1363. First National Bank (Georgetown, CO)

View Charter #1991 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 1991
Charter Number: 1991
Start Date: July 1, 1877*
Location: Georgetown, Colorado (39.706, -105.698)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 2dfeeaa4

Response Measures

Full suspension

Other: President later indicted for embezzlement; receiver L. C. Ellsworth appointed

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate: 37.6%
Date receivership started: 1877-08-18
Date receivership terminated: 1885-10-05
OCC cause of failure: Losses
Share of assets assessed as good: 4.8%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful: 7.3%
Share of assets assessed as worthless: 87.9%

Description

Contemporary articles report a run on the bank in July 1877, the bank closed/suspended at end of July 1877 (closed its doors or suspended on the 30th), and later was placed in the hands of a receiver (L. C. Ellsworth) and did not resume normal operations. The immediate cause cited is the personal financial embarrassment/embezzlement by President W. H. (William) Cushman. Dates corrected/standardized from article mentions (suspension/closure around July 30, 1877; receiver in place by Oct 17, 1877).

Events (5)

1. May 31, 1872 Chartered

Source: historical_nic

2. July 1, 1877* Run

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Run triggered by adverse bank-specific information: personal financial embarrassment and mismanagement by President W. H. Cushman (later alleged embezzlement).
Measures: Bank paid out most deposits prior to closing; officers later suspended business to arrange settlements (attempts to make business arrangements and collect debts were cited).
Newspaper Excerpt: When the run began on the bank the deposits amounted to $600,000, of which all but $60,000 was paid before the bank closed its doors.
Source: newspapers

3. July 30, 1877 Suspension

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Temporary suspension/closure due to failure to secure funds and the personal financial embarrassment/mismanagement of the bank's president, W. H. Cushman; sworn statements showed assets claimed in excess but indebtedness and inability to collect loans forced suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt: The First National Bank of Georgetown ... closed its doors on the 30th.
Source: newspapers

4. August 18, 1877 Receivership

Source: historical_nic

5. October 17, 1877 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: W. H. Cushman, president of the First National Bank of Georgetown, now in the hands of L. C. Ellsworth, Receiver, proposes to the creditors ... (Oct. 17).
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

1. August 1, 1877 The Cheyenne Daily Leader Cheyenne, WY

Article from The Cheyenne Daily Leader, August 1, 1877

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COLORADO CHAFF. The First National Bank of Georgetown has suspended. R. Bennett's tannery in Greeley is turning out eighty buffalo robes a week, and had stock to start with of nine hundred hides. There are five thousand dollars in Black Hawk, Colo., ready to be donated to the man who will be the author of a first-class hotel in that city. Georgetown, the mountain terminus of the Colorado Central narrow-guage system, expects her first train on the 8th, although regular trains will not be put on until the 12th. Joseph Rist, of the Big Thompson valley, has 500 acres of champion wheat, which will yield some thirty bushels to the acre. This is the largest wheat crop in the state, and one of the best. As soon as the farmers near Longmont gather their harvest, which they are now doing, a strong force of graders will be put to work on the extension of the railroad from there. From the northern termious grading progresses about a mile a day. The Denver cattle market is unusually dull. A few shipments are being made to Kansas City, but as a general thing there are plenty of buyers and few sellers in market. The latter are holding off for fall prices and refuse to dispose of their cattle at present rates. The highest price now paid will not exceed $8.50 per 100.

2. August 9, 1877 The Toledo Chronicle Toledo, IA

Article from The Toledo Chronicle, August 9, 1877

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DOMESTIC. Newport, R. I., a few mornings ago, Dennis MacMahon undertook to hurry the fire by using kerosene oil, when the burst and the foolish woman was fearly and fatally burned. THE National Bank of Lock Haven, failed on the 30th ult. The suspension stated to be only temporary. PRESIDENT VANDERBILT, of the New ik Central & Hudson River Railroad, has ued a circular stating that of the 12,000 ployes of that Company less than 500 enged in the recent strike, and no injury was to property. In recognition of their lity he directs that $100,000 be divided tably, according to their positions on the y-roll, among all the employes engaged in erating the road. He also says no msu No, in time of trial, embarrasees the Comcan remain in or re-enter its service, adds that pay will be increased the mobusiness justifies it. QUITE a number of the leaders in the ent disturbances at Columbus, Ohio, wearraigned and tried, on the 31st ult., Massessed heavy fines or sent to jall on sentences. The military had been relled to that city, and trains would at once emence running on all the roads there. 05 the 31st ult., the First National of Georgetown, Col., closed its doors, liabilities reaching $100,000. The cause the personal financial embarrassment of President. EIGHT of the rioters engaged in stop. trains on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw allroad, in Illinois, were tried before Judge rummond, of the United States Circuit Court, at Chicago, on the S1st ult. The ames of the prisoners are Jas. Mack, Jas. onis, Geo. Hamilton, Monroe Jeffries, Jurus Selhausen, Nicholas Hoffman, Philip erber aud Julius Schurer. The charge gainst them was for contempt of Court in obstructing the passage of tasins one read the hands of a receiver appointed by the Judge the Court. They were adjudged guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine of fifty Mollars each, and to be imprisoned in the the leader, County Jail, Mack, monthseath for four months, and the others for two imprisonment to be continued until the fines are paid. THE public debt statement for July move the following: Coin bonds outstand. 2,01,702,791,9005 total deht, 61 cook in Treasury, $171,271,800; debt, LOVE - in the Treasury, $2,050,880,318; decrease Living July, $818,904. THE receipts from internal revenue suring July were $8,764,574 The estimated receipts were, it is stated, reduced it least $1,000,000 in consequence of the recent wrikes. Custom receipts during the same month, $10,060 860. AT Wilkesbarre, Pa., on the 1st, acrowd ofbetween6,000and7,000 assembled othe Le. high Valley Depot to the mallwain come in, and, when the cars arrived, a Constable and a United States detective, stand. lagon the platform next the engine, were assited with stones, and the man running tho eagine was driven from his place the strikers mounted the engine. cutific Arao it off. Further troubles occarred Seranton, on the 1st, and a company of vol. natuers fired into and dispersed a large Boy four and others. All killing plangs seriously woundies . the town were closed, and 60 panice were being organized, as further w trouble was feared. A LARGE number of State troops were in the Wyoming (Pa.) coal regions on the 24, under the command of Gov. Hartrouft THE were arresting strikers and rioters by the wholesale. The laboring population sun mointained thats determination to the resumption of work, and further our tegas are Cape. salled from Now London, Code. M, for the Capt Types Cept.

3. August 9, 1877 The Milan Exchange Milan, TN

Article from The Milan Exchange, August 9, 1877

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of Nelson Parrish. His last words were: " Don't hang me, gentlemen; I am an innocent man." Albert Trammal, a negro preacher, was hanged at Rosston, Nevada County, Ark., on the 27th, for the murder of his wife five years ago. Trammal confessed his guilt. At White Pigeon, Keokuk County, Iowa, on the 17th, Gale Hollingsworth was shot and killed by Miss White for alleged slander. She met Hollingsworth and presented him with: written statement confessing he had causelessly slandered her, demanding that he sign it. He denied the charge and refused to sign the paper, upon which she drew a revolver and shot him,not fatally. He ran and she pursued, firing a second shot, which took effect. He climbed upon a fence, when, overcome by s wounds, he fell to the ground. Miss White then came up, placed the muzzle of e pistol his head and fired a third time, killing him instantly. Hollingsworth was a middle-aged, well-to-do farmer, and leaves a wife and family. Miss White is a young lady of good family who has always borne good character. At last secounts she had not been arrested. Notwithstanding the favorable reports from Gen. Howard as to the suppression of the hostile Indians under Chief Joseph,advices of the 28th were to the effect that the Governor of Montana had ordered all volunteers.to the front, and that another fight was imminent. Near Camden, Ind., on Sunday, the 29th, the family of Frederick Winde all went to church, leaving alone in the house a woman named Mrs. Honk, a widow. On their return Mrs. Honk was found lying on the floor dead, with her throat cut from ear to ear. Search made for the murderer resulted in the discovery of man named Henry Miller, suspended from beam in the stable, dead. Miller was employed on Winde's farm, and it is believed that while intoxicated he attempted to outrage Mrs. Honk, and fearing the consequences of discovery murdered her and then killed himself. The masons of London have struck work for a reduction of hours and increase of wages. The Lockhaven (Pa.) Bank has suspended. Herbert Blanchard, of Savoy, Mass was ordered to discontinue his visits to the daughter of Mr. E. Trask. On Sunday the 29th ult., he met Mr. Trask in church and shot him dead,after which he fatally wounded Mr. Trask's son, and fired three ineffectual shots at the young lady herself. The dwelling-house of John Ortwine, two miles southwest of Frankfort Station, Will County, Ill., was entirely destroyed by fire on the night of the 30th ult. The family consisted of 11 persons, eight of whom escaped. Mr. Ortwine's father, aged 75, his a 10middle-aged and demented sister, and year-old son were burned to death. The remains of Dr. C. F. Winslow were cremated at Salt Lake, Utah, on the 31st, in accordance with the request of deceased as embodied in his will. The process occupied about three hours. The heart had been taken out and sent to his birthplace. The ashes are to be sent to the grave of his wife, near Boston. The Charter Oak Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Ct., has been reorganized and resumed business. The Austrian Ministry have authorized Count Andrassy to mobilize three army corps. At Curdsville, Buckingham County Va., on the 26th ult., Robert Auld, Jr., of Hon. Robert Auld, of Richmond, shotano fatally wounded his cousin, a young man named William Sanders. The difficulty grew out of a message which young Sanders bore from his father, Albert Sanders, requesting Auld to keep away from his house and daughters. Auld is very wild youth and has been the hero of many violent esca pades in various parts of the South an West, with whose jails he is not unfamiliar He is under arrest. o In accordance with the request Gen. Crook, permission has been granted fo a delegation of Sioux to visit W Tashington fo the purpose of having an interview with offi cials of the Interior Department. The army-worm has appeared in cot ton fields in Northern Mississippi. The St. Louis, Fort Scott and Colo rado Railroad Company was organized at meeting of delegates held at Fort Scott Kansas, on the 2d. The First National Bank of George town, Colorado, Wm. Cushman, President closed its doors on the 30th. Its liabilitie on deposits are $103,000, with assets consid erably in excess, it is claimed. The imme diate cause of the failure was the persona embarrassment of the President. An entire family, consisting of Lewis Spencer and his tour children-two girl and two loys-living in Clark County, Mis souri, were murdered on the night of the 2d. The crime was no doubt committed fo money, as Spencer had in his possession $700 belonging to the Township, of which was Trustee. The weapons used were a ax and a pitchfork. No trace of the mur derer has been discovered. A shooting affair occurred at Ogalalla Neb., a stock-shipping point, on the 1st which resulted in the instant death of Wm Campbell and the wounding of N. E. Gas mann, Wm. Butler, M. Hinton and A. May all Texas cattle-men except Gasmann. It believed that all the wounded men will re cover. An unusually horrible accident oe curred at Pittsburgh on the 3d. Seven me were engaged in lining the furnace at th Lacy Furnace Company's works, and wer on a scaffold which was suspended by ropes In some manner the ropes parted, and th scaffold fell, precipitating the men into th bottom of the furnace, which was nearl red-hot, the fires having been drawn only th previous day. Julius Hardin and Michae Cussick were taken out dead, and the other were so badly burned that they were not ex pected to live. The 1st of August, " Emancipatio Day," was celebrated by the colored peopl in many cities and towns throughout th country. WAR NEWS.

4. August 11, 1877 The Ottawa Free Trader Ottawa, IL

Article from The Ottawa Free Trader, August 11, 1877

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about town in reference to the failure of William H. Cushman, formerly of Ottawa, but for several years past a banker at Georgetown, Colorado. Fortunately the Georgetown Miner brings us the exact facts of the case, and shows both that the failure is not a bad one if a failure at all, and at the worst, there is nothing about it to leave a taint upon the high character for business integrity which Mr. C. always bore in this community. Following is the statement of the Miner: Last Monday morning, the Frst National Bank opened its doors at the usual hour, but the Cashier, Wm. L. Hadley, Esq., declined doing any business, either in the way of receiving deposits or paying checks. The announcement, however, occasioned no excitement, for the reason that a great majority of the depositors have the utmost confidence in the integrity and business capacity of Hon. W. H. Cushman, the President of the Bank, and in the honor of the Cashier, Mr. Hadley, who, it was well known, would not misrepresent the actual condition of the institution. A reference to the sworn statement of the condition of the Bank, made the 22d of June, shows that its assets are largely in excess of its liabilities, and had Mr. Cushman been disposed to push those who were owing the Bank, there would have been no occasion for even a temporary suspension. He confidently expected, however, to make certain business arrangements which would obviate the necessity of crowding those who were indebted to the Bank, and it was his failure to do this as soon as expected that seemed to make it necessary to suspend business operations for the present. It is gratifying to be able to truthfully record the general tone of sympathy expressed for Mr. Cushman in this emergency, and the cheerfulness with which nearly all the depositors express their willingness to do everything in their power to aid the officers of the Bank in their efforts to resume business at an early day. Mr. Cushman has long been recognized as a man of indomitable energy, and one of the most public-spirited men in the State. He has done more than any other one man to build up our city and to develop the mining resources of the county. There are few among our miners who have not found him a friend when a friend was needed. If a public enterprise was to be pushed through, Mr. Cushman was generally expected to give it a start, and very seldom was that expectation misplaced. And it is this general recognition of his public spirit, added to the knowledge that, outside of the Bank, he has abundant resources, which make people feel perfectly easy as to the ultimate issue of affairs. Arrangements are now in progress which will insure every creditor against the loss of a dollar, but it cannot yet be definitely stated when a final settlement with depositors can be made. It will not, certainly, be beyond twelve months, while the probabilities are that everything will be all right in a short time. Meanwhile, the doors of the Bank are open during banking hours, and we trust that affairs will soon be placed in such a position that there will be no forfeiture of the charter.

5. October 17, 1877 The Cincinnati Daily Star Cincinnati, OH

Article from The Cincinnati Daily Star, October 17, 1877

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Proposition to Bank Creditors. National Associated Press to the Star. DENVER, COL., Oct. 17.-W. H. Cushman, President of the First National Bank of Georgetown, now in the hands of L. C. Ellsworth, Receiver, proposes to the creditors to release the bank and accept his personal obligation for 118 indebtedness to pay one-fourth in six mouths, one fourth in nine mouths, and one-half in twelve months. His property is large and valuable, and if not forced to sell will probably realize in excess of the indebtedness.

6. October 17, 1877 The New Orleans Daily Democrat New Orleans, LA

Article from The New Orleans Daily Democrat, October 17, 1877

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Bolstering His Bank. DENVER, Col., Oct. 16.-W. H. Cushman, president of the First National Bank at Georgetown, now in the hands of L. C. Ellsworth, receiver, proposes to his creditors to release the bank and accept his personal obligations for its indebtedness; to pay one-fourth in six, one-fourth in nine and one-half in twelve months. His property is large and valuable, and if he is not forced to sell, it will probably realize in excess of the indebtedness of the bank.

7. August 3, 1878 The Ottawa Free Trader Ottawa, IL

Article from The Ottawa Free Trader, August 3, 1878

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FAT MEN'S RACE EVENING. On this evening, at 5 o'clock, John Barrett, the butcherist, and Billy Bower, the beerist, will contest a foot race on the street west of the engine house for a purse of $20, Richard Wolfe being the stake holder. This race should interest all heavy weights, for Barrett weighs 256 and Bower in the neighborhood of 230 pounds. This will be no sham race and any one not believing can call on Wolfe and he will convince him that the money is up. The distanceto be run is 150 yards. Wm. H. Cushman a Defaulter Rumors reached this city early in the week through dispatches from Denver, Col., that Wm. H. Cushman, a former well known citizen of this place, had been indicted for a heavy bank defalcation and a reward was offered for his arrest and detention. The following from the Denver Tribune purports to explain the matter: The following circular, which was mailed yesterday to various points from the office of the United States Marshal explains itself. Cushman, to whom it refers, was for a long while President of the First National Bank of George. town in this state, an institution that was compelled some time since to close its doors, owing to Cushman's mismanagement of its interests, and which subsequently went into the hands of a receiver. An investigation of its affairs disclosed the true inwardness of Cushman's administration, and exhibited a shortage of some $70,000, but no steps were taken to bring him to an accounting until the Grand Jury of the United States met in this city, en the 3d instant, when a true bill of indictment was found against him for embezzlement, and a capias was placed in the hands of Marshal Wiloex for service. That official repaired at once to Georgetown, where Cushman had remained up to the time when the court convened, but when he arrived on the ground, Cushman. who had probably been advised of his action, had flown. All other efforts to ascertain his place of refuge having failed, the circular is designed to attract the attention of detectives generally to him, and so, if possible, effect his capture. A suitable reward will be paid for the arrest and detention of William M. Cushman, a defaulting banker, having been President of the First National Bank of Georgetown, Colorado. Will. Cushman. who was born and raised in Ottawa and for several years was cashier of his father's bank here, always stood so high in the confidence of our people that it will be hard to make them believe him a criminal. A year or two ago the bank which he had been successfully running at Georgetown, Col., failed, as hundreds of other banks have failed on account of the financial convulsions of the times without necessarily involving an impeachment of the personal honesty of their managers, and it is presumed that the liability of Mr. Cushman to the government grew out of this failure, but that a thorough investigation will show him to be more unfortunate than criminal.

8. July 31, 1880 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, July 31, 1880

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CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT. A FORMER BANK PRESIDENT ARRESTED. HIS BANK IN COLORADO HAVING FAILED, HE OPENS A broker's OFFICE IN NEW-YORK-LOOKING IN VAIN FOR A MAN NOT CONCEALED-THE ALLEGED CRIMINAL'S STORY. William H. Cushman, formerly the president of the First National Bank of Georgetown, Clear Creek County. Colorado, was arraigned before United States Commissioner Shields yesterday morning on the charge of having at various times misappropriated and embezzled the funds of the bank to the amount of $104,554 55. An indictment was fou d against him on July 10, 1878, in the United States District Court of Colorado, before Judge Moses Hallet. In this indictment it was specified that Mr. Cushman had embezzled funds of the bank at various times as follows: June 5, 1877. $5,000: August 4, 1877. $7,500; November 14, 1876, $10,000; July 11, 1877, $5,000; December 26, 1876, $1,260; July 7, 1877, $2,000; December 6, 1876. $2,275; December 26, 1876, $10,000 ; August 28, 1876, $10,000; October 4, 1876. November 11, 1876. $5,000; November 7, 1876, $12.000; July 16, 1877, $5,000; April 10. 1877. $719 50; September 1. 1876. $3,000: February 14. 1877, $7,000: February 15, 1877, $3,000; and July 5, 1877. $500. The accused man was not arrested in Colorado, because he had left the State before a warrant was issued in his case. He has been in New-York for a year or more. Intelligence to the effect that Cushman was in New York was received in Colorado early in the spring of this year, and in April, P. P. Wilcox, of Denver, United States Marshal for Colorado, came to New-York with a copy of the indictment against Cushman. On April 19, Commissioner Shields issued a warrant for his arrest. This warrant was not served. as Mr. Wilcox states, because Cushman could not be found. After his return to Colorado, the marshal again received information that Cushman was in New-York, and that he had opened a broker's office at No. 17 Broad-st. Accordingly he started again for this city, arriving here this week. Yesterday morning, as Mr. Wilcox stated, he went to Cushman's office, and when the former bank president came in informed him that he was a prisoner. It was stated by Cushman that he surrendered himself voluntarily to the marshai. Before the Commissioner Mr. Cushman was cool and self-possessed ; he chatted and joked with great apparent unconcern, and evinced no reluctance to go back to Colorado, where, he said, he could satisfactorily meet the charge of embezziement. He was commit to the Ludlow Street Jail in charge of Marshal Wilcox to await a warrant of removal, which can only be granted by Judge Choate, of the United States District Court, who IS now at Wallingford, Conn. Cushman's story, as told by himself in the United States Marshal's office vesterday, is as follows: In 1871 he and bis brother founded the bank the funds of which he is now charged with embezzling. The capital stock amounted to $75,000, of which the Cushmans owned $72,000. For several years the bank had a prosperous career and made money, but in 1877 it met with a series of reverses that threw it into the hands of a receiver. The general depression throughour the count ry affected the business of the bank, and a great deal of money was lost by injudicious loans. some of which were to mining enterprises that failed. When the run began on the bank the deposits amounted to $600,000, of which all but $60,000 was paid before the bank closed its doors. It was claimed by the Cushmans that had they been able to collect only one-half of the money due the bank. they would have paid off all claims and had a fortune left. Mr. Cushman admitted that the bank had been carelessly managed, but denied that there had ever been any criminal inten by himself to obtain possession of its unds. He said that he was no gambler or spendthrift, and that he could account for every cent of the money be handled, and that he could satisfactorily disprove the charges against him. He said that after the failure of the bank be remained in Colorado for 1 year. and that when he came to New-York he opened a mining broker's office under his own name, with no attempt at concealment. His father died two years ago. When he found Marshal Wilcox in his office yesterday morning, be said, he recognized him, and knew what he was there for. He expressed a willingness to go back to Colorado and meet the charges against him. He said that when Marshal Wilcox was here in April he saw him several times, and passed him on Broadway. Once. he said, he saw the marshal at the Windsor Hotel. The marsual gave as a reason for not recognizing Mr. Cushman, the fact that he now wears a moustache, whereas the picture given him for purposes of identification was that of a clean-shaven man. But opposed to this explanation IS the statement that the men were acquaintances, both having served in the recent Constitutional Convention or Colorado the marshal schairman ot the Commit-

9. August 1, 1880 Chicago Daily Tribune Chicago, IL

Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, August 1, 1880

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United States Marshal Wilcox, of the District of Colorado, arrived in this city with an indictment which had been found against William Cushman, President of the defunct First National Bank of Georgetown, Colo., by the GrandJury of that State, and, calling upon United States Commissioner Shields, asked for a warrant for the arrest of Cushman, who, he said, had fled hither and was living here. A warrant was issued, and Marshal Wilcox was tendered the assistance of two or three of the Deputy Marshals in this district to search for his man, but he declined the proffered aid, and said that he knew Cushman perfectly well, and would experience no difficulty in finding him. To-day Mr. Cushman, who is charged with embezzling $100,000 of the bank's funds, surrendered himself at Commissioner Shields' office. He will be taken to Colorado for trial as soon as the legal formalities have been complied with. Mr. Cushman treated the affair indifferently, and conversed freely with the reporters. Mr. Cushman said that his father, now dead, and himself, were formerly bankers in Georgetown, and that in 1871 they started a bank with a capital of $175,000.. The pressure of the times about two years ago caused a run on the institution, and it was obliged to close its doors. He further said that stocks and other securities which they held had been rendered almost worthless by depression in business.

10. August 13, 1880 The Jasper Weekly Courier Jasper, IN

Article from The Jasper Weekly Courier, August 13, 1880

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COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. PROF. RILEY, in an address before the Mobile Cotton Exchange, said he had found the worm in most cotton fields throughout a large extent of territory visited by him. He says if the planters poison the worm and the weather is good, however, there may be a very good erop. A MOST disastrous hail storm occurred in the vicinity of Stevens' Point, in Central Wisconsin, recently, by which a strip of country four miles wide and ten long was almost entirely denuded of vegetation. The damage is estimated at $75,000. WM. H. CUSHMAN, President of the defunct First National Bank, Georgetown, Colo., indicted for embezzling upwards o $100,000 of funds of the bank, has been arrested in New York City and will be surrendered to the Colorado authorities. THE joint track of the Denver and South Park and Denver and Rio Grande Railroads was completed into Leadville on the 1st, when both companies began running regular through trains. Their track is also completed and opened to Hortenze, twelve miles from Buena Vista,on the Gunnison extension. THE war of rates between the Louisville and Nashville and the Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans Railroads has reduced passenger fares from New Orleans to Memphis to $2.00, and to St. Louis and Chicago, $3.00 THE Bank of Colorado at Leadville has suspended, the Cashier, C. Thornton Lee, naving absconded with all the available funds. It was always considered a weak institution and had but a small amount of deposits. THE public debt statement issued Aug. 2 shows a decrease in the debt during July of $5,576,053; cash in Treasury, $198,890,405; gold certificates, $7,884,600; silver certificates,$12,689,290; certificates of deposit outstanding,$15,535,000; legal tenders, $346,681,011; fractional currency, $7,205,710; refunding certificates, $1,167,350; debt less cash in Treasury, $1,936,506,241. A THOROUGH canvass of the wheat section from Central Illinois northward to the Dakota frontier and westward through Nebraska shows that spring wheat in Illinois was considerably damaged by rust and chinch-bugs, and the yield will scarcely be over 12 bushels per acre. Along the Mississippi, in Iowa, farmers are harvesting 15 bushels, and the berry is reported plump. Nebraska is cutting from 12 to 15 bushels of good wheat, and corn prospects were never better, although rain is considerably needed. Wisconsin figures on not over 15,000,000 bushels of wheat, against 20,500,000 last year. Minnesota shows an increased acreage of 180,000 acres, which is estimated at eighteen bushels, giving the State a crop of 44,000,000 bushels, leaving 17,000,000 for export. In the older portion of the State the yield will be about 14 bushels to the acre, of fine quality. Southern Dakota never harvested such a erop as the present, averaging 20 bushels. There is an enormous yield in the Red River Valley25 to 35 bushels to the acre. THE State Board of Agriculture of Kansas has issued its annual report, from which it appears there are under winter wheat this year 2,210,267 acres, which is an increase over last year of 689,708 acres. The acreage under spring wheat is onethird less this year than last, being only 228,218 acres. Under corn there are 553,404 acres more than in 15.0, the acreage this year being 3,548,474. The number of fruit trees in bearing are as follows: Apple trees, 2,380,231; pear trees, 94,843; peach trees, 5,094,525; plum trees, 204,553; and cherry trees, 606,439. There were erected during the year 18,910 farm buildings, at a cost of over $4,000,000.