First National Bank - Lawton, OK

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 5914
Charter Number: 5914
Start Date: December 1, 1921*
Location: Lawton, Oklahoma (34.609, -98.390)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 90d08d78

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Bank turned over to federal examiner/receiver; later had a federal receiver (Irving Page) per 1925 note.

Receivership Details

Date receivership started: 1921-12-12
OCC cause of failure: Losses

Description

Contemporary accounts (Dec 8, 1921) report a 'quiet run' of about two weeks with over $500,000 withdrawn; directors closed the bank and called a national bank examiner who took charge. Later (1925) a former receiver is mentioned, confirming the bank entered receivership/closure rather than reopening.

Events (7)

1. July 24, 1901 Chartered

Source: historical_nic

2. December 1, 1921* Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Quiet run for about two weeks blamed on rumors and local controversy/enemies of the bank that spread propaganda
Measures: Directors called the national bank examiner; bank officers attempted to manage withdrawals prior to closing
Newspaper Excerpt: the institution has been subjected to a quiet run of nearly two weeks
Source: newspapers

3. December 8, 1921 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: A bank examiner who was called in by the directors is now in charge of the institution.
Source: newspapers

4. December 8, 1921 Suspension

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Board of directors ordered closure following the quiet run and large withdrawals; local controversy and rumors cited as trigger
Newspaper Excerpt: The First National Bank of Lawton closed its doors this morning after doing a half hour's business.
Source: newspapers

5. December 12, 1921 Receivership

Source: historical_nic

6. May 22, 1922 Restored To Solvency

Source: historical_nic

7. November 18, 1922 Receivership

Source: historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (4)

1. December 8, 1921 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK

Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, December 8, 1921

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Article Text

LAWTON'S OLDEST BANK CLOSES DOORS LAWTON, Okla., Dec. -The First National Bank of Lawton closed its doors this morning after doing a half hour's business. No announce ment was made but it was indicated a statement might be made later in the day. The bank is capitalized at $200,000. S. F. Sullenberger, national bank examiner, who was called to Lawton by the recent failure of the Security National Bank, was called in by of ficers of the First National. According to officers of the bank, the institu. tion has been subjected to a quiet run of nearly two weeks. The First National had a surplus and undivided profits totaling $150,0.0 and at the time of the last report, $1,700,000 in deposits. It was the oldest bank in Lawton, having been opened in 1901. Officers of the organization are: President. N. A. Robertson: Vicepresidents W. H. Quintette, Guy C. Robertson, E. L. Richardson and J. M. Painter, and Cashier Sam Mad. dox.

2. December 8, 1921 The Chickasha Daily Express Chickasha, OK

Article from The Chickasha Daily Express, December 8, 1921

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Article Text

Lawton Bank Goes Over To Examiner and Doors Closed Lawton, Okla., Dec. 8.-The First National Bank of Lawton was closed at 10 o'clock this morning, by order of its board of directors. The action of the board followed a quiet run on the bank for the past two weeks or more during which more than $500, 000 was withdrawn. The bank had a capital stock of $200,000 and surplus and undivided profits amounting to about $150,000. Its deposits aggregated approximately $1,300,000. A bank examiner who was called in by the directors is now in charge of the institution. It is alleged that local controversy involving rival interests gave rise to rumors which started the run on the bank.

3. December 15, 1921 The Butler Weekly Times and the Bates County Record Butler, MO

Article from The Butler Weekly Times and the Bates County Record, December 15, 1921

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Article Text

The First National bank of Lawton, Okia, closed its doors at IC o'clock Tuesday morning, following a quiet, but persistent run that has been in progress for the last week. Rumors and propaganda, spread by enemies of the bank, are blamed by officers of the bank as the cause of the run.

4. November 22, 1925 The Lawton Constitution Lawton, OK

Article from The Lawton Constitution, November 22, 1925

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Article Text

PAGE TO MANAGE HARRELD CAMPAIGN Federal Bank Receiver Is Given Post as Senator's Personal Representative Irving Page. former receiver for the First National bank of Lawton, will manage the campaign for Senator W Harreld. republican, for re-election to the senate, according to an announcement sent to newspapers over the state Saturday from Harreld's office at Oklahoma City, Page, four years ago. ran for state treasurer on the republican ticket and since that time has held a federal position as receiver for failed banks in various parts of the state. In recent months he nas been flirting with politicians over the state, letting it be known casually that he be might a candidate for governor His acceptance of position as Harreld's personal representative evidentremoves him from the field of active candidates. The statement from Senator Haroffice reads Senator J. W. Harreld announced