15415. First National Bank (West Alexandria, OH)

View Charter #11733 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
11733
Charter Number
11733
Start Date
March 13, 1929
Location
West Alexandria, Ohio (39.744, -84.532)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
aea03ce13e69fb59

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
96.3%
Date receivership started
1929-03-13
Date receivership terminated
1933-09-01
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
68.0%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
16.4%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
15.5%

Description

Cashier Sherman Mills committed suicide upon arrival of examiners (mid-March 1929). The federal examiner ordered the bank closed (Mar 13, 1929). Examiners discovered a large shortage (~$58,000–$60,000) due to misappropriations/forgeries; a receiver was appointed and the bank remained in receivership and was liquidated with dividends paid over ensuing years. Newspapers explicitly say no run was believed probable. The bank never resumed normal operations and was wound up — fits suspension leading to permanent closure.

Events (7)
1. May 28, 1920 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. March 13, 1929 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
3. March 13, 1929 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Closure ordered after the cashier Sherman Mills shot himself and examiners were summoned; subsequent inspection revealed a large shortage/possible misappropriations in the cashier's accounts (~$58,000–$60,000).
Newspaper Excerpt
M. M. Ward, Cincinnati, federal bank examiner, today ordered that the bank be closed.
Source
newspapers
4. March 14, 1929 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
M. Ward, Cincinnati bank examiner, today named E. Trimble Smith, Mount Sterling, to be receiver for the First National bank of this village, which the suicide of Sherman Mills, cashier. When the bank will reopen for business not made known by Ward ...
Source
newspapers
5. March 18, 1929 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank will be reopened Monday morning for an indefinite period only to receive payments on notes. No withdrawals by depositors will be permitted.
Source
newspapers
6. March 19, 1929 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Shortage of approximately $60,000 was found subsequent to the suicide. Receiver Smith will continue work of appraising and listing assets and liabilities of the bank for detailed report to the comptroller of currency ...
Source
newspapers
7. July 19, 1933 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Final disbursement of 6.31 per cent will make total disbursement of 96.31 per cent to depositors since the bank suspended business, March 12, 1929.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (17)
1. March 13, 1929 The Coshocton Tribune Coshocton, OH
Article from The Coshocton Tribune, March 13, 1929

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Article Text

Solution of Chicago's Greatest Gang Massacre Announced by Attorney Alexandria Banker Suicides; Examiner Called WEST March community was horribly shocked today when learned that Sherman Mills. 55, cashier of the first national bank here, shot and killed himself in garage in the of the bank late last night. Mills fired four shots into his body. according to police. thru his mouth and two just low the heart. The supposed suicide followed for federal bank examiner issued yesterday by the board trustees. Johnson, president of the bank, said no statement will made until after the examiner arrives today. Despite disquieting rumors, no run on the bank is believed probable. Mills was life long resident of this city. He former Sunday school superintendent, well known and well respected. His widow and one daughter, Mrs. Edna Mills Brower, of mond, Ind., survive. This town located about 18 miles west of Dayton. WEST ALEXANDRIA Mar. First National bank here its doors today. This was the second shock administered to this community during the last hours. The cashier. Sherman Mills, committed suicide last night by ing four bullets into his body. Ward, Cincinnati, federal bank examiner, today ordered that the bank be closed. Mills had been cashier of the bank since had been founded, years tomorrow. The bank has liabilities of $413,and is capitalized at $40,000. Ward and bank officials refused discuss case so not known whether shortage exists. Staff Correspondent CHICAGO, March Chicago's greatest gangland sacre of seven members of George "Bugs" Moran's gang, long hinted. long predicted and investigated by every body here, an attache the state's attorney's office. Into this blood-red tale of horror woven all the complexities modern gang warfare, coupling the massacre to the iron rule of Capone, the murder of Arnold Rothstein, New York gambler and alleged head of narcotic ring, to the slaying of the New York Frankie racketeer. Uale, to the internecine gang operations in Chicago, the fight for stills, beer running and territory-and to the long list of unsolved gang murders in Chicago. The arrest of three men in troit, who are believed to be John Burke, Gus Winkler and Milford Jones. and their identification here the men wanted, the last connecting link the police need, announced. Burke believed to be Joseph of St. bank robber fugitive from Louisville, Ky., with record kidnaper and suspected of several Jones is thot be James Ray, of St. Louis, and Winkler said to be Claude Maddox, the man who imported Burke and Ray for $20,000 each to handle the execution of the north gangsters.

2. March 13, 1929 Telegraph-Forum Bucyrus, OH
Article from Telegraph-Forum, March 13, 1929

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Article Text

EXAMINER ORDERS CLOSING OF BANK WEST ALEXANDRIA O., Mar 13 (INS)-The First National Bank here closed its doors today This was the second shock administered to this community during the last 24 hours. The cashier, Sherman Mills, 65, committed suicide last night by firing four bullets into his body M. M. Ward, Cincinnati, federal bank examiner, today ordered that the bank be closed. Mills had been cashier of the bank since it had been founded 24 years ago tomorrow. The bank has liabilities and resources of $413,000 and is capitalized at $40,000. Ward and bank officials refused to discuss the case so it is not known whether a shortage exists.

3. March 13, 1929 The Galion Inquirer Galion, OH
Article from The Galion Inquirer, March 13, 1929

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Article Text

SUICIDED GARAGE Cashier of Bank at West Alexandria Shot Himself WEST ALEXANDRIA, March 13. (INS)-This community was horribly shocked today when it learned that Sherman Mills, 65. cashier of the First National bank here. shot and killed himself a garage in the rear of the bank late last night. Mills fired four shots into his own body, according to police, two through his mouth and two just below the heart. The supposed suicide followed a call for a federal bank examiner issued yesterday by the board of trustees. M. E. Johnson, president of the bank said no statement will be made until after the bank examiner arrives today. Despite disquieting rumors no "run" on the bank is believed probable. Mills was a life-long resident of this city. He was former Sunday school superintendent, well-known and wellrespected. His widow and one daughter, Mrs. Edna Mills Brower, of Richmond, Ind., survive. This town is located about 18 miles west of Dayton. The First National bank here closed its doors today. This was the second shock administered to this community during the last 24 hours. The cashier, Sherman Mills, 65, committed suicide last night by firing four bullets into his body. M. M. Ward, Cincinnati, federal bank examiner, today ordered that the bank be closed. Mills had been cashier of the bank since it had been founded, 24 years ago tomorrow. The bank has liabilities and re: sources of $413,000 and is capitalized at $40,000. Ward and bank officials refused to discuss the case 80 it is not known whether a shortage exists.

4. March 14, 1929 Palladium-Item Richmond, IN
Article from Palladium-Item, March 14, 1929

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Article Text

Cleveland Man Is Named West Alex Bank Receiver WEST March receiver the First National bank here which closed for examination of its Closing of the bank followed the death by of its cashier. Sherman Mills. Tuesday closed morning for an period. Smith named receiver for Mr the bank by the federal controller He currency complete charge of the bank have during the He Thursday would not make any statement to the of the accounts fore the end the Ward. and Kunzi, of lumbus. bank with officials of the bank and of directorate Hope to Solve Difficulty Smith hoped the Mr. as "difficulties could He to say discrephad been found in the examiof the bank said they had and and that the aminers dropped bank suspended many business interests Funds were tied those who had money posit unable to make Included in the deposits of West Alexand funds of city which Henry. sistant cashier The last statement of the bank 31. It published Jan and showed and ties to be the capiThe bank has surplus listed at Directors of the institution Chester William Burtner and Samuel Smith of this village and Henry Unger, Edward Bohlman, Daniel Ulrich and Joseph Eby all Lanier rich. vice president: and Elsworth Henry, assistant cashier.

5. March 15, 1929 The Plain Dealer Cleveland, OH
Article from The Plain Dealer, March 15, 1929

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Article Text

NAMED BANK RECEIVER CIGARETS BOOST PROFITS Send American Tobacco Co. Earnings Above 1927 Total. American Tobacco Co. reported record earnings and sales for 1928 Net earnings totaled $25,066,299 or $11.19 common share against 29 share in 1927. George W. Hill, president, said increased earnings were due to record sales of cigarets through an extensive advertising campaign and were in th eface of reduced prices in the spring of 1928. Company on hand was increased $2,273,636 to $17,033,608. Net profit of United States Industrial Alcohol Co. year totaled compared to in 1927. Company charged off to depreciation $1,030,000 as against $654,000 in 1927. Mount Sterling (0.) Man to Take Charge at West Alexandria. WEST ALEXANDRIA, O., March 14 M. Ward, Cincinnati bank examiner, today national named E. Trimble Smith, Mount for the First as National Bank of this village, which the suicide of Sherman ing cashier. When the bank will reopen for business not made known by Ward, who said he and his assistant, W. J. Kunzi, Columbus, are still at work on the books of the bank and the accounts of Mills, who shot himself in the barn in the rear of the bank Tuesday night when the bank an unexpected visit to the bank. Directors of the bank assert that stockholders and depositors will not lose cent.

6. March 15, 1929 The Journal News Hamilton, OH
Article from The Journal News, March 15, 1929

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BANK RECEIVER AT WEST ALEX NAMED West Alexandrin, O., Mar. 15. (AP) M. M. Ward, Cincinnati National Bank Examiner, has named E. Trimble Smith, Mt. Sterling, to be receiver for the Mirst National Bank of this village, which was ordered closed following the death of Sherman Mills, eashier. When the bank will reopen for business was not made public by Ward, who said he and his assistant, W. J. Kunzi, Columbus, still were at work on books of the bank and accounts of Mills, who shot himself when in the barn in the rear of the bank Tuesday night after the bank examiners made an unexpected visit to the bank.

7. March 16, 1929 The Daily Advocate Greenville, OH
Article from The Daily Advocate, March 16, 1929

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ALEXANDRIA BANK SHORTAGE FIXED EXAMINERS COMPLETE INVESTIGATION AND FILE "SECRET" REPORT WITH DIRECTORS Special Meeting Called to Discuss Plans to Make Up Shortage-Reopening of Bank Scheduled Receiver to Take Payments of Notes -Withdrawals Barred. West Alexandria, Ohio, March Shortage of funds in the First National bank West Alexandria proximates $58,000. was learned today after national bank examiners made "secret" report the board of directors of the institution. This report already has been forwarded to the comptroller of currenat Washington. In the meantime, the bank will be reopened Monday morning for an indefinite only to receive payments on notes. No withdrawals by depositors will be permitted. Despite the fact that all persons associated with the bank have been sworn to secrecy, newspapers, how ever, informed reliably last night that discrepancies revealed prior and subsequent to the suicide of Sherman Mills, 65 years old, cashier, last Tuesday, would be approximately $58,000. Trimble Smith, receiver for the bank, will be in complete charge when the institution is reopened Monday. It was closed Wednesday after the spectacular death Tuesday night of Mills. bank will meet within the next 48 hours determine what steps will be taken to cover the shortage of Mills. The most likely alternative offerto date is consolidation with another bank in the vicinity.

8. March 19, 1929 Dayton Daily News Dayton, OH
Article from Dayton Daily News, March 19, 1929

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BANK RECEIVER MAKES APPRAISAL Will Report to Comptroller on Condition of West Alex. Institution. WEST ALEXANDRIA, March further shortage was found yesterday when the First National bank, in hands of Receiver Trimble Smith, was to allow safety deposit box holders access to their property and to collect on loans owed the bank. All of the bank's 102 boxes were opened, including that of Sherman Mills, cashier, who shot himself one week ago today upon arrival of national bank inspectors for inspection of the bank's books. Shortage of approximately $60,000 was found subsequent to the suicide. Receiver Smith will continue work of appraising and listing assets and liabilities of the bank for detailed report to the comptroller of currency at Vashington, who is expected to name permanent receiver at that time. The bank will continue open but only for payment of debts owed the bank. Stockholders will be held liable for the exact shortage found upon complete appraisal of the assets and balancing of the books, up to $100 for each share they hold. Depositors are sufficiently protected and will sustain no loss, according to directors of the bank. LIFELONG RESIDENT DIES TROY, March funeral of Frank Pearson, lifelong resident of Miami co., will be conducted at o'clock Wednesday afternoon the home of his sisters. the Misses Ida and Elizabeth 1010 Lincoln Rev. I. Moore, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, will officiate. Interment be the Quaker cemetery, west of Tippecanoe City. Mr. Pearson died Monday in the Miami County Home, where he had resided the last three months. XENIA, March Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock for Perry Carter, 58. who died at his home on the L. Stingley farm, Hook rd., Sunday following a stroke of paralysis. road, and that the line has projection and pansions which will make it the major hard-road carrier of the country. The Pennsylvania lines, already maintaining bus lines in the east, will make Cleveland the center of trunk lines operating to the west and south, says the Plain Dealer, in the completion of plans designed to make its bus routes predominant in the middle west. The railroad is restrained from operating buses as part its railway service by the Interstate Commerce Commission, but the newspaper declares that the line is ready to share in, if not control, the merged Greyhound and Yelloway Bus companies. They were brought together Feb. 14, and combined they represent an investment of $12,000,000. The new carrier, known as the American Motor Transit Co., operates 500 buses over routes extending to all parts of the country.

9. April 18, 1929 The Lima News Lima, OH
Article from The Lima News, April 18, 1929

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BANK DEFICIT SHOWN WEST ALEXANDRIA, Ohio, April in the accounts of Sherman Mills, cashier of the First Naitonal bank here who shot and killed himelf on March 13, when bank examiners came to inspect his books, is according to report made with Comptroller of the Currency W. Pole, at Washington, by Charles Draper, receiver for the bank today. Receiver Draper's report shows that the majority of the shortage is made up forgeries in accounts, while about in bands placed in the bank for safe keeping are missing.

10. July 18, 1929 The Daily Advocate Greenville, OH
Article from The Daily Advocate, July 18, 1929

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TREASURY TO LIQUIDATE ALEX. BANK OPTIMISTIC PICTURE IS PAINTED BY OFFICIALS OF INSOLVENT BANKS DIVISION Dividend of Fifty Per Paid by West Alexandria Institution Another Substantial Dividend Preof People of West Alex and Vicinity Highly Praised. tic picture of the early liquidation of claims against the First National Bank of West Alexandria was painted today by E. Fouts, assistant supervising receiver of the insolvent banks division of the treasury department. A dividend of 50 per cent or about five times the average per cent in the first payment of an insolvent bank, was just paid by the West Alexandria institution, Fouts said. He predicted that another substantial dividend would be declared soon. assets of the West Alexandia bank were in good condition, despite the misappropriations of the cashier committed suicide," said Fouts. bank will, in my judgment, continue to make steady progress in wiping out the obligations." The honesty of people of West Alexandria and vicinity who owed the bank money was highly praised by Fouts. "All along we had great faith in the moral sense of the people of the section and felt that the bank's debtors would pay even if not under compulsion to do so." said Fouts. "They have vindicated our confidence in them and shown fine regard for honor by taking care of their notes." Whether will be possible to pay all of the claims of the bank not, Fouts did not know, but he declared that he was very optimistic about the whole situation in West Alexandria. "Usually the first payment is not made as soon as this was made and it is practically never more than 10 or 20 per cent." he said. Fouts called attention to the fact that the bank suspended on March 12 and that in four months time it had paid 50 per cent dividend instead of waiting six months or year to pay fifth of that amount, as is often true in such cases. Treasury department officials were of the opinion that the bank was not as seriously affected by the misappropriations as was thought at the time.

11. September 6, 1929 The Journal News Hamilton, OH
Article from The Journal News, September 6, 1929

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BANK RECEIVER SEEKS RECOVERY ON NOTES Eaton, Sept. 6-Three suits to recover on notes have been filed in Preble county common pleas court by Charles H. Draper, receiver for First National bank, West Alexandria, the notes aggregating $2,595.10 Thomas J. Stowart is named defen dant to ono suit, in which Drope: seeks to recover $248 on & note re. ported held by the bank. Another suit for $1,151.55 is against Truman Stewart and Thomas J. Stewart, and asks judgment for $1,195.55.

12. September 17, 1929 The Daily Advocate Greenville, OH
Article from The Daily Advocate, September 17, 1929

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West Alex Bank Receiver To Sell $1,500 Treasury Notes Eaton, O., Sept. 17.-Preble county common pleas court has granted Charles H. Draper, receiver for First National bank, West Alexandria, authority to sell $1,500 worth of treasury notes, assets of the defunct banking institution, also authority to sell bookkeeping machine. The notes are to be sold at market value and the machine at not less than $300. Draper petitioned the court for authority to sell upon being authorized to make application by the comptroller of currency, at Washington, D. C.

13. October 16, 1929 The Daily Advocate Greenville, OH
Article from The Daily Advocate, October 16, 1929

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Wext Alex. Bank Receiver Is Sued By Tobacco Man Eaton, O., Oct. 16.-Charles W. Draper, receiver for First National bank, West Alexandria, is named defendant in a suit filed in common (pleas court by William May. The petition charges that a check for $370.56 given to May by Elmer Black was refused by the receiver because of the fact that Black was in debt to the bank in excess of his account and that the amount was taken to apply on the indebtedness. May says that he owes the bank in excess of the amount of check and that he is willing that amount be applied to his indebted ness. The check represented May's share in tobacco crop.

14. November 11, 1929 Dayton Daily News Dayton, OH
Article from Dayton Daily News, November 11, 1929

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THIRD DIVIDEND IS EXPECTED SOON West Alexandria Bank Receiver to Pay at Early Date. WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-The dividend from the First al bank at West Alexandria pected soon by officials of the insolvent banks division of the treasury department, it was indicated today. Department officials said that the next dividend would depend on how soon Receiver Charles H. Draper is able to collect outstanding obligations that are due the bank. However, they felt optimistic because of the excellent showing that the institution had so far made. Whether the next dividend would be sufficiently large to wipe out the remaining 30 per cent that the bank owes, they could not say. Its first dividend was for 50 per cent and the second one for 20 per cent.

15. May 22, 1930 The Carbon County News Red Lodge, MT
Article from The Carbon County News, May 22, 1930

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# Two Robbers Hold Up # Long Busted Ohio Bank West Alexandria, Ohio.-Two banking men sat in the First National bank here recently chatting about money that used to be there. Two other men, with criminal intentions, walked in and roughly ordered, "Hands Up!" The bankers, Charles Draper, receiver for the bank, and a neighbor cashier, just sat and stared incredulously. They looked at each other and shook their heads. "Can't you see you're being held up?" explained one of the robbers. "That's too bad," said Draper. "This bank has been broken since a year ago. The cashier who was here then killed himself. There's not a penny in the vault." The robbers wanted to see for themselves. They searched-and found what the receiver had promised-precisely nothing but dust and a musty odor. The robbers backed out the door, staring somewhat incredulously themselves. They took their guns with them and drove away.

16. January 16, 1931 The Richmond Item Richmond, IN
Article from The Richmond Item, January 16, 1931

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Bank Receiver is Plaintiff in Suit Against Directors WEST ALEXANDRIA, been filed the federal court Dayton by Charles Draper, receiver for the First tional bank West against the former board of directors the defunct bank who alive at this time and against estates the the board (Continued On Page Six)

17. July 15, 1933 The Daily Advocate Greenville, OH
Article from The Daily Advocate, July 15, 1933

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BANK WILL PAY FINAL DIVIDEND Defunct West Alexandria Institution Able to Pay 96.31 Per Cent All Payment Slated Next Week. West Alexandria, Ohio, July Albert Reese, of, Wilmington, receiver of the First National Bank West Alexandria, announced late yesterday that final dividend of per cent has been declared by the comptroller of the currency, payable to all depositors and creditors who have proven their claims. The receiver will at the banking rooms in this city, Wednesday and Thursday of next week, July 19 and 20 from to prepared to deliver dividend checks to those who surrender their receivers' certificates of proof of claim upon payment final dividend. The final disbursement of 6.31 per cent will make total disbursement of 96.31 per cent to depositors since the bank suspended business, March 12, 1929.