13127. Binghamton Savings Bank (Binghamton, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
February 12, 1903
Location
Binghamton, New York (42.099, -75.918)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
cf369f01dbafafb8

Response Measures

None

Description

A localized run occurred after an immigrant depositor misinterpreted a 'Closed — Lincoln's birthday' sign and told fellow countrymen, who withdrew about $30,000. The articles describe only withdrawals and explicitly state the run did not extend further; there is no suspension or closure mentioned.

Events (1)
1. February 12, 1903 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
A depositor mistook the 'Closed — Lincoln's birthday' sign (and/or could not read it), reported the bank had suspended, prompting members of the local Slav community to withdraw funds.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
Depositor misread 'Closed — Lincoln's birthday' sign; thought bank suspended
Newspaper Excerpt
On the door of the bank was a card, on which in large letters appeared the word Closed and under in smaller letters Lincoln's birthday. ... the Slavs were on hand in force and during the day drew out nearly $30,000.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)
1. February 20, 1903 Waterbury Democrat Waterbury, CT
Article from Waterbury Democrat, February 20, 1903

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

BANK WAS CLOSED. Ignorant Depositor Started Run on Binghamton Bank. BINGHAMTON, N. Y., Feb. 20.-On Lincoln's birthday a member of the local Slav colony went to the Binghamton Savings bank to get some money on his pass book in ignorance that it was a legal holiday. On the door of the bank was a card, on which in large letters appeared the word "Closed" and under in smaller letters "Lincoln's birthday." The Slav immediately told his countrymen of his failure to get money, and since then the Slavs have been in a ferment. That night a meeting was held on Chenango street, and the Slavonian leaders advised their fellow countrymen to draw their money. When the bank opened yesterday morning the Slavs were on hand in force and during the day drew out nearly $30,000. Their action created only amusement among the other patrons of the bank and the run did not e cend to other

2. February 28, 1903 The Times Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from The Times Dispatch, February 28, 1903

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# SHE WANTED HER # SHARE OF MONEY Negro Woman Writes to Bank for Pension Under the Hanna Bill, (Special to The Times-Dispatch.) BINGHAMTON, N. Y., February 27- President Charles Gennett, of the Bing- hamton Savings Bank, received a letter from Anna Harris, of No. 30 Morris Street, Hackensack, N. J., asking him to forward to her mother the amount due her as an ex-slave under the law passed by Senator Hanna, giving all ex-slaves a bounty on Lincoln's birthday. The origin of this remarkable request arose from printed accounts of a run on the Binghamton Bank caused by the Slaves who, unable to read a sign an- nouncing the bank would close on Lin- coln's birthday, thought it had suspended. The Harris woman evidently confused Slay with slaves, and wanted her share of the cash.