18474. Second National Bank (Altoona, PA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
2781
Charter Number
2781
Start Date
August 17, 1894
Location
Altoona, Pennsylvania (40.519, -78.395)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
e19cfa98

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles report the Second National Bank of Altoona was suspended in mid‑August 1894 after discovery of large shortages (cashier Harry A. Gardner absconded with funds). A government examiner investigated (and committed suicide after completing the exam). By Oct 3, 1894 newspapers report the bank has again opened its doors for business. There is mention early that a run was looked for, but the coverage does not explicitly document a depositor run prior to suspension; classification is therefore suspension_reopening.

Events (4)

1. August 17, 1894 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Bank Examiner William Miller ... committed suicide at 1 o'clock to-day by shooting himself through the head. He had just completed the examination of the affairs of the suspended Second National Bank ... and submitted the result to Washington. (Aug 18 articles.)
Source
newspapers
2. August 17, 1894 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Cashier Harry A. Gardiner absconded with a large sum (estimates range from $20,000 to $150,000), creating a shortage and leading to suspension; ledger alterations by clerks discovered on examina tion prevented earlier detection. (Articles Aug 17-21, 1894.)
Newspaper Excerpt
the suspended Second National bank of this city
Source
newspapers
3. August 21, 1894 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Mayberry Miller, a young clerk in the suspended Second National bank, was arrested ... for altering the figures in the balance book, which he is said to have done under the direction of Cashier Gardner. (Aug 21 articles.)
Source
newspapers
4. October 3, 1894 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The Second National Bank of Altoona, has again opened its doors for business. (Oct 3, 1894 article noting resumption.)
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (19)

Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, August 9, 1894

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GONE WRONG. An Altoona Rank Castier Leaves With $20,000 in Cash. ALTOONA, PA., August S.-Harry A. Gardner, cashier of the Second National Bank, of this city, left here Monday night in company with Mrs. Gordon, who is said to have lived at 2017 Mervine street, Philadelphia, and to whom Gardner has been so attentive during the past year as to excite much unlavorable comment. A director of the bank is authority for the statement that Gardner has also taken with him a large sum of money belonging to the bank, amounting to about $20,000, and a run on the bank is looked for to-morrow. Thostockholders are able and say they are willing to make good any shortage, even if it should be twice as great as now appears to be the case. Gardner has held a prominent place in business and social circles for many years, and leaves behind him, in Hollidaysburg, hisformer place of resideuce, a wife and four young children. Unlucky business ventures helped to ruin him.


Article from Deseret Evening News, August 9, 1894

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AN ELOPMENT. A Cashier Leaves With is Woman and Name Money, ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 8.-Harry A. Gardiner, cashier of the Second National bank of this city, lefton Monday night in company with Mrs. Gordon, who 18 said to have lived in Philade:phis, and to whom Gardiner has been 80 attentive to during the past year B8 to excite much unfavorable comment. A director of the bank 18 authority for the statement that Gardiner has also taken with him a large em of money belonging to the bank. The books have not been fully examined, but the same director estimates the amount taken to be about $20,000 and a run on the bank is looked 10f.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, August 9, 1894

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CASHIER SKIPPED. Took $20,000 and Another Man's Wife. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 8.-Harry A. Gardner, cashier of the Second National bank of this city, left here Monday night with a Mrs. Gordon, who is said to have lived in Philadelphia and to whom Gardner has been 80 attentive during the past year as to excite much unfavorable comment. A director of the bank is authority for the statement that Gardner had also taken with him a large sum of money belonging to the bank. The books have not been fully examined, but the same director estimates the amount taken to be about $20,000, and a run on the bank is looked for tomorrow.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, August 9, 1894

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WITH BEAUTY AND BOODLE. A Bank Cashier Elopes With Them Both. Altoona, Pa., Aug. 8.-Harry A. Gardiner, cashier of the Second National bank, of this city, left on Monday night in company with Mrs. Gordon, who is said to have lived in Philadelphia and to whom Gardiner has been so attentive to during the past year as to excite much unfavorable comment. A director of the bank is authority for the statement that Gardiner has also taken with him a large sum of money belonging to the bank. The books have not been fully examined, but the same director estimates the amount taken to be about $20,000, and a run on the bank is looked for tomorrow. Gardiner has held a prominent place in business and social circles for many years and leaves behind him a wife and four children.


Article from The Evening Herald, August 18, 1894

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A BANK EXAMINER'S SUICIDE He Had Just Finished a Report on an Altoons Bank. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 18.-Bank Examiner William Miller, who has been working on the accounts of the suspended Second National bank, of this city, the past two weeks, committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself through the head. He died instantly. The examiner had just returned from dinner, and after talking a moment with J. P. Levan, president of the bank, in the private office, walked into the counting room and shot himself. Mr. Miller had just completed the examination of the affairs of the bank, and submitted the result to Washington. He had a letter in his pocket, addressed to Comptroller Eckels at Washington, saying that the directors of the Second National bank were very anxious to resume business, and asking permission to furnish them with a statement of the bank's condition. He also asked for information as to the requirements to be complied with prior to resumption, and paid a high compliment to the integrity of the directors of the institution. Mr. Miller's home was at Mercersburg, Pa. He was about 45 years of age, and was appointed a bank examiner about two years ago, succeeding Hugh Young. No cause is assigned for the suicide except mental anxiety.


Article from The Wilmington Daily Republican, August 18, 1894

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A BANK EXAMINER'S SUICIDE He Had Just Finished a Report on an Altoona Bank. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 18.-Bank Examiner William Miller, who has been working on the accounts of the suspended Second National bank, of this city, the past two weeks, committed suicide yesterday by shooting himself through the head. He died instantly. The examiner had just returned from dinner, and after talking a moment with J. P. Levan, president of the bank, in the private office, walked into the counting room and shot himself. Mr. Miller ha just completed the examfination of the Amairs of the bank, and submitted the result to Washington. He had letter in his pocket, addressed to Comptroller Eckels at Washington, saying that the directors of the Second National bank were very anxious to resume business, and asking permission to furnish them with a statement of the bank's condition. He also asked for information as to the requirements to be complied with prior to resumption, and paid a high compliment to the integrity of the directors of the institution. Mr. Miller's home was at Mercersburg, Pa. He was about 45 years of age, and was appointed a bank examiner about two years ago, succeeding Hugh Young. No cause is assigned for the suicide except mental anxiety.


Article from Pawtucket Tribune, August 18, 1894

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# A Bank Examiner Kills Himself. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 18.-Bank Exam- iner William Miller, who has been work- ing on the accounts of the suspended Sec- ond National bank of this city for the past two weeks, committed suicide at the bank yesterday by shooting. He had just com- pleted the examination of the affairs of the bank and submitted the result to Washington. Miller was about 45 years of age.


Article from The Morning News, August 18, 1894

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BLEW OUT HIS BRAINS. A Bank Examiner Commits Suicide on Completing His Work. Altoona. Pa., Aug. 17.-Bank Examiner William Miller, who has been working on the accounts of the suspended Second National Bank of this city for the past two weeks, committed suicide at 1 o'clock to-day by shooting himself through the head. He died instantly. The examiner had just returned from dinner, and after talking for a moment with J.P. Levan, president of the bank, in his private office, walked into the counting room. A moment later a shot was heard. and when Levan entered the room Miller was lying on the floor with blood and brains oozing through a hole in his head. He had just completed an examination of the affairs of the bank and submitted his report to Washington. Examiner Miller's home was at Mercersburg, Penn. He was aged about 45 years, and was appointed a bank examiner about two years ago, succeeding Hugh Young. Miller had a letter in his pocket addressed to Controller Eckels at Washington. saying that the directors of the Second National Bank were very anxious to resume business, and asked permission to furnish them a statement of the bank's condition. He also asked for information as to the requirements to be complied with prior to resumption. and paid a high compliment to the integrity of the directors of the institution. Acting Controller O. P. Tucker has authorized John Lloyd, president of the First National Bank, to take charge of the suspended bank till the arrival of Examiner Honlin. No cause is assigned for Miller's suicide, except mental anxiety.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, August 20, 1894

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Investigating an Examiner's Death. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 19.-George M. Coffin, chief of the government examiners, arrived in this city to-day and will superintend the transfer of the suspended Second National Bank from John L. Lloyd, who is temporarily in charge, to Examiner Henlein, who will arrive to-morrow. Government detectives are also here, having been sent on because of suspicions that Examiner Miller did not commit suicide but was murdered.


Article from The Wilmington Daily Republican, August 21, 1894

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Suspected Bank Clerk Arrested. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 21.-Mayberry Miller, a young clerk in the suspended Second National bank, was arrested last night on a warrant sworn out by Chief Bank Examiner Coffin. Miller's alleged offense is altering the figures in the balance book, which he is said to have done under the direction of Cashier Gardner. The alteration is alleged to have been made six months ago, on the day previous to the visit of the bank examiner, and changed back on the day following that official's departure. This prevented the discovery of the shortage at that time.


Article from Evening Star, August 21, 1894

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ALTOONA'S BANK SCANDAL. Arrest of Harry Clabaugh, the Ledger Clerk. ALTOONA, Pa., August 21.-Harry Clabaugh, ledger clerk in the suspended Second National Bank, was arrested today on information of Chief Bank Examiner Coffin for altering figures in the general ledger of the bank, for the purpose of deceiving Bank Examiner Miller last January, and at other times. He furnished bail. This is the second arrest in connection with the looting of the bank, a young clerk ramed Miller having been taken into custody last night charged with altering figures in the balance bcok by direction of Cashier Gardner, who is now a fugitive from justice.


Article from Evening Journal, August 21, 1894

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Bank Clerk Arrested. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug 21. - Maberry MIIIor, a young clerk in the suspended Second National bank, was arrested here on a warrant sworn out by Chief Bank Examiner Coffin. Miller's alleged offense is altering the figures in tl is balance books, which he is said to have done under the direction of Cashier Gardner.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, August 21, 1894

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Cooked the Accounts. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 20.-Mayberry Miller, a young clerk in the suspended Second National bank, was arrested tonight on a warrant sworn out by Chief Bank Examiner Coffin. Miller's alleged offense is altering the figures III the balance books, which he is said to have done under the direction of Cashier Gardner. The alteration is alleged to have been made six months ago, on the day previous to the visit of the bank examiner, and changed back on the day following that officer's departure. This prévented the discovery of a shortage at that time.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, August 22, 1894

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# CRIMINAL NOTES. Maberry Miller, a young clerk of the suspended Second National Bank, of Altoona, Pa., was arrested Monday night charged with altering figures in the balance books six months ago, under the direction of Cashier Gardner. George J. Moore and his brother, Harry, aged 24, clerks in the office of their father, Dr. George A. Moore, agent of the Pacific Mutual Insurance Company, San Francisco, quarreled Tuesday, and Harry shot George in the hip, inflicting a serious wound. The dead bodies of a man and woman, supposed to be Julius Dencren and Julia Frunnmer, were found in Central Park, New York, Tuesday. He had a bullet hole in the head, she one in her left breast. The police are in doubt whether it is a case of double suicide or whether he shot the woman first and then himself.


Article from The Star, August 22, 1894

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The Columbia :county Democrats, in convention at Bloomsburg Tuesday unanimously instructed for C. H. Buckalew to succeed Simeon P. Wolverton, the present Congressional incumbent. This insures Mr. Buckalew's nomination, as Montour county has already instructed for him, and he has no opposition in the remaining counties in the district. G. A. R. members at New Castle are indignant at the railroad companies for not giving better rates on transportation to the Pittsburg encampment. Post 100 held a meeting Monday night at which members were in favor of marching to the encampment. For the round trip $1.55 is the best rate the post can secure. A $1 rate is wanted. It is now asserted that the amount stolen by Harry A. Gardner, the absconded cashier of the Second National Bank at Altooma is $150,000. The institution and its books are still in the hands of Bank Examiner Miller. He is the only man who knows the secrets which these books reveal and he is as closemouthed as an oyster. Lancaster is suffering from the second water famine in two months, both having been caused by the replacing of broken joints at the pumping station. The electric cars were compelied to stop running. Manufacturers have been warned not to use any water for motive purposes. Only the low lying sections of the city can get water. The Grand Lodge of the American Protestant Association, comprising representatives from all Lodges throughout the United States, assembled in annual convention at Wilksbarre, August 8. and was in session three days. The work was mostly of a secret character. The annual Leslie family reunion, one of the greatest aKairs of its kind ever held in Lawrence county, will take place August 16, at Moravia, where for years the reunion has been held. Several generations of the family from all portions of the country will be present. The main line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railway, will be relaid with new steel rails of 80 pound to the yard. The work has already begun, and will be continued as far as Phoenixville. The old rails will be put down on the railroad's branches. The firm of F. W. Mitchell & Co., which has been engaged in the banking business in Oil City for over 20 years, will go out of business, and a notice is displayed in the bank that no deposits will be accepted in the bank on and after September 1. William Corbette, aged 16 years, was killed at Pittsburg. He and a companion named John Calligan crawled under a freight car to escape the rain, and while under the train was moved. Both were from Chicago, Ex-senator H. K. Sloan, of Indiana, dead, at the age of 56 years. As he was the Democratic candidate for Congressman-at-large his death will necessitate another meeting of the Democratic State convention. W. C. Haus, borough counsel for Sharon, was thrown from a carriage and sustained serious injuries to one lung, in addition to a broken callar bone. His condition is critical. Oliver P. Stoughton, a farmer and horse dealer, of near New Castle, has failed. An execution for $8,600 in favor of Colonel Oscar L. Jackson, of New Castle, was issued against him. Four peddlers were robbed at Lemont, Fayette county, by the negro miners. When constable Dull went to Lemont to arrest the robbers he was threatened with violence. Simon Patterfleld, of Fayette, has been arrested for illicit distilling. A quantity of moonshine whisky was found on his premises but the still could not be found. Charles Ewing, aged 17, was accidentally shot by a companion, John Schmidhammer, at Altoona. They were playing with a pistol. Ewing will likely die. D. A. Gardner has been made receiver of the flint glass works at New Brighton, vice L. D. Boggs, and hopes to start the plant Aug. 18. Burglars got $200 worth of jewelry and tobacco from the barber shop of Allen & Carmody at Conneaut Lake. A 7-year-old daughter of Adam Steiner, of New Hillville, fell from a swing and was paralyzed. She will die, The traction engine of Samuel Wagner, of Butier county, exploded near Freedom, and injured Wagner so he may die. Four masked and armed burglars entered Henry Blake's house at Wellsburg and covering the occupants with pistols,secured $250. Thieves entered the house of Abram Taylor in Sewickley township, Beaver county, and took $96.


Article from The Providence News, August 22, 1894

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Doctored the Ledger. ALTOONA, Pa., Aug. 22.-Harry Clabaugh, ledger clerk in the suspended Second National bank, was arrested yesterday for altering figures in the general ledger of the bank, for the purpose of deDeiving Bank Examiner Miller.


Article from Delaware Gazette and State Journal, August 23, 1894

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STRANGE SUICIDE. A Bank Examiner Shoots Himself After Examining the Accounts of a Suspended Bank. ALTOONA, PA., Aug. 17.-Bank Examiner William Miller, who has been working on the accounts of the suspended Second National Bank of this city for the past two weeks, committed suicide at 1 o'clock to-day, by shooting himself through the head. He died instantly. The examiner had just returned from dinner and after talking a moment with J. P. Levan, president of the bank, in the latter's private office, walked into the counting room. A moment later a shot was heard and Miller was lying on the floor with blood and brains oozing from his head. He had just completed the examination of the bank and submitted the result to Washington. Examiner Miller's home was in Mercerburg, Pa., and he was about 45 years of age. HANGED HIMSELF IN A FREIGHT CAR. PITTSBURG, PA., Aug. 17.-A welldressed man, about 35 years old, was found hanging in a box car in the C. & P. railroad yard this morning. He had hanged himself to the cross beam of the car by his silk handkerchief. In his hat, which was bought at Reading, Pa., was the name of Elias Chambers. It is supposed the man had no employment and became despondent. WHY HE COMMITTED SUICIDE. WASHINGTON, Aug. 20.-W. S. Hammond, attorney for the defunct Second National Bank at Altoona, Pa., and S. M. Griffith, one of its directors, representing the stockholders of the bank, had an interview to-day with Mr. O. P. Tucker, deputy comptroller of the currency, with a view to ascertaining what conditions would be imposed in case the shareholders should desire to reopen the bank. Many of the shareholders, it was represented, were men of wealth and standing, and for the good name and credit of the city and community they desired, if possible, to reopen the bank, and discharge every obligation in full. Mr. Tucker informed Mr. Hammond and Mr. Griffith that the comptroller would not discourage any efforts that might be made toward resuming, but on the contrary would render them every assistance possible. First of all, however, it would be necessary to ascertain the exact condition of the bank, and when that was done he would be glad to advise with them as to any further steps. Mr. Hammond and Mr. Griffith said that there was no possible doubt that Bank Examiner Miller committed suicide. He had discovered that at the last examination of the bank there was a shortage of $30,000, which he had failed to find, and Mr. Tucker's callers said that the contemplation of the disgrace which was sure to follow a publication of the condition of the bank at that time, in their opinion, had unsettled his mind.


Article from Juniata Sentinel and Republican, August 29, 1894

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CHEMISTS believe that they will soon be able to turn cream into butter without the aid of churning. LAST Sunday evening George O. Barnes preached a sermon in the Lexington, Ky., Court House, and closed his remarks with an appeal to the men to vote for Pollard-Breckinridge. WHAT a sight, the leaders of the democratic party trying to pull down the American manufacturing establishments for foreign benefit; trying to bring our people down to the level of European and Asiatic industries. THE King of Korea has declared his independence of China, and has asked the Japanese to help him in his struggle for Independence A two days fight between an army of 25,000 men each, took place on the 17th of August, at Ping-An in which the Chinese defeated the Japanese, routing them 11 miles. The Japs after running 11 miles, made anoth er stand, and were again defeated. MR. SLOAN one of the democratic nominees for Congress-at-Large, died, and that will require a meeting of the democratic State Convention to nominate a candidate to fill the vacancy created by the death of Mr. Sloan. When the State Convention is re-convened it will be a good time for Judge Bucher to get off the ticket. What will the Judge do. By the stealing of Cashier Gardner, the Second National Bank of Altoona has lost all of its capital stock, which was one hundred thousand dollars, and now, if they go on with the bank, they will have to raise another hundred thousand dollars. There is also another loss of fifty thousand dollars, which places the loss of the bank at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It was a good concern through which to get rid of money. The bank had four hundred thousand dollars of deposits when it closed its doors. A number of the stock-holders are making an effort to start again by putting back the one hundred thousand dollars that the cashier stole, and by arranging with depositors to pay them in the future, giving time certificates of deposit.


Article from Juniata Sentinel and Republican, October 3, 1894

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The fire company from this side o the river, appeared upon the scene o the fire in Patterson, last Wednes day in a remarkably short time. Mr. Ho ward Kirk and Miss Jennie Marks, were married in Reading in Reading, Pa, on the 18th of last June, and are now receiving the con gratulations of their many friends. The "Juniata Veterans Re union," to be held in this town on the 18th of October, promises to be an event ful day. Extensive preparations are being made to have other organiza tions participate in the festivities of the occasion. Lost.-On the night of the 18th of September, on the road between Mifflintown and Oakland an Emory Spring from under a wagon bed. The finder can receive fifty cents by returning the spring to J. L. Van Art at McAlisterville. Miss Carrie Adams of Philadelphia, is visiting the family of Mr. William Guss in Milford township, and will be pleased to enlarge photographs in colors for all who desire to have such work done at reasonable prices. She may be addressed Mifflintown, Pa., in care of Joseph Adams. List of letters uncalled for remaining in the post office at Mifflintown, Pa., for the week ending Sep. 29, 1894. Persons calling for letters in this list will please sav they are ad vertised. One cent will be charged for each letter advertised: Miss Maria Anderson, B. Jsakawitz, Miss Belle Stoner Cards: Mr. Dave Auker, A. G. Barbour, Miss Lizzie Grumbien, A. J. Jones, S. E Shurtz. Editor Singerly the democratic candidate for Governor will begin to swing around the circle after the fashion of Hastings on the 22nd of October, starting from Ridgway, Elk county. The Star and Tribune called Hastings itinerary, a Hippodrone, and it is reasonable to suppose that they will call Singerly's swing a Circus. The Singerly free trade circus may be looked for about the close of this month. Our democratic friends of the Tribune and Star are trying tomake merry over what they call Hasting's traveling hippodrome. They are like the Irishman who laughed when his billy goat squared itself to butt a running locomotive. The goat was knocked into the middle of a 10 acre field dead as kingdom come. When the Irishmen recovered his speech, he exclaimed, "Oh Lord, it is a good thing that I laughed before billy attempted to butt the locomo. tive. The Second National Bank of Altoona, has again opened its doors for business. The bank was unfortunate in having selected a rascally man for cashier. The cashier stole the whole Capital Stock and a lot of money on deposit, but the stock holders have had the honor to replace the stock, which is the same thing as startings new bank. Their example is of the right kind to make good what has been lost by confidence reposed in their business ability and individual integrity. If the cashier bad been of the same honorable class of men as they are. they would not now be financial sufferers. It is hoped the new cashier may be an honorable man. The calamity makers are talking about starting Mr. Singerly on a tour of the state in the two last weeks of this month. Singerly is as nearly a free trader as he can well be. They want to give bim Crisp and Voorhees for speech making company. Would'nt that be a nice three all of them free traders. Voorhees. an old rebel sympathizer, and Crisp, a sword redeemed rebel. Morally considered, it is'nt right to discourage discouraged people, but it is fair to say that if Singerly, Crisp and Voorhees make a tour of Pennsylvania, half the democratic voters will vote the republic ticket. Such a political dose as free trader Singerlp and ex-rebel Crisp and ex-rebel sympathizer Voorhees would turn the stomach of half the democratic party in this state and cause them to rush over to Hastings for good re-