16338. National Trust Company (New York, NY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
April 15, 1885
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f989ab58

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles report that W. J. Best was appointed receiver of the National Trust Company of New York and that he pocketed assets, leaving little for stockholders. No article describes a depositor run; instead the bank was placed in receivership/administration and effectively closed. Dates in the articles span 1885 (publication) and refer to actions in earlier years (e.g., Best turned over results in March 1882), but the texts do not give a clear date of suspension; receiver appointment is reported. I therefore classify as a suspension leading to closure (receivership).

Events (2)

1. April 15, 1885 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
He was appointed receiver of the National Trust Company of New York, and has brought the stockholders to grief. Out of the assets he has pocketed $125,000 as commissions and fees, and left only about $90,000 for the unlucky stockholders, which they are now attempting to recover.—Exchange.
Source
newspapers
2. October 28, 1885 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
He first ame proadment 111 connection with the Eighth National Bank of New-York... and the National Trust Company of New-York. The report of the Insurance Committee of the Legislature of 1883, in regard to Mr. Best's receivership of the National Trust Company, said that he had unwisely administered his trust, but did not charge him with dishonesty.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Farmer and Mechanic, April 15, 1885

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

....Mr. W. J. Best, of unenviable railroad fame in North Carolina, has added further to his questionable laurels. He was appointed receiver of the National Trust Company of New York, and has brought the stockholders to grief. Out of the assets he has pocketed $125,000 as commissions and fees, and left only about $90,000 for the unlucky stockholders, which they are now attempting to recover.—Exchange. And yet it is scarcely three years since the Farmer and Mechanic was denounced all over the State, because we denounced the gift of a seven-million dollar State railroad to this same Bill Jay! We were held up to the public gaze as an enemy of the Democratic Party; and there are men who yet believe that we were hostile to it; because we felt too proud to deny such slurs in view of all we have suffered in behalf our party. But time's whirligig brings all things to them that wait.


Article from New-York Tribune, October 28, 1885

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

WILLIAM J. BEST ARRESTED. CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLING $75,000. TAKEN TO BOSTON-HIS CONNECTION WITH THE PACIFIC BANK AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS. A little over a week ago Inspector Byrnes received from the police authorities of Boston a requisition signed by Governor George D. Robinson, of Massachusetts, stating that an indictment had been found by the Graud Jury against William J. Best, on a charge of having embezzled $75,000 of a trust fund which was in charge of the Pacific Bank of Boston, of which he was the receiver. The indictment had been found in January last, but no action had been taken on it, so far as Inspector Byrnes knows, until the receipt of the requisition papers. As soon as they arrived Detective Sergeant Adams rasassigned to the case and told to arrest Best. He went to the Rossmore Hotel, where Mr. Best was living, but found that he was out of the city on business. and it was not known when he would return. Adams took a room adjoining that of Mr. Best and awaited his return. He found out early yesterday morning that Mr. Best had got back to town and reported to Inspector Byrnes. Chief Inspector Hanscom, of Boston, who had come to NewYork on the case, was consulted. and it was decided to make the arrest. Sergeant Adams was so instructed, and about o'clock last night he called on Mr. Best: the hotel, showed him the requisition papers, and told him that be wanted him to go to Police Headquarters Mr. Best professed himself perfectly willing to accompany the detective, and together they went to Mu!berry-at. They found Inspector Byrnes and Chief Inspector Hanscom in the former's office. Mr. Hanscom asked Mr. Best If he was willing to go to Boston. . Yes," was the quick reply, "I am ready to go at once," .. If you have anything to attend to in New-York I can wait over until to -norrow," suggested Inspector Hanscom. .. No," said Mr. Best. " We'll go to-night. The sooner we get to Boston the quicker I'll be able to prove my innocence of these charges." To Inspector Byrnes Mr. Best said that the charges were the result of a conspiracy, and that he had ample documentary and other proof at his command which would prove conclusively his innocence of any action which not clean and above board. He had nothing to dread from a most rigid examination of any of his private or official actions. Hewas certain that this charge was the work of personal enemies. He aske permission to see his legal adviser, Charles P. Crosby, and to have alittle time to put his personal effects at the Rossmore Hotel into shape for a long absence. The arrest being entirely unlooked for, he had no time to prepare for it. Ho thought Ite could easily arrange all his affairs so as to be able to take the 11 o'clock train for Boston. His requests were acceded to. Inspector Byrnes formally delivered Mr. Best to Chief Inspector Hanscom, and instructed Sergeant Adams to accompany them wherever they chose to go. The party left the Central Office and went to the home of Mr. Crosby, No. 1,211 Fourth-ave. where Mr. Best held a consultation with Mr. Crosby. They next went to the Rossmore Hotel, where the prisoner spent a little time. Inspector Hanscom and Mr. Best were then driven to the Grand Central Depot, where they took the 11 o'clock train for Boston Mr. Best took his arrest quietly and in his interview with Inspector Byrnes at the Central Office showed no evidence of strong excitement except when he spoke of the conspiracy which be said existed to run his character. Mr. Best was introduced to the stockholders of the Pacific National Bank of Boston by Colonel Daniel Needham, the National bank examiner. in January, 1881. at a time when the affair of that institution had reached a state bordering on insolvency. He addressed the meeting of the stockholders of the company held January 10 to consider the appointment of a receiver, and persuaded them that the bank could be saved by the adoption of a plan which he proposed. This plan, it was announced, had the approval of the Controller of the Currency, and 6,200 out of a total of 6,255 shares voted in favor of its adoption. It called for the full payment of a heavy assessment on the part of the stockholders, but such was the effect of Mr. Best's address that men who had seen their fundsin many cases nearly all they had-melt away until not so much as a scrap of paper remained to show whither it had gone, were induced to make all sorts of sacrifices order to raise similar amounts to those which had vanished. Mr. Best took the matter in hand and on March 1882. concluded his labors and turned over to the directors the results of his work in the shapeof improved securities, increased assets, renewed public confidence and a future pregnant with flattering possibilities or his efforts in behalf of the institution Bank Examiner Needham said, .. The Pacitle Bank has been very fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Best. When he took the matter in hand insoivency and absolute perbankrupter were inminent and few KONS could have conceived It possible to resuscitate the bank. Tno manner in which the sets have been gathered in and protection secured for marvelbeen involved were has where Interests those lous, and Mr. Best has exhibited wonderful financial a executive factilities, with a power of combination most rare, and without which the Pacific Bank would never again have entered the list of solvent and strong financial Institutions of Boston Mr. Best evinces knowledge of human nature and financial ability of a rare order." The presidency of the bank was repeatedly offered Mr. Best, but he refused to take it because of hisconnection with railroad interests in the South. The bank resumed business, to the aur prise of many. and its condition as brought about Mr. Best was the subject of special commendation on the part of the Controller of the Currency. Mr. Best was born in Ireland in 1842 and came >the United States in 1860. He represented Armstrong Calzell & Co.,linen manufacturers, of Rathfelland, Ire land, In New-York for two years and afterward became connected with the silk firm of Dexter Lambert & Co., whose factory was then in Boston. He took exclusive charge of the firm's warehouse in San Franeisco. He went back to the linen trade in 1865 and continued in that business in this city until 1878 He first ame proadment 111 connection with the Eighth National Bank of New-York, which failed in December, 1871. His work in this field secured him the appointment 88 re ceiver of the German Savings Bank of Morrisania, which closed ts doors January 15. 1877, the Mechanics and Traders' Savings Institution, and the National Trust Company of New-York. He became president the Midland North Carolina Railway and the Midland Company, Construction and Improvement which obtained control of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad in 1881. The report of the Insurance Committee of the Legislature of 1883, in regard to Mr. Best's receivership of the National Trust Company. said that he had unwisely administered his trust, but did not charge him with dis honesty. THE HEATHEN CHINEE" IN GEORGIA. Oct. 27 (Special).-Violent