15856. Fisk & Hatch (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
private
Start Date
September 19, 1873
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
54fc7393

Response Measures

Full suspension

Description

Fisk & Hatch experienced heavy withdrawals and suspended on/around 1873-09-19 after exposure to Chesapeake & Ohio and Central Pacific railroad bonds and the wider Panic of 1873 (Jay Cooke failure). They issued a notice asking for forbearance and explicitly called the suspension temporary, and they formally resumed business December 24, 1873. Classified as run → suspension → reopening.

Events (3)
1. September 19, 1873 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy advances and large holdings in Chesapeake & Ohio and Central Pacific railroad bonds combined with the panic after Jay Cooke & Co.'s failure led customers to make peremptory demands and heavy withdrawals.
Measures
Firm issued a public card announcing suspension and asked creditors for forbearance; consulted bank officers and prepared full statement of affairs.
Newspaper Excerpt
The wildest excitement followed the announcement of the failure of Fisk & Hatch...a sudden rush was made upon us...the run commenced.
Source
newspapers
2. September 19, 1873 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Unable to meet heavy simultaneous demands for loans and deposits due to illiquidity tied to advances on railroad bonds and inability to negotiate securities during the panic; suspension announced as temporary to avoid sacrificing securities and to arrange affairs.
Newspaper Excerpt
Fisk & Hatch have suspended...Fisk & Hatch say their suspension is but temporary.
Source
newspapers
3. December 24, 1873 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
Fisk & Hatch...resumed to-day...have effected such an arrangement of affairs as to ensure the payment of all their liabilities in full and the continuation of business on a firm basis.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (24)
1. September 19, 1873 Gold Hill Daily News Gold Hill, NV
Article from Gold Hill Daily News, September 19, 1873

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EASTERN DISPATCHES. [SPECIAL TO THE GOLD HILL DAILY NEWS.] DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE More Bank Failures. NEW YORK, Sept. 19.-Fisk & Hatch have failed, while Defreias & Rablion are announced suspended. Northern Pacific Railroad Affairs. Samuel Wilkerson, Secretary of the Northern Pacitio Railroad Company, speaking of the suspension of Jay Cooke & Co.. its financial agents, said he had no doubt of the future of the road but that it would be constructed that there were those supporting it who would not allow the work to be abandoned. The Board of Directors alone. represented Williams. The company had not a dollar of unpaid paper up to the present time; not a note of theirs was ever seen in Wall Street; not a bond was hypothecated by the company; and consequently the company had no liabilities hanging over It that might descend without warning. The interest on the company's bonds was not due until the 1st of January next, and that then it would undoubtedly be met. That portion of the road already built was earning more than was anticipated. That portion running to the Red river country had already developed a fine carrying trade. He believed the road would be hindered more by hostile Sioux than by a financial revolution. Another force, however, could prevent the successful completion of the road. Two of the members of the firm were directors oj the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. The result will be that the work of construction will be somewhat retarded. It is more than probable that Congress will be asked to grant an extension of years to the company beyond that already granted. to enable it to complete the road. No such enterprise was ever before attempted by private capitalists as that of constructing a railroad, 2,200 miles in length, across a continent. Congress should have come to their aid by extending the credit of the Government to the undertaking. It would have done so, but for the charge generally, that corporations were grasping the entire domain and overriding the people.

2. September 20, 1873 New-York Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Tribune, September 20, 1873

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VOL. XXXIII No.10,130. A SMALL BLACK FRIDAY. FAILURE OF THIRTY HOUSES. THE CULMINATION OF THE PANIC. FULL LIST OF UNFORTUNATES-A WILD DAY IN WALL-ST.-RUN ON THE UNION TRUST COMPANYSECRETARY RICHARDSON ORDERS THE PURCHASE OF TEN MILLIONS OF BONDS-TWO BANKS IN HOBOKEN SAID TO BE EMBARRASSED-NO ANXIETY MANIFESTED BY THE BANKS IN THIS CITY . -INCIDENTS OF A DISASTROUS DAY. Failures officially announced. Fisk & Hatch, No. 5 Nassau-st. White, Defreitas & Rathborne, No.17 Broad-st. Beers & Edwards, No. 38 Broad-st. Eugene J. Jackson, No. 66 Exchange-place. Thomas Reed & Co., No. 64 Broadway. W.H. Warren, No. 21 Wall-st. Geo. Bolton Alley & Co., No. 13 Broad-st. Greenleaf, Norris & Co., No.6 Exchange-pl. Theodore Berdell. Exchange-court. Amos ME. Kidder. No. 4 Wall-st. H. Smith & Seaver, No. 10 Wall-st. Day & Morse, No. 16 Wall-st. Hay & Warner, No. 80 Broadway. Vernam & Hoy, No. 24 New-st. Fitch & Co., No. 19 Broad-st. W.E. Conner, No. 30 Broad-st. Whittemore & Anderson, No. 8 Exchangecourt. Jacob Little & Co., No. 42 Broad-st. E. D. Randolph & Co., No. 5 Nassau-st. Philadelphia Suspensions. E. W. Clarke & Co. De Haven & Bro. Gelbough, Bond & Bro. Geo. H. North. J.S. & II. E. Yerkes. Charles P. Bayard. John P. Lloyd. Henry H. Douglass. II. H. Bull. T.C. Knight. Henry H.. Fell. Thursday's panic was followed by another financial crisis which culminated in Wall Street yesterday. The first great sensation of the day was the suspension of the well-known banking and exchange firm of Fisk & Hatch. This house had been early and honorably identified with the negotiation of Government securities and bonds of the Central Pacific Railroad of California and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Heavy advances to the last-named road are understood to have occasioned much embarrassment to the house; and the peremptory demands of customers hastened the necessity of suspension. Later came the failure of nineteen brokers' firms, of more or less note, some of which are old and heavy houses. These failures are generally owing to the fact that the brokers involved were carrying at high prices large amounts of stocks which had been suddenly depressed in value. The suspension of Richard Schell, on Thursday, caused a continued run on the Union Trust Company, of which institution he is Vice President. The Company met all demands up to the close of business. The Fourth National Bank fell under suspicion on account of its supposed close connection with the firm of Geo. Opdyke & Co.; this firm has been involved with the affairs of the New-York and Oswego Midland Railroad, now in the hands of a receiver. Details of these leading events of the day are herewith printed.

3. September 20, 1873 The Daily Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from The Daily Dispatch, September 20, 1873

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[Associated Press telegrams. NEW YORK, September 19. - Fisk & Hatch have suspended, also Robinson & Suydam, Richard Schell; White, Defrees & Rathbone, Bouis & Edwards, and Eugene Jackson. George Opdyke & Co. have not suspended. The wildest excitement followed the announcement of the failure of Fisk & Hatch. Wall street was in its shirt-sleeves and bareheaded. Stocks fell ten per cent., and are still sinking. De Haven & Co., of Philadelphia, have failed. NEW YORK, September .-The followingadditional failures are reported: Thomas Reed & Co., W. H. Warren, Greenleaf & Norris, George B. Alley, Thomas Biddle, A. M. Kidder. Western Union Telegraph stock opened at 78; it is now 68}. Like fluctuations in the whole list. WASHINGTON, September 19. 1 Dispatches from all cities report long lines of depositors crowding the bank doors. In this city there is no exceptior. NEW YORK, September 19.-Jay Cooke & Co. have assurances from their London house and correspondents in other cities that their bills will be protected. WASHINGTON, September -There is quite a rush on the Washington City Savings Bank and a slight demonstration on the Freedmen's Bank. Both give assurance of their ability to meet all demands. The Freedmen's Savings Bank report they had this morning $80,000, of which only $20,000 had been drawn. There are about seventytive persons in the line at this bank. There is no excitement about other banks. NEW YORK, September 19.-Fi-k & Hatch say their suspension is but temporary. Their advances are upon the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad and the Central Pacific. They expect to resume as soon as the panic ceases. Their office is strongly guarded by the police. Fitch & Co. and Versou & Hoy have suspended. A prominent Street broker says if

4. September 20, 1873 The Daily Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from The Daily Dispatch, September 20, 1873

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The News in Richmond. The news of the events in New York yesforday drew a good number of people to the bulletin boards of the daily papers, but there was no remarkable excitement. Indeed. Richmond is about the calmest and most self-possessed city in the Union. It is hardly ever under a sensation. It has been time and again sorely tried, and has learned how to bear even calamity with a self-possession that might almost pass for stoicism. so there was not the appearance of uneasincess. Assuredly every intelligent merchant felt that the disaster in New York might affect more or less the general welfare, but that did not disturb his equanimity. The city wore the placid and possessed air of confidence. The faith in nothing seemed to be unsettled. The banking institutions of the city appeared as calm as a May morning, and not a single depositor was induced to draws dollar under the fear that it was not as safe in the place of deposit as it would be in his own hands. We present elsewhere some interesting views of the bank officers of this city, which will be interesting to the public and espeetalty to commercial men. I: is evident that the pressure in Wall street is on account of advances by bankers to railway corporations. It affects only laterally the business of New York, and we may believe will not long do even that. Business had begun most actively in that city, and we imagine will suffer no serious interruption. We cannot see that the South will suffer save from a little tightness in money. There will be no loss for failure of New York commission houses to pay up. Cotton, indeed. has not yet gone forward. We look upon the disaster as one pretty much confined to the North, and to a class of business men whose relationsand correspondence with the South are exceedingly limited. FISK & HATCH were well known with us as financial agents of the Chesapeakeand Ohio Railroad Company, but the company owed them, and we learn by private telegram, as well as by that of the Associated Press, that they will resume when the storm blows over. So this panic we think will soon be a thing of the past, without doing us much damage, and indeed without doing a great deat to any section, if only a little time can be gained.

5. September 20, 1873 The New York Herald New York, NY
Article from The New York Herald, September 20, 1873

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effects. That part of Wall street at the corner of Broad was the chief centre of attraction. Men stood all around the quadrangle formed by the junction of the streets, and talked nervously or quickly, as temperament or interest commanded, They LINED THE CURBSTONES up and down this vicinity, and, to a stranger, would give the impression of an assemblage anxiously awaiting the appearance of some public spectacle on the streets. So large and singular a multitude-for the most part shielded by umbrellas-must have possessed certain striking outlines to the eye; for, high up on the stone balustrades of the Sub-Treasury were numerous spectators, in the midst of the pelting rain, gazing down upon the scene below with as much rapt curiosity as if they were seated in the gallery of a theatre watching a series of transformation performances. The building containing the bank of Jay Cooke & Co. was scrutinized with as keep an interest as if it had been the theatre of some absorbing tragedy. Nobody passed without bestowing a look upon it. of course it was closed, and save that the face of a clerk occasionally appeared at one of the windows with a look of supreme self-satisfaction, as If the public euriosity were centred in him alone, all was quiescent and forlorn within. There are stout iron railings extending along the front of some of the basement brokers' offices in Wall street, and these railings were made yesterday to serve as perches for those habitués of the street who are always disposed to give gratuitous information on financial matters to the inexperienced. Essays on stocks, &c., were furnished to little GROUPS OF GAPING STRANGERS along by the iron railings, and this, as one of the features of the street, was not the least interesting. The broken down operators of long ago, with no money in their pockets, like to live their days over again in periods of such excitement, by spluning yarns about past speculations and uttering ponderous predictions to those who are willing to listen. The entrances of the Stock Exchange on Broad and on Wall streets were never so eagerly surrounded. Policemen were engaged to keep order and prevent an indiscriminate rush to the public gallery. THE EXCITEMENT AT NOON. At noon, when the news of the failure of Fisk & Hatch went abroad and spread all over like a prairie fire in August, the street was exceedingly full, locomotion was slow and made awkward by the multitude of umbrellas. A mob disposed to revolution might have been dispersed by the steadysoaking rain that fell in the afternoon; but this mob. affected where most vulnerable-in the pocket-cared not a row of beans for As rain, nor thunder and lightning. a rule, the financial upheavais in Wall street attract a crowd to the main front of the Gold or Stock Exchange; but the great nurry of yesterday magnetized people to very remote places. As far away as the Post Office were hundreds engaged in discussing the situation, and out on Broadway, along the line of the big insurance offices, moneyed men fingered their watch chains and talked incessantly of the impending panic. All the restaurants and drinking saloons were well patronized. Especially so was Delmonico's haven of refreshment, Champagne was not particularly conspicuous, but whiskey played. a prominent part in making the talk over the cause and effect of the day's disaster clear as mud. THE FISK & HATCH COLLAPSE. When Fisk & Hatch were known to have caved in men looked up at every well-known sign along the streets, and speculated whether such and such a one of even high and tried credit would weather the storm and come out right side up. There was great talk about Henry Clews & Co. Now you heard that he was "bu'sted," and again that he was as solid as the Rocky Mountains, dreading nothing, and with means to tide him over the collapse of the Treasury itself. Rumors came thick and fast upon the wind of this house and that tottering to a fall. "If not to-day, to-morrow or the day after," seemed to be the tenor of much cold-blooded speculation. To say there was one universal appearance of bewilderment in the ranks of all that great mass of moneyed men who went down to Wall street yesterday, and might be said to represent the financial brains of the country, would be exactly correct. It was not A FEELING OF PANIC, such as overcomes an army and passes beyond human control. This was more a sense of temporary stupefaction and amazement, banishing for a moment the faculty of calm reflection and distorting the reality out of proportions. Men were overcome with astonishment at a series of failures so large and unexpected, bearing in mind how great the country's wealth and how exhaustless its resources. But a little reasoning showed how plainly inevitable the crash that occurred, yet the natural 1mpulse to alarm and anxiety was too strong for the time being to be restrained, and the uninitiated many who came to see Wall street in its agony went away full of the dread phantom of panic and troubled with the fancy of a universal crash like that of '57.

6. September 20, 1873 The New York Herald New York, NY
Article from The New York Herald, September 20, 1873

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AMONG THE INSOLVENT FIRMS. Reporters were sent to the various offices of the brokers and bankers who yesterday suspended to give a correct estimate of the general feeling of those who were in this unfortunate position. The feeling among these gentlemen seems to be much more buoyant and hopeful than could have been expected under such disastrous circumstances. Men seemed to feel that there was a better time coming, and all the people seen by our reporters said that they thought the present trouble would pass over and leave in a few days few traces behind it. Brokers, when they converse cn the subject, tell their side of the story, and very possibly give it rose tint which subsequent developments may destroy; therefore their statements must be taken with the necessary grain of salt. That underneath all this there is the most widespread terror, that the panic may continue and make durable what in some cases is now only temporary ruin, can hardly be denied by the most sanguine. Almost all those who failed yesterday went down to their offices confident that no trouble would happen them. But the crash was too great for them, nevertheless, and the same story may be repeated to-day, and probably will be. Interview with Fisk & Hatch. A reporter who called upon this firm was very kindly received. Mr. Fisk very kindly offered to give the particulars of his firm's suspension. He substantially made the following statement:"When we opened our office this morning we did not suppose that we would be called upon for the immense heavy payments of loans which subsequently came in. Panic reigned supreme on the street. The financial standing of many houses was impugned. A sudden rush was made upon us. Call loans of one and a half millions were presented which could not be honored at the moment, owing to the scarcity of money, and we were compelled, in self-defence and for the benefit of our creditors, to suspend payment for the time. As soon as this announcement was made on the street the run commenced. It is impossible to obtain money on any kind of collaterals, and we could not afford to sacrifice our securities. Several bank officers well informed on the existing panic, who called on us, were consulted in regard to the probability of obtaining funds to meet payments, and it was impossible to obtain any encouragement from this source: hence our suspension. "The report on the street is that your house was heavily involved with the bonds and stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company, as also with those of the Central Pacific." "We transacted a very large business in the bonds of both corporations named. We have bought and sold extensively; in fact, of the latter we disposed of about $40,000,000." "The panic precipitated by yesterday's failures completely unsettled the market for all securities. All kinds of collaterals were thrown on the market: in fact, public confidence was shaken completely in financial matters, and the tempest that followed could no more be stayed than a heavy tide stemmed by a frail craft. We are too much hurried now with explanations to callers to make any detailed statement. In a day or two, or as soon as we can get at the bottom of our affairs, we will make a full and complete statement to the public. All we want is time, so as not to be compelled to sacrifice our securities, and we hope that we shall be enabled to pay 100 cents on the dollar. Thus far the kindliest feelings have been expressed to us by our friends and creditors, and customers who have dealt here and whom we did not personally know came in and offered us not only their sympathy, but also all the time necessary to straighten out our affairs." Mesars. Fisk & Hatch, on having determined to suspend payment, issued the following card, a copy of which was transmitted to all their creditors OFFICE OF FISK & HATCH, No. 5 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 1873. We regret to be compelled to announce the suspension of our firm, oceasioned by our inability to meet at once the heavy demands made upon us for loans and deposits, on account of the existing financial disturbances and the widespread distrust occasioned by the occurrences of the past few days. We shall prepare, as soon as possible, a full statement of our affairs, which will be submitted to our crunitors without unnecessary delay In the meantime we ask your kind forbearance. and express the hope that we may be able to make such an

7. September 20, 1873 The Daily Phoenix Columbia, SC
Article from The Daily Phoenix, September 20, 1873

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NEW YORK, September 19.-Fisk & Hatch say their suspension is temporary. Their advances are upon Chesapeake and Ohio Road and Central Pacifio. They expect to resume as soon as the panic ceases. Fitch & Co. have suspended. The office of Fisk & Hatch is strongly guarded by police. A prominent Wall street banker says if the movement now making, to get the Secretary of the Treasury to come to their relief, with $10,000,000, should fail, there will be a general suspension of banks and others. A meeting of bank presidents is now being held at the clearing house. Vernon & Hoy have suspended. The police prevent any but members to enter the Stock Exchange. E. D. Randolph & Co., bankers of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and Wm. H. Anner, announce their suspension. The clearing house appointed a committee of five for the purpose of adopting a plan to relieve the present difficulties. At 2 o'clock, there was a better feeling. Western Union stock at 72. The run on the Union Trust Company is subsiding. There is more or less of a crowd around every paying teller's desk. Geo. B. Alley, whose suspension is already announced, is widely known in connection with fast horses, having raised Dexter. He says his suspension is caused by the general decline in stocks; especially Vanderbilt stocks. His liabilities are not large, and he expects to resume soon. Greenleaf, Norris & Co. is an old and wealthy stock firm. President Calhoun, of the Fourth National Bank, says: "We have no reason to fear anything." President Tappan, of the Gallatin National Bank, says he believes the better banking institutions will weather the storm. Secretary Carlton, of the Union Trust Company, says the company is perfectly solvent, and will meet all demands. It is reported that the company had $700,000 on deposit last night. Mr. Fahnestock, of Jay Cooke & Co., said, in an interview, this afternoon, that the firm hoped to pay all liabilities. Mr. Garland, another member of the firm, says the London house will have a large surplus after payment of all its debts, unless there is a great shrinking in the value of their securities. The latest rumor on the street is, that the Government will come to the rescue to-morrow, by buying $5,000,000 of bonds. The grain and provision markets are all unsettled by the Wall street panic. State and railroad bonds and city bank shares have been practically neglected, while dealings in railroad stocks continued on au enormous scale. This afternoon, the principal transactions have been Pacific Mail, Central and Hudson, Western Union, Rock Island, Wabash and St. Paul, Western Lake Shore, and Erie. Outside purchasers continue in considerable numbers on the declining market, for investment, which aided in strengthening the market this afternoon. Assistant Treasurer Hillhouse says it is in the power of the national banks to avert further disaster, and they will undoubtedly do so. The Evening Post is informed that Secretary Richardson will offer to buy from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 of five-twenties to-morrow. This will throw into the banks legal tender notes, for the large currency balance in the Treasury is nearly all composed of legal tenders. With the panic thus checked, a calm, with low rates for money, will soon follow. Jacobs, Little & Co. have failed. PHILADELPHIA, September 19.-The following have suspended: H. H. Douglass, Bayard, J. H. Yerkes, John Lloyd, Gilbaugh & Co., and Bond; all smali, except Gilbaugh. WASHINGTON, September 19.-The Committee of the Bar Association of the District of Columbia, appointed at the request of R. T. Merrick, Esq., to investigate certain charges made against him, by Ben. E. Green, son of General Duff Green, and formerly of this city, made their report to-day. The report contains copious extracts from the evidence, and sets forth that the charges have been shown to be without the slightest foundation, and that Green knew them to be false when he published them; and that the committee are forced to this conclusion by Green's own testimony, taken under oath, before the committee. A series of resolutions were unanimously adopted by the association, endorsing the views of the report, condemning Green in dignified but severe language, and declaring that the conduct of Mr. Merrick, in the transactions referred to, was not only irreproachable, but was highly honorable, efficient, faithful and magnanimous.

8. September 25, 1873 The Democratic Press Ravenna, OH
Article from The Democratic Press, September 25, 1873

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Every here the terrible financial crash of the day previous was discusse l,and the stoutest hearted of these men of the street were unnerved and apprehensive of what another day might bring forth. Broad and Wall streets were gloomy at 9 o'clock. It was raining, and many said This will surely be another Black Friday.' Few people were in the streets in that neighborhood at that time, but many were in their offices buried deep in their own affairs and waiting for the commencement of active operations in the Stock Exchange and Gold Room. As early as half past nine a crowd of brokers had already assem bled infront of the Stock Exchange. Few carried umbrellas, preferring to pp= 01 spavy their 10 esn the bave emphasis to their words. Some wore rubber overcoats and looked like thin peq Ollers reads 8 uo milk coats and old hats, and were without shirt collars, giving them the appearance of parties who had neglected oqm puu own emos JOJ business lieir dreaded their employers' wrath if they returned to work. Occasionally a diamond sparkled from the shirt bosom or finger of some one in the corners of the entrance to the building and a white necktie was seen. All were nervous and figety, and manifested their impatience to know the worst. The quick-footed messenger boys seemed to share the feeling, and lounged around in listless way. The rain poured down, but this did not move the throng which waited the opening of the great doors. At length the doors were swung open and the crowd surged in. The wide-a-wake doorkeepers kepta sharp lookout that none but those who had a right to be there entered. The drenched men were soon on the floor where 80 many fortunes have been made and lost, yelling at the top of their voices, and frightening the fashionably dressed ladies and gentlemen who looked down on them from the gallery The brokers ran against each other in their madness and seemed about to come to blows but they ways held tight to their mempus penclis, pus shood шпривло dashed on, seemingly looking for something or somebody they could not find Hardlv had the presiding officer taken his seat before the gavel parool brokers on рив pepunos towards the rostrum and saw the troubled countenance of their Chair man and a letter which he held before him. Their screams ceased for a moment and then they heard that White, Defreits & Rathburne had suspended рив 40n persuojo.id 8 S.B.M. the JO, center the 01 scramble 8, the pownser SSM Telling the Ahter usSeq they ЦВШЅ up Subsides Aurui before inq 'UICE 110s pus Anq 07 moments had elapsed they were sum moned once more to listen to their Chairman, and this time to hear read Mr. George Opdyke's Denial of the rumored suspension of his firm The room rang with cheers. Hats were thrown in the air and general good feeling prevailed. In all kinds of stocks at the opening there was a decline. Shortly afterwords prices ral рэхем am pus 1011 then ptre per hot and fierce. Early inquiries were made with regard to the London market, as it was thought that this would afford key to the course of affairs here. Cable despatches reportedAmerican securities extremely active, and the new five twenties fluctuating wildly. Rumors of all kinds were afloat and "everybody was shaky Many pus spuoq Anq 01 own the SEM 11 pres pack them away in trunks until some future time, W hen a fortune might be realized out of them. But the major used MART eM" pies 111 HPH '02 spuoq the да HIM pusSunoA few V 0.18 spros brokers outside the railing tried to JOJ Asp peq 8 8,11,, PIES pus stille readh 'siq) III you usy Dig God Transactions under the rule were the order of the morning. At eleven o'clock Pacific Mail sold at 32% Lake Shore, 80: Northwestern, 47 Rock Island, 92 Western 6912 St. Paul, 35 Union Pacific, 18 M 1/867 Oillo -06 "0 I pus Q o bash, 44 Harlem, 114; Panama, 100; Central Erie, 53 Hannibal and St. Joseph, 38. Brokers wondered whether stocks would cease going down and seemed to feel in duty bound to make more noise than ever About eleven clock they werecheck10 047 4q their III pe the gavel, and with cov. ered with perspieation they moved rapidly towards the rostrum saying "Here's another, ANNOUNCEMENT OF FAILURES. Vice-President Mitchell read a note from Eugene J. Jackson, of the late -ap oqu 28 Polherms go may clared-his inabillity to meet his obligations With woebegone looks the brokers turned to start the din anew, but scarcely had one yell. escaped them beforet gavel fellugain/and the announcement of the failure of Fisk & Hatch was made. This fell like a thunderbolt among the brokers, many of whom made baste to into the street and astonish the idlers there pension Confision SMOU supreme on the floor. Some threw off their hats and ran bareheaded around the room, yelling like Comanche Indians. The messeh shouted in vain for brokers whom they wished the up ladies the JO euros pus '008 01 gallery put their fingers in their ears. One terribly excited small-sized man with a big bank book in one hand and his hat in the other ran in and began to: scream something that sounded very much like "Help me, Smith,"but on inquiry it was learned that he was put calling for L. P. Smith. About this time the announcements of failures were made 80 rapidly that the brokers had littletimeto snarl and shake their fists at each other. Whittemore & Anderson, Beers & Ed ward, Thomas Reed & Co., W H. Warren & Co., Geo B. Alley, and Greenleaf, Shows su Do page 100 & SILION the departed, and the excitement was intense. Brokers were at a loss what to do, when the Vice- President, Moses U JO eq1 4114 beeelock M H Chesterfield, bowed to them and calmly taking his seat began to read

9. September 25, 1873 The Anderson Intelligencer Anderson, SC
Article from The Anderson Intelligencer, September 25, 1873

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The Financial Crash in New York. The great commercial centre of the United States has experienced a terrible convulsion during the past week, owing to the failure of leading bankers and brokers, beginning with the famous house of Jay Cooke & Co., whose liabilities are estimated at twenty millions. The failure of this firm was in consequence of heavy speculations in the bonds of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and their suspension was followed by a general crash in Wall street, involving the failure of Fisk & Hatch, and many other leading bankers and brokers. The Stock Exchange and the Gold Exchange were compelled to suspend operations, because of the wild excitement created among the speculators in stocks and gold. The effect upon the gold market, however, has been inconsiderable, as the latest quotations are scarcely higher than before the crash. The cotton market has been more seriously affected, and prices have had a downward tendency, with the market dull and nominal. The depositors in banks, and especially the savings' institutions, were clamorous for a few days, but a better state of feeling existed at the latest accounts, and it was confidently expected that the worst effects of the storm had been experienced already. Of course, the monetary panic has spread throughout the the country, but it is hoped the financial troubles will speedily end, and business will again assume a placid appearance. The depression of the cotton market affects our people most seriously, but we hope that a re-action in financial circles will stimulate the price of cotton, SO that our farmers will be enabled to meet their obligations promptly, and without sacrificing the product of the year's labor.

10. September 25, 1873 The Jackson Standard Jackson, Jackson Court House, OH
Article from The Jackson Standard, September 25, 1873

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THE BEGINNING OF THE END. For some time we have believed that the Grange foolery, seized upon by such demagogues as 1. T: Monahan, would result in serious and terrible calamities to the country. The insane and wicked war upon the railroad interests of the country, can only result in evil. Every demagogue, whether he be Democrat, Prohibitionist or Republican, has had the word "monopoly" in his mouth for months. The beginning of the end has commenced. The great banking houses of Jay Cooke & Co. failed last week. Then went the bank of Fisk & Hatch, and a general panic ensued, and now universal financial ruin overspreads the entire country. Jay Cooke & Co. undertook to build the great Northern Pacific Railroad, and the war upon this, and other roads, did the businessThe Democratic party never could forgive Jay Cooke & Co. for furnishing the money to put down the rebellion, and this war upon them has been mostly a partisan spite. The New York Tribune says: "But nothing can wipe out the debt the country owes the patriotic and marvelously energetic bankers who in the darkest hours of our civil war popularized the great loans, and furnished the money to pay our soldiers --nothing can obscure the fact that the very enterprise which has finally dragged them down was of national concern. Whatever may be the result of the crisis in Wall Street, we shall regard the disaster to Jay Cooke & Co. as nothing less than a public calamity." The United States Government has been appealed to in order to see if aid could be extended to save the business of the country from ruin, but President Grant and Secretary Richardson have decided that they have no constitutional power to interfere, further than to purchase bonds.

11. September 25, 1873 Mineral Point Tribune Mineral Point, WI
Article from Mineral Point Tribune, September 25, 1873

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THE most important matter of the past week is the failure of about 20 prominent bankers and brokers in New York, among them Jay Cooke & Co., Fisk & Hatch, and other houses of the highest standing. A general panic in the financial affairs of the country was at first thought to be inevitable, but by the Government promptly coming to the rescue and buying several millions of bonds, such a calamity was happily averted, and the indications now are that there will be no serious disarrangement of the monetary end commercial affairs of the country.

12. September 25, 1873 The Vinton Record McArthur, OH
Article from The Vinton Record, September 25, 1873

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Money Panic in New York. New York city has been the scene of a great money panic, during the past week. It was precipitated by the failure or suspension of the great banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., caused by the too severe stretching of their credit in aid of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The failure of 80 prominent a house caused a panic which has forced a suspension of a number of smaller bankers and brokers, and also the two prominent firms of Fisk & Hatch and Henry Clews & Co. The panic has been confined to New York City, and mostly to those firms handling railroad bonds. Apparently the worst 18 over, and it is not anticipat ed that it will extend to the country, as the crops are large and manufacturers and merchants are doing a good busi. ness on a solid basis.

13. September 26, 1873 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME
Article from The Portland Daily Press, September 26, 1873

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The Folly of "Runs." The human race has always greatly derided the custom prevailing among sheep, of following a leader blindly, even though he should leap over a precipice. Let one sheep of a flock in motion dart off in any direction, and the rest are likely to follow, however absurd the movement may be and into whatever danger they may go. This fact has been put in allegory, fable, moral essay and jest, in all sorts of forms, by persons proudly conscious of superiority to any such folly. And yet t ese same people, when opportunity offers, will often be guilty of this same absurdity which they so loftily deride in the sheep, who, from circumstances beyond their ovn control, are unable to say "You're another." We have had a most vivid illustration of this human idiosyncrasy during the financial panic of the past week, in which people, otherwise apparently reasonable, have joined in fierce and continuous runs upon banking es tablishments of high character, when it was absolutely certain that such a course would precipitate the very calamity which they dreaded. The theory of banking implies that of individuals, and loans or invests a considerable proportion of such deposits in order to produce the income which sustains the business. A small reserve only of cash is kept on hand to meet the ordinary call which generally does not exceed the deposits of any given day. The Bank of England, the synonym for safety and caution,hold only 11.2 per cent. of its liabilities in cash on hand. The London and Westminister Bank-"th first of the joint stock banks in public estimation" according to Mr. Bagehot, - reserves in cash only 13 per cent. of its liabilities. These institutions represent the extreme of conservatism in banking. In America the cash reserve probably averages somewhat less than this. It is evident, therefore, that if twenty-five per cent. of its liabilities be presented at once to any bank in Christendom, it mustsuspend, however strong and solvent it may really be, unless its securities can be turned instantly into cash, whica is impossible in time of panic. With these facts in view, runs have been made in New York upon several banking houses of the highest respectability and undoubted solveney. resulting, of course, in their temporary suspension-notably the houses of Fisk & Hatch and Henry Clews & Co. In the latter case, the firm stood up pluckily, meeting the assault for three or four days, paying out a million and a quarter of dollars and finally succumbing on account of the failure of the Fourth National Bank to honor their checks. Clews & Co. had deposited that morning $800,000 worth of securities, with the understanding that they could be drawn against up to their value; but suddenly at half past two in the afternoun the bank refused to pay checks, after less than $300,000 had been drawn. The doors of Clews & Co. were closed at once, and although many capitalists promptly offered assistance, it was tro late. as suspension had occurred. Of course it will be temporary and this house as well as many others in similar condition will lose bnt little in char acter and prestige; they only serve as illustrations of the capacity for collective folly in men who may be severally sensible. Had the depositors in any of the good houses but kept their head, and gone on in the ordinary course of their business much of the calamity might have been averted. If everybody who has a bank balance insists upon withdrawing and locking up his fragment of currency, business of all kinds must stop and we must return to first principles and barter one com modity for another. Eugland was reduced nearly to this condition in her great panic early in this century and the history of her experience is not sufficiently agreeable to make the prospect of a repetition alluring. Our own seasons of financial distress in 1837 and 1857, though not SO bad, were unpleasant enough for examples. the history of Contain Jack and

14. September 26, 1873 New-York Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Tribune, September 26, 1873

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LETHARGY AFTER THE FEVER. WALL-ST. MORBIDLY INACTIVE-PAINFUL UNCERTAINTY IN REGARD TO THE TREASURY RESERVED FUND AND GEN. HILLHOUSE'S INSTRUCTIONS-EFFECTS OF THE PANIC UPON COMMERCE. Yesterday was one of uncertainty rather than of excitement. The crowd in Wall-et. was almost entirely composed of "bears" in stocks, who eagerly demanded that the Exchange be opened, and a still larger number of investors who were anxious to pur- The chase stocks outright, in order to lay them away. excited groups which have lined the sidewalks, ornamented the Sub-Treasury steps, and distracted the confused street, were missing yesterday. The great event of the morning, and the one which on excited most public attention was the announcement the doors of the Sub-Treasury building that the pur- On chases of bonds had been discontinued. Wednesday Gen. Hillhouse had been very busy in circulating the information that about $13,000,000 in greenbacks had been paid out from the Treasury. Yesterday the astounding fact became known to many that over $24,000,000 had been paid out. discovered that Gen. Hillhouse was not to bonds to an renight. He was when a certain contingency was ported authorized chasing It has also on Sunday been buy unlimited instructed extent, reached. to stop as It pur- is now known that this contingency was the expenditure of $25,000,000 greenbacks. Very nearly the whole of this amount had been absorbed by the street by 3 o'clock on Wednesday, and hence the announcement that the Treasury had stopped buying. Strenuous efforts were made yesterday to learn whether this amount was part of the $44,000,000 reserved fund in the Treasury. Gen. Hillhouse deelines to answer inquiries, and a natural inference was that it was a part of the Treasury reserve. The result of this uncertainty was much speculation and grave doubt. Few incidents served to indicate the gloom of the day. Further than the well settled fact that the Treasury had declined to take,further purchases of bonds there was nothing calculated to depress. The street was encouraged from time to time by unofficial announcements that purchases would be resumed. But these favorable stories did not serve to dispel the depression which has settled upon all. Happily, there was not even a whisper that the Stock Exchange would open. The wise Governing(Committee, backed by|the universal sentiment of the influential part of the press, kept its doors closed. The Clearing-house banks refused positively to do more than certify large checks. Small amounts could, be easily drawn, but if a man wanted a few thousands and could not give satisfactory assurance that he needed it for legitimate business purposes, be had to be contented with a certification of the bank's indebtedness. Remorseless, the banks needed no individual pleas; determined, they set their faces against the individual for the general good. This served to encourage. At the same time the announcement of Secretary Richardson, that the Government would not anticipate the payment of the interest on the bonds of 1874, created depression and discontent. On this announcement presidents of banks freely expressed the opinion that they must combine still further to protect themselves, and croakers asserted that such a decision must necessarily force the private bankers into temporary suspension. This decision of the Secretary has rendered the measure of relief adopted by the Clearing-house Committee, yesterday, by the collection and sale of bonds, practically inoperative. While they might have collected bonds from among themselves, there was no purchaser for them. The Treasury gold sale, too, was postponed, and this, with news from other cities, helped to render the street morbid but inactive. This inaction is a necessity. Every movement thus far for relief by the Clearing-house Association, Stock Board, or the Government decreases business, and the consequence has been that there 18 no fuel for the flame of panic to feed upon. After the day had worn itself out, and no further failures had been announced the feeling became appreciably improved. They was not rumor about a banking-house or broker, and the panicmakers retired disgusted. The final result of the day and panic is that the whole matter has been taken out of the hands of those superficial people who are readily excited. and the control of events 80 far as they are controllable, is remanded to the hands of the more able and serious class, who are the head and front of the most substantial banks. These have left private bankers to shift for themselves. Two or three like Jay Cooke & Co., Henry Clews & Co., and Fisk & Hatch, overloaded with doubtful railway securities, have succumbed. Howes & Macy strong still, and retaining the confidence of their depositors, have made a wise suspension which will enable them to resume a has now extended commercial The probably uneasiness within to week. circles, especially the shippers of grain and other prodnee, who are compelled to accept bills of exchange. These they cannot exchange into greenbacks, and hence there is danger that the immense volume of breadstuffs which 18 pouring into this city from the West, and the betton and sugar from the South, will be detained here for want of available funds to send them abroad where a ready market and good prices await them. This phase the financial revulsion 18 just beginning to be felt. Unless relief is 8000 obtained, orders for consignments It from the West and South will soon cease altogether. is hoped and believed that within a few days the needed relief will be obtained. either by the shipment here of

15. September 26, 1873 Staunton Vindicator Staunton, VA
Article from Staunton Vindicator, September 26, 1873

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OF DBFA CATION in is the much There reported difference of of the Sec defal falcation Carlton, the of the Trust Union retary Company the all from given ranging figures to The institution to the 000 day and week, which places it bas also 000 has which be also and this been called, been have next week. Efforts available of to the Carl made hunt City, ton. tracked Jersey he the the took New Jersey whence to Efforts Central by made private trace biendividuals. A OD side run slight savings the was First banks W reported of com Bank which National Hoboken, was contains inued Saturday morniag the were 000 day, the but which condemands the of much fidence The amount and each placed resources liabilities $747,000. OF in Fisk York failed New on with been last. have Friday io the Jay mind, Cooke popular strength breaking with clerks Originally in banking embarked prominent on and a safe banking business Their business and and when comparatives rapidly, comporations for the loans made oplication government the with house large orders, In the well well. they which very were and known the and and with Jay Cooke with Co. Still later, of the the and and construction sub Pacific Central railroad powerful rail with the Ohio sequently it the was road. road. of very their failure. and when Fisk became favorably, its and were credit success believed beyond peradvente in and the The money it dif the of made enterprises to the the firm and bonds ficult ad to the unable obtain found themse to the had they which made compa & of Co. preCook This ny failure to the were crisis unable which the meet, their suspension. Fisk Hatch reputation it was for and When honor liberality that they nounced of eral gympathy THE AND CONSULRichard President son were Vanderbilt and and other leading bankers Sat Hotel urday previously parlors tang! at tbi ble in conference Hen terests H Geo the ry Soligman Clews, Isaac Orton Bailey, Opdyke, of the Union Western president Wm Telegraph H Jas. Sharp Company. L. the Wm Erie (Pa) Burke Bank, Horace Robert Lennox Kennedy Ex Adams Chaplin, the Vail, Bank and Louisiana, Commerce, John Adams Hoey, Expresi Company at this The to as which time ob the effect would Richard the of SOD commit tee and subject and after of several the and President Richardson could the nothing informed been had until precise done of The submitted. the verbally the legal whole should, in of the New this sug he issuing any reserve for Richard President on and to their them embodying present on the what done VIOWS ought the the that part be ap each must the pended Vander About the the room bilt entered the and the occupied became adjoining with waiting thronged ly the and ner exit for king, the faintest vously of his of visit idea is to the The stated at on President reliable the Vanderbird Grant made to the the Treasury authorize in place reserve of the that he 000 adxicul President the to relieve desired to prepresent must, vest the impending conform however, to Mr and Opdyke and Rich rdson of but action, they

16. September 27, 1873 Shepherdstown Register Shepherdstown, WV
Article from Shepherdstown Register, September 27, 1873

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eitement in financial failure of quite followed by the York and number of good many speedily a places. firms There in aroin New the cause of the suspension, other explanations and afloat many as to opinions as to the Co.-New consequence. CARD FROM 18.-Jay JAY COOKE Cooke & & "The Co. YORK, Sept. following statement make cause of the large & Co. immediate the was the suspension Philadelphia draw- of them ings Jay Cooke upon their own by their depositors houses during have house and Both depossuffered the last fortnight. a large drain of the upon uneasy their and feeling which its which in consequence has recently prevailed all houses closehas affected more or new less railroad interests. ly identified The Philadelphia with weakened by house large had Rail- cash preto advances which viously been the Northern Pacific are the they road Company. of The business of Jay is financial McCullock agents. & Co., house London, is distinct, it will meet all its entirely Cooke, solvent. SO and that that of credit perfeetly drafts and letters travelers and outstanding inconvenience to to the have without a large cash surplus to apply American house. The New York cause Sun of Jay says Cooke's Northern fail"The is the chief attempt to build enormous the and ure Pacific ill-considered Railroad. undertaking That resources. was sufficient Its to exhaust we the fear, strongest will involve confiding thousands people downfall, widows,orphans and and of of limited means in lasting poverty embarrassment." & HATCH. FAILURE OF FISK fiTHE York, September 2.-...The more failnancial panic Among & New reported continues, to-day. and of F isk the announcements ures are is the failure temporary, Hatch, Fish extensive and Hatch brokers. state that the and suspen- was sion can only loans be called in on government realized caused by could not be securities. upon at the which present which crisis. they have They made say the securities on two railroads, Chesadvances are Ohio ON and Central Pacific, They apeake of and which are completed. resume business to ceases. expect both soon be able as the to panic experienced again as street has never on Black Wall storm, and the panic exceeded by it. stock market such Friday a in 1869 is by as far the first failure was In the announced little the in entire the list interim dropped, failure but recovering falling lower a as each successive s'ates was announced. Hatch, of Fisk & Hatch, failure great that Mr. owing to yesterday's suddenly and could unexdemands came their so house that they time peetedly on met. There was no assets not b readily to obtain money on due the the firm, or to made heavy left of firm. in which The house Pacific collect which, money however, advances to the Central of their suspension. Ohio is not the to cause the Chesapeake and advances having brought them down. HENRY CLEWS & CO. re13.-In York, September Clews to the that during gard New firm suspension states of Henry out the & Co., days they have paid and a half efforts to day to impast four the utmost millions in money. it They raise one to made the securities, but finding compelled money on to They do so regard were their suspension no further as only temporary. save that to advisable. statement suspend. possible make and have National they deemed suspension Fourth The cashier of the Clews & Co.'s Bank, which amount of $200,000 their checks to so simply was the bank There did the threw good. out because says the no was not have been had account over draft but would The firm paid until no bank allowed it. remained on hand,and as of they greenbacks could negotiate large no amount,nothing securities, which they had a Clews Co. in remained but $800,000 suspension. in securities against say that Fourth had National amount Bank, of $300,000 the which checks to drawn. the The firm paid deonly had been in legal tenders few days, to and out positors was $1,250,000 the during general the impression past that they would it pull through made known Company,the also a defalThere was Union Trust the cation in the C. Carlton, son of defaulter being Carlton of the Methodist the Concern, Rev. Dr. and secretary of caused which Book Union Trust Company, He had been secretary great surprise. Trust Company since to of the had grown 1860, and Union the financial concern institution under be immeuse The additional an The pensions are as the Bank his management. Company, follows: Trust of the Compa- Union Com- susTrust the National Association, monwealth, Mechanics Banking E. C. Broadhead White & & Belknap & Co., ny,the C.G. Co., Ketchum Co., Taussig & Brown, Fisher, Walsh, Wadsworth & Co., Miller & P. M. Myers & Fearing & Dellinger, & Laurens, Joseph, & Bostwick, W. E. G. Haight MooreWilliams Sexton & Rogers, and Squires

17. September 29, 1873 The Democrat Weston, WV
Article from The Democrat, September 29, 1873

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The Crash in New York. The last fourteen days have been the most eventful that have been known in the Empire City for many years past. A monetary crash. such as has only e occurred but once before in the history of our country, has shaken financial circles from centre to circumference; and scores of the leading banking houses in the eastern cities have utterly failed to inect their obligations. and have been declared insolvent. Among the many firms that are gazetted, we may name Jay Cooke & Co., Fisk & Hatch, and Henry Clews & Co.,-the liabilities of these three houses, in ex. cess of their assets, aggregating probably One Hundred Millions of Dollars. Thousands of depositors in these and other institutions were ruined; gold took a sudden rise to 113; business of all kinds was prostrated, and gloom still prevails. In the midst of the calamity President Grant and the Secretary of the Treasury hurried to New York. By their orders Ten Millions of the Government funds wereimmediately placed upon the market, and that afforded a temporary relief. It was then ordered that the Forty-Four Million Dollars of the Government Reserve Fund be placed "where it would do the most good," in case the panic continued. Our latest advices are to the effect that confidence is again partially restored: but that thousands who ten days ago were immensely rich. are now tasting the bitter dregs of the direst poverty - A singular episode of the crash is the fact that Ex-President Andrew Johnson, who bad deposited 800,000, (his entire wealth) in the First Na. tional Bank of Washington. lost every cent by the bankruptcy of that concern : while President Grant, who had $100,000 in the Fame institution, did not lose n dime. Mr. Graut was ina I. formed by the officers of the bank that 18 the institution was about to suspend payment, and immediately drew out bis money. while poor Andy Johnson was allowed to suffer the loss of all he had de in the world. Comment is unnecessaa ry.

18. October 1, 1873 The Newberry Herald Newberry, SC
Article from The Newberry Herald, October 1, 1873

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The Lesson of the Crash. THE BUSINESS INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY UNAFFECTED. The New York Herald of Saturday has an able editorial article on the financial troubles, from which we extract the following: The crash in Wall street, though it involves 2 few of the best known banking houses in the city and has destroyed more than a dozen of the smaller operators, cannot have the effect of previous panics, notably that of 1857, upon the business interests of the Jay Cooke & Co. failed conbecause they were feesedly country. carrying the bonds of a railroad which was paying little or nothing upon the capital already invested, and which promised SO little in the future that these bonds could not be negotiated. Fisk & Hatch, who also failed yesterday, were dealing in the same kind of insecurities. The smaller houses were to some extent dependent on the large ones. and, course, were operating in the same class of stocks. It is because of this fact that we think the general business interests of the country will not suffer. Most of the railroads whose stock is now embarrassing the speculators are wild-cat affairs, built, as Commodore Vanderbilt phrases it, from nowwhere, and it was impossible that they should long continue to withstand the shocks of speculation, based as they were on mythical capital and being without business and without profits. A reputable house which conducted the negotiation of their bonds was doing a wrong to all the legitimate commercialiaterests of the country. When Jay Cooke & Co. undertook to carry the*bonds of the Northern Pacific Railroad they were laying the foundation of their destruction, and the destruction of all similiar dealers in similarly baseless enterprises. The downfall of this house. owing to their relations with this road, was impending for a long time but now that the erash has it is to be hoped that the will clear, specuatmosphere come aud that dilation will no longer be allowed to vert sound and legitimate commercial enterprises from the regular channels into the devious way of the gamblers of the street. It is to be hoped the lesson of the crash in Wall street will not be disregarded by our business men. Never has the failure of reputable brokers done SO little real harm or taught SO wholesome a lesson. The great business interests of the country are unaffected, and trade moves on as if nothing had happened. A healthier tone is sure to pervade business circles when these wrecks are swept away. The reckless spirit of speculation will be restrained. It will be more apparent than before that the legitimate businessof the country is sound landsafe, A week ago general prostration would have been predicted on the hypothesis that Jay Cooke & Co., Fisk & Hatch and a dozen other leading bankers should fail. They have failed, and yet no serious consequences have resuited, or are likely to result from the disasters which have overtaken them. They were found to be only a few men making haste to be rich by dealing in unsound securities and attempting to do a larger business than their capital allowed. While we regret their failure we rejoice that the crash has had no more evil consequences than to clear the atmosphere, and show the world that the true representatives of American business and credit are unaffected It has let us like a American been, hope, thunder storm in midsummer. The storm is over, the sky is clearer, and the air purer.

19. October 25, 1873 Wilmington Daily Commercial Wilmington, DE
Article from Wilmington Daily Commercial, October 25, 1873

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A Better Look, A bend. The news, now, is not of suspensione, but resumptions. Fisk & Hatch, in New York : E. W. Clark & Co., Philadelphia ; a National Bank, at Salt Lake City, are announced to-day. In the Philadelphia market, to-day's Ledger reports "a better and more confident feeling,' more money, and lower rates for its use. Our correspondent in that city reports the retail trade good. Throughout New England, though many indus trial establishments are discharging men, many others are in full operation, and pressed with orders.

20. December 25, 1873 The Wheeling Daily Register Wheeling, WV
Article from The Wheeling Daily Register, December 25, 1873

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NEW YORK. Fisk & Hatch to Resume. NEW YORK, December 24.-Fisk & Hatch. bankers, who were carried down by the panic on the 14th of September last, resumed to-day. The street was thus treated to a Christmas surprise, as it was not expected that the resumption would take place before New Years. A circular to the public has been issued by the firm announcing the fact of their resumption and stating that they have effected euch an arrangement of affairs as to ensure the payment of all their liabilities in full and the continuation of business on a firm basis.

21. December 25, 1873 New-York Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Tribune, December 25, 1873

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As a hopeful sign of the times, the well-known house of Fisk & Hatch, which was compelled by unfortunate circumstances to suspend early in the days of the late panic, resumed business to-day. We understand the firm are prepared to pay, on demand, all deposit claims for $5,000 and under, while from their larger creditors they have asked and obtained an extension of time, but propose to pay to them 100 cents on the dollar and interest. These gentlemen have had the public sympathy with them ever since the commencement of their embarrassment, and we are quite sure that we are justified in ,saying that Messrs. Fisk & Hatch are heartily welcomed back among the fraternity of bankers. They have issued the following circular. which explains itself: BANKING HOUSE OF FISK & HATCH, No. 5 NASSAU-ST.. NEW-YORK, Dee. 24, 1873. s We take very great satisfaction in announcing that we, have to-day resumed business, after an interval of & little over three months. Since our suspension, on the 19th of September last/ we have been successful in effecting such an adjustment of our affairs as to insure the payment of all of all our liabilities in full, and the continuance of our business upon & firm basis, with our facilities, as we trust, substantially unimpaired. We take pleasure in making public acknowledgment of cthe fact, that the accomplishment of this result isdue, m great measure, to the generous forbearance of our creditors, and the confidence and consideration which they have extended to us throughout the very difficult and trying ordeal through which we have passed. Although our liabilities were large, and our creditors numerous and scattered throughout the country, and although the period of our suspension has been prolonged considerably beyond what we "at first anticipated, or our creditors and the public may have had reason to expect, we have been subjected to no embarrassment from legal proceedings, have been foreed to no ruinous sacrifices, and have been enabled to preserve our resources, to a large extent, intact for the payment of our liabilities and the future prosecution of our business. We desire to express our grateful sense of the considerate action of the great body of our creditors toward us, of the patience with which they have awaited our resumption, and of the universal sympathy and kindneas which we have experienced. In resuming our business we venture to hope for a renewal of our business relations with our former customers and correspondents, and for a continuance of the confidence with which they have honored us hitherto. FISK & HATCH. Respectfully yours, The following securities were sold at auction today: $98,000 New-York City 7 per cent bonds, due 1885, (hyp'd)-four certificates, $20,000 each: one certificate of $10,000, and one certificate of $8,000. 99; $22,000 Alabama Central Railroad Company first mortgage 8 per cent bonds (hyp'd), 352 ; $54,000 Mobile City 8 per cent bonds, issued to the Mobile and Alabama Grand Trunk Railway Company. 50 $2,160 Mobile City past due coupons. July, 1873, 54 coupons, $40 each, 584 $44,000 Mobile and Alabama Grand Trunk Railway Company 8 per cent mortgage bonds, indorsed by the State of Alabama, 50. The Phenix National Bank has declared the usual semi-annual dividend of 31 per cent, payable Jan. 2. The Philadelphia stock market is steady: Pennsylvania Sixes, 109: Philadelphia and Erie Railroad, 24; Reading Railroad. 551; Pennsylvania Railroad, 46% Gold. 1901.

22. December 27, 1873 The Daily Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from The Daily Dispatch, December 27, 1873

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NEW YORK. New York Workingmen's Meeting. NEW YORK, December 26.-The commissioners appointed at the so-called workingmen's meeting at the Cooper Institute waited on Commissioner Van Norte to-day and presented a letter demanding work or pay for those who are in enforced idleness which was brought about by the Government sanctioping speculation in our circulating medium. They also demanded that the work should be furnished direct to them, abrogating all contracts; and they further demanded a speedy answer in writing. The Commissioner, in reply, said he would send them an answer. Another delegation of real workingmen waited on Major Havemeyer and requested him to sign certain ordinances which have passed the Board of Aldermen for the improvement of streets and avenues, so that they may obtain work. The Mayor intimated that he would sign them. Brutal Assault-Attempted Suicide. NEW YORK, December 26.-James Gallagher, of No. 30 Pearl street, Brooklyn, returned home drunk early this' morning, assaulted his wife, dragged her from her bed, and threw her down the second flight of stairs. Supposing he had killed her, he returned to bis room, took an Enfield rifle and shot himself in the stomach, inflicting a fatal wound. Fatal Accident in Buffalo-Result of a Panic. BUFFALO, December 26.-The second floor of a house of ill-fame in this city gave way last night, precipitating the inmates to the basement. One girl named Jennie Griffin was killed, and several others injured. A false alarm of fire last night caused a panic among a crowd of persons engaged in a dance at Keller's Hall, and in the rush to escape from the building several persons jumped from the windows of the second story and were seriously injured. New York Items. NEW YORK, December 26.-Messrs. Fisk & Hatch sent a communication to the Stock Exchange to-day officially announcing that tbey have resumed business. There were a number of fights and stabbing affrays here yesterday, but no one was killed, although one or two persons are thought to be dangerously burt. During an attempt to rescue three roughs in Jersey City yesterday the father of one of them was struck on the head by a policeman and will die. To-morrow's papers will publish a letter from Wm. Orton, President of the Western Union Telegraph Company to the Postmaster-General, reviewing the recommendations of the latter in his annual report in favor of a postal telegraph. To-day Judge Woodruff affirmed the decision of Judge Blatchford that the British steamer Queen must forfeit to the United States $24,000 penalty for knowingly bringing into this port articles liable to duty and which were not entered upon the manifest of the vessel. The Bank of British North America, the Bank of Montreal, and the Canadian Bank of Commerce having declined to pay the State tax, Judge Barrett to-day rendered a decision that they having all the protection of the laws of the State are liable to taxation, and directs the commissioners to collect it.

23. January 22, 1874 The Vinton Record McArthur, OH
Article from The Vinton Record, January 22, 1874

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The Calm After The Storm. A New York correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette thus describes the present financial situation: "Never has so great a crisis been 60 speedily and satisfac torily passed. Barely three months have gone, and the prominent bankers who suspended are again in operation. The National Trust, the Union Trust, Kenyon, Cox & Co., Geo. B. Grinnell & Co., Fisk & Hatch, and others are once more sailing on unruffled and prosperous seas."

24. May 16, 1884 New-York Tribune New York, NY
Article from New-York Tribune, May 16, 1884

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HISTORY OF THE FIRM. STARTING ON A SMALL CAPITAL-ITS FAILURE IN 1873-MR. HATCH'S HOSPITALITY. The firm of Fisk and Hatch first became prominent in the early days of the war. Before they started in basiness for themselves in March, 1862, they had both occupied positions of trust. Mr. Fisk was a teller in the Bank of the Commonwealth, while Mr. Hatch was cashier in a similar institution. On the date mentioned they entered into partnership, with the firm name of Fisk & Hatch, which has ever since remained unaltered. Their capital, at first, was limited, being only, it is said, about $15.000, of which each contributed one-half. They began their operations naturally on a small scale, but they exhibited such caution and sagacity that before long they were doing an exceedingly lucrative business. When the Government made application for loans the young firm received large orders, which they executed to the satisfaction of their customers. From that time till the present day the major portion of their business has consisted in transactions in Governm ent bonds. They handled railway bonds, however, in the ordinary course of their business. and their success in the introduction of the Union Pacific bonds led to their acceptance of the position of financial agents of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad bonds. They were also early interested in the Central Pacific Railroad, with the construction and development of which they became identified. Their large dealings in Chesapeake and Ohio contributed chiefly to their suspension in 1873. The stringency of the money market which prevailed during the fall of that year rendered it :difficult for them to negotiate the bonds and repay themselves for their advances to the company. The failure of Jay Cooke on Thursday, September 18, of that year precipitated the crisis, and Messrs. Fisk & Hatch were forced to suspend next day. Their failure was attributed simply to the sudden calls made upon them by their depositors. Taey had upward of 1,000 depositors, whose deposits amounted to over $1,000,000, while their total indebtedness was about $5,000,000. So high was their reputation that they found no dificulty 111 resuming operations in December of the same year. All creditors whose claims were less than $5,000 were paid 111 full, while the others gave extensions of time varying from one to four years according to circumstances. During the last ten years the firm has regained its former position in the popular estimation. Their transaction ns have been still chiefly confined to dealings in Governments," They have dealt largely, however, in railroad bonds. and their connection with Central Pacific and Chesapeake and Oho has continued, it is thought, to their own disadvantage. Taey have also done a large business with country banks from which they have received deposits without giving any security. Besides their transactions on the Stock Exchange they did an extensive counter business, as it IS termed, buying and selling Government bonds over the counter for a commission of 1-16 either way. Personally few men are more popular in business and other circles. Mr. Fisk is a stout man, of about medium height, with a round, good-humored face. His partner is rather taller and of slighter build, with dark, piercing eyes and closely cropped whiskers. Mr. Hatch is, perhaps, the more widely known of the two. The unswerving rectitude of his private life is well known, while his simple, unaffected manner and the absence of any parade of his deepseated religious and moral convictions has endeared him to all his friends and acquaintances. For many years he has been an entausiastic yachtsman, and nothing pleased him better than to form a yachting party and carry off some of his friends on a short cruise. Rarely were his invitations refused, although lie was always careful to tell his guests that, in accordance with his wellknown principles, nothing stronger than water would be found on board. Mr. Hatch was the originator of a well-known down-town mission house, a branch of which was subsequently opened uptown. Here he often speaks, and in plain. simple language commends an honest life to his hearers. When Brayton Ives retired from the presidency of the Stock Exchange last year, Mr. Hatch was elected in his place, and he was re-elected at the last meeting of the Board. No man, it was at that time said, could more fitly fill that high position. WHAT THE FIRM'S COUNSEL SAY. Lucius E. Chittenden and his son, Horace H. Chittenden, are the counsel for Fisk & Hatch. The Continued on Second Page. ,