Multiple newspapers report a one-day run on the Citizens Bank of Buffalo (Jan 17–18, 1905) triggered by anonymous letters urging depositors to withdraw. The bank remained open (reopened at 9 a.m. next day); clearing house aid was offered but not requested. Withdrawals ~ $100,000. No suspension or receivership mentioned.
Events (1)
1.January 17, 1905Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Anonymous letters sent to depositors urging them to withdraw their deposits; possibly amplified by large withdrawals by brewers cashing pay checks.
Measures
Bank announced it would reopen at 9 a.m. the next day and that all depositors wishing to withdraw would be promptly paid; clearing house aid was offered but not requested.
Newspaper Excerpt
A run was started today on the Citizens' Bank, due, according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits. At 4:45 it was announced from the bank that the run was nearly over.
Source
newspapers
Newspaper Articles (10)
1.January 18, 1905Daily Kennebec JournalAugusta, ME
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Article Text
Cause a Run on the Citizens' Bank at Buffalo, N. Y. Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 17.-A run was started. today. on the Citizens' Bank. due, according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that "depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits," and possibly to the withdrawal of large sums of money by brewers. which they sent around to saloons for the purpose of cashing pay checks of railroad men. About : o'clock, about 50 persons were in the bank. some withdrawing and others depositing money. At 4.45, it was announced from the bank that the run was nearly over. Depositors were informed that the bank would reopen, at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. and that all depositors wishing to withdraw their money would be promptly paid. It was announced that the withdrawals during the day amounted to about $100,000.
2.January 18, 1905The Daily Morning Journal and CourierNew Haven, CT
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Article Text
R UN ON BUFFALO BANK Due to Anonymous Letters Sent to Depositors. Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 17.-A run was started to-day on the Citizens bank, due, according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters, stating that depositors "would serve their interests by withdrawing deposits," and possibly to the withdrawal of large sums of money by brewers, which they sent around to saloons for the purpose of cashing pay checks of railroad men. At 3 o'clock about fifty persons were in the bank, some withdrawing and others depositing money. At 4:45 it was announced from the bank that the run was practically over. President McDougall of the Bank of Buffalo, and chairman of the Buffalo Clearing House association, said this afternoon: "The Citizens bank is sound and it can have aid of the clearing house if it wants it. And yet it has asked no aid." When the doors of the bank were closed about 5 o'clock between thirty and :forty depositors were still in line waiting to draw their money. They were informed that the bank would reopen at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning, and that all depositors wishing to withdraw their money would be promptly paid. It was announced that the withdrawals during the day amounted to about $100,000.
3.January 18, 1905Rock Island ArgusRock Island, IL
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Article Text
RUN ON A BUFFALO BANK Anonymous Writer Sends Depositors in an Army to Citizens' Institution. Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 18.-A run on the Citizens' bank was started yesterday, due, according to President Joseph Block, to recepit by depositors of anonymous letters stating that they would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits. At 4:45 it was announced from the bank that the run practically was over.
4.January 18, 1905The Saint Paul GlobeSaint Paul, MN
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Article Text
Buffalo--A harmless run was started on the Citizens' bank, due, it is said, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that "depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits."
Run on Buffalo Bank. BUFFALO. Jan. 18.-A run was started yesterday on the Citizens' bank. lasting only for the day. due. according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that "depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits" and possibly to the withdrawal of large sums of money by brewers which they sent around to saloons for the purpose of cashing pay checks of railroad men.
Run on Buffalo Bank. BUFFALO, Jan. 18.-A run was started yesterday on the Citizens' bank, lasting only for the day, due, accordIng to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that "depositors would serve their Interests by withdrawing their deposIts" and possibly to the withdrawal of large sums of money by brewers which they sent around to saloons for the purpose of cashing pay checks of railroad men.
Run on Buffalo Bank. BUFFALO. Jan. 18.-A run was started yesterday on the Citizens' bank. lasting only for the day. due, according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that "depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits" and possibly to the withdrawal of large sums of money by brewers which they sent around to saloons for the purpose of eashing pay checks of railroad men.
8.January 19, 1905The ColumbianBloomsburg, PA
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Article Text
Run on Buffalo Bank. BUFFALO, Jan. 18.-A run was started yesterday on the Citizens' bank, lasting only for the day, due, according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters stating that "depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits" and possibly to the withdrawal of large sums of money by brewers which they sent around to saloons for the purpose of cashing pay checks of railroad men.
9.January 19, 1905Ottumwa Tri-Weekly CourierOttumwa, IA
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Article Text
LETTERS START BANK RUN. Anonymous Writer Sends Depositors in an Army to Buffalo Institution. Buffalo, N. Y., Jan. 18.-A run on the Citizens' bank was started yesterday, due, according to President Joseph Block, to receipt by depositors of anonymous letters statting that they would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits. At 4:45 it was announced from the bank that the run was practically over.
10.January 24, 1905Wausau PilotWausau, WI
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Article Text
Letters Start Run on Bank. A run was started in the Citizens' Bank in Buffalo, due, according to President Joseph Block, to the sending out of anonymous letters asserting "depositors would serve their interests by withdrawing their deposits." Late in the day it was announced the run was virtually over.
