17257. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Cincinnati, OH)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: trust company
Start Date: February 6, 1888
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio (39.103, -84.515)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 676d6993

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Government (Comptroller) took the bank into custody; arrests of officers

Description

Newspapers report depositors lining up and a short stoppage of payments on Feb 6, 1888, followed by formal suspension, government (Comptroller/Examiner) takeover and appointment of a receiver (McConville). Articles use variants: Metropolitan Bank, Metropolitan National Bank; government examiners and arrests (Vice‑President DeCamp, President Means) and allegations of misapplication of funds indicate bank‑specific adverse information underlying the run and prompted government action and receivership. I use 1888-02-06 for the initial run/short suspension and mid-February 1888 for formal suspension/receivership per contemporary reports.

Events (4)

1. February 6, 1888 Run

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Heavy withdrawals and a depositor line followed reports of mismanagement/speculation by officers and low reserves; examiner on site and vice-president resignation/arrest fueled withdrawals.
Measures: Payments resumed after a few minutes; directors met and elected a new vice-president; other banks later lent assistance ($25,000 each) according to reports.
Newspaper Excerpt: Pending the meeting the payment of checks was suspended, and a long line of depositors gathered, reaching from the payer's desk to the street.
Source: newspapers

2. February 7, 1888 Suspension

Cause: Government Action
Cause Details: Comptroller/National bank examiner (Sanders) intervened; arrests of officers (Vice‑President DeCamp, President Means) and alleged misapplication of funds led to government control and formal suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt: 10 P. M. -The Metropolitan National Bank directors passed a resolution after 8 o'clock to-night to suspend. The bank is now in the hands of the government.
Source: newspapers

3. February 16, 1888 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: Receiver McConville has taken charge of the Metropolitan Bank of Cincinnati. (reports Feb. 16). The first work of Receiver McConville ... collection of debts due the bank by the late directors and officers.
Source: newspapers

4. March 14, 1888 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: The stockholders ... are circulating for signature a paper to be presented to Comptroller Trenholm asking him to apply the money now in the receiver's hands to the payment of claims ... and to discharge the receiver and turn over the property of the bank to the board of directors.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (21)

1. February 6, 1888 Evening Star Washington, DC

Article from Evening Star, February 6, 1888

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A CINCINNATI BANK IN TROUBLE. The Metropolitan Stops Payment for a Short Time-The Directors in Session. CINCINNATI, Feb. R.-The Metropolitan Bank directors held a sesston this morning at 10 o'clock. Pending the meeting the payment of checks was suspended, and a long line of depositors gathered, reaching from the payer's desk to the street. In a very few minutes, however, the payment of checks began, and at this writing, 11:20, the line is much decreased. The directors are still in session, and what is transacted is not yet known, except that Vice-President Decamp's resignation has been accepted and Louts Krohn has been cirosen in his place. Bank Examiner Sanders is at the bank, but me says he is too busy to say anything for the benefit of the public. SAYS NO ORDER FOR SUSPENSION WAS GIVEN. The directors took no other action than to elect Mr. Krohn vice-president, in place or Mr. Decamp. President Means. referring to the stoppage of payment, says there was no order for it and no reason for it. and that he did not know there was any suspension. He supposes the story must have arisen from some accidental delay at the payer's desk, as no order for suspension was given. Everything is quiet at the bank at this hour, 12 o'clock.

2. February 6, 1888 Alexandria Gazette Alexandria, VA

Article from Alexandria Gazette, February 6, 1888

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Suspended Payment. CINCINNATI, Feb. 6.-Metropolitan Bank suspended payment for a short time this morning, but resumed in a few minutes.

3. February 7, 1888 Wheeling Register Wheeling, WV

Article from Wheeling Register, February 7, 1888

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METROPOLITAN BANK Suspends Payment-DeCamp Resigns and Is Arrested. CINCINNATI, February 6.-The Metropolitan Bank directors held a session this morning at 10 o'clock. Pending the meeting the payment of checks was suspended, and a long line of depositors gathered, reaching from the payer's desk to the street. In a very few minutes, however, the payment of checks began. The directors are still in session, and what is transacted is not not yet known, except Vice President DeCamp's resignation has been accepted, and Louis Krohn has been chosen in his place. Bank Examiner Sanders is at the bank, but says he is too busy to say anything for the benefit of the public. The directors took no other action than to elect Mr. Khrom Vice-President, in place of Mr. DeCamp. President Means, referring to the stoppape of payment, says there was no order for it, and no reason for it, and he did not know there was any suspension. He supposes the story must have arisen from accidental delay at the payer's desk, as no order for suspension was given. 10 P. M. -The Metropolitan National Bank directors passed a resolution after 8 o'clock to-night to suspend. The bank is now in the hands of the government. Vice President J. C. De Camp bas been arrested. It is said that Mr. De Camp has been speculating extensively in Findlay and other "boom" places. The affairs of the bank were at once turned over to the Government Bank Examiner Sanders. The next movement will be the appointment of a receiver.

4. February 7, 1888 The Palatka Daily News Palatka, FL

Article from The Palatka Daily News, February 7, 1888

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CINCINNATI BANK IN TROUBLE. The Metropolitan Directors in Session-The VicePresident Resigns-Bank Suspends. CINCINNATI, February 6.-The Metropolitan Bank directors held a session this morning at 10 o'clock. Pending the meeting the payment of checks was suspended and a long line of depositors gathered, reaching from the payer's desk to the street. In a very few minutes, however, the payment of checks began, and at this writing, 11:10, the line is much decreased. The directors are still in session and what is transacted is not known, except that Vice-President Decamp's resignation has been accepted and Louis Krohn has been chosen in his place. Bank Examiner Sanders is at the bank, but says he is too busy to say anything for the benefit of the public. There was more than the usual demand upon the Metropolitan Bank all day, but at the clearing house it was only $10,000 behind. While bankers agree that the Metropolitan Bank is solvent, they recognized the fact that it could not meet every possible demand in a day, so eight of the banks loaned it $25,000 each. Other offers were denied. The objection made to DeCamp, the retiring vice-president, was that he had been speculating too much in real estate. At To'edo to-day . two mortgages on his Toledo property were filed, of $10.000 each, by John R. DeCamp, and by DeCamp & Means to the Merchants' National Bank of Cincinnati. 10:10 P. M.-The Merchant's National Bank directors passed a resolution after 8 o'clock to-night to suspend. The bank is now in the hands of the Government. Vice-President J. R. DeCamp has been arrested.

5. February 7, 1888 Press and Daily Dakotaian Yankton, SD

Article from Press and Daily Dakotaian, February 7, 1888

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The Metropolitan Bank. CINCINNATI, O., Feb. 6.-When the Metropolitan bank opened Monday morning there was quite a crowd on hand waiting to draw out deposits, but they were disappointed. The bank people claimed to have securities, but not cash, on hand. They said the latter would be forthcoming. The paying teller of the bank asserts that they have not suspended. The reason for temporary suspension of the Metropolitan bank was to organize, which has just been done by electing Louis Krohn vice president, vice J. R. Decamp, resigned. The bank is now paying out on demand, and doing business as usual.

6. February 7, 1888 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT

Article from The Salt Lake Herald, February 7, 1888

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More Cincinnati Bank Trouble. CINCINNATI, O., 4 February 6.-The Metropolitan Bank directors held a session this morning at I0 o'clock. Pending the meeting, the payment of checks was suspended and a long line of depos itors gathered. In a very few minutes, however, the payment of checks began, and at 11.10 the line was much decreased. Directors are still in session, and what was transacted is not yet known, except that President DeCamps' resignation was accepted and Louis Krohn chosen in his place. Bank Examiner Sanders is at the bank, but says he is too busy to say anything for the benefit of the public. The directors took no other action than to elect Krohn vice-president in place of De Camp. President Means, referring to the stoppage of payment, says he supposed the story must have arisen from some accidental delay at the payer's desk, 88 no order for the suspension was given. Everything is quiet at the bank.

7. February 7, 1888 Richmond Dispatch Richmond, VA

Article from Richmond Dispatch, February 7, 1888

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Suspends Payment. (By telegraph to the Dispatch.] CINCINNATI, O., February 6.-The Metropolitan Bank suspended payment for a short time this morning, but resumed in a few minutes.

8. February 8, 1888 The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer Wheeling, WV

Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, February 8, 1888

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SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST THE LEADING OFFICERS Of the Metropolitan Bank at Cincinnati. y, 0 The President and Vice President Under n Arrest-Charged With Gross Violation at of theLaw-Anxiety of Depositors. at e CINCINNATI, Feb. 7.-The silence of the n tomb prevailed at the Metropolitan Bank 16 to-day. It is located in a new brown stone strucle ture called the United Bank's Building, and occupies the western half at the southeast corner of Third and Walnut. A wide vestibule is used jointly by it and in the eastern half of building, by its neighbor the the Citizens National Bank. of was this from it into morning, This vestibule, but the door course, leading open was and the the placarded Metropolitan with Bank announcement closed, that the bank is in the hands of the troller of the Currency, acting through CompMr. Sanders, the United States National Bank Examiner. A few clerks could be seen through the glass door and a single watchman lounged at the door of the sumptuous room of the President. Small groups of people entered the vestibule and looked for a moment on the vacated quarters of the great bank and read therein a lesson of the power of the National Government. THE GOVERNMENT'S ACTION. All connected with the bank say this would not have happened if the government had not caused the arrest of the exVice-President. It is true that the arrest moved the other banks to withdraw their offers of assistance, but it may be that the government acted mercifully in diverting their money from the Metropolitan, for the charge made in the warrant for Mr. Decamp's arrest does not necessarily cover all that may be in the posses. sion of the government. More serious charges than certifying to a false statement of the condition of the bank may be brought to the notice of the grand jury, which, by the way, will begin its session in a day or two. Mr. Decamp had no difficulty in procuring bondsmen to join him in his bond, which was placed at $20,000, and he was only kept in custody while the bond was being prepared. It is believed by persons who are in position to know, that Mr. N. Roth and K. will be for wards, having Duckworth, Cashier signed directors, E. Charles arrested George W. Edand sworn to the false statement upon which Mr. Decamp was arrested. THE PRESIDENT ARRESTED. Another sensation has been added to the bank suspension. It is the arrest of Hon. William Means, the president of the bank. The warrant was but usual out of Burnett served for Mr. issued in Means. the this District morning, manner, Attorney was regard not notified him after twelve o'clock of the issuance of the writ, and arranged for Mr. Means to go voluntarily with his bondsmen to the Commissioner's office at two o'clock. With the Fidelity cases fresh in mind, and with the proof they gave of the relentless power of the Government, where there has been a plain transgression of the law, this arrest causes a decided sensation. Mr. Means has held a leading position among business men for a number of years; has been reputed quite wealthy; served a term as Mayor, when he was elected, not by a party vote, but by a combination whose support WAB a compliment to their candidate. To have a man of such prominence put in peril of imprisonment, causes a profound feeling. OTHER ARRESTS POSSIBLE. There is a fairly well authenticated statement that the examination of the bank books and papers show a gross violation of the banking law in loans to officers and others connected with the bank very largely in excess of the limit allowed by the law to any one. It is possible that this wrong doing may have been carried to such an extent as to imperil the bank's solvency. At this tima it is thought that other arrests will be made, but of this no one can speak with certainty because there has not been time for a thorough examination of the bank's affairs. Inspector Sanders has decided that all paper maturing hereafter on the Metropolitan shall be paid at the National Lafayette Bank. City Treasurer Bohrer said this morning that the $100,000 has been in the Met ropolitan over two years. It was there on deposit and was not a loan to the bank. "A few days ago, he continued, "I began to hear rumors of mismanagement at the bank, and I then demanded and got colI lateral security for the city's deposit. hold three certificates of deposit for $20,000, $30,000 and $50,000. I now hold to secure them $150,000 in paper discounted by the bank, which is the same security taken by the associated banks. The city will not lose a cent.' President Means appeared this afternoon sit the office of United States Commissioner Dorger with Henry Hanna, May Fecheimer, Patrick E. Roach and C. M. Holloway as sureties, and gave bond for his appearance in the sum of $20,000. The charge against him in the warrant the misapplication of upwards of $200,000 of the funds of the bank.

9. February 9, 1888 The Austin Weekly Statesman Austin, TX

Article from The Austin Weekly Statesman, February 9, 1888

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BANK PRESIDENT ARRESTED. Hou. William Means, of the Metropolitan Bank, 'l'aken Into Custody. CINCINNATI, February 7.-Another sensational feature has been added to the Metropolitan bank suspension. It is the arrest of Hon. Wm. Means, president of the bank. A warrant was issued this morning but was not served in the usual manner, out of regard for Mr. Means. District Attorney Burnet notified him after 12 o'clock of the issuance of the writ, and arranged for Mr. Means to go voluntarily with his bondsmen to the commissioner's office at 2 o'clock. With the Fidelity cases fresh in the mind, and with the proof they gave of the relentless power of the government where there has been a plain transgression of the law, this arrest causes a decided sensation. Mr. Means has held a leading position among business men for a number of years; has been reputed quite wealthy, and served a term as mayor, when he was elected, not by B party vote, but by acombination whose support was a compliment to their candidate. To have a man of such prominence put in peril of imprisonment, causes profound feeling. There is a fairly well authenticated statemendathat the examination of the bank's bulds and papers show a gross violation ofentuning laws in loans to officers connecte-Feth the bank. It is possible that this W be doing may have extent as to imbeen carried to suc peril the bank's so ningoy at this time. It is not thought n evert other arrests will be made, but dan 8's no one can speak with certainty, beand 8 there has not been time for a thoroughi exrmination of the bank's affairs.

10. February 10, 1888 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN

Article from The Indianapolis Journal, February 10, 1888

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Business Embarrassments. CHICAGO, Feb. 9. - The failure of Bensley Brothers, a Board of Trade firm of thirty years' standing, was announced this morning. The general impression on the Board of Trade was that the liabilities would reach $300.000 to $350,000, and that they owed one block of nearly $175,000, which is said to be secured. In some quarters where a close watch is kept on the standing of the different houses, no surprise was expressed at the failure, as they have been struggling along for several years. Mr. Bensley practically admitted that it was the losses occasioned by the McGeoch failure in 1883, and the collapse of wheat in June that used up a large part of their assets. CINCINNATI, Feb. 9. -Frank V. Sowles, lumber dealer in Avondale, has assigned to Charles J. Hunt. Liabilities, $35,000; assets, $40,000. The failure is attributed to the suspension of the Metropolitan Bank. Sowles is a brother-inlaw of John R. DeCamp, late vice-president of that bank. Preferences were made in favor of David W. Sowles. for $7,000; the Sesson & Lilly Lumber Company, $2,500; Adele F. DeCamp, $1,500, and others aggregating $1,200. DAVENPORT. Ia., Feb. 9. -Mortgages amounting to $33,000 were foreclosed on the Mueller & Ackerman Manufacturing Company yesterday, and the institution has suspended operations. The company has a capital stock of $200,000, one of the principal stockholders being Congressman Guenther, of Oshkosh. The failure has caused quite a sensation in local business circles. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Feb. 9. -The Commercial Printing Company, W. L. Burkam, president and general manager, publisher of the Daily Commercial, assigned to-day to H. W. Martin, for benefit of creditors. The assets are given at $43,928, and the liabilities at $25,933.

11. February 11, 1888 Martinsburg Independent Martinsburg, WV

Article from Martinsburg Independent, February 11, 1888

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lay gas land, Toledo natural gas stock, Roane Mountain, Tenn., iron and coal land, and stock in the Athens, Ga., Improvement company was purchased. Most of the land and stock was bought on time, notes being given. When the boom ended and these notes matured it is charged that the bank's money was used to pay them. This, it is alleged, was accomplished by one director loaning the bank's money to the other on notes. These amounted to over $600,000. National bank examiners went through the bank numerous times, and always reported it solvent. When the Fidelity bank failed it was discovered that there was something wrong with the Metropolitan. It seems that on March 17, Bank Examiner Powell arrived in this city for the purpose of examining the Fidelity National bank. It was at the time Harper and Hopkins were in the wheat deal. When Powell began his examination, the reserve fund, which the law requires to be 25 per cent. of the deposits, was away below that amount. To dupe the examiner, Harper borrowed $150,000 from the Metropolitan bank. This was enough to balance the reserve fund, and Examiner Powell reported that the Fidelity was solvent. This money was returned to the Metropolitan the next day. This peculiar transaction was not known, however, when the Fidelity failed. Examiner Powell appointed John R. De Camp, vice president of the Metropolitan, temporary receiver of the Fidelity. The Fidelity failure caused a run on all the banks. Vice President De Camp knew that his own bank, the Metropolitan, was hard pushed. To save his institution it is charged that he took all the bills receivable of the Fidelity bank and collected from the New York banks $175,000. This amount he turned over to the Metropolitan to meet the demands for money from the depositors. When Receiver Armstrong took charge of the Fidelity's affairs he demanded the money, and the Metropolitan paid over $115,000 to the receiver, which in turn was sent to Comptroller of the Currency Trenholm. During the trial the peculiar transaction of transferring the funds of the Metropolitan to the Fidelity came out. This caused Comptroller Trenholm to look upon the Metropolitan with suspicion. He examined old statements of the bank, and saw upon the face of them that there was something wrong. A new bank examiner, Mr. Sanders, was then sent to Cincinnati. The very first day he was in the bank he found that it was not solvent. The last statement showed the reserve fund to be 25 per cent. of the deposits. Instead of this amount he found there was not 10 per cent. on hand. He next discovered the fact that there was a syndicate among the directors for speculating in real estate. He demanded that the directors, whose unsecured notes were in the bank, replace them with solid cash. This was done by some of the directors, while others turned in real estate stock, etc. Mr. Sanders looked upon the stock with suspicion. He remained in the bank over a week. This caused suspicion. Metropolitan stock dropped from 145 to seventy-nine cents. This caused a run on the bank Saturday. Then came the resignation of the vice president John R. De Camp, which was demanded by the examiner. This caused the run on the bank Monday. Mr. De Camp's arrest convinced the directors that further efforts to sustain the bank would prove futile. City Treasurer Bohrer had $100,000 in the bank. It is said depositors will lose nothing. Stockholders will realize 86 on their stock. Examiner Sanders and his aid, Mr. William Moffett, at once took charge of the bank. They will continue in charge until a receiver is appointed. A rumor is current on Third street to the effect that the Metropolitan will reorganize in a few days, reduce the capital stock, pay all the claims and continue business.

12. February 11, 1888 The Memphis Appeal Memphis, TN

Article from The Memphis Appeal, February 11, 1888

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They Don't Like It a Bit. CINCINNATI, O., Feb. 10.-There is considerable disappointment.felt by reason of the selection of a man outside of Cincinnati for receiver of the Metropolitan bank. It is not because of the man chosen, but because he is not a Cincinnati man. Comptroller Trenholm has followed the same course he did in the case of the Fidelity. There has been no reason to doubt the wisdom of that policy.

13. February 17, 1888 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN

Article from The Indianapolis Journal, February 17, 1888

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Business Embarrassments. CINCINNATI, Feb. 16.-The first work of Receiver McConville, of the Metropolitan Bank. is the collection of debts due the bank by the late directors and officers. It now appears that it will be the policy of the officers to make a total settlement of all civil claims before going into the legal fight for alleged violations of the banking law. President Means's account has been examined, and he has paid to the receiver $125,000 for his paper held by the bank. George K. Duckworth has paid $50.000 on account, and will pay the remainder as soon as it is ascertained. Director Roth is doing the same. What effect this course will have upon the criminal proceedings remains to be seen. E, R. Longhead & Co., plaining-mill, sash, door, blind manufacturers, etc., assigned this afternoon to F. Vogele. Assets. $20,000; liabilities, $27,000; preferences. $4,000. Their failure was precipitat ed by the Metropolitan Bank suspension. Special to the Indianasolis Journal. MUNCIE, Feb. 16.-This morning Mr. W. R. Maddy, groceryman, made an assignment for benefit of creditors. There are DO preferred creditors. Assets and liabilities not known. This makes the third time in his business career that he has assigned. NEW YORK, Feb. 16.-W. J. Roberts, dealer in stone, has been placed in the hands of a receiver. Judgments for about $25,000 have been entered against him. He had DO rating at Bradstreet's. although in August last his statement claimed that he was worth $500,000. KANSAS CITY, Feb. 16.-The Kansas City Paper Company assigned to-day. Liabilities, $30,000; assets, nominally $40,000. The failure was caused by slow collections. Nearly all the creditors are Massachusetts paper firms. CHICAGO, Feb. 16.-M. J. F. Periolat & Co., fur dealers, have failed. Judgments aggregating about $17,000 were entered against them this morning, and a deputy sheriff took possession of the stock and closed the store.

14. February 17, 1888 Rock Island Daily Argus Rock Island, IL

Article from Rock Island Daily Argus, February 17, 1888

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CONDENSED NEWS. Dr. Mackenz insits that the crown prince of Germany is not afficted with cancer. Joseph Sayder fell into the pit of & flywheel in a Scranton, Pa., rolling-mill Thursday, and was crus ned to pieces. It is proposed by the Mississippi River Logging company to cut 40,000,000 feet of logs on the Eau Claire river this season. The British government proposes to grant a loan to the local authorities to tide the crofters over the present period of distress. Premier Tirard left the French chamber Thursday declaring he would resign because the deputies had negatived one of his proposals. Firth, Gladstonean, was electel to parliament Thursday from a vacant seat at Dundee, Scotland, 1 7,856, against 4,217 for Daly, Unionist. An explosion which occurred in the Kreuz graben coal mine near Kaiserslautern, Bavaris, killed forty persons. Thirty-six men were reseued. A lawyer named Reed, of Olney, Ils, is in durance vile at that place for having one wife too many, as it 18 charged. He says it is a blackmailing scheme. Because she was forced into a marriage by her mother Anna Hananka, a Bohemian girl, jumped from Summit Avenue bluff, at St. Paul, Thursday, fatally inj uring herself. President Means has paid to the receivers of the Metropolitan bank at Cincinnati $125,000 in full for his liability, and George K. Duckworth has paid $50,000 on account. The officers are all preparing to follow suit. The Social's 8 paraded the streets of Amsterdam Thursday, vahemently denouncing the militia laws. The police raided the paraders and dispersed them. Many were injured, and several arrests were made. Kate O'Brien, living on the line of the West Shore railway in New York, saved a sleighing party and a passenger train from a terrible accident Thursday by running up the track and signalling the train with a red flaunel shirt.

15. February 17, 1888 The Iola Register Iola, KS

Article from The Iola Register, February 17, 1888

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pieces and forty other persons injured, fourteen seriously. Immense damage was done, several tons of powder being exploded. EIGHT hundred marble workers of Boston have struck for nine hours' work at ten hours' pay. THE WEST. THE Methodist Church at Fremont, O., was destroyed by fire recently and two persons in the parsonage adjoining were injured by falling walls. Loss, $35,000. Br the explosion of a burr stone of a corn mill at Broadhead, Champaign County, IIL, recently, two men were killed and two fatally hurt. A SENSATIONAL feature of the failure of the Metropolitan Bank, of Cincinnati, was the arrest on the 7th of Hon. William Means. its president. Other arrests were expected. THE North Chicago rolling mill at South Chicago resumed work on the 6th after two months' idleness. THE lockout of the Cincinnati shoemakers has practically been settled by the giving way of the employes under the persuasion of the district master workman. A RECEIVER has been appointed for the firm of E. A. Spyer & Co., wholesale teas and coffees, of Chicago. The principal cause of their embarrassment is said to be the recent decline in the coffee market. The liabilities have not been made known. TWENTY-FIVE prominent persons of Chicago have taken steps to erect a crematory. OIL was struck at Lehigh, I. T., recently at a depth of 917 feet and is flowing at the rate of a barrel an hour. By the derailing of an accommodation train near Athens, III., the other night, eight passengers were injured and six freight cars ditched. THE people of Albuquerque have subscribed $40,000 in cash to the Rio Grande & Utah railroad. THE striking Cincinnati shoemakers have been ordered to return to work. THE Territorial miners' convention at Helena denounced the Northern Pacific. McCLELLAN & Co., insolvent Minneapolis stove dealers, schedule shows assets, $3,262, and liabilities, $5,296. THE Springfield, O., Manufacturing Company has been placed in the hands of a receiver. THE National Convention was in session in Cincinnati on the Sth. AGENT KINNEY'S Dakota blizzard stories have been again contradicted. THE Manitoba railroad bridge across the Missouri river at Great Falls, Dak., has been completed. It is 900 feet long. D. R. LOCKE, "Petroleum V. Nasby," of the Toledo (0.) Blade, was reported on the 8th to be dying of consumption. A DISASTROUS cable accident occurred at Kansas City, Mo., on the night of the Sth, on the incline at the Union Depot, caused by the grip breaking. Two persons were fatally injured and seven others were hurt, one quite seriously. The incline had been noted for several bad accidents previously to the late disaster. A PHASE in the railroad war on the Sth was a cut of $3.00 in the passenger rate from Chicago to Kansas City. THE American Newspaper Publishers' Union held its annual meeting in Indianapolis, Ind., on the Sth. AMOS S. SNELL, a capitalist worth $3,000,000, was murdered by burglars in his residence, 425 Washington boulevard, Chicago, on the morning of the Sth. One arrest was made. What the robbers succeeded in taking away was not known, excepting that with the property was a check for $5,000 made by A. J. Stone, Sne:l's son-inlaw. THE Oklahoma convention met in Kansas City, Mo., on the Sih at the Board of Trade Hall with a large attendance, Governor Morehouse, of Missouri, occupying the chair. A memorial to Congress was adopted as well as resolutions looking to the opening of the Indian Territory and favoring the Springer bill for the creation of the Territory of Oklahoma. FIRE in Cleveland, 0., the other day, caused $65,000 damage to J. L. Hudson's clothing store. Cause, electric light wires. BENJAMIN EGGLESTON, ex-member of Congress and one of the most prominent of Ohio political leaders, died recently in Cincinnati, aged seventy-two. J. C. EVANS, of Harlem, Mo., has been elected treasurer and Parker Earl, of Cobden, III., president of the American Horticultural Society. THE Andrew Jackson Club, of Chicago, has taken steps to call a meeting of Democratic Clubs of America in Chicago June 1. FIVE cases of trichincsis have occurred in the family of William Man, a resident of Toledo, 0. All five were in a dangerous condition. BENSLEY BROS., of the Chicago Board of Trade, failed ou the 9th. Liabilities were not definitely known, but were thought to amount to $300,000. THE Columbia Theater, of Chicago, IS reported in financial difficulties. GEORGE W. CLARK. a real estate dealer of Duluth, Minn., formerly a newspaper writer under the late Daniel Manning on the Albany Argus, died recently. WOLVES have become dangerously numerous in the vicinity of St. Cloud, Minn. The other night several made a raid on a pig pen, almost within the city limits, and destroyed nearly 2,000 pounds of live hogs. IN Liberty township. Wabash Coun y, Ind., recently J. I. Smith and Joel Hale were killed by the explosion of the boiler of a portable engine. The explosion was caused by pumping cold water into the superheated boiler. Two men were recently digzing up some dynamite which had been buried to protect it until wanted to use in a gas well near Bellevue, O., when one of them struck the explosive material with his pick. The explosion instantly killed the two men. WILLIAM DONALDSON & Co.. dealers in pictures and frames, Cincinnati, have failed with $75,000 liabilities and $40,000 assets. THE SOUTH THE people of Arkansas are preparing remonstrances against the Dawes bill to levy a tax on lard manufactured by the aid of cotton seed oil. THE Commercial Printing Company. of

16. February 23, 1888 Barton County Democrat Great Bend, KS

Article from Barton County Democrat, February 23, 1888

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THE WEST. THE Mosquito mill, situated about twelve miles from Winona, Minn., and an old land mark, was destroyed by fire the other night, causing $67,000 loss. THE City Council of Chicago has passed the new gas ordinance, the most important feature of which was that it would compel the various gas companies to supply gas to private consumers as well as to the city at $1 per 1,000 cubic feet. All the companies are in the gas trust. MARTIN A. RYERSON, aged thirty-three, son of the late millionaire, Martin Ryerson, of Chicago, has given to eight charitable institutions property worth $250,000. A DESTRUCTIVE fire broke out in St. Paul, Minn., on the morning of the 13th. The fire started in the building occupied by Foote, Shulze & Co., Third and Wacouta streets. The loss amounted to $300,000; insured. THE Ohio Republican League honored the seventy-ninth birthday of Abraham Lincoln by a banquet at Columbus. Governor Foraker and Hon. John Sherman were present, also Governor Beaver, of Pennsylvania. RALPH LEE, who attempted to kill his stepfather, Banker Rawson, at Chicago, has been sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. GEORGE E. KING, a journalist, well known in Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo., committed suicide recently in the former city by taking arsenic. BENJAMIN E. HOPKINS, of Fidelity Bank fame, is quite ill with dropsy of the bowels. His physician says thatif a new trial is not granted he will make affidavit that it will be dangerous to his life to remove him to the penitentiary. THE International Range Association met in convention at Denver, Col., on the 14th. CHARLES BIFFINS, a prominent sporting man of Omaha, offers to bet $5,000 against $2,000 that Albert, in the recent walking match in New York, did not walk 621 miles and that he can not walk 550. It is hinted that Albert's twin brother did part of the walking. D. R. LOCKE, well known as "Petroleum V. Nasby," died at Toledo, O., on the 15th. He was born in Broome County, N. Y., September 20, 1833, and was worth considerable property which he had accumulated. GARFIELD and Hannah Powderly assemblies of the Knights of Labor of Cincinnati, have been suspended for refusing to return to work as ordered. RECEIVER JAMES McCONVILLE has taken charge of the Metropolitan Bank of Cincinnati. FIRE at Dell Rapids, Dak., the other night destroyed eleven buildings, causing $25,000 loss. THE Church & Graves Manufacturing Company, of Minneapolis, Minn., has assigned with $60,000 assets and $75,000 liabilities. THE United States steamship Iroquois has been ordered to be docked for examination at the Mare island navy yard, California. THE P. F. Marqua Manufacturing Company, of Cincinnati, has made an assignment with $65,000 liabilities and $55,000 assets. JOSEPHINE COLLETT, of Terre Haute, Ind. has brought suit against the city of Evansville and property owners along one of the principal streets, to recover property worth $200,000. THE Northwestern paper manufacturers in convention at Chicago recently considered a proposition to sell out to Eastern parties S0 as to form a pool or trust. Final action will be taken March 7. SIX loaded cars of a freight train broke through a new bridge near Galena, Ill., recently and were destroyed. A brakeman was killed. A NUMBER of boomers were recently ejected from the Oklahoma Territory by colored troops. Some were held at Fort Reno, the others being discharged.

17. March 15, 1888 The Memphis Appeal Memphis, TN

Article from The Memphis Appeal, March 15, 1888

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Metropolitan Bank Troubles. CINCINNATI, O., March 14.-The stockholders of the Metropolitan bank are circulating for signature a paper to be presented to Comptroller Trenholm asking him to apply the money now in the receiver's hands to the payment of claims— the amount, in their belief, being more than sufficient to meet all claims-and to discharge the receiver and turn over the property of the bank to the board of directors. Promoters of this scheme claim that it is not hostile to the receiver, but that he now holds $60,000 more than the claims against the bank, and that the directors can get more out of the remaining assets than any receiver could. Receiver McConville says the statement about the amount he has is mere guess work, and that the business will not be hastened by this appeal to the comptroller.

18. May 21, 1888 The Memphis Appeal Memphis, TN

Article from The Memphis Appeal, May 21, 1888

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General News. THE City of Providence passed up from Natchez to St. Louis last evening with a fine trip. THE palatial steamer Coahoma is receiving to leave this evening at 5 o'clock for Helena and Friars Point. THE elegant passenger steamer Rosa Lee will back out this day at 5 o'clock p.m. for Osceola and all way landings on the upper coast. THE Gayoso clears this evening for Tiptonville and way points on the upper const. Capt. W. P. Hall commands, with Mr. W. Mitchell in the office. The large side-wheel Centennial is offered for sale at St. Louis. She is 318 feet long, with forty-two feet beam, and is the longest boat in the western waters. THE Belle Memphis, from St. Louis, passed down to Natchez yesterday, loaded flat. She put off sixty tons of merchandise and twenty-five tons of freight for way points. THE Kate Adams leaves this afternoon at 5 o'clock for Helena, Friars Point, Concordia, Terrene and Arkansas City. Messrs. Mark R. Cheek and William Blanker are her chief officers. It is said that 1,300 Hungarians have signed articles with John A. Wood to go to work at his Fremont mine, at Allenport, Pa., at a reduction of 25 per cent. The miners of the Connecticut mine, same place, have also accepted the reduction. Capt. Hegler says the sale to him and associates of Coney Island, which has been in the hands of a receiver since the failure of the Metropolitan bank, of Cincinnati, has been confirmed, and the Guiding Star will hold up her end in the excursion business this season. Last season his boat handled 198,000 excursionists.—New Orleans Picayune.

19. May 24, 1888 The Worthington Advance Worthington, MN

Article from The Worthington Advance, May 24, 1888

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Saved by a Bluff, General Mike Ryan, in talking of the Metropolitan Bank failure, recently told a Cincinnati Telegram reporter a good story ilustrating the power of bluff. It was in connection with his assertion that with little further aid from the other banks in the city the Metropolitan might have been saved. He said: "I have a brother connected with a bank in Leavenworth, Kan. There are two banks there, and the rival to that of my brother was in a shaky condition. The president came to Matt and told him the circumstances, and that if there was a run the bank would be unable to stand it. Matt told him to keep a stiff upper lip, for he knew that the failure of the other bank meant the failure of his own. He jumped on the train, went to Kansas City, got $40,000 in coingold and silver-in barrels, ran back to Leavenworth with the specie, and got half я dozen drays to the depot to take the barrels to the bank. Meantime the the crowd of depositors had begun to gether at the bank, demanding their money, and the old man was talking to them to gain time. All at once they saw the drays coming up, loaded down with these barrels. Matt was with the treasure, and shouted to the crowd to wait about five minutes and they'd get their money, as it was there in the barrels. "In unloading the barrels, one of them dropped and broke, so that, through a crack, the anxious depositors could see the shining gold, and, as it rolled up the steps of the bank, $5gold pieces kept dropping out, and were picked up by the janitor. When the coin was all rolled in, Matt came out and told us all who had money there to go in and get it, as the bank proposed to pay them all off andstart fresh, and didn't want such acowardly lot of depositors any way. All the time he was niling on the indignation he didn't want to be taken at his word, as the bank had only $10,000 cash on hand, against $90,000 of deposits made. He had brought $40,000, but there was still a shortage of $40,000. However, the game worked. The people were reassured by the sight of the barrels of coin and went away satisfied. The run was averted and the bank pulled through all right."

20. October 21, 1888 The Daily Times Richmond, VA

Article from The Daily Times, October 21, 1888

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THE METROPOLITAN BANK. The Family of the Late President to Settle all its Liabilities. CINCINNATI, OHIO, October 20.-It was learned to day that the family of William Means, president of the late Metropolitan Bank, will offer to settle his entire direct and indirect indebtedness. This sum would run up to something less than a quarter of million dollars. Mr. Means is now a physical and mental wreck. The Metropolitan disaster has so pressed upon him that he has given way under the fearful strain. His family wish to clear him in the eyes of the world and SO they have resolved to pay every dollar of the losses of the bank that were in any way attributable to the president.

21. October 23, 1888 Press and Daily Dakotaian Yankton, SD

Article from Press and Daily Dakotaian, October 23, 1888

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His Family Will Settle. CINCINNATI, Oct. 22.-The family of William Means, president of the late Metropolitan bank, will offer to settle his entire, direct and indirect, indebtedness to the institution. This sum would run up to something less than $500,000. Mr. Means is now a physical and mental wreck. The Metropolitan disaster has so preyed upon him that he has given way under the fearful strain. His family wish to clear him in the eyes of the world, and have resolved to pay every dollar of the losses of the bank that were in any way attributable to the president.