1.
April 4, 1906
The San Francisco Call
San Francisco, CA
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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.
2.
April 5, 1906
The Topeka State Journal
Topeka, KS
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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.
3.
April 12, 1906
Wood County Reporter
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
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Fast Train Run Saves Bank. John E. Gooding prevented the wrecking of the Rocky Ford, Colo., State bank, of which he is president, by rushing $60,000, the proceeds of the sale of the Dells, his Wisconsin resort, to that city on a special train.
4.
January 6, 1908
New-York Tribune
New York, NY
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RECEIVER LIKELY FOR CLOSED BANK. [By Telegraph to The Tribune. 1 Pueblo, Col., Jan. 5.-Acting on an application to be made by the state bank examiners, it is said that to-morrow Judge Rizer of the District Court will appoint a receiver for the Rocky Ford State Bank, which has been closed several days. Colonel J. Lockhart, it is stated, will be recommended for receiver. The receivership will tie up the money of a thousand depositors, including several hundred farmers engaged in the sugar beet industry. Too liberal and poorly secured loans are said to have been the cause of the trouble. The bank had a small capitalization, but large deposits.
5.
April 11, 1908
La Junta Tribune
La Junta, CO
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Status of Rocky Fora State Bank. G. M. Hall, receiver of the State Bank, has completed his schedules of claims filed and presented the same to the court on last Wednesday. The total of claims filed is $478,339.93, which includes claims of other banks holding collateral on which collections have been made and also claims for salaries of the employes and for merchandise and supplies furnished prior to the closing of the bank. The receiver has, in presenting these claims to the court, classified them as follows: Claims for deposits, unpaid drafts, cashier's checks, etc., where the amount claimed agrees with the amount shown due by the books of the bank. and for which no preference is claimed, $276,518.41. Claims of the same character where preferences are claimed or set-off against notes in the hands of the receiver or in the hands of other banks, and claims of other banks account loans $200,304.90. Claims for salaries and supplies, $1,516.62. The court has been asked to set a hearing of these claims at as early a day as possible. The receiver and his attorneys are hopeful of being able to prevent the allowance of preferences and set-offs to a great extent, to the end that all creditors and depositors will come in on the same footing and share alike in the distribution of dividends.-Rocky Tribune.
6.
April 22, 1908
The Lamar Register
Lamar, CO
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The receiver of the Rocky Ford State Bank has asked the court to declare all claims against the bank of equal standing, knocking out all the preferences claimed by some creditors. If this is done a fair dividend to depositors will be paid.
7.
December 23, 1908
The Daily Sentinel
Grand Junction, CO
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GOVERNOR LISTENS TO DETERMINED CITIZENS [Special to The Sentinel.] Denver, Dec. 23. Governor Buchtel yesterday faced one of the most stubborn problems which has confronted him since his induction into office. Whether he will be able to decide between his friendship for John E. Godding, the former president of the defunct Rocky Ford State Bank, who is now a convict at the state penitentiary at Canon City, or his duty, remains to be seen. At the state house officers from Otero county representing the depositors of the institution and a committee from that county with Paul North as chairman, composed of J. R. Fenelson, Harry Maxwell, W. J. Brown. J. F. McKelney and C. G. Wilson, besides G. N. Hall, receiver of the defunct institution, were in conference with the governor. District Attorney S. Harrison White and Sheriff Porter arrived late in the morning and were also present. Some of these people claim that there is a deeply laid plot to secure Godding's release: but, to thwart any attempt of this kind. a warrant has been placed in the hands of the deputy at the penitentiary, who will rearrest Godding and make him give $40,000-bond. A petition, signed by about 1,444 residents of Otero county, protesting against the release of the convict, besides resolutions from the Ministerial Association of Rocky Ford and the board of trustees of the Methodist church, of which Godding was a member. were also presented to the governor.
8.
January 15, 1909
Rocky Ford Enterprise
Rocky Ford, CO
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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.
9.
January 16, 1909
La Junta Tribune
La Junta, CO
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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.
10.
February 27, 1909
La Junta Tribune
La Junta, CO
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UP AND DOWN THE VALLEY. be A skating rink Ford. is about to opened in Rocky question of istalling a agitated munici pal The lighting p'ant is being at Garden City. J. b Garwood has employed seed H. D. to manage his new fall. M. Shaulle in Rocky Ford until the store voters of Las Animas oil at the The April will vote election in of saloons or no saloons. foot question a movement on a There is sports to have among Rocky burg some race meet in that Ford time in June. A recent statement money of a on Manzanola deposit in best record in bank 1909 shows than a more year the ago. valley. That's about of the recent issue of $10,000 for the worth purpose six A. per cent. bonds and improving Manza- sold of developing artesian water supply was nola's on the dollar. at naval in Senator the 100 senate cents appropriation Guggenheim bulid an amendment a first-class has bill introduced providing to Lyon road the to the Fort $15,000 from to Sanitarium. Las Animas The road will probably Naval be built within was a year. in Wiley A railroad inspector measurements of the recently taking the depot and the distance between Journal entertains postoffice. and the that a mail service estab the suspicion near future be raillished will in on the the Arkansas Valley made road. An important farm which sale P. was S. Jones a days ago in big farm a few J. B. Dean his Las Animas sold to distance north of 220 acres and short The farm contains horses and the price Dem paid 100 head was $14,000.-Bent of County deocrat. M. Hall, receiver Rocky of Ford. the unG. State Bank of 5, 1909. refunct of February admin der date collections during his amount ports of $173,699.53 which at the istration $5,389.07 on hand bank. includes time of the suspension of the of bank the total liabilities assets are dividThe $523,021.93 follows: The Good, worthless. $136,758.57 $22, doubtful, ed as $263,479.99; be may yet school of of the high relieved 403.91. This the keep dsitrict necessity up there paying school is taxes to help It seems that may Junta. law which at La in the school meaning that this a clause as such a from it. is to district be interpreted exempt taken test tax. and steps may be been overlookWhy the matter has not clear, as the this long is by the legislature of ed provision two was years adopted ago. Rocky Ford little than more Tribune. Although it is a the time for the two months of sugar until beets, the farmers already planting in the vicinity if in Holly the are preparation actively engaged planting when More the of their soil for 25th rolls around every date of April are being reported that this contracts and all are confident for sugar day will be the banner year of the entire beets in the is now history believed will that reach the Valley. It of contracts of 10. total amount over the amount weeks ago considerably estimated a few sea000 as acres. the total for the present an son. Bent County Democrat, of No. 6 in near The of the wreck says: "In account two weeks ago, had Lohman, a the other crushed and Las the mix-up Animas tramp. held one his right leg three places, and was not re broken in heavy timbers and after the down by until several hours the leased was taken to farm, where thing in accident. He the right leg was connect ampu- poor the tated. with A the heartless accident the was men that to let he termed as the track dispatcher the tion "tramp." ordered until him, remain under the He cars remained there cold was cleared. suffering in the minstorm. nine hours, It required but fifteen utes Arthur to remove S. Beymer, him." Thursday. of Rocky He Ford, was town here was in in the Wiley thirteen interest miles of the west new He on has the a of Arkansas Hasty, Valley railroad. town there by of starting a each purchaser given selling the right to draw a plan residence lots, business
11.
August 5, 1909
Mexico Weekly Ledger
Mexico, MO
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# JETER ARNOLD, OF COLO-RADO, HAS 35,000 SHEEP
# GRAZING THIS SUMMER
- WHEN HE WAS HERE A YEAR AGO LAST CHRISTMAS HE DREW A CHECK WHICH BROKE A ROCKY FORD BANK DURING THE PANIC.
Is a Brother of Charles Arnold, of This County, and Has Been Here on a Visit-Returned Home Early in Week
Jeter Arnold, of Rocky Ford, Colo., formerly of Shamrock, Callaway county and a brother of Chas. Arnold, of this county, has 25,000 sheep grazing this summer. Mr. Arnold, who has been quite successful, drew a check when he was here a year ago last Christmas, which broke a Colorado bank and resulted in almost the complete loss of his $17,000 deposits there.
It was the year of the panic and banks all over the country were short of funds. Mr. Arnold closed a bank transaction in New Mexico, while here, and wrote a check for $7000 on the Rocky Ford State Bank sending the same in payment.
The bank was almost insolvent before the check was drawn but Mr. Arnold knew nothing of this. When the check arrived the bank closed its doors. He received about 25 cents on the dollar after the banks had been settled.
He now refuses to place much faith in banks and is grazing 35,000 in Colorado. They promise to net him a goodly profit when sold.
12.
November 27, 1909
La Junta Tribune
La Junta, CO
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Up and Down the Valley In Rocky Ford last week Geo. W. Swink sold the St. James Hotel property to H. Van Buskirk for $20,000. Turkeys are selling in Dodge City from fourteen to sixteen cents and there seems to be a good supply of them coming in. The price in La Junta is twenty cents. We wonder why. The roads are very bad since the snow, but the beets are being hauled right along. It has been difficult to get beets rapidly enough to keep the Holly factory running. Receiver Hall, of the defunct Rocky Ford State Bank, announces that he will make a Christmas present of a dividend to the depositors or that institution - how much he is not as yet prepared to say. Congressman John A. Martin was here Wednesday, and took a trip out to Fort Lyon for the purpose of investigating the road for which he will introduce a bill in congress this winter for an appropriation of $40,000 to corduroy it.--Las Animas Leader. "I'd rather have the business that either one of two mail-order houses gets out of Rocky Ford, than the biggest business in the city" said a Rocky Ford banker recently. Isn't it a shame that all the towns in the Arkansas Valley seem to be in the same boat. A decision has been rendered in the case of T. C. Henry vs. the Fort Lyon Canal Company which was tried in the district court in Denver recently. Henry sued the canal company for the ownership of nine water rights in the canal valued at $45,000. The case has been in court for several years and was decided the 15th in favor of the canal company. The decision was made on the ground that water rights were issued after the capacity of the ditch had already been sold.
13.
December 18, 1909
La Junta Tribune
La Junta, CO
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Some More Local Items Thompson has em, Why, Christmas presents of course. Souvenir shell novelties, 10 and 15 cents at the La Junta Novelty Company. Mrs. J. G. Washburn has returned home from an extended visit with relatives in Indiana. S. R. Mendelson has moved and is now occupying rooms Nos. 1 and 2 in the Woodruff block, over the present public library. His majesty the stork visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Love last Monday and left a little more love in the shape of a love of a baby girl. Mrs. John Gavagan slipped on the ice at her home on Cimarron avenue Thursday morning and sustained a hard fall which resulted in a fracture of her left wrist. For Sale or Rent-The Manzanola Livery Barn; the only livery barn in town; can do a good business. Write or call on the Beaty Mercantile Company. Manzanotla, Colorado. Mrs. C. E. Veasie expects to leave after Christmas for Oklahoma City, Okla., to remain for an indefinite period. Her son, Rufus Buckey, is now located there and doing well. The La Junta Theater now opens at 7:30 o'clock in the evening, prompt. The first show is out in time so that patrons can attend other entertainments during the evening. L. E Briggs has gone to a point south of Lamar to lead the simple life in the hope of recuperating his health. Jasper Woodland has leased his barber shop for an Indefinite perlod. 1. B. Johnson. of the Daily Democrat, has bought out Ed Pearce and will take charge of the Free Press in a few days. Mr. Pearce will go to Texas for the benefit of his wife's health. Three gangs of surveyors are now working on the Otero ditch. and It la the intention to expedite the work and have all of the more important crossings in and ready for the spring Irrigation. Receiver G. M. Hall, of tue de funct Rocky Ford State Bank, has declared a first dividend of fifteen per cent,. which will be paid out to about 1,000 depositors next Monday. Cash to the amount of $36,000 in to be distributed.
14.
January 1, 1910
La Junta Tribune
La Junta, CO
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Rocky Ford Bank Dividend. On Monday morning Receiver Hall began paying off the first dividend to the depositors in the defunct State Bank, and he has been busy parceling out the fifteen per cent "divvy" to a great crowd who, most of them, were agreeably surprised at the amount recelved. The total amount of dividend No. 1 will be about $25,000. and the receiver has every hope that he will eventually be able to return to the depositors a larger amount than he estimated shortly after the bank failure. Although nearly two years have elapsed since the bank was closed there are yet many propositions that have not been settled by the court, and their adjustment will determine the amount finally returned to the depositors.-Rocky Ford Enterprise.
15.
December 16, 1910
Rocky Ford Enterprise
Rocky Ford, CO
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GODDING CASE GOES OVER. Arguments Will Be Heard by Judge on Dec. 30. District court convened last Thursday morning with Judge Morris of Colorado Springs on the bench, for the purpose of trying the casa in which G. M. Hall, receiver of the defunct Rocky Ford State Bank, is trying to secure possession of the Godding family home and a one-half interest in the building in which the bank was located and have them included in the assets of the bank. The property is in the name of Mrs. J. E. Godding and the contention is that they were acquired with money belonging to the depositors of the defunct bank. Fred A. Sabin represented the receiver as attorney and Glenn. Beall & Gobin were the attorneys for the defense. An array of witnesses were examined to bear out the receiver's claim that the property was ac quired by use of the funds of the bank, which evidence was contraverted by the defense with witnesses to prove that it had been acquired by the sale of Mrs. Godding's persoual property in Lamar and other places away back in 1887. Evidence was all in on Saturday afternoon and the judge postponed the case until Dec. 30. when arguments will be heard.