Reading Savings Bank - Reading, PA

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: savings bank
Start Date: November 1, 1873
Location: Reading, Pennsylvania (40.336, -75.927)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 891fbf6f

Response Measures

None

Other: This episode does not describe a run, suspension, or reopening; it is an anecdote of small depositors helping the bank during the 1873 panic.

Description

Newspaper accounts (Nov 1873) describe a local panic with small depositors saying they 'had heard the bank wanted money.' This indicates a run/withdrawal panic driven by rumors/misinformation; no suspension, closure, or reopening is reported in the articles. 'Savings Bank' likely indicates a state-chartered savings institution.

Events (2)

1. November 1, 1873 Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Depositors (including small children) acted after hearing rumors that the bank 'wanted money' during the panic.
Newspaper Excerpt: they had heard the bank wanted money ... deposited fifty cents
Source: newspapers

2. November 6, 1873 Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Follow-up report repeating that small depositors responded to circulating reports the bank needed funds.
Newspaper Excerpt: they had heard the bank wanted money ... deposited fifty-three cents, also 'to help along the bank.'
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

1. November 1, 1873 Essex County Herald Island Pond, Guildhall, VT

Article from Essex County Herald, November 1, 1873

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Article Text

Helping the Bank. A Reading paper gravely relates the following incident of the panic in that city "Quite a touching affair 00cured in the Reading Savings Bank, which afforded a lesson to some men who were in the bank at the time. Two little boys, each eight or nine years of age, came into the institution and stated to the chashier that they had heard the bank wanted money, and that they had come to give them some. Each had a bank book and fifty cents. The money was duly deposited and the little lads left. Soon thereafter another little boy, accompanied hy his aged grandmother, entered the bank and deposited fifty-three cents, also 'to help along the bank.''

2. November 6, 1873 The Jeffersonian Stroudsburg, PA

Article from The Jeffersonian, November 6, 1873

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Article Text

Helping the Bank. A Reading paper gravely relates the following incident of the panic in that city: "Quite a touching affair occured in the Reading Savings Bank, which al forded a lesson to some men who were in the bank at the time. Two little boys. each eight or nine years of age, came in to the institution and stated to the chashier that they had heard the bank wanted money, and that they had come to give them some. Each had a bank book and fifty cents. The money was duly deposited and the little lads left. Soon thereafter another little boy, oc companined by his aged grand mother. entered the bank and deposited Gity three cents, also 'to help along the bank."