18117. Commercial National Bank (Muskogee, OK)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 5236
Charter Number: 5236
Start Date: February 10, 1926
Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma (35.748, -95.370)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: a0435f15

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected

Description

Multiple contemporaneous articles (Feb 11–13, 1926) describe a run triggered by anonymous/malicious telephone rumors that the bank was failing. The run was checked the same day by large inflows of deposits and $500,000 sent by the Kansas City Federal Reserve; the bank remained open and was not suspended or closed.

Events (3)

1. December 13, 1899 Chartered

Source: historical_nic

2. February 10, 1926 Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Anonymous malicious rumors/telephone messages circulated claiming the bank was failing; described as false by bank officials.
Random Run: Yes
Random Run Snippet: Anonymous malicious telephone rumors falsely claimed the bank was failing
Measures: Kansas City Federal Reserve sent $500,000; large deposits from local businesses and other banks poured in; community pledges of support; president D. N. Fink publicly appealed to depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt: Rumors, declared by officials of the bank as false and malicious, were circulated early yesterday...
Source: newspapers

3. April 2, 1926 Voluntary Liquidation

Source: historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (12)

1. February 11, 1926 Jefferson City Post-Tribune Jefferson City, MO

Article from Jefferson City Post-Tribune, February 11, 1926

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BANKS Rumor Started Run On the Commercial National Bank of Muskogee But Big Cash Rushed To the Scene, Turned Tide. By the Associated Press Muskogee, Okla., Feb. Backed by more than a half million dollars from outside resources the Commercial National Bank is prepared to meet any emergency today that may grow out of a run started on the bank yesterday. The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank has sent $500,000 to aid the institution. local business firms and organizations have promised to make additional deposits and financial help from other Oklahoma cities is reported coming. Rumors. declared by officials of the bank as false and malicious. were circulated early yesterday against the bank and withdrawals of deposits began in the forenoon and reached a peak just before the closing hour. The run was checked when D. N. Fink. president of the bank for many years, pleaded with the throng in the bank's lobby and near the doors. Othher bankers of the city declared the institution was entirely solvent and such a statement was signed by the directors of the First National Bank. The Commercial National Bank has total deposits of more than $4.000,000 and is the second largest bank in this city.

2. February 11, 1926 The San Bernardino County Sun San Bernardino, CA

Article from The San Bernardino County Sun, February 11, 1926

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Run on Bank Is Launched Maliciously (By Associated Press) USKOGEE. Okla., Feb M 10. anonymous tongue that flashed licious words over the telephone wires this morning brought Commer cial National Bank that sumed alarming proportions. Withdrawals of deposits was stopped shortly before the banking day closed. when N. Fink, president, with teardimmed and choking voice, pleaded with the throng that surged through the bank's lobby and milled about out side. Tonight business organiza tions pledged unanimously that no members would withdraw deposits but that all efforts would be made to de posit large sums of money The institution was declared by city bankers to be entirely solvent.

3. February 11, 1926 Morning Examiner Bartlesville, OK

Article from Morning Examiner, February 11, 1926

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Gossiping Starts Run on Muskogee Federal Reserve Bank's Bank; to Aid CITY, Feb. Kansas fedreserve bank Wednesday night threw its hind the Commercial National bank of Muskogee, Okla., which sending half million dollars to an emergency that may arise. of the shipment. which made by cashier the reserve bank. Mr. Helm minimized the "seriousness the the bank. MUSKOGEE, Feb. tongue that flashed malicious word about town over telephone wires Wednesday morning brought run, that sumed alarming proportions, the Commercial National bank The effectivestopped shortly before banking ended when Fink, years dent of the institution, with dimmed voice choked sobs, pleaded with the throng through the lobby his bank and milled about in the street night the chamber commerce, the merchants the attorneys of the city other to the press pledges of their that deposits the institution would not drawn. night had organized swamp bank Thursday morning with posits. The institution was declared Wednesday night to wholly Such statement signed by the officers and rectors of the First National bank the city. The began soon after opened its doors. At however, officers little anxiety and professed worry over long lines that proached the two however, the lobby and street had become filled with surging that, nevertheless, orderly. The bank issued no formal ment except thank its friends for their loyalty. The Commercial National bank second largest the deposits excess $4,000,000. will open its doors Thursday inforced by deposits made late Wednesday and money from the city,

4. February 11, 1926 Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat Muskogee, OK

Article from Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, February 11, 1926

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BANK RUN QUELLED WITH BIG DEPOSITS FLOODING IN TODAY City Rises to Emergency, Business and Professional Men Demonstrating Confidence WITHDRAWALS TAPER OFF AS CALMNESS RETURNING Veteran President in Dramatic Speech at Height of Excitement-Assails Scandal Monger for Vicious Lies WITH assurances of confidence and pledges of loyalty and support from chamber of commerce, the Retail Merchants' association. the Bar association. the First National bankits fellow institution-and scores of prominent business men of Muskogee. the Commercial National bank will open this morning after turbulent and bectic day stronger than at any other in its history. Anonymous tongues that flashed malicious word about town over the lephone wires morning upon the Institution run that, before the day's banking hours had had assumed menacing Last night the storm had passed. bad proved but squall which the good shf weathered on even keel only fluttering of the salls. City Rises to Emergency This morning the bank has the unleited and voluntary pledges of the men of Muskogee that not only will their deposits not be but that deposits than they have made will be Yeste day after o'clock, the end the banking day, had passed Muskogee triumphantly the emergency The of the city of their own initiative circulated and signed petition reciting their confidence the bank and Its officers plending their loyalty. The Retail Merchants' association, through the unanimous voice of its directors, assured the bank of its support. The chamber commerce gave word of loyalty and confidence through its Business Men Organize Last night Army association, holding scheduled meeting, adopted ringing resolutions by which the 150 commissioned officers present agreed to not only leave their individual deposits intact but to continue national guard funds in institution. It explained that this action the officers rendered themselves personally liable for the amounts but they declared themselves eager to thus make manifest their confidence. Last night, too. the business men of Muskogee to swamp the today with their deposits. Money going In to the Commercial bank fast tomorrow there won't be opportunity for anyone to take any out should anyone wish to do one merchant said. He has $15,000 to deposit. Others have sums even larger while some are to be the smaller in figures but in the expression of faith. Griffin. president of the chamber of commerce and head of the large wholesale grocery company that bears his name, told the Phoenix last night to say for him that not only did his firm's money stay in the bank but that he had deposited large amount yesterday and Intends to deposit larger amount today. Calhoun telegraphed his subordinates to "stay in there." and such merchants as Elmer Harbour, Bass. Jess M. McEntee, Paul May and B. Shouse took the lead in actual manifestations of ON PAGE THREE

5. February 11, 1926 The Vinita Daily Journal Vinita, OK

Article from The Vinita Daily Journal, February 11, 1926

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Friends Stop Run On Muskogee Bank (By the Associated Press) MUSKOGEE, Feb. 11.-The lobby of the Commercial National bank here, subjected to a run yesterday, again was thronged with customers at 10 o'clock this morning more of whom were awaiting to make their deposits. Only a few stood before the paying tellers' windows. D.N. Fink, president of the bank, was repaetedly cheered and received scores, who passed to shake his hand, with tear-dimmed eyes. Jack Owens, manager of Oklahoma Gas and Electric company, at Oklahoma City, hurried here to make a deposit of $50,000. H. W. Gibson of the Kansas City Reserve bank, declared the run had been effectively checked. Deposits soon after the institution opened reached a total of $122,500 and many large business houses had not yet made their deposits.

6. February 11, 1926 Muskogee Times-Democrat Muskogee, OK

Article from Muskogee Times-Democrat, February 11, 1926

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NO. 3 (Continued From Page One) street-corner pointed to the hour of and plainly dressed shook the door of the Commercial National bank. but was still locked. The next porter unfastened from the inside and she entered. Three men followed her. These were the only persons in front of the bank at that moment except two policemen who seemed to be casually there. Divided Into Groups Soon others began to enter and in few minutes there were two hundred people in the lobby of the bank. With few exceptions these divided themselves into groups according to their garb. Those who stood at the paying tellers' windows were in shabby clothing or overalls. and there were two three negroes among them. These lines were short, averaging about eight persons. The woman had shaken the hank door drew out two five-dollar bills and one. The lines at the receiving tellers' windows reached to the street door, averaged forty persons to the Nearly all of these were welldressed men and some carried thick packets of bank bills in their hands. was evident that for every dollar that was being drawn from the bank several hundred were being deposited Tahlequah Adds Funds Jim of Tahlequah brought thousand dollars to add his $16,000 deposit, W. Hicks of former also brought in good deposit message from the officers and directors of the Central National bank of Tulsa to Mr. Fink was as follows: "The Commercial National bank has for so many years been regarded as one of the strongest in the southwest that we cannot understand the attitude of the Muskogee public in quesMoning its solvency We have every confidence in yourself and associates and in your ability to handle the sitthere If we can help in any way, call on us. letter received by Mr. Fink from woman declared that she would put all her money in the bank again to. day, though she had withdrawn few hundred dollars recently to buy build. and loan stock. H. H. Ogden, president of the First National bank. said: "It is very gratIfying The people's faith in Muskogee has been upheld PETERSON JURY CHARGED TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. jury trying Carl J. Peterson, former bank commissioner was instructed to. day by Judge Otis E. Hungate. Peterson is charged with bribery The court gave counsel for each side three hours to argue.

7. February 11, 1926 The Daily World Helena, AR

Article from The Daily World, February 11, 1926

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MUSKOGEE BANK IN POSITION TO WITHSTAND RUN Backed by more than a half millior dollars from outside sources. the Commerce National Bank is prepar ed to meet any emergency today that may grow out of a run started on the bank yesterday The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank has sent $500.000 to institution, local business Hrms and organizations have promised to make additional deposits and financial help from Oklahoma citles is report ed coming Rumors declared by officials of the bank as false and malicious were cir culated yesterday against the bank and withdrawal of deposits began in the forenoon and reached a peak just before the closing hour The run was checked when D N Fink president of the bank for many years. pleaden with the throng in the bank's lobby and near the doors. Other bankers in the city declared that the institution was entirely vent and such a statement was signed by the directors of the First National Bank The Commercial National Bank has a total deposit of more than $4,000.000 and is the second largest bank in this city.

8. February 12, 1926 The Republican Springfield, MA

Article from The Republican, February 12, 1926

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Grave Run on Bank Ends in Flood Of Deposits and Floral Tributes Muskogee, Okl., Feb. 12-Muskogee today was celebrating with dollars and daisies the dramatic climax of a two-day run on the Commercial Na tional bank, a $5,000,000 institution. What had seemed tragedy. threat ening not only the destruction of the bank, but hundreds of business houses, today had become a joyous "depositing The run began Wednesday morn. mg when mechanic, loan having been refused him, circulated rumors that the was failing. By noon hundreds of depositors the bank and street frantically seek Ing their money At the closing hour $150,000 had been paid out. During the late afternoon and eve. ning virtually every civic and business organization in the city met and idopted resolutions of confidence in he bank, agreeing to leave their de- "Minute men" made speeches in all the theaters, centering their talks on the character and honor of D N Fink, venerable president of the bank. During the night the Kansas City Federal Reserve bank announced that its entire resources had been thrown behind the local institution and that half million dollars had been shipped by express. At yesterday morning the bank opened as usual. crowd pressed In But it was one of depositors and not frenzied Scores brought with their money great bouquets and baskets of flow. ers for President Fink, who stood dazed at the The half -million from the Reserve bank lay unopened as great piles of currency came flooding in. NEW STUDIO LIGHT Culver Citq Cal., Feb. The largest motion picture are light in the

9. February 12, 1926 The Knoxville Journal Knoxville, TN

Article from The Knoxville Journal, February 12, 1926

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Business Rallies To Support Of Bank And Run Is Stopped MUSKOGEE. Okla., Feb. 11 (AP) Muskogee business and professional men, rallying to the Commercial Na tional Bank, menaced by a run ugly yesterday. poured more than $350,000 in cash into the institution through the teller's win. dows in individual deposits today. The day that some feared might be one of tragedy was a day of tri an umph Before the bank had been open hour $100,000 had passed into the vaults through the teller's windows The final check at closing hours shows $350,122.70 Deposits from other banks will greatly swell this

10. February 12, 1926 Muskogee Daily News Muskogee, OK

Article from Muskogee Daily News, February 12, 1926

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DELAY COURT HOUSE PLANS Probable That Building ect Will Go Over Until Fall of the Year each of the men were returned and That the matter of voting bonds $50 was ordered paid their attorfor the erection of court house by the justice. for Muskogee county would be The county attorney's office has ferred by the county commission- for Ferrel on fall the sions but each time he has until was opinion appear. Instructions sent Ingram, today. each justice of the peace court The fact that persons in charge petition asking that the not accept from him until call election complaints had been okehed special March for the member of the county attorfor early purpose voting court house bond office. Ferrel had not been seen at the issue had succeeded in delivthe instruments in time court house since Tuesday. ering March The Webbers Falls men comthe commissioners to call for plained to County Commissioner election given the reason Hinson and City Manager postponement. Cecil Moore. The two officials the have promise immediate action. "Taxpayers of county lots of trouble here lately," Ingram in my opinwould be foolish for the county to even attempt voting in Brief bond issue. The bank failing early fall, coupled with the unfortunate run on the Commercial National has caused the people to Watts, Adair county, one of the more or less in an uncertain financommunities in the condition. Oklahoma associatoo, had fine cotton tion, has raised its quota of $50. last fall, but inclement crop weather picking time caused the Postal inspectors are making crop to deteriorate fully one-third their annual inspection of all the before could be marketed. departments and offices the post these things office here. The inspection would be foolhardy to even expect cludes an audit of all books. the citizens to ratify bond Ingram Powell Is Uncertain. The fact that Haskell, by making offer of not only free site but free courthouse well, has caused number of people to start the argument that the county commissioners asking too much money constructing building here. Muskogee looked to least free site by the rest of the county. James chairman the of commerce visory committee, declared that he did know at just what time petitions with the necessary signature could filed with the county clerk. He had expected hand the petitions to the commissioners Feb. and failing to this sure that could be done Feb. is the opinion of the commissioners that the court house proposition will not be taken up again official way until after the an fair next fall. Minnie Parker, Creek Indian Kansas City, filed suit in federal court against W. Pittman and Rosie Pittman, to regain possession of certain lands in Seminole county, which, according to the complainant's petition, defendants obtained by virtue of void deeds purported to have been executed by the complainant. R. B. Drake, United States probate attorney, attend to legal business in Sapulpa for the next four days. County Attorney Lattimore yesterday requested the warden of the state penitentiary at McAlester grant the Muskogee county sheriff the custody of two convicts will be used as material during trials scheduled for the criminal docket of distract court, which begins Feb. 15. total of $20 in bonds was forfeited in police court Thursday by four who failed to appear charges filed against them following their arrests Wednesday of being drunk, disturbing the and violating traffic orpeace dinances.

11. February 12, 1926 Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat Muskogee, OK

Article from Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, February 12, 1926

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Fink; Owe Debt' Commercial President, Showered With Dollars and Daisies, Tells of Chokingly 24 Hours Ending So Dramatically Triumphant By DOCIA KARELL completed in hours the cycle from through heaven, back to earth again, David veteran president the Commercial National bank, much shaken night. happy With and steady voice, related the high of the which formed hours, by confidence his Fink friends bear him, from catastrophe which threatened destroy not only him, but much of Muskogee, celebration that left the bank stronger than was when the run started. found him, after bank had closed of the biggest day's busihistory, seated in front of desk banked with and surrounded by friends who were still coming in to tell him of their confidence in him, and their trust in the The Impossible Happens Dave Fink was not the last man In town to hear of the propaganda that was insidiously spread against bank for several days preceding the run Wednesday; but knew secure condition of his bank. didn't worryEven Wednssday though stream of depositors had been taking their money all morning. he confident, with no thought of calamity. And then, suddenly, the impossible "The crowd suddenly became seething seemed to throng up out the center of the earth Itself, and to keep coming", Mr. Fink said. Follows His 'Hunch' The lobbles of the bank were overwith folks demanding their money, and Mr. Fink realized that, after lifetime hard work and integrity, he was facing disaster. went around behind the windows and looked into their faces", says. "and it seemed to me that they were hungry for some sort of message. had an intuition that should speak to them, and against the advice of two of my directors, did. "I'm sure no ever made more honest, straightforward talk than made to them then. didn't reassure them. told them frankly that they could break the bank they wanted told them exactly how much money we had, and what our assets were. told them that we didn't have the cash hand to pay off all the depositors, and that the safety of the bank was in their hands." Old Friends Into Breach The story of the community sponse to the bank's need hundreds of depositors coming to the bank from the hour opened yesterday bring in funds, that the day's deposits were many times greater than the withdrawals; men from all over Oklahoma and nearby states of confi-

12. February 14, 1926 The Buffalo Times Buffalo, NY

Article from The Buffalo Times, February 14, 1926

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Grave Run on Bank Ends in Flood Of Deposits and Floral Tributes MUSKOGEE, Okla., Feb. 13. Muskogee is celebrating with dollars and daisles the dramatic climax of a two-day run on the Commercial National Bank, a $5,000,000 institution. What had seemed a tragedy, threate ening not only the destruction of the bank but hundreds of business houses, had become a joyous "depositing The run began yesterday morning when mechanic, loan having been refused him, circulated rumors that the institution was failing. By hundreds of depositors thronged the bank and street frantically seeking their At the closing hour had been paid out. During the late and evening virtually every civic and business organization in the city met and adopted resolutions of confidence in the bank, agreeing to leave their deposits intact. "Minute men" made speeches in all the theaters, centering their talks the character and honor of D. N. Fink, venerable president of the bank. During the night the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank announced that its entire resources had been thrown behind the local institution and that half a million dollars had been shipped by express. At o'clock this morning the bank opened as usual, A crowd passed in. But was one of depositors and not frenzied creditors. Scores brought with their money great bouquets and baskets of flowers for President Fink, who stood dazed at the The half million from the Reserve Bank lay as great piles of currency came flooding in. FOGS DOUBLE AUTO DEATHS. LONDON statistics just made public show that twice as many persons are killed by autos in foggy weather as perish when the air is clear.