195. Southern Bank (Mobile, AL)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
state
Start Date
October 18, 1857
Location
Mobile, Alabama (30.694, -88.043)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
b72157aa

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health

Description

Two newspaper notices (Oct–Nov 1857) report a small attempted run on the Southern Bank of Mobile that was quickly quelled; no suspension or closure is reported. Cause not specified beyond depositors crowding the bank; no concrete misinformation event described.

Events (1)
1. October 18, 1857 Run
Cause Details
Depositors (bill-holders) crowded the bank and made withdrawals; article gives no clear trigger or specific rumor.
Measures
Tellers paid out from substantial gold and silver reserves (described as fortified by a Malakoff of gold and a Redan of silver) to meet demands and restore calm.
Newspaper Excerpt
A small run was attempted upon the Southern Bank yesterday, but it did not amount to much. A large number of bill-holders crowded the bank soon after its opening... the struggle soon ended, and quiet was restored.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)
1. October 19, 1857 New Orleans Daily Crescent New Orleans, LA
Article from New Orleans Daily Crescent, October 19, 1857

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Article Text

FINANCIAL IN MOBILE.-The Advertiser of Saturday says: A small run" was attempted upon the Southern Bank yesterday, but it did not amount to much. A large number of bill-holders crowded the bank soon after its opening, but as the Teller's desk was fortified by a Malakoff of gold and a Redan of silver, and as the demands of the claimants made no perceptible impression upon the fortress, the struggle soon ended, and quiet was restored. There is no likelihood now of either the Mobile or the Southern Bank suspending. The Mobile Savings Bank publishes in the papers of that city a statement of its affairs, placing its assets at $353,194 6S, and its liabilities at $293,438 78, thus leaving a surplus of $59,755 90, with discounted notes and drafts to the amount of $280,605 75 daily falling due.

2. November 6, 1857 The Athens Post Athens, TN
Article from The Athens Post, November 6, 1857

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Article Text

AN UNPROFITABLE RUN.-We learn from the Mobile Advertiser, that a small 'run' was attempted on the Southern Bank of Mobile on the 16the ult, but it did not amount to much. A large number of billholders crowded the bank soon after its opening, but as the Teller's desk was fortified by a Malakoff of gold and a Redan of silver, and as the demands of the claimants made no perceptible impression upon the fortresses, the struggle soon ended, and quiet was restored. There is no likelihood now, says the Advertiser, of either the Mobile or the Southern Bank suspending.