: as I can new to the but I to say in "I don't know case, have add this anything Smith. a very no more peculiar behalf of position. Mr. Mr. Smith He is had the in to do with the management of Rocky Ford State Bank than the Czar of Russia. Heacted at all times under the control of the of the president bank, in Mr. the Godding. who is now serving a term penitenfor the same two Mr. not a tiary years Smith offense. has For been the in last condition physically to attend to business in the proper manner. As an evidence of this I will state that he a his desk for use so he put on had that private when bell felt a on summon sinking help by spell ringing coming the bell and he could thus e the alarm that he needed assistance. After failure of the the defendant bank, without one, this deeded last and property away consulting the any only piece of he owned for $11,000. to the bank to be to of "This was applied deeded the the receiver liquidation of its he you a cent to his name without debts. Today stands and before who with nothing left to support his family. are to be turned out on the cold charity of the world to shift for themselves." to for mercy in case," he his frame deep "I continued, appeal you shaking this with "It is deemotion. doubtful whether the fendant will ever live through even a short term in the penitentiary. From the beginning of this case until the present time at no time ever asked the any him, defendant, has Mr. for Godding of the information regarding the affairs bank, as he knew thoroughly how they were. "On one occasion, Mr. Godding, the president of the bank, approached Smith. telling him he had better jump his bond and the country, money skip and that would be furnished to make the bond This the do, he would rather rot penitensaying good. defendant in refused the to tiary than do anything dishonest." "From the newspaper reports," conMr. the has sengovernor cluded Hoffmire, materially "I and reduced learn I think that the it tence Mr. IS that receive the e this of defendant Godding. he be efit of all the leniency possible." Judge Rizer then said: "In all cases of this kind when courts are to pass on a called upon sentence must sufcriminal some innocent person While this to he must not to fer. permit appeals himself the be court, swayed yet from the path of duty. "Neither can the court be influenced by what the chief executive of the state has done in another case. He must do his duty faithfully as he sees it. "It is the judgment of the court that be taken from the bar of this court to the jail and with you county all possible speed to the state penitentiary, where you shall be confined for a period of not less than three nor more than four years." then moved for exceptions to the was days Mr. Hoffmire judgment and granted 60 in which to file his bill of exceptions.

20. January 16, 1909 La Junta Tribune La Junta, CO
Article from La Junta Tribune, January 16, 1909

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Cashier Smith Sentenced. E. J. Smith, cashier of the defunct Rocky Ford State Bank, was sentenc- Judge last Wednesday morning by at ed Rizer to the state penitentiary less Canon City for a term of not 1 than three nor more than four years. When court convened that morning adjourned session it was nearly seat in before Judge Rizer took his noon the bench, and after disposing he upon of a few preliminary matters, E. f e called the case of the People vs. J. Smith, who was recently convict- the r S ed of receiving or consenting to knew reception of deposits after he 1. the bank to be in an insolvent condition. It i. Mr. Smith will take his place the before the bar of the court." said t judge. and as the defendant, asked with bowed head. complied, he was before if he had anything to say sentence was passed upon. € "I have nothing to say, your hon>. replied Smith in calm tones, Hoffor." and at this juncture Attorney mire arose and addressed the court of behalf of Smith, making one if 2 on the most eloquent and pathetic appeals for mercy ever heard in the dis- detrict court room. Mr. Hoffmire clared that his client had never made that loan or a scratch of a pen a the president of the bank did more not know all about, and he was no the S responsible for the failure of of e Rocky Ford bank than the Czar It Russia. Smith had been a sick bank man . for two years, and when in the r during the six months previous to the failure had always had a bell on his desk which he utilized to sum- a d mon assistance whenever he had o premonition of the fainting spells, with which he was afficted, coming Mr. Hoffmire created somewhat of on. a sensation by making the declay ration that only upon one occasion had since the failure of the bank Smith had a conference with Godd ding, and on this occasion Godding made an effort to induce him to jump his $20,000 bond, offering to d provide the funds necessary to make his escape to some foreign country. Smith absolutely refused to consider r the proposition, and declared that his he n would spend the remainder of 1days in the penitentiary. if necesd sary, rather than prove false to the S friends that had gone on his bond. n Mr. Hoffmire further stated that Smith had deeded a residence worth h $11,000 to the receiver of the bank. It and that at the present time he and his family were practically destitute He and without a cent in the world. also thought that his client was entitled to the greatest consideration for mercy from the fact that Godding had recently been the recipient of executive clemency and his sentence commuted from ten to two and one-half years. Judge Rizer was evidently not much pleased with Mr. Hoffmire's "parallel for clemency," and stated that he would in no way be influexanced by any act of the chil ecutive. as it had nothing to do with the gulit or innocence of the defendant at the bar. If judges were actuated by pleas for sympathy. half the criminals in the penitentiary would be at large. Judge Rizer then instructed the sheriff to take Mr. Smith from the bar of the court to the county jail. and with all convenient speed to the state penitentiary at Canon City, there to be confined for a period of not less than three years, nor more than four years. Mr. Hoffmire gave notice of an exception to the judgment of the court, and was given twenty days to petition for a supersedeas and make an appeal to the supreme court.

21. June 24, 1910 Rocky Ford Enterprise Rocky Ford, CO
Article from Rocky Ford Enterprise, June 24, 1910

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GODDING WILL BE REARRESTED So Decides Depositors in Mass Meeting Wednesday CHARGE CONSPIRACY TO WRECK BANK Receiver Comes in for Censure Because of Infrequent Reports to Depositors Pursuant to a call of the depositors committee a mass meeting of depositors of the defunct State Bank was held in 1. O. O.F. hall on Wednesday evening for the purpose of determining whether there should be any further prosecution of John E. Godding. the convicted banker, who is due to leave the penitentiary next Monday. Paul M. North was elected chairman and S. S. Bailey secretary. and the depositors at once got down to business and unanimously adopted the following preamble and resolution presented by J.W. Edgar: Whereas, John E. Godding. late president of the State Bank of Rocky Ford. who was tried and convicted on the charge of receiving deposits when the bank was insolvent and when he know it was insolvent, and who was triea upon four counts and convicted and sentenced by District Judge Rizer to a term of from 8 to 10 years in the state penitentiary, and whose sentence was later reduced to 2 years in each case and the sentences made to run at the same time, by ExGov. H. A. Buchtel in an act that was neither decent nor christian under the facts presented to him by the depositors; and Whereas, John E. Godding will be released from the penitentiary on June 27, by reason of this commutation. after an imprisonment of only about 17 months; and Whereas, His punishment has not equalled his crime by any means: he was guilty of receiving deposits when his bank was insolvent for years prior to its failure; he was even guilty of a conspiracy to wreck his bank. as the institution could not have been in a worse condition when it failed: therefore be it Resolved by the depositors of the late State Bank of Rocky Ford, that John E. Godding be rearrested immediately upon his release from the penitentiary, and that he be retried upon the charge of receiving deposits when the bank was insolvent and also upon the charge of being a party to conspiracy to wreck the bank. and that the district attorney be instructed to push these cases at once and try them as soon as possible at the next term of court; and a copy of this resolution be sent to the district attorney immediately. On motion of W. J. Brown the old depositors committee was discharged and a new one elected consisting of Paul M. North, A. C. Sloan, George Todd, H. M. Minor and O. J. Baxter. Receiver Hall was freely censured because of his failure to report conditions as frequently as the depositors felt they were entitled, and the meeting passed resolutions insisting upon being more frequently informed in future. The meeting then adjourned subject to call of the committee.

22. December 17, 1910 La Junta Tribune La Junta, CO
Article from La Junta Tribune, December 17, 1910

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Argument in Godding Case Postponed Taking of testimony was concluded in the Godding case In the district court last Saturday, in which G. M. Hall, as receiver of the defunct State Bank of Rocky Ford, is endeavoring to secure possession of the Godding home in Rocky Ford and a one-half interest in the bank building. Loth of which are in the name of Mrs. J. E. Godding. The lawyers were anx. lous to conclude the caca Saturday and asked for a night session in which to make the argument. Judge Morris, of Colorado Springs, who presided on the bench during the trial, said that be did not feel like listen. ing to the argument that evening. and as he wanted to go home and spend Christmas with his family. be would postpone further consideration of the case` until Friday, December 30th. when the lawyers would be given an opportunity to exercise theil vocal powers for the reat of the year, If they felt no Inclined.

23. January 12, 1912 Rocky Ford Enterprise Rocky Ford, CO
Article from Rocky Ford Enterprise, January 12, 1912

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PERSONAL AND $1 LOCAL Louis Warren spent Friday in Pueblo. W. B. Gobin left on Wednesday for Denver. Dr. O. H. Benner made a business trip to Pueblo on Friday. John Byars left last week for a visit with relatives in Georgia. W. J. Lloyd, traveling agent of the Erie Railroad, spent Wednesday in this city. Paul Gobin and C.E. Bolton made a business trip to Ordway on Wednesday John Shireman and wife left Sunday for Amarillo, Tex., to make their home. J. C. McBride and family left on Tuesday for their future home in Arkansas. W. W. Stahl, county attorney of Lyons, Kan., is visiting Dr. T. W. Scott and family. Miss Ada Maxwell delightfully entertained the Mu Ta Delta young ladies on Monday. Miss Ruth Beaty of Colorado Springs spent Monday with her aunt, Mrs. J. W. Bowman. Mrs. Cassatt and fsmily will leave next week for Missouri, where they will make their home. G, W. Roberts, president of the Roberts Furniture Co. arrived on Monday from Portland, Ore., and will make his future home in this city. Miss Dot Redden of Buchanan, Mich., is a visitor at the home of her cousin, Mrs. C. H. Redden. Mrs. Jennie Dorflinger, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Martin, left on Tuesday for her home in Kansas, J. Rohrer returned to his home in Colorado Springs yesterday, after a pleasant visit with Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Johuson. H.H. Fisher, superintendent of construction of the Arkansas Valley Railway, Light and Power Co, spent Friday and Saturday in Pueblo. Mrs. Elizabeth Gallaway who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Cal Foulke and other relatives in the city returned to her home at Okama Okla., on Tuesday. J. F. Hohnbaum and family left for their homestead near Ayer on Wednesday. They have rented their town residence and say they are going to the farm "for keeps." Receiver G. M. Hall returned on Tuesday from Longmont, where he was representing the defunct State Bank of Rocky Ford in the annual stockholders meeting of the Godding Ditch Co.

24. December 27, 1913 La Junta Tribune La Junta, CO
Article from La Junta Tribune, December 27, 1913

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# New Secretary of High Line At a meeting of the board of directors of the High Line canal the first of the week, Lloyd R. Pollock was elected as the new secretary to succeed G. M. Hall. The High Line office is to remain in Rocky Ford, and will not be removed from the Elm avenue location which it has occupied for nearly a quarter of a century. Mr. Pollock will assume the duties of his new position on January 1st. No person in the entire valley, aside from Mr. Hall, knows more about the business of the High Line company than Mr. Pollock. The directors of the canal are to be congratulated upon being able to secure his services. He has been associated with Mr. Hall in the High Line office for a number of years. During that time he has been one of the workers for Rocky Ford's annual fair, and has assisted Mr. Hall in his work as receiver for the State Bank, and as secretary for the High Line company. Mr. Hall will at once assume the management and superintendency of the Holbrook canal. He will retain his residence in Rocky Ford but has not yet decided that he will have an office in this city. The greater part of his work be out in the canal district - Rocky Ford Tribune.

25. June 26, 1915 La Junta Tribune La Junta, CO
Article from La Junta Tribune, June 26, 1915

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Finale of Rocky Ford Bank Failure. Lloyd R. Pollock. acting for Receiver G. M. Hall of the defunct State Bank of Rocky Ford, is making final arrangements for the settlement of the affairs of the Rocky Ford State Bank. It is probable that the last of the dividens will be paid by Mr. Pollock within the next few weeks and that the court will dismiss the receiver. Negotiations have been pending for some time for the settlement. Mr. Hall came from Hollister, Idaho, recently and with the co-operation of Judge J. E. Rizer, of the district court. and other persons interested the final plans were effected. Suits brought by the receiver against R. M. Pollock, trustee for Emma A. Godding. have been dismissed. and everything is clear for a final settlement. Agents for Mrs. Godding paid to L. R. Pollock into the funds of the State Bank the total sum of $5,750. which amount was agreed upon in the settlement, and Mrs. Godding retains possession of both bank building and residence property. These suits and all other matters have been compromised to the best advantage of the depositors. Judge Rizer has ordered Mr. Pollock to dispose of two lots still owned by the bank. As soon as these are sold. and a few uncalled for claims are disposed of. Mr. Pollock will pay the final divident, which t is thought will amount to three or four per cent. Three dividends have been paid by Receiver Hall since the bank failure. totaling 21 per cent. The final payment will net the depositors of the bank a total dividend close to 25 per cent.