18152. Bank of Commerce (Okmulgee, OK)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
November 3, 1921
Location
Okmulgee, Oklahoma (35.623, -95.961)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
23e4cb88

Response Measures

None

Description

The Bank of Commerce in Okmulgee closed its doors in early November 1921 and never reopened. Coverage describes insolvency, grand-jury probes, indictments of officers and political corruption; receivers were appointed in February 1922 amid litigation with the state banking department. No contemporaneous newspaper text describes a depositor run; the failure appears due to bank-specific insolvency/misconduct and political interference.

Events (3)
1. November 3, 1921 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank found insolvent; allegations of mismanagement, embezzlement and corrupt dealings (bribes, improper deposits), depletion of state guaranty fund; grand jury investigation and indictments followed.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Bank of Commerce which closed its doors here Nov. 3.
Source
newspapers
2. February 4, 1922 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Okmulgee District Judge Does Not Believe Bank Board Has Right to Liquidate Bank Assets. ... he will appoint receivers to take over the affairs of the bank tomorrow morning. Judge W. H. Zwick ... gave notice of appeal ... This will prevent receivers from taking immédiate charge of the bank's affairs.
Source
newspapers
3. February 5, 1922 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
M. Fowler Graham ... and D. M. Smith ... were appointed receivers of the Bank of Commerce which closed its doors here Nov. 3.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (18)
1. January 13, 1922 The Guthrie Daily Leader Guthrie, OK
Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, January 13, 1922

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BONDING COMPANY SUES BANKING BOARD Bonds Made By U. S. Fidelity and Guaranty Co., Totaling $341,250 Involved In Suit Filed Here The United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co., has filed is petition in the United States district court here making Pred G. Dennis, e. G. Seaton, the Bank of Commerce, Okmulgee and the receivers for the same defendants in an injunction ruit. The petitions sets out that plain:lff has made certain bonds, aggrégating $341.252, guaranteeing that said bank would repay certain sums which were placed on deposit with said bank, among them being $200 000 deposited by State Treasurer A. N. Leecraft. Petitions pray for an injunction preventing any and all defendants from distributing any of the cash or other assets in the hands of the receivers until all these guaranteed deposits have been first paid. Judge John H. Cotteral late Thursday granted a temporary injunction as prayed for, and a hearing for final disposition will be heard later

2. February 4, 1922 The Morning Tulsa Daily World Tulsa, OK
Article from The Morning Tulsa Daily World, February 4, 1922

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COMMISSION DEFIED Okmulgee District Judge Does Not Believe Bank Board Has Right to Liquidate Bank Assets. OKMULGEE, Feb. 3.-Judge John Norman in district court tonight held that the state bank commission has not the right to liquidate the assets of the defunct Bank of Commerce and announced he will appoint receivers to take over the affairs of the bank tomorrow morning. Judge W. H. Zwick, assistant attorney-general representing the banking board, gave notice of appeal from the decision to the state supreme court. This will prevent recolvers from taking immédiate charge of the bank's affairs. In giving the decision, Judge Norman said: "I am firmly of the opinion that Mati the guaranty fund "has disfurged its obligations to the deInsitors of the failed bank, It is not entitled to any protection from the defunct institution. I am in no position to criticize the management of the state banking board because I don't know anything about it, but in such perilous times as this, it is no wonder that the fund is insolvent just as are many other kinds of business."

3. February 5, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, February 5, 1922

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RECEIVERS NAMED FOR DEFUNCT OKMULGEE BANK OKMULGEE, Okla.- M. Fowler Graham, president of the Citizen's Nat. ional Bank and D.. M. Smith. president of the Central National Bank of Okmulgee were appointed receivers of the Bank of Commerce which closed its doors here Nov. 3.

4. February 6, 1922 The Guthrie Daily Leader Guthrie, OK
Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, February 6, 1922

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ZWICK TO APPEAL FROM NORMAN'S DECISION Okmulgee Judge Holds State Bank Commission Cannot Liquidate Failed Bank's Assets Okmulgea. Feb. 6. Judge John Norman in district cours held that the state bank commission has not the right to liquidate the assets of the defunct Bank of Commerce and announced that he will appoint recelvers to take over the affairs of the bank Judge W. H. Zwick, andstant attorney céneral representing the banking board. gave notice of appeal from the decision to the state stipreme court. This will prevent receivers from taking immediate charge of the bank's affairs. Depositors Come First In giving the decision, Judge Norman said: "I am firmly of the opinion that until the guaranty fund has discharged its obligation to the depositors of the failed bank it is not entitled to any protection from the assets of the defunct institution "I am in no position to criticise the management of the state banking board because 1 don't know anything about it. but in such perilious times as this. it is no wonder that the fund 14 insolvent just as are many other kinds of business." The receivership was granted on the application of 13 stockholders of the insolvent bank who alleged that the affairs of the bank were not being properly handled by the banking department and that inasmuch as no money bad been paid out of the state graranty fund which is said to be insolvet, the state had no right to diquidate the bank's assets. Requires New Suits The decision applied to all other motions and demurrers in the suits which have been brought in the name of the atterney genera'. and Judge Norman said all suits automatically are nullified by the decision and will have to be instituted again in the name of the receiver The Bank of Commerce has been closed since Novermer a.

5. February 11, 1922 The Guthrie Daily Leader Guthrie, OK
Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, February 11, 1922

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BANK FAILURE HISTORY IN STATE Okmalgoe Feb n.A resume of the Bank of Commerce failed and subsequent moves follows: November 2. the Bank of Commerce closed its dours, with . statement by Sts. president that it was *closed pending reorganisation and that depositors were protected by guaranty state laws. December 14. citizens were circulating . petition for the calling of a grand jury to investigate the affairs of the defenct bank December 24. the petitions of depositors Ser a grand JUTY were pre10 Court R and sented Christopher, Superior Judge Judge Christ H opher issued . call for is special venire of 25 talesmen to report De cember 18 December 15. Judge William zwick assistant attorney general who had been assisting the state banking department in handling the affairs of the bank since it closed. announced that depositors could not hope to be paid out of the guaranty fund as it was hopelessly Insolvent to the ex. tent of several million dollars December 15, special ventre was exhausted without obtaining gradd jury, and DER require drewn for De. cember 27. . Grand June empanelled December 27. and I M Gondon Clarke, of Okmaigot. appointed foreman First meeting of depositors BASO beld on December 27. and James G Lyons as chairman almost turned meeting into rice by charges made arainst those he deemed responsible for failure of the bank Banking department of the state enjoined from disposing of assets of the bank by federal court at Guthrie. January 12. in the meantime suits instituted by the attorney central against the $ ackholders of the Bank of Commence seeking to collect their lis bility. as Learly B hundred euits against debtors of the bank Second meeting of depositors held January 07. and tea days given George Simons on his promise through regreementatives of a scheme ultimately to pay depositors in full Charges that $895,000 of the Bank of Commerce assets were turned over to the Guaranty State bank and that sale of diamonds by attorney for the bank floral in a report to Judge Christopher 23 the grand jury January 24 On the same date statemost issued by Charles G. Seaton deputy bank etuniper saying that $196,000 turned over in conformity to a contract between Bank of Cammeme inc Guaranty State Bank at time of munger George A Simone and her at ficers of the defunet bank sued Jebuary 28 by depositors for up proximately $1 000,000. following an at the third meeting of depositors, January 27. that all hope of reorganization of the bank by Simons WELE gone. Lengthy statement issued by John H. Rebrit. January 28. in defense of himself in which be explained in detail the many statempedits which had been made against him Arguments on demurrers of detendants to suits instituted by the state banking commissioner for part ment of alleged obligations and Tia Milities of borrowers and stockhold +15 to the Bank of Commerce and cross petition filed by nine stockholders esking for the appointment of a receiver were heard in the dis truet court of Judge John Normal of Obemah on February : Judge Norman at the close of the argument ruled in favor of the defendants. Judge Zwick then gave notice he would appeal to the supreme court On the following day. February 4. Judge Norman appropred D. M Smith and M Fowler Grabam receivers of the Bank of Commerce The state supreme over on Monday. February 6. issued a temporary win of prohibition restruction Judge Norman from proceeding further with the appropriment of receivers and taking over the abbette of the bank pending determination of the matter." The writ was granted on application of Judge William Zwick assistant attorney general and the court fixed February 13 for a beering or argument in the matter.

6. February 13, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, February 13, 1922

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FIGHT NAMING RECEIVERS FOR DEFUNCT BANK Final Hearing to Make Permanent Alternative Writ of Prohibition in Supreme Court. MAKING EFFORTS TO SAVE BANK Will Have No Effect Upon Grand Jury Investigation, However Zwick Says. OKLAHOMA CITY.-Final hearing to make permanent an alternative writ of prohibition issued against Judge John Norman of Okmulgee, to prevent him from naming receivers to liquidate the assets of the defunct Bank of Commerce of Okmulgee and from restraining the state bank commissioner from conducting the liquidation was begun shortly before noon today in the state supreme court. The petition filed by Assistant Attorney General Zwick upon which the alternative writ was issued Feb. 6, alleged that the bank commissioner has "sole and exclusive authority to wind up the affars of an insolvent bank," and that in restraining him from so doing in this case, the suits filed by the attorney general against more than one hundred stockholders in the failed bank were being blocked. It is expected that the hearing will extend throughout most of the day. George Short, attorney general and Mr. Zwick intended to go to Okmulgee tonight, following completion of the hearing, according to Mr. Short. "We will continue our efforts to re-organize the failed bank, which is in no way an impediment to grand jury investigation of any public offense," Attorney General Short said.

7. February 13, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, February 13, 1922

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PARKINSON TO ADMIT BOOKS OF DEFUNCT BANK Public Report will be Made, Examiner Says; Church Petitions Ask Resignation of Judge. OKMULGEE, Okla.-"An ounce of performance is worth a ton of talk," Fred Parkinson, state bank examiner, declared today upon his arrival here with two deputies to begin an examination of the books and records of the defunct Bank of Commerce when asked what he intended to do. "We will begin a thorough examination tomorrow and if it takes six days or six weeks, we will stay on the job until it is finished." Two of his deputies, w. T. Miller and C. J. Alexander came to Okmulgee today with Examiner Parkinson. of C. commissioner in deputy In the bank absence G. Seaton, charge of the Bank of Commerce, who went to Oklahoma City yesterday to attend the argument before the supreme court in the receivership matter, Mr. Parkinson said he could not begin the examination of the bank's records until Mr. Seaton's return tomorrow. Mr. Parkinson said his department would in no way interfere with the control of the bank's affairs by the state banking department. "We will make a thorough examination of the books and records of the Bank of Commerce and will then make public a report of the results of the investigation," Mr. Parkinson said. Petitions demanding the resignation of Judge H. R. Christopher from the superior court bench were circulated at several Okmulgee churches yester. day and in the business district today and a large number of signers were obtained. Arrangements were being made to. day to hold a mass meeting of citizens primarily for those who are not depositors or otherwise interested in the bank of Commerce failure at the court house Tuesday night to discuss the situation.

8. February 13, 1922 The Chickasha Daily Express Chickasha, OK
Article from The Chickasha Daily Express, February 13, 1922

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SUPREME COURT ASKED FOR WRIT AS TO RECEIVER Okmulgee Stockholders of Commerce Bank Hold That as Guaranty Fund Depleated, State Has No Control. CHRISTOPHER IS TO GO BEFORE OKMULGEE BAR Explain Why Dissolved Jury; Re. ported be Enroute from Coyle; Will Resign if People Have Lost Confidence. (By The United Press.) Oklahoma City, Feb. 13.-The state's banking laws were under fire here today before the supreme court in connection with the failure of the Bank of Commerce of Okmulgee. Stockholders of the bank appeared before the court here this morning and asked for a writ of prohibition, preventing the receiver appointed in the Okmulgee district court from taking charge of the bank's affairs. Their counsel argued that inasmuch as the guaranty fund is depleted, state control over the bank has passed.

9. February 13, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, February 13, 1922

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Editorial of the Day OKMULGEE'S BANK TROUBLES The first thing that the state should do in the dif jouit" Okmulgee banking situation is to reorganize the efunet Bank of Commerce and get the 1,500 depositors aid off. dollar for dollar. When people are faced with the loss of their savthey see red and demand action. sometimes without dgment. The situation in Okmulgee, bordering on puts every bank in Okmulgee in a serious predicaThe doubts and fears of the community might be antly turned into a deplorable run on every bank in the If officers of the Bank of Commerce are guilty of b W violations, they should be punished, but the zeal of public, in demanding that somebody be crucified, nd that quickly should not push into the background he fact that a return to sanity in the community that an be most quickly accomplished by the reopening of he bank and the satisfying of depositors, is the thing first importance. t The spectacle of a county attorney openly denouncing a judge in his own court room, without paying for conempt of court, is without precedent in Oklahoma. o If Judge Christopher dismissed the grand jury in rder to protect Governor Robertson or anybody else, he should be disbarred. But the judge and his friends say he grand jury was drawn in such an illegal manner that hot a single one of the proposed twenty indictments would have stood. Judge Christopher is entitled to a fair Searing. It is vital for the whole state that George Short. the Sew attorney general, who has been directed to get to he bottom of the Okmulgee situation by Governor Robrtson, clear the situation up publicly, without favoritism 6 anybody.-Daily Oklahuman

10. February 14, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, February 14, 1922

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PARKINSON TO ADMIT BOOKS OF DEFUNCT BANK Public Report will be Made, Examiner Says; Church Petitions Ask Resignation of Judge. OKMULGEE, Okla.--"An ounce of performance is worth a ton of talk," Fred Parkinson, state bank examiner, declared today upon his arrival here with two deputies to begin an examination of the books and records of the defunct Bank of Commerce when asked what he intended to do. "We will begin a thorough examination tomorrow and if it takes six days or six weeks, we will stay on the job until it is finished." Two of his deputies, W. T. Miller and C. J. Alexander came to Okmulgee today with Examiner Parkinson. In the absence of C. G. Seaton, deputy bank commissioner in charge of the Bank of Commerce, who went to Oklahoma City yesterday to attend the argument before the supreme court in the receivership matter, Mr. Parkinson said he could not begin the examination of the bank's records until Mr. Seaton's return tomorrow. Mr. Parkinson said his department would in no way interfere with the control of the bank's affairs by the state banking department. "We will make a thorough examination of the books and records of the Bank of Commerce and will then make public a report of the results of the investigation," Mr. Parkinson said. Petitions demanding the resignation of Judge H. R. Christopher from the superior court bench were circulated at several Okmulgee churches yesterday and in the business district today and a large number of signers were obtained. Arrangements were being made today to hold a mass meeting of citizens primarily for those who are not depositors or otherwise interested in the bank of Commerce failure at the court house Tuesday night to discuss the situation.

11. March 13, 1922 The Washington Herald Washington, DC
Article from The Washington Herald, March 13, 1922

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BANK SCANDAL CAUSES PANIC Oklahoma Officials Flee Before Grand Jury Probe. CRISIS IMPENDING State's Financial Fabric Rocked by Unusual Series of Failures. OKMULGEE. Okla., Mar. 12.-The Oklahoma bank scandal, now centered in Okmulgee County but affecting the banking fabric of the entire State, Is expected to reach a climax in one direction with the reconvening of the District Court grand jury here tomorrow. The grand jury is said to have returned three indictments last Friday before adjourning, and it is expected that the names involved in the true bills will be made public. Many other true bills may be voted. As the alleged conection of State officials with bank failures in Oklahoma has whipped feeling in all business and political circles in the state to a high pitch. the interest of every community is fastened on the report of this jury. Confidence Destroyed. The succession of bank failures in the State and the sensational political events following them has aroused the populace as nothing has since Oklahoma was granted Statehood. Events of the next few weeks may change the entire political complexion of the State. for not only are high officials under fire, but the banking muddle and the deficit in the State bank guaranty fund is said by bankers to be causing thousands of depositors to stick their money in woolen SOX at a time when confidence in the financial institutions of the State is needed. Leading financiers declare that the condition of Oklahoma banks is not critical, but that political interference in conduct of banks is working a hardship at a time when capital is needed because of precarious agricultural conditions. Creates Candidate. As a result of revelations here. County Prosecutor James Hepburn. who_ has conducted the investigation into the failure of the Bank of Commerce. is being boomed for governor, with, it is stated, the support of many influential Republicans and Democrats alike. Hepburn ordered the first grand jury investigation which precipitated sensation after sensation. One hour before this grand jury was to report in twenty-two/indictments, alleged to have included "high State officials," Judge H. R. Christopher, former secretary of Continued on Page Two

12. March 22, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, March 22, 1922

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OFFICIALS AT OKMULGEE TO ANSWER CHARGE Fred Dennis, Named Jointly With Robertson Report to Have Disappeared. $25,000 BRIBE TO LET BANK OPERATE State Funds Placed in Firm in Order to Permit it to Run Though Insolvent. OKMULGEE, Okla.-A joint indictment charging Governor J. B. A. Robertson of Oklahoma and Fred G. former state with a to the permit missioner Dennis, Guaranty accepting State banking Bank bribe com- here to continue business after it had been found insolvent, was returned by the state district court grand jury Tuesday, it was learned Wednesday by the Associated Press. Sherifi Frank Sowers, of Okmulgee county, now has a warrant for Governor Robertson's arrest but said he expected to hear from the executive some time during the day and that he did not intend to serve the warrant immediately. Later, word was received here by a confidential source that Governor Robertson would be here "on the first train." Dennis is Missing. Dennis disappeared from Oklahoma City soon after resigning from office. So far as is known, local authorities have no clue as to his present where. abouts. He IS charged in another in. dietment with failing to close the Guaranty State Bank after it had been found insolvent. The joint indictment charged that 1 State be insolvent by the found Guaranty to Bank affairs Dennis had after been Feb. an examination of its on 27. 1920, and that Governor Robertson and Denis. having been under the law to determine the solvency or insolvency of the bank, did "unlawfully. corruptly, knowingly. wilfully and feloniously" acept $25,0000 as a bribe or reward from John H. Rebold, under an agreement that $150,000 state funds would be deposited in the insolvent bank and that the bank would be allowed to continue to do business while in a state of insolvency. This money, the indictment charged, was paid in a cashier's check, which was later cashed by Governor Rob. ertson and Dennis, Bank President Arrested. S Later J. Ray Brown, president of the defunct Bank of Commerce, was arrested on eight indictments, four of which charged accepting deposits in an insolvent bank, three charged embezzlement and one charging that he made a false report as to the r condition of the bank. He made bond and was released. in d A. J. Peters, former vice president of the Guaranty State Bank and now president of the American National Bank here was arrested on an indict1 ment alleging that he had removed I abstracts and papers of the Guaranty State Bank and released on bond. 's L. H. D. Cooke, a former director 0 of the State Bank was the next to be w arrested He was charged with bore rowing money from the bank while 1. serving it DS an officer. of t OKMULGEE. Okla.-John P. Cook. prominent local oil man and John H. well known oil and number were arrested e returned 1. operator. on Rebold, indictments after by Wednesday the district court grand jury an inis vestigation into bank failures in the county d Cook was president of the Guaranty e State Bank which was merged with k the Bank of Commerce here on Janu. 1. ary 3. 1921. and Rebold was vice president. rt t. Eight separate warrants were serv r ed on Rebold, charging accepting de n posits in an insolvent bank in four d cases. bribing an officer, accepting se bribes. perjury. and unlawfully bor. y rowing money fram a bank while an active officer of the institution. He immediately perfected bonds totalling $15,000 for his release pending trial. Cook was arrested under five warrants charging accepting deposts n an insolvent bank in four cases and bribing an officer. He was released under bonds amounting to $6,000. John W. Hammond, president or a local wholesale grocery concern and formerly a director in the Guaranty State Bank later was arrested on a charge of unlawfully borrowing money while an active and managing officer 's in a bank. He was allowed bond of $1,000.

13. April 18, 1922 The Chickasha Daily Express Chickasha, OK
Article from The Chickasha Daily Express, April 18, 1922

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SUPREME COURT DENIES PETITION FOR RE-HEARING (By The United Press.) Oklahoma City, April 18.-The state supreme court today denied a petition for rehearing in the case in which the court a month ago upheld the state banking department's control of insolvent banks and denied the right of the district court receivers to supersede the state de-, partment in the handling of affairs of the defunct Bank of Commerce, Okmulgee. The order denying the re-hearing came down simultaneously with the opinion of Justice Miller, dissenting with the majority of the court and holding the view that District Judge John Norman, Okemah, was right in naming receivers to take the bank's affairs out of the hands of former Bank Commissioner Fred Dennis. Justice Kennamer and Elting joined in the dissent.

14. May 17, 1922 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, May 17, 1922

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Wilkinson takes Issue With Statements of Editor of Leader and Tells of Making Deposits. LEADER RECEIVER CASE NOT ON FLOOR Newspaper Investigated Placing of Union Funds, It is Asserted in Wrangl.e (By the Associated Press) MUSKOGEE.-Revelation through the report of the auditing committee that District 21, United Mine Workers of America, had $10,000 on deposit in the defunct Bank of Commerce at Okmulgee, plunged the special convention of the district into a discussion of the banking situation in Oklahoma at the morning session of the gathering here Wednesday. Several references were made to Governor Robertson in connection with the failure of the bank and the general banking situation in the state. Referring in a heated manner to reports which he said reached his ears that he had been accused of irregularity in regard to placing the money in the failed bank, President Wilkinson declared that "If there are any accusations against me in regard to the Okmulgee matter, let them charge it and prove it. "If it is true, as Oscar Ameringer infers, that we are lined up with Governor Robertson and know where the money went, then you should put us in jail and not out of office," the president declared. "The Oklahoma Leader investigated the placing of this money in the Okmulgee bank," Wilkinson continued, "but no charges have been made against any official of the district. I will welcome any charge they want to make." Wilkinson declared that the executive board had desired to take the district's money out of state banks when the first reports were circulated as to the e alleged insecurity of the state guare anty fund, but that, because of constie tutional limitations, this had been impossible. The second effort of President Wilkinson to get the matter of the receivership suit against the Oklahoma Leader before the convention failed early in the morning session when the convention voted to defer the sub. ject until after a report had been made by the resolutions committee. The vote followed a statement by Wiykinson that "unless Ameringer speaks this morning he will not be gvien the floor."

15. May 23, 1922 The Morning Tulsa Daily World Tulsa, OK
Article from The Morning Tulsa Daily World, May 23, 1922

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Denies Influence of Governor Robertson in Depositing Miner Funds # HE CALLS FOR LOYALTY Gauntlet Thrown Down When Leaders Ask for Vote of Confidence MUSKOGEE, May 22. "If there can be found one scintilla of evidence that I was ever influenced by Governor Robertson in depositing the district's money in the Bank of Commerce that failed in Okmulgee, I'll not only resign from the organization, but I will leave the United States forever," said District President John Wilkinson of district 21, United Mine Workers of America, in his reply to Oscar Ameringer, editor of the Oklahoma Leader, on the floor of the special convention of the district here this afternoon. "And," he added, "if they can't I want Oscar Ameringer to go back to Germany." At the conclusion of Wilkinson's address D. A. Frampton, national organizer in Missouri, who was presiding over the convention, ruled that the debate on the Oklahoma Leader receivership was concluded and that the testimony presented by both sides was now the property of the convention. Vote on Suit Today. The convention is expected to present its recommendation on the subject of whether the suit now pending for a receivership for the Leader shall be withdrawn or continued when the convention reopens tomorrow morning. G. L. Grant, attorney for the 21st district in the suit against the Oklahoma Leader, occupied the floor during the morning session. He stated that a copy of Ameringer's speech before the convention Saturday would be presented to the court when the case is reopened on May 31 in Oklahoma City. "It is not the purpose of the receivership to destroy the paper," said Grant, "but to save it. The receivership will be granted. The court will see to it that the bondholders do not foreclose. They'll appoint a labor man whom the unions can trust and who will have the confidence of the public as well." Climax of Big Fight. Wilkinson is approaching the climax of the biggest fight of his career. He has thrown down the gauntlet to the delegates. They must either indorse him or reject him. Tomorrow his fate will be decided, and he is waiting, supremely confident that he has fought a winning fight. "The time is here when you're going to decide whether or not you will be loyal United Mine Workers; whether or not you're going to be true to the allegiance you swore when you held up your right hand and became a member of this union," Wilkinson said. "If I resign," he continued. "I will submit to the fullest examination. And if I'm found guilty of one single dishonorable act I'll not only resign my office, but I'll forfeit my membership in the miners' union." A hush descended over the delegates as Wilkinson played his final cards. Here and there over the hall a sleepy delegate who had dozed through hours of weary wrangling became alert. Every eye was fixed on the president as he stood before them on the platform and calmly laid his fate in their hands. "I have no desire to force myself upon you against your wishes," said Wilkinson. "We, as officers, are after all, only pawns in the game. I agree with Frank Farrington that we are only passing shows. I'm not one of the big men of the organization. I admit I'm not big enough to destroy John L. Lewis, even if I were traitor enough to try it. And if that's Farrington's measure of greatness, I don't want to be a great man. Miner as a Child. "I started to work in the mines in Wales in 1882 at the age of 9. I could not read or write. And I want to say that whatever my faults have been I've been a loyal member of the union ever since that day. You may reject me if you will, but I swear, so help me God, that I'll never serve the coal operators and I swear I'll never do a thing to hurt the union." From the gain Wilkinson has made since the convention opened there is little double that the delegates will indorse him by a large majority when the vote is called tomorrow. In his reply to Oscar Ameringer, Wilkinson said that stock salesmen during the promotion of the Leader company had been instructed to tell the farmers and others to whom they sold stock that the government was spending so much money on the war that Liberty bonds would be practically worthless, while on the other hand, the stock in the Oklahoma Leader was backed by real estate and other substantial securities. "Yet," Wilkinson said, "they took Liberty bonds in exchange for their stock." "Ponzi was a novice compared to that gang," he said. Speaking of the trial, Wilkinson said: "I don't care whether they put Ameringer on the stand or not, for after what I've seen and heard of him I wouldn't believe him on the stand or off. Wilkinson referred again to Ameringer's attack on him Saturday and to his pro-Germanism during the war. "I resent the insults coming from one whose loyalty not only to our organization, but to our country, is questionable," he said. "I'm of foreign birth myself, but just as long as a man is in this country he should subscribe 100 per cent to everything for which the flag stands. I had five brothers in the war." He paused a minute. "I have four brothers now. And I have more respect for the German who killed my brother in France than I have for Oscar Ameringer."

16. June 9, 1922 The Chickasha Daily Express Chickasha, OK
Article from The Chickasha Daily Express, June 9, 1922

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REBOLD IS MADE DEFENDANT AGAIN Bank Commissioner Sues Okmulgee Banker for $20,000; Says Note Not Paid: Defendant Indicted With Governor. (By The United Press.) Oklahoma City, June 9.-John H. Rebold, Okmulgee banker who is under indictment for alleged frauds in connection with the failure of the Bank of Commerce of Okmulgee, was made defendant in another suit filed against him in district court here by Bank Commissioner Wolcott for the Wilkin-Hale State Bank. The suit is for $20,000, it being alleged that Rebold borrowed this amount from the Wilkin-Hale State Bank in 1920 and that it has been long past due but none of the principal or the interest has been paid. Rebold gave a mortgage on certain Oklahoma City property belonging to him as security on the note and Wolcott asks that a receiver by appointed to take charge of this property and that Rebold be restrained from disposing of it.

17. July 2, 1922 The Morning Tulsa Daily World Tulsa, OK
Article from The Morning Tulsa Daily World, July 2, 1922

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LIFE FULL OF GRIEF Vaguely Compares Himself to Wilson Who He Says Was Ruined by Propaganda FULFILLED LIFE AMBITION Came to Oklahoma to Be Governor, Succeeded, but It Was Youth's Folly, He Says Oklahoma City, Okla., July 1 Tulsa World. Tulsa, Okla. Note to Editor: I have sent the following message to E. J. Dick of Okmulgee in reply to Dick's open letter to me published in the Oklahoman of this date in which he requests a joint discussion of the indorsement of my administration, by candidates seeking nomination for state offices in the forthcoming campaign. "E. J. Dick, Okmulgee, Okla. "If you would pay the failed Bank of Commerce the sixty-fourhundred-dollar judgment you owe it, and thus aid the depositors in securing their money instead of tryfng to prevent speedy liquidation, which you have consistently done, and if you would also straighten up your past record at Buffalo and other places you would serve the democratic party much better than by running for an office which by reason of lack of ability and questionable practices you are wholly disqualified to fill. "J. B. A. Robertson, Governor."

18. July 3, 1922 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, July 3, 1922

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ASKS NEW JUDGE Robertson, Oklahoma, Says Bozarth Moves to Disqualify Him. Charge of Accepting Bribe to Let Bank Run Is Fought. Okmulgee, Okla., July 3.-Presentation by attorneys for Governor J. B. A. Robertson of a motion to disqualify District Judge Mark L. Bozarth in the governor's trial on a bribery charge, today was passed until July 5, when County Attorney James Hepburn objected to taking up the matter because court was in adjournment from last Saturday until Wednesday. Governor J. B. A. Robertson, charged by indictment with accepting a bribe, to permit an insolvent state bank to continue to do business, was to launch his first defense movement today in district court here in the presentation of an application to disquality Judge Mark L. Bozarth from presiding at hisetrial. Local attorneys retained by the governor notified County Attorney James Hepburn late Saturday that they would appear with the motion before Judge Bozarth this morning. Several weeks ago Judge Bozarth denied a similar motion brought by John H. Rebold, former vice president of the Guaranty State bank here, who was indicted on a charge of paying to Governor Robertson and Fred G. Dennis, former state bank commissioner, the bribe of $25,000. The criminal court of appeals upheld Judge Bozarth's decision. Governor Robertson, Rebold, John P. Cook, former president of the Guaranty State bank, and eleven other prominent residents. of Okmulgee county indicted by a grand jury for alleged irregularities in the state banking system, are scheduled to be arraigned on July 5, at, which time the dates for their trials are expected to be set. Dennis is the only one against whom an indictment was returned, who has not been apprehended. He disappeared soon after resigning from office on February 9. In addition to the joint indictment with Governor Robertson for accepting a bribe against him, he is charged with failure to close a state bank after he had found it to be insolvent. The grand jury investigation into banking affairs was occasioned by failure of the Bank of Commerce here last November.