18378. City Bank (Houston, TX)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
December 19, 1885
Location
Houston, Texas (29.763, -95.363)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
a461bac9f5c61871

Response Measures

None

Description

Contemporary articles report a heavy crowd clamoring for funds at the City Bank, doors closed and a notice of suspension posted on Dec 19, 1885; a receiver (B. F. Weems) was appointed the same day. Causes cited include long-running losses and large bad loans (notably the Hutchins indebtedness) and consequent insolvency. The bank did not resume normal operations and is described as defunct in later pieces and subject to receivership and litigation, so sequence is a run leading to suspension and permanent closure/receivership.

Events (3)
1. December 19, 1885 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Judge Materson...granted an order appointing Benj. F. Weems, receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified in bonds of $300,000; receiver is at work on the books preparing a statement.
Source
newspapers
2. December 19, 1885 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank had been losing money for years; large bad loan/indebtedness of William J. Hutchins (~$350,000) and depreciated collateral undermined solvency, prompting mass withdrawals.
Measures
No successful liquidity measures; bank posted notice of suspension and soon applied for appointment of a receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for their money
Source
newspapers
3. December 19, 1885 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Suspension was announced pending application for receiver after discovery of insolvency and heavy losses (Hutchins loan and depreciated assets).
Newspaper Excerpt
the doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (23)
1. December 20, 1885 Los Angeles Daily Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, December 20, 1885

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NEWS OF THE WORLD. A Bank Fails at Houston Texas, A MILLION DOLLARS. FOR The Troubles of a Bavarian Who Proved too Attractive to the Fair Sex. Special to the Herald by the Associated Press. HOUSTON, Tex., December 19.-Con siderable excitement was occasioned here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city and having a pa.d up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. At 2:30 P. M. Judge Materson, of the District Court, on a petition filed by the bank's attorney, granted an order appointing Benj. F. Weems, receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified in bonds of $300,000. Hon. Wm. R. Baker, present Mayor of the city, is President of the bank and Benj. F. Weems, Cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city, and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for their money, yet the sus. was no surprise to the Total liabilities the a million dollars. other generally. pension including banks capital and An stock, exact business of will statement the exceed bank, men, of the bank's affairs at the time of the suspension is not obtainable to-night, but the last statement made, August 7 1885, gave the assets and liabilities as follows: Loans and discounts, $614,939; stocks and bonds, $343,662; bank building and furniture, $74,566; cash on hand, $145,445; exchange, $62,558; total, $1,241,230. Liabilities-Capital stock, $500,000; demand deposits, $417,841; time deposits, $255,589; due other banks, $65,047; profits, $2753; total, $1,241,230. The above statement is believed to represent nearly the condition of the bank's finances at the time of the suspension. The bank has been losing money for years. Since the time of the failure of William J. Hutchins who was indebted to the bank in $350,000. As security they held liens upon Hutchius' hotel property, the Eureka mills and several va. cant lots. This property constantly depressed in value on the bank's hands, and finally became a source of expense instead of revenue. Owing to the fact that several members of the directory of the Houston Savings Bank are also officers in the suspended bank, e run was immediately inaugurated on the savings bank, but all claims were promptly met. The bank, however, closed its doors at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, with a long line of anxious depositors waiting to reach the paying teller's window. If the run is continued on Monday it is believed that the savings bank will be prepared to meet the exigency. The deposits of the broken bank will reach over $500,000. Many poor people were among the depositors.

2. December 20, 1885 The Democratic Leader Cheyenne, WY
Article from The Democratic Leader, December 20, 1885

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Big Bank Failure. HOUSTON, TEXAS, Dec. 16.-Considerable excitement was occasioned here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city and having a paid up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. The Hon. William R. Baker, the present mayor of the city, is president of the bank, and Benjamin F. Weems is cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for their money, yet the suspension was no

3. December 20, 1885 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Journal, December 20, 1885

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BANK FAILURE IN TEXAS. The City National, of Houston, After Losing Money for Years, Finally Closes Its Doors. HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 19.-Considerable excitement was occasioned here, this afternoon, by the failure of the City Bank, of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city, and having a paid-up capital of $500,000. The books were closed at 1 P. M., a notice being posted on the door that the bank had suspended, pending an application for a receiver. A large crowd gathered about the door, clamoring for money, but there was no violence offered. It is not possible, to-night, to obtain a statement of the bank's exact situation. The bank has been losing money for years to the time of the failure of William J. Hutchins, who was indebted to it to the amount of $350,000. As security, the bank held liens upon the Hutchinson Hotel property, the Eureka mill, and several vacant lots. This property constantly depreciated in value in the bank's hands, finally becoming a source of expense instead of revenue. Other debts of a similar character accumulated as the years passed, and on May 1, last, when the bank struck a balance, the directors were greatly chagrined and surprised to find that it had failed to pay expenses for the year ended April 30, by some $6,000. At that time its deposits reached $572,000, and notwithstanding the fact that then it became known in business circles that the bank was heavily loaded down, its deposits during the next three months increased over $80,000. This was owing to the high character of its officers, among whom are the best-known men in the city. The institution aid business under a State charter granted in 1868, one of the last banking charters issued by Texas. The late Benjamin A. Botts was president of the bank for about fifteen years. On his death, on Oct. 1 last, Mayor Baker succeeded him. William M. Rice, formerly of Houston, now of New York, is one of the largest stockholders. These gentlemen are wealthy, aside from their bank stock. Owing to the fact that certain members of the directory of the Houston Savings Bank are also officers in the suspended bank, a run was in augurated on the Savings Bank, but all claims were promptly met. The bank, however, closed its doors at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, with a long line of depositors waiting to reach the paying teller's window. If the run is continued on Monday it is believed the Savings Bank will be prepared to meet the ex igency. The deposits of the broken bank will aggregate over a half million dollars. Many poor people were among the depositors. The Missouri Pacific Railway Company deposited with it. The New York correspondents of the bank are the Continental National and the National Park; at New Orleans, the State National Bank, and at St. Louis, the Bank of Commerce. The receiver, with a force of clerks, is at work on the books, preparing a statement.

4. December 20, 1885 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX
Article from Fort Worth Daily Gazette, December 20, 1885

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A CRASH AT HOUSTON. One of the Oldest Banks in the City Closes Its Doors--A Receiver at Once Appointed. The Failure No Surprise-Assets and Liabilities as Shown By the August Statement. A Run Inaugurated on the Houston Sav. ings Bank-All Claims Met Up to the Close of Banking Hours. Special to the Gazette. HOUSTON, TEX., Dec. 19.-A good deal of excitement was occasioned this afternoon by the failure of the City bank of Houston, one of the oldest financial Institutions in the city, having a paid-up capital of $500,000. Its doors were closed at 1 o'clock, and notice was posted that the bank had suspended payment pending application for the appointment of a receiver. At 2:30 Judge Masterson of the district court, on a petition filed by the bank's attorneys, granted an order appointing Benj. F. Weems receiver, who immediately qualified, fliing a bond for $300,000. Hon. William R. Baker, present mayor of the city, is president of the bank, and Benjamin F. Weems cashier. While the failure caused considerable consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for money, yet the suspension was no surprise to other banks and the business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including capital stock, will exceed $1,000,000. An exact statement of the bank's affairs at the time of the suspension is not obtainable to-night, but the last statement made August 1, 18.5, gave assets and liabilities as follows:

5. December 20, 1885 Seattle Daily Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA
Article from Seattle Daily Post-Intelligencer, December 20, 1885

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up the tunnel earrying with fifty-two miners who we at work there. Of the men. 24 were in all probability caugi before they could gain the chambe that pitched upwards, and they are en posed to be in this quicksand and call Franz Poffinger's Dilemma. CLEVELAND, Dec. 19.-A peenliar an dramatic scene was witnessed in ti Probate Coart today. Two years as Franz F. Poffinger left bis home 1 Bavaria to seek bis fortune in Americ He left benind bis affianced wife, Mar Epp, by whom, it is alleged, be had be two children. He moved here an promised to send for her 88 soon / be could provide a home. In Ne York Franz met Jennie Thoernehis whom be married. The pair eame 1 Ohio and went to live in Toledo. Tv months ago at bis wife's solicitatio Franz sent for Maria Epp and her to children. They came on the fir steamer, and in due time they reache Toledo. When Maria Epp learned e the marriage, she almost went will and Franz and bis wife were almo equally frantie. To adjust the ma ter Franz bought twenty acree e land near Toledo, and the who family attempted to dwell together i peace, but to no avail. They drifted Cleveland today and asked all the eit officials, high and low, to help them o of their dilemma. They were referre from one officer to another until the brought up in the Probate Cour Franz offered the wronged woman th Toledo farm, but she at first refused i saying that marriage alone coold be her burt. Later on, she agreed to a cept it, and the trio will pass Sunds here and fix up their differences, they can. Both women are quite inte ligent and good looking. Suspension of a Bank. HOUSTON (Texas), Dec. 19.-Co siderable excitement was occasione here this afternoon by the failure of ti City Bank, of Houston, one of the ol est financial institutions in the city at having & paid up capital of $500,00 The doors were closed at 1 o'oloc notice being posted thereon that th bank had suspended payment pendir an application for the appointment a receiver. The total liabilities wi exceed $1,000,000. The Restriction Act. WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The report e Special Agent Spaulding, who was ser to San Francisco to investigate the a leged frands in regard to the immigr tion of Chinese under the restrictio net approved May 6th, 1882, has ja been received at the Treasury Depar ment. It is a lengthy decument, an commences with a reference to the pa sage of the act, and the interest that naturally felt upon the subject of Cb nese immigration on the Pacific coas The report states that from the passas of the restriction act to August, 188 there arrived in San Francisco 15,46 Chinese. It also states that the number of Chinese return certificates issued a all Pacific ports up to August ls 1885, aggregate 35 235, and of these the returned but 14,726. He refers to th often repeated assertion that there as more Chinese in the United States no than in 1881, and that this is charged I the dishonest or inefficient enfore ment of the law. He then says that th records of the Custom House an steamship companies show a decreas for the three

6. December 21, 1885 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, December 21, 1885

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Liabilities Over a Million. FAILURE OF THE CITY BANK OF HOUSTON. The City bank, of Houston, Tex., one of the oldest financial institutions in the city, and having a paid-up capital of $500,000, failed Saturday. The doors were closed at 1 p. m., a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. At 2:30 Judge Materson, of the district court, on the petition filed by the bank's attorneys, granted an order appointing Benjamin F. Weems receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified, filing a bond for $300,000. The Hon. Wm. R. Baker, mayor of the city, is president of the bank and Benjamin F. Weems cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for money, yet the suspension was no surprise to the other banks and business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including the capital stock, will exceed $1,000,000.

7. December 21, 1885 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX
Article from Fort Worth Daily Gazette, December 21, 1885

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HOUSTON'S CALAMITY. Further Particulars of the Failure of the City Bank and the Run On the Savings Bank. The Houston Insurance Company Goes Down With the Bank-Assets in Excess of the Liabilities. Special to the Gazette. THE BAYOU CITY'S MISFORTUNE. HOUSTON, TEX., Dec. 20.-Up to the hour that the City bank closed its doors yesterday nothing occurred to arouse any suspicion among the depositors. Checks were cashed and deposits made as usual, but the Houston & Texas Central Railway company presented a check for $27,000, which they refused to pay. Immediately the joint receivers of the railway company applied to District Judge Masterson for a receiver for the bank, and B. F. Weems, cashier before the bank closed its Goors, was appointed receiver. The excitement on the streets caused a rush of small depositors on the Savings bank, which was met with coolness and did not last long after the bank decided not to close at 3 o'clock, but to wait until 4 o'clock that all might have a chance to get their money. During the run on this bank wealthy citizens walked in and deposited $20,000. The Savings bank is regarded as perfectly sufe. The run on it emanated from the fact that some of the directors of the two banks were the same. The officials of the City bank cannot give the liabilities and assets, but the receiver will do so by Monday. Rumor has it that the assets exceed the liabilities by 50 per cent. Yesterday the county treasurer drew all the county's funds, also the funds of the Masonic Grand lodge. The Houston Insurance company will go down with the City bank. The failure is regarded as a public calamity to Houston. Special to the Gazette. SOME OF THE LOSERS. HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 20.-The City bank, which closed its doors yesterday, was connected with many public improvements here, such as compresses, grain elevators and the like. It used every effort to advance the material interests here. None of the large business houses will be affected by the failure. Two or three prominent business men lately removed their accounts to other banks. This gave rise to a report that the failure was anticipated. The county tax collector had about $9000 deposited there, but he is out of the city now. The Houston & Texas Central Railway company was a large depositor. The capital stock was $500,000. The liabilities are estimated on the streets at near $800,000, while the assets will reach nearly $500,000. Two large mortgages amounting to nearly $150,000 were filed against the bank yesterday. Competent accountants have the books of the bank in hand, to report Monday. Prominent business men believe the depositors will be paid dollar for dollar. President Baker refuses to be interviewed, saying that his information is not such as enables him to tell what the result will be. Saturday was a big day for the Savings bank, having had probably $5000 in deposits drawn out on which interest would fall due the last of this present month. The impression prevails that the affairs of the will he

8. December 24, 1885 Savannah Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from Savannah Morning News, December 24, 1885

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HOUSTON'S BANK CRASH. Creditors Demand that Certain Deeds of Trust be Set Aside. HOUSTON, TEXAS, Dec. 23.-About a hundred creditors of the suspended City Bank held a meeting yesterday and adopted resolutions declaring the deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of its officers and directors when they knew of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void and pledging their utmost endeavors to have them set aside and the depositors paid. A resolution asking that a co-receiver be appointed to act with B. F. Weems, and suggesting the name of Henry S. Fox for the position, was also adopted. The trust deeds referred to in the resolution were executed in faver of Hon. William R. Baker, President of the Bank, for $75,000 advanced to the bank, as security for which the bank recently executed a mortgage on the Hutchins house and other valuable property and a trust deed to Robert Lockhart conveying valuable improved city property, together with judgments aggregating $30,000 conveyed to Mr. Lockhart as security for money loaned to the bank.

9. December 24, 1885 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME
Article from The Portland Daily Press, December 24, 1885

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GENERAL NEWS. While testing the boilers at the Lactriel rolling mills in Harrisburg, Pa., yesterday morning, one of them exploded and scattered the steam and debris in every direction. Over one hundred persons were in the vicinity at the time and six were injured, two seriously. At Parkersburg, W. Va., Monday evening Mrs. Fred Kopt went to the store near by leaving her girl, 4 years and babe 18 months old locked up in the house. The house caught fire and the children were burned to death. The Dominion government have wired instractions to all inspectors and commissions under the Dominion License Act to cease all attempts to enforce the act as it is now a dead letter. The provincial government alone will now issue liquor licenses. Early yesterday morning burglars broke into the jewelry store of Ramsay & Co., of Milton, Ont., and carried off a cart load of jewelry, silver ware, money, etc. The store was cleaned out. The goods were worth thousands of dollars. The frame warehouse and elevator of the Wabash railroad at Huntington, Ind., was burned Tuesday night with all its contents. Two frame dwelling houses were also consumed. The loss is $50.000. A despatch"from Houston, Texas. says that about a hundred of the creditors of the sus pended city bank held a meeting Tuesday, and adopted a resolution declaring the deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of the officers and directors, when they knew of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void, and pledging their utmost endeavors to have the same set aside and the depositors paid. Mrs. Lizzie Brown, a young Chicago widow, has for some time been annoyed by the persistent attentions of John Oakley, a barber. Saturday she had him arrested on charge of disorderly conduct. In leaving the court room he assaulted her with a razor, wounding her severely. and then attempted in vain to take his own life. Chunk McLenden shot and killed his father-in-law, Judge Rufus Johnson, at Greenville, Ga., yesterday, while the latter was endeavoring to collect rent. General Alexander Shaler of New York, appeared in the general sessions court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to the indictment recently laid against him charging bribery in connection with the selection of armory sites. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was waited upon yesterday morning at his residence by Alderman George Curtis and Councilman Wm. Taylor of Boston, who presented him with a beautiful gold watch, the gift of the city government of Boston, as a memorial for the service he rendered the city of Boston, October 22, in delivering the eulogy on Gen. Grant. Mr. Beecher made a feeling response to the address, in which Alderman Curtis presented the time piece. Rev. Daniel James Noyes, D. D., who for nearly a half century was one of the most valuable instructors in Dartmouth College, died Tuesday night in Chester, N. H. He was born in Springfield in 1812. It is reported that a settlement of the suit of the Erie Telephone Company against its old officers has been made by which the Erie will receive between $30,000 and $40,000, and the receipt of this money will nearly cancel all the indebtedness of the Erie. While a lot of longshoremen engaged in unloading a vessel at the sugar refinery on South Second Pier, IN. Y., Tuesday, were washing up for dinner one of their number was pushed into the great "breaker" so called where the lumpy sugar is broken up and converted into syrup-and instantly killed. He was crushed and mangled in a fearful manner. Schaeffer defeated Slosson yesterday at billiards in Chicago 800 to 668. Schaeffer's highest run was 122 and Slosson's 108. Mr. Parnell says he cannot attend the land league convention in Chicago in January and the convention has been postponed to some date to be named hereafter. The Houston Insurance Company of Houston, Texas, whose capital was badly impaired by the recent failure of the City bank of Houston has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London company (Limited) and the Houston company will immediately wind up its affairs and go out of existence. The stockholders expect to lose"the entire amount of the capital $300,000, nearly all of which was invested in the City bank stock.

10. December 24, 1885 St. Paul Daily Globe Saint Paul, MN
Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, December 24, 1885

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THE BUSINESS MAELSTRON. Brief Mention of Disasters of Rccent Occurrence. HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 23.-About one hundred of the creditors of the suspended City bank held a meeting yesterday and adopted resolutions declaring the deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of its officers and directors, when they knew of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void, and pledging their utmost endeavors to have the same set aside and the depositors paid. A resolution asking that a receiver be appointed to act with B. F. Weems, and suggesting the name of Henry S. Fox for the position, was also adopted. The trust deeds referred to were executed in favor of William B. Baker, president of the bank, for $75,000 advanced to the bank, as security for which the bank recently executed a mortgage on the Hutchins house and other valuable property, and a trust deed to Robert Lockhart, as security for money loaned the bank. OTHER FAILURES. The Holmes Lumber company of Detroit, Mich., assigned to N. Dennis yesterday morning. Liabilities, estimated at $45,000; assets not yet kown; M. W. Reid, a St. Louis retail dealer in clothing, boots and shoes, has assigned. Assets, $10,000. The following business failures in Northern Ohio were reported yesterday: Sharp & Echenberger, dry goods, Black Creek, Holmes county; Henry L. Esher, groceries, Fremont; Abraham Miller, farmer, Madison township, Sandusky county. Liabilities and assets are not given.

11. December 24, 1885 The Marietta Journal Marietta, GA
Article from The Marietta Journal, December 24, 1885

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The City Bank of Houston, Texas, has failed and gone into the hands of the receivers.

12. December 24, 1885 The Waco Daily Examiner Waco, TX
Article from The Waco Daily Examiner, December 24, 1885

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THERE is one thing about the failure of the City Bank of Eouston which bath a fishy smack to it. The cause of the collapse is asserted to have been the sudden withdrawal of the large deposits of the Central railroad, and those of several other large depositors. This looks like collusion, and at the expense of the lesser depositors-those least able to stand the loss, If this should prove to be true, and it ought to be thoroughly investigated, somebody ought to go to state's prison over it. The protection of the rich at the expense of the poor, is a crime. In Europe such a failure would have gotten somebody into trouble.

13. December 25, 1885 Weekly Commercial Herald Vicksburg, MS
Article from Weekly Commercial Herald, December 25, 1885

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Meeting of the Creditors of the Suspended City Bank. HOUSTON, TEX., Dec. 23.-About one hundred of the creditors of the suspended City Bank held a meeting yesterday and adopted resolutions declining deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of its officers and directors. when they new of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void and pledging theirJutmost endeavors to have same set aside and depositors paid. The resolution asking that a receiver be appointed to act with B. F. Weims, and suggesting the name of Henry S. Fox for the position, was adopted, and trust deeds referred to were executed in favor of Hon. Wm. R. Baker, president of the bank, for $150,000 advanced to the bank as security, for which the bank recently executed a mortgage on Hatching's house and other valuable property, and a trust deed to Robert Lockhart and conveying valuable improved property together with judgements aggregating to $30,000 conveyed to Lockhart as security for money loaned the bank.

14. December 26, 1885 The Dillon Tribune Dillon, MT
Article from The Dillon Tribune, December 26, 1885

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A TEXAS BANK FAILS. Another Bursted Bank With a Long Line of Depositors. Considerable excitement was occasioned at Houston, Texas, on the 19th by the failure of the City Bank of Houston. one of the oldest financial institutions in that city, and having a paid up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at I o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment, pending an application for the appointment of a re. ceiver. At 2:30 that day Judge Waterson, of the District Court, on a petition filed by the bank's attorney, granted an order and appointed Benjamin F. Weems receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified tiling a bond for $300,000. Hon. William R. Baker, the present Mayor of the city, is President of the bank, and Benjamin F. Weems, cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank, clamoring for their money, yet the sus. pension was no surprise to the other banks and business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including the capital stock, will exceed a million dollars

15. December 31, 1885 The Abilene Reflector Abilene, KS
Article from The Abilene Reflector, December 31, 1885

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1111, 111 1118 annual report w que Date De partment, speaks very flatteringly of Bismarck and the success of His colonial and other policies. THE Mayor of Venice, Italy, has sent out a circular in which he declares that the stories of cholera are much exaggerated. A FIERCE battle took place in Poplar Island Narrows, Maryland, the other night between a fleet of dredge boats and one of the oyster police steamers. The steamer found the at to them. arrest dredges They which work resisted and and returned attempted opened fire on the steamer, was at first with small arms. The dredgers made it hot for the steamer until her Captain opened fire upon them with a cannon. This silenced their fire and put them to flight. THE Houston (Tex.) Insurance Company, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the of London The City stockholders expect to Company, lose $300,000. limited. THE Grant monument fund has reached a total of $111,728. A PORT TOWNSEND, W. T., special says: A citizens a 125 an number miles distant, of telegraphed of Quellente, here that town Indian was for The grows protection. outbreak trouble feared, of doubtless the and Indians asked out of the ill treatment by the white settlers. It is not believed that it will be serious. ONE of the Schlitz Brewing Company's storehouses at Milwaukee, containing 120,000 bushels of choice barley, was damaged by fire the other day. The loss was $75,000, the insurance $68,000. THE Christmas tree at the county hospital, Chicago, caught fire during the entertainment on Christmas day. An indescirbable panic occurred among the children and others in consequence. Fifty persons were badly injured and many others slightly, but no one was killed. The fire was subdued without serious damage. Two men were killed and two dangerwounded by the a at the ously Spring Valley bursting waterworks, of boiler San Francisco, recently. The damage amounted to $150,000. THE French Chamber of Deputies has the a 274 270. It is adopted to Tonquin rumored credit that by owing vote to of the closeness of the vote the Cabinet has resigned. FIRE in Cincinnati the other night caused a loss of $60,000 on the building and stock owned by the Western Paint and Roofling Company and M. E. De Hart & Co., patent roofers. THE Manchester-Congo Railway Comhas been a pany granted franchise to to construct a railway from the upper the lower Congo region in Africa. THE Montreal Board of Health has perordered the Pointe to emptorily Longue Asylum lady have superior all the of the inmates vaccinated at once. There were eighteen cases in the asylum. SEVENTEEN convicts out of a force of 150 on a railroad in the conworking escaped other night. Stokes The County, victs waited men were on one at each entrance to when all to one guard, ade, N.C., until rushed only two the entrance, stockwhere they overpowered the guard and with axes cut out the planks of the gate and seventeen escaped through the opening. A FATAL accident occurred the other morning at the Walnut Hills Incline Rail way, near Cincinnati. Jack Failon, a subdriver, while on the descending car lost his hat and jumped off to get it, and was the car up to the of the hill. One foot was cut and caught top by going and dragged off he was terribly bruised from his waist down. He was taken to the hospital where he died. J.C. FRANCE, while examining a pistol, was accidentally shot and killed at Rockfield, Ky., recently, Three days before he was kicked by a horse and had his leg broken. A YOUNG man named Benjamin Beebe was killed while jumping from a passenger train at Berea, O., the other night. Hip body was completely cut to pieces. was is of Abyssinia, IT reported engaged that in the King occupation John, of Massowah and is preparing to make war upon the Italians. THE residence of Dr. Emil Bessells, the Arctic explorer, at Glendale, Maryland, was burned the other morning, and all of his books, charts and other valuable documents relating to Arctic matters were totally destroyed. BETWEEN eleven and twelve o'clock the other night fire broke out at 424 Water street, New owned and as a occupied York.in the by M. three Fink story building factory of whale and fish oils. The fire caused an estimated damage of $40,000; partly insured.

16. January 1, 1886 The Red Cloud Chief Red Cloud, NE
Article from The Red Cloud Chief, January 1, 1886

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Mr. RAINE, the American Consul at Beg in his annual report to the State Do partment, speaks very flatteringly of Bismarck and the success of his colonial and other policies. THE Mayor of Venice, Italy, has sent out circular in which he declares that the stories of cholera are much exaggerated. A FIERCE battle took place in Poplar Island Narrows, Maryland, the other night between a fleet of dredge boats and one of the oyster police steamers. The steamer found the dredges at work and attempted to arrest them. They resisted and opened fire on the steamer, which was returned at first with small arms. The dredgers made bot for the steamer until her Captain opened fire upon them with a cannon. This silenced their fire and put them to flight. THE Houston (Tex.) Insurance Company, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London Company, limited. The stockbolders expect to lose $300,000. THE Grant monument fund has reached total of $111,728. A PORT TOWNSEND, W. T., special says: number of citizens of Quellente, a town miles distant, telegraphed here that an Indian outbreak was feared. and asked for protection. The trouble doubtless grows of the ill treatment of the Indians by the white settlers. It is not believed that will be serious. ONE of the Schlitz Brewing Company's storehouses at Milwaukee, containing 120,bushels of choice barley, was damaged fire the other day. The loss was $75,000, the insurance $68,000. THE Christmas tree at the county hospiChicago, caught fire during the enterainment on Christmas day. An indescirbpanic occurred among the children others in consequence. Fifty persons badly injured and many others slightbut no one was killed. The fire was subwithout serious damage. Two men were killed and two dangerpusly wounded by the bursting of a boiler the Spring Valley waterworks, San Francisco, recently. The damage amounted THE $150,000. French Chamber of Deputies has dopted the Tonquin credit by a vote of to 270. It is rumored that owing to closeness of the vote the Cabinet has esigned. FIRE in Cincinnati the other night caused loss of $60,000 on the building and stock wned by the Western Paint and Roofiing Company and M. E. De Hart & Co., patent oofers. THE Manchester-Congo Railway Comhas been granted a franchise to contruct a railway from the upper to the Congo region in Africa. THE Montreal Board of Health has permptorily ordered the lady superior of the longue Pointe Asylum to have all the invaccinated at once. There were ighteen cases in the asylum. SEVENTEEN convicts out of a force of 150 working on a railroad in Stokes County, C., escaped the other night. The conwaited until only two men were on uard, one at each entrance to the stockwhen all rushed to one entrance, here they overpowered the guard and ith axes cut out the planks of the gate seventeen escaped through the openA FATAL accident occurred the other norning at the Walnut Hills Incline Rail near Cincinnati. Jack Fallon. a subriver, while on the descending car lost his and jumped off to get it, and was aught by the car going up and dragged to top of the hill. One foot was cut off and was terribly bruised from his waist He was taken to the hospital where

17. January 1, 1886 The Iola Register Iola, KS
Article from The Iola Register, January 1, 1886

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THE SOUTH, By order of court, the Richmond (Va.) Whig has suspended publication. JUDGE F. S. GOODE, of the Nineteenth Judicial District of Louisiana, committed suicide the other day at his home on the Ridgeland plantation by shooting. MRS. CORNELIA SCOTT, daughter of the late General Winfield Scott, died at the University Hospital, Baltimore, recently in her sixtieth year. She had been ill for several months. She was the widow of Lieutenant H. L. Scott, U. S. A. THE Houston (Tex.) Insurance Company, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank, of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London Company, limited. The stockholders expect to lose $300,000. THE other evening Mrs. Fred Kohs, of Wadesville, near Parkersburg, W. Va., went to a store near by, leaving her girl of four years and hษ™r babe of eighteen months locked up in the house alone. The house caught fire and the children were burned to death. THE steamer Sallie Carney was burned in the Tallahatchie River, six miles above Greenwood, Miss., the other evening, together with 260 bales of cotton. Loss on boat, $8,000; on cotton, $13,000; insurance, $4,000 on boat. A FIERCE battle took place in Poplar Island Narrows, Maryland, the other night between a fleet of dredge boats and one of the oyster police steamers. The steamer found the dredges at work and attempted to arrest them. They resisted and opened fire on the steamer, which was returned at first with small arms. The dredgers made it hot for the steamer until her Captain opened fire upon them with a cannon. This silenced their fire and put them to flight. SEVERAL horrible outrages were reported recently in Austin, Tex., all evidently perpetrated by the same parties. After outrage the victims had been brained with an ax. Intense excitement existed. SEVENTEEN convicts out of a force of 150 working on a railroad in Stokes County, N. C., escaped the other night. The convicts waited until only two men were on guard, one at each entrance to the stock-ade, when all rushed to one entrance, where they overpowered the guard and with axes cut out the planks of the gate and seventeen escaped through the open-ing. J. C. FRANCE, while examining a pistol, was accidentally shot and killed at Rockfield, Ky., recently. Three days before he had been kicked by a horse and had his leg broken. THE residence of Dr. Emil Bessells, the Arctic explorer, at Glendale, Maryland, was burned the other morning, and all of his books, charts and other valuable documents relating to Arctic matters were totally destroyed. PHILIP EWALD, a laborer of Louisville, Ky., went home drunk Christmas night and began chasing his wife with a knife. His son, Phillip, jr., aged seventeen, interfered, and the father cut him twice on the head. The son then drew a pistol and shot his father four times, fatally injuring him.

18. January 22, 1886 Weekly Commercial Herald Vicksburg, MS
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[The City Bank. GALVESTON, Jan. 20.-A special to the News from Houston says: "Judge Masterson of the district court yesterday made an order allowing all persons having bills of exchange on New York, drawn by the suspended City Bank of Houston, to attach any money found to the credit of that bank in New York."

19. February 4, 1886 The Austin Weekly Statesman Austin, TX
Article from The Austin Weekly Statesman, February 4, 1886

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HOUSTON. MERCANTILE FAILURES AGGREGATING $200,000. Special Telegram to the Statesman. HOUSTON, February 2.-To-day Geo. L. Porter, wholesale grocer, assigned to G. L. Fitzgerald, in favor of creditors. Liabilities placed at $121,860: assets at $114,1 121. The assets embrace real estate in half a dozen counties, and city pcoperty here, at Lampasas and at Hempstead. The Houston Flour Mills company assigned to W. A. Garrington, in favor of creditors. Estimated liabilities, $80,000; assets, about $60,000. These were drawn in by the failure of the City bank.

20. February 9, 1886 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX
Article from Fort Worth Daily Gazette, February 9, 1886

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GOOD FOR BRACKEN. Special to the Gazette. AUSTIN, TEX., Feb. 8.-This morning at 12:30 Police Officer Bracken was called to quell a disturbance among negroes in the vicinity of the Central depot. He attempted to arrest Nathan Elgin, a negro who was beating a woman. Bracken called two negroes to assist in making the arrest. Elgin resisted, drew a knife and made a slash at the officer. A mob of about fifty negroes arose to shield Elgin, and Bracken then drew his pistol and fired, fatally wounding Elgin, the ball lodging in the spinal marrow. PARDEE'S PROVINCE. If Guilty of Contempt They May Be Sent to Jail-No Boycott News. Special to the Gazette GALVESTON, TEX., Feb. 8.-Judge Pardee arrived in the city this morning from New Orleans and convened a special session of the United States circuit court for the purpose of hearing the contempt cases brought by the receivers of the Houston & Texas Central railway against the officers of the suspended City bank of Houston. A large and distinguished assembly of lawyers was present to hear the testimony. The defendants who are thus summoned to answer at the bar of the United States court, and show cause why they should not stand committed without ball for contempt in not responding to the demands of the officers of the court to pay over the sum of $88,000 deposited with them, are Hon. Wm. R. Baker, mayor of Houston and late president of the City bank, Maj. Benjamin Weems, the present receiver of the City bank and for many years its cashier, and Directors Robert Brewster and S. K. Mellhenny. These gentlemen were all present in person and with able counsel. Messrs. Brewster and Mclihenny are not charged with contempt because of their being directors, but by reason of the trusteeship in the matter of the assignment of the bank's property to them and Mr. Baker at the time of the failure. Shortly after the Houston & Texas Central passed into the hands of Receivers Dillingham and Clarke this court designated the City bank as the bank of deposit for the United States funds, and it is by reason of this fact that the officers of the bank are now charged with contempt. The evidence thus far rendered is of a character corroborating the heretofore published accounts of the bank's affairs. Many witnesses from Houston are in attendance. The defense rests its hopes on several points, the most general of which is the claim that the bank was really insolvent when the court designated it as the federal depository. Tue case is of unusual importance from the fact that If the court finds de fendants guilty of conI tempt, it may remand them to jail at its pleasure, and their 1 release under a habeas corpus writ would . have to be heard by the supreme court of the United States. The hearing will oca cupy a couple of days. 1 Master Workman Golden of the Knights of Labor returned to the city this morning from Tyler, where he I has been for some time past

21. February 11, 1886 The Austin Weekly Statesman Austin, TX
Article from The Austin Weekly Statesman, February 11, 1886

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DEEP WATER MOVEMENT - DEFUNCT CITY BANK OF HOUSTON. Special Telegram to the Statesman. GALVESTON, February 9.-To-morrow evening there will be a special meeting of the city council. This meeting is called for two purposes. The first matter for consideration will be the report of the committee on deep water and harbor improvements. This committee, consisting of Aldermen Fowler and Weis and citizens Sinclair and Hawley, was appointed at a meeting of the city council several weeks ago, and were instructed to prepare a memorial on the deep water question for submission to congress, and to enable that distinguished body to act intelligently, appropriate generously and legislate wisely in behalf of Galveston and deep water. What action the council will see proper to adopt to lay the enlightened views of their special committee upon this vital subject before congress is difficult to foreshadow, in view of the conflicting opinions prevailing here as to how and under what direction and supervision the work to secure deep water in this part should be placed. The second matter for consideration by the council will be the contents of the letter of Hon. Wm. H. Crain, addressed to Hon. R. L. Fulton, in which the distinguished congressman suggests to the mayor that the city make an application to buy the present postoffice building from the general government for the sum of $50,000; that if the city will agree to make this purchase of the government it will secure a building adequate in every respect for a city hall. Mr. Crain says it will enable him to get an appropriation through the present congress for a public building that will accommodate and provide facilities for the transaction of all government business at Galveston, both judicial and civil. It is doubtful from the opinions expressed by a number of aldermen, whether the suggestions of the rising young statesman from the "shoestring district will be concurred in At all events, the call session will be an interesting one. The hearing of the contempt charges brought by Receiver Dillingham, of the H. & T. C. road, as an officer of the United States. against Mayor Baker, Cashier Weems, and directors Brewster and McIlhenny, of the defunct City Bunk of Houston, were renewed this morning before Circuit Judge Pardee. The evidence on the part of the defendanter-went-to that they, as officers of the bank, had perpetrated no intentional fraud upon the receiver, or any of their depositors, but that the heavy losses sustained by the bank had seriously crippled them, and they had suffered far more than any of the bank's other creditors. In these arguments to the court, the attorneys for Baker and Brewster held that they had never received legal *notice; that their bank had, by an rder of this court, been specially designated as a depository for the reception of funds belonging to the court that such notice to each officer and director was necessary in order to bring them within the jurisdiction of the court in their individual capacity. It was also maintained that no quasi criminal proceedings for contempt could lie again respondents until the debt had been established by civil proceedings. Members of the bar listened to the arguments with great interest, as the case is a very exceptional one, and the question one of vital importance to four well-known citizens of Harris county. The judge finally announced that he would render his decision at the March term of the court, and the special session adjourned. This disposition of the case was something of a surprise to the attorneys on both sides, as they anticipated an immediate decision. Judge Pardee, Receiver Dillingham, Mayor Baker, and others left by this evening's train for home.

22. February 26, 1886 San Antonio Daily Light San Antonio, TX
Article from San Antonio Daily Light, February 26, 1886

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Bank Failure. Special Telegram to the Light. HOUSTON, February 2.-The Houston Savings Bank failed to open its doors this morning at the usual hour, causing great excitement among citizens and business men generally. Developments show that a petition was filed last night for a receiver, which was granted. Dr. D. F. Stuart being appointed, and that several heavy depositors drew their money yesterday. When the City Bank failed last December a heavy run was made on the Savings Bank, but they met the run successfully. The officers of the late City Bank are the principal officers of the Savings Bank. It is estimated the deposits amount to $250,000. C.M.McD.

23. March 15, 1888 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX
Article from Fort Worth Daily Gazette, March 15, 1888

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# A TEST CASE. An Important Trial Under Way in the District Court at Houston. Special to the Gazette. HOUSTON, TEX., March 14.--The District court was engaged to-day in the trial of the case of Giddings & Giddings vs. William R. Baker, late president of the defunct City Bank. The suit is brought to recover deposits in the bank at the time of failure to the amount of $10,000. Messrs. Scott & Levi of Galveston and O. T. Hoit represent the plaintiffs, and Hutchison, Carrington & Sears and Goldthwaite & Ewing appear for the defendant. This it is understood will be a test case, and if it is decided against the defendant will involve several hundred thousand dollars.