17908. Farmers & Merchants Bank (Boley, OK)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
December 22, 1932
Location
Boley, Oklahoma (35.493, -96.484)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
2dcf1e92

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Bank closed under direction of State Bank Commissioner; examiner placed bank under deposit moratorium.

Description

Articles (Dec 22–24, 1932) report the bank was forced to close after its president was killed in an attempted robbery; commissioner/examiner placed the bank under moratorium to prevent/after a run. No reopening is mentioned; closure appears permanent at time of reports.

Events (2)

1. December 22, 1932 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Closed under direction of the State Bank Commissioner and examiner who placed a deposit moratorium after the violent raid and ensuing difficulties.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Farmers and Merchants Bank Boley ... was closed under the direction of Bank Commissioner Barnett. An examiner placed the bank under deposit moratorium.
Source
newspapers
2. December 23, 1932 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Killing of the bank president in an attempted robbery and related violence prompted panic and a depositor run.
Measures
Bank closed its doors to prevent further withdrawals; examiner/commissioner placed bank under deposit moratorium.
Newspaper Excerpt
Boley Panic-Stricken Over Robbery; Run Closes Its Bank ... was forced to close its doors last week because its president was killed ... the closing the institution to prevent run of depositors
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Ada Weekly News, December 22, 1932

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Article Text

The Farmers and Merchants Bank Boley. where George shot to death in attempted closed under the direction Bank Commissioner Barnett. Located all-negro only bank in Oklahoma managed entirely Commissioner Barnett said the bank in good but indicated the death of (also slain robber raid) perhaps sponsible in part for difficulSince month's raid, number wealthy negroes had money The An examiner placed the bank under deposit moratorium.


Article from The Chicago Defender, December 24, 1932

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Article Text

Boley Panic-Stricken Over Robbery; Run Closes Its Bank BOLEY, Okla., Dec. 23.-The Farmers and Merchants bank of Boley, Okla., the only Race bank in the United States owning a national charter, was forced to close its doors last week because its president was killed three weeks ago by George Birdwell, famed bandit-companion of Charles (Pretty Boy) Floyd. State Bank Commissioner W. J. Barnett, the closing the institution to prevent run of depositors, said that action was due directly the killing of Turner, aged bank president and mayor the town. in the attempted robbery. Birdwell who with Floyd terrorized country banks throughout Okla homa for 18 months, and Race bandit who killed in the raid. H. McCormick, bank bookkeeper. shot Birdwell just after the bandit killed Turner for sounding an alarm. Will Is Disclosed As if in anticipation that when died the institution would Turner. about 62. provided in his will that his 130 shares of stock in the Boley bank were to sold immediately after his will was Total shares in the bank number 200. Barnett said that Turner, talking to several months ago, said he did not think it would be possible to carry on the institution after his because he had been unable to train any member of Race to his The Boley bank was chartered 26 years Old Friends Depositors Six old schoolboy friends and associates of of Continued on Page 4, Col.