13391. Second National Bank (Elmira, NY)

View Charter #149 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
149
Charter Number
149
Start Date
August 7, 1883
Location
Elmira, New York (42.090, -76.808)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
dcfa048824150d93

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Fed/other loan, Public signal of financial health

Description

Multiple contemporary newspapers (dated Aug 7–8, 1883) report a run on the Second National Bank of Elmira caused by rumors that President D. R. Pratt lost large sums speculating in pork. Articles state the bank was believed solvent, the president could cover losses, and deposits were available; a reaction calmed the panic and there is no mention of suspension or closure. OCR variants (e.g., Prat) corrected to D. R. Pratt. One article (Portland Daily Press, Aug 9) notes $100,000 received from New York to help.

Events (3)
1. December 11, 1863 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. August 7, 1883 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Run triggered by revelations/rumors that the bank's president D. R. Pratt lost large sums (reported $150,000–$200,000) speculating in pork, raising doubts about bank soundness.
Measures
President settled demands from his private fortune; bank had funds ready to pay depositors; $100,000 reported received from New York to assist.
Newspaper Excerpt
There is a big run on the Second National Bank of Elmira, in consequence of its president, D. R. Pratt, having lost $150,000 in pork speculation.
Source
newspapers
3. February 25, 1939 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (10)
1. August 8, 1883 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME
Article from The Portland Daily Press, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

NEW YORK. / Run on n Bank. NEW YORK, Aug. 7.-The Commercial says there is a run on the Second National Bank of Elmira, in consequence of its president, D.R. Pratt, having lost $150,000 in pork speculation. The bank is believed to be solvent. Will Not Attempt to Swim Up the Hudson. Norris Taylor Collinge, the English swimmer, who recently failed in his attempt to swim from Albany to New York in six days, announced that he would again attempt it, starting from New York and going up the Hudson with every flood tide. Forsome unexplained reason the programme was not carried out. Keno Players Interrupted. "Keno," followed by the cry of "Police," suddenly stopped a flourishing game of keno at the Iroquois House at Coney Island last night. About ten players were in when the police entered, seized all the instruments and arrested the dealers. Great excitnment was caused, and all the inmates broke for the doors and windows. A Panic on a Ferry Boat, A singular accident occurred last night to the ferryboat Darcy of Jersey. The packing of the engine blew out, and the engine-room became filled with steam. The engineer was driven out, and a panic ensued among the passengers. The boat ran against the bulkhead with a frightful shock, and one of the terrified passengers climbed up the bulkhead. Coated With Tar and Feathers. TROY, August 7.-About a year ago Albert Voss, a bright, well-mannered young German, who is believed to be well connected in Germany, took up his abode in Castleton, a Hudson river village, fourteen miles from here. He soon made friends with Henry Hoffman, a fellow-countryman, who possesses considerable property, a wife, and five children. It was not long before the villagers remarked that Voss and Mrs. Hoffman were very frequently in each other's company. The gossips talked to Hoffman, who recently scolded his wife and broke of his friendship for Voss. The couple, however, met as before, and a week ago Mrs Hoffman left her husband, and with Voss took a residence opposite the Hoffman dwelling. The villagers were incensed at the open immorality of the couple. A delegation on Thursday last waited upon Voss and ordered him to depart within six hours. Mrs. Hoffman by some means compromised with her husband, and not only induced him to take her back, bat secured his help in secreting Voss in the Hoffman residence. The Castleton people on Saturday night heard of Voss' whereabouts. One hundred men called at the Hoffman place and commanded the Hoffmans to produce him. Backed by his wife, Hoffman showed fight. Some of the party climbed to the roof, and, cutting their way through with axes, entered the garret, where they found Voss. He was covered with the contents of a pot of slack lime and then taken out. Escorted by the indignant populace, he was marched to a secluded spot, where he was stripped and tarred and feathered. Then he was marched through the village, and at its outskirts his clothes were returned to him and he was ordered never to return. The crowd went back to Hoffman's house and told him that if Voss was again harbored Hoffman and his wife would be tarred and feathered also. Mysterions Case of Drowning. Information of a mysterious cause of drowning was last evening given at the York-street Station in Brooklyn. Daniel J. Cunan stated that he was standing at the foot of Gold-street, when he saw a skiff in the water bottom upward, with a man clinging to it. Cunan threw off his clothes and plunged in. Before he could reach the boat the stranger lost his hold and sank.

2. August 8, 1883 Daily Globe Saint Paul, MN
Article from Daily Globe, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FINANCIAL WRECKS. REBATCH OF FAILURES ENGLAND. ANOTHER PORTED FROMNEW Cases Very Heavy The Liabilities in Hinge Most Upon the Other Un- to -Each Seems Extent-A to General eling of easiness a Great in Commercial Circles. Aug. 7.-The Herald this morning says there of BOSTON, in Lynn the suspenwere reports on account of small sion of Chas. Most of the several failures, W. Clements, among shoes made manufacturers. Clements' trade. by amorg those affected by Gale them is were for factories reported embarrassed. thirty Samuel the or None of the failure employ said over their suspenhands, and The Shaw in effe thought to of business men to undersion Clements' forty is onlytemporary. be Lynn's more it far is given reaching than failureis states the ct stand. on public some has been H. Mars failure places C. thought the position that he the city's financiers in a It isasserthe one was that of not several thought suspensions to occupy. will during occur the the linen manufacturers is thought no few be involved in any YORK, will Aug. 7.-The a big run on says of Elmira among amounts ed ensaing Advertiser NEW days, there but is it commercial case. in Pratt, large con- the Second National bank president, D. R. speculation. sequence having lost of $150,000 its in to be pork solvent and has The president bank is able believed to stand the loss of $150,000 a or $300,000. 7.-W. C. & R. M. in Silsby, BOSTON, Aug. H., have failed, contanners of Troy, failure N. of Hersey, make Whittier no & sequence Wyman, of of the E. Boston. H. McClure, They will tanner also failed. and currier of of these firms assignment. Peabody, Mass., has are not defiknown. & Co., wool made Federal street, all their property firm is an employee houses of nitely The assignment Wright, liabilities Wooster of have failed The and dealers to Boston, Lester one an of prominent business. The of the done a large a ties Goodwin, and has thought wool to aggregate has stood in liabil- worth heavy very are The concern been considered failure figure. good $100,000 credit and to $150,000. the trade. The yet is from causes regards surprise the liabilities.nothing those as As definitely, but are of the opinion bulk known the firm's business exceed $300,000, the banks, that they thought to be of cases, which it the father of have, in Jno. Worster, firm, and who and who Worster of endorsement with which of will the is of not worth majority $500,000 owed is currently to out- the the reported as far to as be known, engaged retired in from is any trade since. to a several upon as of due distrust in a great now prevalent in side not, feeling business, years community. having The part failure 7.President general looked the mercantile ALBANS, Vt., August company says The last the Brainerd ST. of will the not Trust lose depositors much. with dedepositors 2,100 railroad men posits of $600,000. Fairbanks, statement showed Several held a conferGov. Barlow's the Eastern to the South said a The its including statement of ence bank incorrect. to-day loan that at suggested comptroller comptroller residence. reduction. approved for road The an it was too large and bank prepared take place. was First National did not failure The unexpected run Aug. which 7.-Barlow's here. The local creof the insolvates no are said to have amply some secured. claims The ent banks paper, but are railroad $1,250,000 has secured against lent the lately, but bonds. The Canadian Pacific Southeastern mortgage fully for association has for re- by port that from loss $1,750,000 money the first Investment failure is not consuspended firmed. by 7.-Just prior to their the Me., Aug. & Bro.'s of) Ring, mortgage BANGOR, property of F. Shaw in recorded, Maine to Bangor attachments S. E. parbeing put on by $50,000, of were of about personal by Portland, telegraph amount Vanceboro and Poulton. to- on of ties to the Kingman, was received cords not the that the bnt the bark A dispatch asking at from release Boston so of 100 tannery there day bark at Kingman, be obliged to Should suspend, they not be tanneries might was refused. bark the loss to might request able to in have the obtain to process shut the down, of tanning and the was would some be in of hides very great. N. Y., Aug. circles -There yesterday to the morning the Second anxiety ELMIRA, on account business rumors National as bank, of its of rumored uscertained that caused by the When it was all the had from his private thousand the soundness president. president settled peculations hundred demands fortune, a against the himself him still several bank had reaction money and other dollars, leaving and every that depositor, DO excitement, cause for alarm. took ready place. to pay banks Now assert there there is is no

3. August 8, 1883 Memphis Daily Appeal Memphis, Hernando, Grenada, Jackson, Vicksburg, Atlanta, Griffin, Macon, Montgomery, Selma, TN
Article from Memphis Daily Appeal, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Kun on a Bank. NEW YORK, August 7.-The Commercial Advertiser says there is a big run on the Second National Bank of Elmira in couse quence of its president, D. R. Prat, having lo-t $150,000 in a pork speculation. The bonk is believed to be solvent, and is able to stand a loss of $150,000 or $300,000. Another account says: There was Fome anxiety in business circles yesterday morning on account of rumors 88 to the soundness of the Second National Bank, eaused by the rumored epeculation of its president. When i: was ascertained that the president had aettied all demands against himself from his private fortune, leaving him still worth sev. eral hundred thousand dollars, and that the bank had money ready to pay every depositor, a reaction took place. There is now no excitement. The other banks assert that there is no cause for alarm.

4. August 8, 1883 National Republican Washington, DC
Article from National Republican, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FRAGILE FIRMS. The Big Failures in Boston Likely to be Followed by a Lot of Smaller Ones-A Brief Run on a Bank at Elmira, N.Y. BOSTON, Aug. 7.-The Herald says there were reports in Lynn this morning of several failures on account of the suspension of Charles W. Clements among small manufacturers. Most of the shoes made by them were for Mr. Clements's trade. Samuel Gale was among those reported as embarrassed. None of the factories affected by the Clement's fall employ over thirty or forty hands, and it is said their suspension will be only temporary. The Shaw failures is thought to be more far reaching in its effect upon some of Lynn's business men than the public has yet been given to understand The C. H. Ward statement is thought peculiar, and places one of the city's financiers in a position which he was not thought to occupy. It is asserted that several suspensions will occur among the small Lynn manuficturers during the ensuing few days, but it is thought that no large amounts will be involved in any case. The Traveller says Wm. B. Fowle, treasurer of the Auburndale Watch company, failed last night. His liabilities are now supposed to be small, although nothing definite has yet been learned. The failure will undoubtedly involve the Auburndale Watch company, whose liabilities, it is thought, will far exceed the assets. BOSTON, Aug. 7.-Wright, Wooster & Co., wool dealers, at No. 86 Federal street, failed to-day and made an assignment of all their property to Lester Goodwin, of Newton. one of their employes. The firm is one of the prominent wool houses of Boston, and has done a large business. The liabilities are supposed to be heavy. The concern stood well and was considered to be worth from $100,000 to $150,000. The failure causes much surprise in the trade. As the regards the liabilities nothing is yet definitely known, but those conversant with the firm's business are of the opinion that they do not exceed $300,000. The bulk of this is thought to be owed to the banks which havein the majority of cases the indorsement of John Wooster, father of Mr. Wooster, of the firm who is currently reputed to be worth $500,000, and who is not, as far as known, engaged in any outside business, having retired from trade several years since. The failure is looked upon as due in a great part to the general feeling of distrust now prevalent in the mercantile community. ST. ALBANS, VT., Aug. 7.-The effect of the Barlow failure is to depress business affairs here to-day. The result of the investigation of the affairs of the bank by the examiner will not be known until to-night or to-morrow. President Brainard, of the trust company, says that the depositors will not lose much, but the latter are not so hopeful. The trust company's last statement showed 2,100 depositors, with deposits of $500,000. Several railway men, including Gov. Fairbanks. held a conference to-day at Barlow's residence. The statement that the comptroller approved of the bank's loan to the Southeastern rail1 way was incorrect. The comptroller said it was too large, and suggested its reduction. The First National bank expected and prepared for a run this morning, but none took e S place. NEW YORK, Aug. 7.-The Commercial Ade vertiser in its financial columns says: Mutter$ ings were heard of the distress of a $200,000 capitalized bank in Elmira, whose surplus 5 was over $50,000. Upon investigation, it was learned that there was a big run on the bank, e the Second National of Elmira, in conse1 quence of its president, Mr. D. R. Pratt, having lost $150,000 in pork speculation. The bank is believed to be solvent, as the president is fully able to stand the loss of $150,000 or $300,000. ELMIRA, Aug. 7.-There was some anxiety in business circles here yesterday morning on account of rumors as to the sounduess of the Second National bank, caused by the rumored speculation of its president. When it was ascertained that the president had settled all demands against him from his private fortune, leaving him still worth several hundred thousand, and that the bank had money ready to pay every depositor, a reaction took place. To-day there is no excitement, and the other banks assert there is no cause for alarm.

5. August 8, 1883 Wheeling Register Wheeling, WV
Article from Wheeling Register, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Run ou a Bank. NEW YORK, August 7-There is a big run on the Second National Bank of E'mira, in consequence of its president. D R. Pratt, having lost $150,000 in a pork speculation. The bank is believed to be solvent. as the president is able to stand losses of $150,000 or $300,000.

6. August 8, 1883 Daily Globe Saint Paul, MN
Article from Daily Globe, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FINANCIAL WRECKS. ANOTHER BATCH OF FAILURES REPORTED FROM NEW ENGLAND. The Liabilities in Most Cases Very Heavy to Each Seems to Hinge Upon the Other a Great Extent-A General Feeling of Uneasiness in Commercial Circles. BOSTON, Aug. 7.-The Herald says there of were reports in Lynn this morning several failures, on account of the suspen- small sion of Chas. W. Clements, among made manufacturers. Most of the shoes them were for Clements' trade. Samuel Gale by is amorg those reported embarrassed. the None of the factories affected by failure employ over thirty or and it is said their is The to be more far reaching the of Lynn's business men sion thought forty Clements' some hands, onlytemporary. Shaw in than failureis suspen- under- effect H. on public has been given Mars to states stand. he C. thought the failure places that of the city's financiers in a Itisassert- position one was not thought to occupy. occur he that several suspensions will the the linen manufacturers few days, but it is thought no ed among ensning during case. large will be involved in any Aug. -The the amounts NEW YORK, commercial on Advertiser says there is a big run in conNational bank of Elmira of its president, D. lost $150,000 in pork is believed to be The a able to stand the loss Second sequence having president bank solvent speculation. R. of and $150,- Pratt, has 000 or $300,000. 7 W. C. & R. M. Silsby, BOSTON, of Aug. Troy, N. H., have failed, Whittier in contannere of the failure of Hersey, make no sequence Wyman, of Boston. They will and & assignment. E. H. McCluie, tanner failed. of Peabedy, Mass., has also deficurrier of these firms are not Wooster & Co., wool have failed and Lester of all their property is one nitely The liabilties assignment Federal Wright, known. street, firm dealers to made an of an employe. The Boston, Goodwin, prominent wool houses of The liabilof the done a large business. and has thought to aggregate a in heavy very ties are The concern has stood worth figure. credit and been considered failure good from $100,000 to $150,000. The surprise in the trade. causes regards the liabilities,nothing conversant asyet is As definitely, but those opinion known the firm's business are of the bulk with will not exceed $300,000,the to banks, that they it is thought to be owed the of which in the majority of cases, of the endorsement which have, of Jno. Worster, father currently of the firm, and who is and who Worster to be worth $500,000 out- is reported far as known, engaged in from any trade not, as business, having retired looked side since. The failure is general several as years due in a great part to a in the feeling upon of distrust now prevalent mercantile ALBANS, community. Vt., August 7.-President the ST. of the Trust company says The last Brainerd will not lose much. with dedepositors showed 2,100 depositors railroad men statement $600,000. Several conferincluding posits of Gov. Fairbanks, residence. held a The at Barlow's approved ence to-day that the comptroller road statement loan to the South Eastern said it of a bank The comptroller reduction. incorrect. and suggested its for too National bank prepared The which did not failure unexpected run Aug. 7.--Barlow's The here. MONTREAL, was was First large embarrassment take place. local cre- an ates no to have some of banks are said but are amply secured. has Canadian Pacific for $1,250,000 ent paper, the Southeastern railroad secured the insolv- claims The for re- by against money $1,750,000 lent first lately, Investment mortgage but fully bonds. association The has suspended port that the from loss by failure is not confirmed. Me., Aug. 7.-Just prior of to their the BANGOR, of F. Shaw & Bro.'s E. Ring, mortgage personal property in recorded, Maine to attachments S. of Portland, being put on by Bangor par- on by telegraph amount were of about and $50,000, Poulton. ties to the Kingman, Vanceboro received tobark A dispatch at the from release Boston of was the 100 tannery cords of bark at Kingman, so to suspend, bnt not be obliged Should they not day might asking that there the be request was refused. the bark the tanneries loss to able to obtain shut down, and the would be might hides in have the to process of tanning business very ELMIRA, great. N. Y., Aug. 7.-There circles was yesterday some the anxiety in on account of rumors as to bank, morning the Second National of its soundness of rumored speculations that caused by the When it was ascertained the demands president. had settled all private fortune, against leaving the president himself him still from several the his bank hundred had thousand money to pay every DO dollars, ready and Now that there-is depositor, excitement, a reaction cause for alarm. took and other place. banks assert there is no

7. August 8, 1883 Eureka Daily Sentinel Eureka, NV
Article from Eureka Daily Sentinel, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

to will begin several moval Chicago, of branch who who been for here been the greatly change. in for Washing in pay, when, to they dislike They and here not duction frontier. probable be will taken will who in the place Aug. CHICAGO, the Pacific conflict the fornia is that believed will two the have Grande for & California of of free in Union done learness Omaha to Ogden allowing the Salt Union Pacific line for of be also going free and Denver course, charge. the Union for the is other there Rio Denver which, reduction to the line other compel likewise. the Notes Strike. the best Aug. CHICAGO, 7.-From very that appears the of left the employ operators and Alton Chicago Railroads. of the the effect at on the exceed officials to on both posts reported these Aug. New YORK, at Western Union the Casca officials cut; cables 26 Union rendered the Amerito routes Union's the evident Boston of the Boston intention of the SulliSquare Madison One reward dollars Garden. and now conviction the any wires. person tampering the was on the of set for time To-operators of the the Baltimore this Ohio 1:30 Railroad, noon King Supt. Interruption to and work: business a is ST. Aug. nothing LOUIS, the new this locally morning -There Sarding M. no and 12:30 strike, on telegraphers the had been reported inwithdrawals no and Iron were there line, Mountain of strike. dications o of the King Aug. _Supt. PITTSBURG, at & that about Ohio reports of the Baltimore o'clock operators on the quit division working Pittsburg are work strike Aug. among CINCINNATI, the road railroad operators to ing has this up into city place 1:30 P the on Press Strike. NEW Aug. YORK, Times opinion.-A editorial to It this likely weaken saye: morning to the the out call railroad Brotherhood To out call now them would operators. is of they savor clear That of to are own their not notion inclined leave their Sun The action in the out calling the operatora says wrong that out them amounts e to the strike telegraph declaration d has failed. e A in Hot Water. Watch Company The Aug. BOSTON, Traveler saye B. of the Wm. Fowler, AuburnTreasurer last dale Watch failed night. Company, to be His small, liabilities yet learned. nothing although The the failure involves Watch Company. Auburndale on Kun Bank. NEW Aug. YORK, __The Commercial on is run big the there says d Advertiser in of conBank Elmira, R. D. Pratt, al Second National President, pork speculation. loss sequence saying The he of lost bank its $150,000 says is believed in to to be stand golvent. the The of President $150,000 or $300,000.

8. August 8, 1883 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Herald, August 8, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Bank Row. New York, 7.-The Commercial. Aavertiser says there is a big run on the Second National Bank of Elmira in consequence of its president, D. R. Pratt, saying he lost $150,000 in pork specuistion. The bank is believed to becolvent, and says the president is able to stand the loss of $150,000 or $300,000.

9. August 9, 1883 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME
Article from The Portland Daily Press, August 9, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

A Bank's Credit Endangered by Specula tion. ROCHESTER, Aug. 8. -The rumors affecting the solvency of the Second National bank of Elmira grew out of the fact that the President had been speculating in pork. The firm of S. X. Metzger & Son of Elmira, for years has been known far and wide as being extensively engaged in the beef and pork trade. The firm consisted of S. X. Metzger & Son, of Elmira, for years has been known far and wide as being extensively engaged in the beef and pork trade. The firm consisted of S. X. Metzger, an elderly gentleman, and his son, Theodore G. Metzger. On Saturday the firm was desolved. So apparently well conducted and extensive was the business, and so great were the prcfits under the energetic management of the younger Metzger and the conservative direction of his father, that separation of the two caused much excitement. The cause of the dissolution, when it became known on Sunday, took the business community by surprise. Theodore had been speculating in pork in Chicago to a very extensive degree, and, owing to the break in the market lately, he had lost heavily. His course, it is alleged, was without the knowledge or consent of the head of the firm. It also became known that there were outstanding notes given by Mrs. Metzger, and bering the firm's name to the amount, it is asserted, of over $70,000. These notes, it is claimed, the elder Metzger knew nothing about. They were issued without his cognizance, much less his approval. They were held by D. R. Pratt, President of the Second National Bank. Yesterday it became known in Eimira that Pratt had also ben speculating in pork, and had also lost heavily. Some put his losses as high as $200,000, but his friends say it is not as much as that, while the family assert that the losses are small and have nothing to do with the affairs of the bank Much excitement was created by the news, and large numbers of depositors hastened to the bank and withdrew their deposits. There was no panic and BO run on the bank, but considerable uneasiness prevailed. Authoritative advices received from Elmira say that D. R. Pratt, President, and C. R. Pratt, his son, Cashier, have charge of the bank and are transacting its business, and that $100,000 was received from New York to help them. So far as has been learned there is little reason to doubt the solvency of the bank, but it is generally thought that it will suffer considerably from future loss of business.

10. August 9, 1883 The Dallas Weekly Herald Dallas, TX
Article from The Dallas Weekly Herald, August 9, 1883

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Run on Bank. NEW YORK, Aug. 7.-The Commercial Advertiser says there is a big run on the Second National bank of Elmira, in consequence of its president. D. R. Pratt, having lost $150,000 in pork speculation. The bank is believed to be solvent and has a president able to stand the loss of $150,000 or $300,000. ELMIRA, N. Y., Aug. -There was some anxiety in business circles yesterday morning on account of rumors as to the 00 indness of the Second National bank. caused by the rumored speculation of it president. When it was ascertained that the president had settled all demandsagainst himself from his private fortune, leaving him still worth several hundred thousand, and that the bank had money ready to pay every depositor, a reaction took place and there is now no excitement. Other banks assert there was no cause for alarm.