Peoples Bank - Bowman, SC

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: September 21, 1922
Location: Bowman, South Carolina (33.349, -80.683)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 9cca7a26

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles (Sept–Oct 1922) state the People's Bank of Bowman 'is now in the hands of a receiver' and that the bank 'failed.' No run or depositor panic is mentioned. Criminal charges against the cashier and a director for unlawful loans are described; receiver was appointed, implying permanent closure.

Events (2)

1. September 21, 1922 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: the People's Bank is now in the hands of a receiver and the cashier and a former director ... were indicted and tried in the September court. Austin was found guilty ... Patrick pleaded guilty ... violating the banking laws and was sentenced ... the People's Bank is now in the hands of a receiver (Oct. articles referencing Sept. events).
Source: newspapers

2. September 21, 1922 Suspension

Cause: Government Action
Cause Details: Bank failed and was placed in the hands of a receiver after violations of banking laws (directors/cashier made illegal loans).
Newspaper Excerpt: the People's Bank of Bowman, which bank is now in the hands of a receiver
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)

1. September 27, 1922 Keowee Courier Walhalla, Pickens, SC

Article from Keowee Courier, September 27, 1922

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Article Text

Going After Borrowing Bankers. Orangeburg, Sept. 21. - Charles Wesley Austin, former director of the People's Bank of Bowman, was convicted last night by an Orangeburg jury of borrowing more than 10 per cent of the capital and surplus of the People's Bank, which bank is now in the hands of a receiver. Judge Memminger took into view the desire as expressed by the jury that he give Austin the lightest sentence he could, and thereupon sentenced Austin to six months' imprisonment, but suspended the sentence during good behavior. The case against R. Lee Patrick, former. director and cashier, will be tried during the present term. Patrick is charged with borrowing over $17,000, it is alleged, when not over $5,600 could legally be borrowed, even with the written consent of the directors. Austin borrowed, according to the testimony, around $8,000.

2. September 28, 1922 The Bamberg Herald Bamberg, SC

Article from The Bamberg Herald, September 28, 1922

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Article Text

SENTENCE IS SUSPENDED. C. W. Austin Given Six Months By Judge Memminger. Orangeburg, Sept. 20.-Judge Memminger, after the convening of court this morning, sentenced C. W. Austin, white farmer and formerly a director in the People's Bank of Bowman, which bank failed, to serve six months on the county works or a like term in the state penitentiary, but suspended the sentence during good behavior. The jury convicted Austin of violating the banking laws and recommended mercy. Mr. Austin was charged with securing loans from the bank of more than 10 per cent. of the capital and surplus, as allowed by law. The case against R. L. Patrick, who was cashier of the same bank, has not been called for trial as yet. Harry Monroe, a young white man, who, pleaded guilty to entering the store of Marvin Arant, in this city, was sentenced to serve one year upon the public works of the county. Walter Gaines, a negro from the Limestore section of the county, was convicted of grand larceny and sentenced 00 serve three years on the public works of the county. Gaines conducted his own defense. In the afternoon the court entered upon the trial of a negro murder case.

3. October 10, 1922 The Union Daily Times Union, SC

Article from The Union Daily Times, October 10, 1922

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Article Text

Orangeburg Man Begins Sentence Orangeburg, Oct. 9.-Robert Lee Patrick, former cashier of the People's Bank of Bowman, surrendered this afternoon, to. Sheriff R. Fulton Dukes to commence service of a three months' term in the Orangeburg county jail. During the September term of the court of general sessions for Orangeburg county Patrick pleaded guilty to a charge of violating the banking laws and was sentenced by Judge Memminger to serve three months in the county jail and was given ten days to arrange his busi. ness. It will be recalled that the People's Bank is now in the hands of a receiver and the cashiand a former director, Charles Y (ey Austin, were indicted ani delta 4 in the September court. Avby hotas found immended guilty by a jury arion. d sento mercy and the pres the ididge tenced him to six ment horbut suspended the sentence erson dugood beof havior. actul

4. October 12, 1922 The Bamberg Herald Bamberg, SC

Article from The Bamberg Herald, October 12, 1922

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Article Text

LEE PATRICK BEGINS SENTENCE. Three Months in Jail for Violation of State Banking Law. Orangeburg, Oct. 9.-Robert Lee Patrick, former cashier of the People's bank of Bowman, surrendered this afternoon to Sheriff R. Fulton Dukes to commence service of a three months' term in the Orangeburg county jail." During the September term of the court of general sessions for Orangeburg county Patrick pleaded guilty to a charge of violating the banking laws and was sentenced by Judge Memminger to serve three months in the county jail and was given ten days to arrange his business. It will be recalled that the People's bank is now in the hands of a receiver and the cashier and a former director, Charles Wesley Austin, were indicted and tried in the September court. Austin was found guilty by a jury and recommended to mercy and the presiding judge sentenced him to six months, but suspended the sentence during good behavior.