19621. First National Bank (York, PA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
197
Charter Number
197
Start Date
December 7, 1905
Location
York, Pennsylvania (39.963, -76.728)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
d7786ae0

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Capital injected

Description

Multiple contemporaneous newspaper dispatches (Dec 7–9, 1905) report a run at the First National Bank of York, PA triggered by an unfounded/misheard remark. Bank paid depositors promptly and received support; no suspension or closure mentioned.

Events (1)

1. December 7, 1905 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
A passerby said the art store across from the bank had failed; listeners heard only 'the bank had failed,' creating an unfounded rumor that spread and precipitated withdrawals.
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
Passerby remark misheard; rumor 'First National bank has failed' spread.
Measures
Directors mingled with the crowd and paid applicants promptly; other local banks offered assistance and business men made large deposits.
Newspaper Excerpt
A run on the First National bank of this city was inaugurated today and up to noon hundreds of small depositors had withdrawn their savings. The run was caused by an unfounded rumor that gained circulation yesterday.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

Article from The Topeka State Journal, December 7, 1905

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Article Text

ANOTHER BANK SAVED. Business Men Rally to Support and Stop a Run. York, Pa., Dec. 7.-A run on the First National bank of this city was inaugurated today and up to noon hundreds of small depositors had withdrawn their savings. The run was caused by an unfounded rumor that gained circulation yesterday. An art store on the opposite side of the street had been seized by the sheriff. A passerby remarked to a friend "that the art store across from the First National bank had failed." Someone caught the last part of the sentence and a rumor that "the First National bank has failed," spread rapidly. Long before the regular time for opening today a large crowd of depositors gathered in front of the institution. Directors of the bank mingled in the crowd and succeeded in allaying the fears of many. All applicants were paid off promptly. Other banks of the city proffered assistance while prominent business men made large deposits in the bank. The First National bank is one of the most prosperous banks in York. Its last statement shows resources of $2,379,464 and deposits of $2,287,100. It carries $50,000 in government funds.


Article from Santa Fe New Mexican, December 7, 1905

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Article Text

RUMOR CAUSES RUIN. York, Pa., Dec. 7.-A run on the First National Bank was started today and hundreds of small depositors withdrew. The run was caused by a rumor An art store opposite the bank has been seized by the sheriff. A passer by remarked to a friend "that art store opposite the National Bank has failed" some one heard only the last few words and the rumor spread that the bank had failed.


Article from Rock Island Argus, December 7, 1905

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Article Text

FALSE REPORT STARTS A RUN Funds Being Withdrawn from First National at York, Pa. York, Pa., Dec. 7.-A run on the First National bank of this city, caused by a false report, was inaugurated today, and up to noon hundreds of small depositors had withdrawn deposits.


Article from Deseret Evening News, December 7, 1905

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Article Text

RUN ON FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF YORK. PA. York, Pa,, Dec. 7.-A run on the First National bank of this city was inaugurated today and up to noon hundreds of small depositors had withdrawn their savings. The run was caused by an unfounded rumor that gained circulation yesterday. An art store on the opposite side of the street had been seized by the sheriff. A pass-


Article from Los Angeles Herald, December 8, 1905

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Article Text

RUN ON PENNSYLVANIA BANK Excitement Caused by Misunder= stood Remark of a Passerby By Associated Press. YORK, Pa., Dec. 7.-A run on the First National bank of this city was inaugurated today and up to noon hundreds of excited depositors had withdrawn their savings. The run was caused by an unfounded rumor that gained circulation yesterday. An art store on the opposite side of the street had been seized by the sheriff. A passerby remarked to a friend that "the art store across from the First National bank had failed." Some one caught the last part of the sentence and a rumor that "the First National bank had failed" spread rapidly. Long before the regular time for opening today a large crowd of depositors gathered in front of the institution. Directors of the bank mingled in the crowd and succeeded in allaying the fears of many. All applicants were paid off promtly. Other banks of the city proffered assistance while prominent business men made large deposits in the bank. The First National is one of the most prosperous banks in York. Its last statement shows resources of $2,379,464 and deposits of $2,287,109. It carries $50,000 in government funds.


Article from Albuquerque Morning Journal, December 8, 1905

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Article Text

Wild Rumor Starts Run on Bank. York, Pa., Dec. 7.-A run on the First National bank was inaugurated today and hundreds of small depositors withdrew. The run was caused by a rumor. An art store opposite the bank had been seized by the sheriff. A passerby remarked to a friend. "That art store opposite the First-National bark has falled." Someone heard only the last words and the rumor spread that the bank had failed.


Article from Bismarck Daily Tribune, December 8, 1905

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Article Text

Run on National Bank. York, Pa., Dec. 8.-A run on the First National bank of this city began during the day and up -to noon hundreds of small depositors had withdrawn their deposits. The First National is one of the most prosperous banks in York. It is capitalized at $300,000 and has a surplus of $100,000. Its last report shows resources of $2,379,464 and deposits amounting to $2,287,109.


Article from Morris Tribune, December 9, 1905

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Article Text

Run on National Bank. York, Pa., Dec. 8.-A run on the First National bank of this city began during the day and up to noon hundreds of small depositors had withdrawn their deposits. The First National is one of the most prosperous banks in York. It is capitalized at $300,000 and has a surplus of $100,000. Its last report shows resources of $2,379,464 and deposits amounting to $2,287,109.


Article from The News & Observer, December 9, 1905

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Article Text

RUN ON FIRST NATIONAL How the Last Words of a Sentence Caused a Scramble for Ducats. (By the Associated Press.) York, Pa., Dec. 7.-A run on the First National Bank of this city caused by a false report was inaugurated today, and hundreds of small depositors withdrew their deposits. An art store on the opposite side of the street had been seized by the sheriff. A passerby remarked to a friend that "the an store across from the First National Bank has failed." Some one within hearing caught the last part of the sentence and told his friends that he had heard that "The First National Bank has failed." The rumor spread rapidly. Depositors were paid promptly and efforts made to stop the run. The bank has a capital stock of $300,000 and deposits of over $2,000,000.


Article from The Caucasian, December 14, 1905

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Article Text

At the North. There are rumors of possible criminal action following the completion of the insurance inquery in New York. An unfounded rumor that the First National Bank of York, Pa., had failed started a run on the institution. Gov. Robert E. Le Follette was elected United States Senitor by the Legislature of Wesconsin. Mrs. Ira Barry, who defied the authorities of Girriard, Kan., to remove her from a railway car, which she defended with a pistol for five days, was captured by strategy.