20139. Lexington Savings Bank (Lexington, SC)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: savings bank
Start Date: March 1, 1912*
Location: Lexington, South Carolina (33.982, -81.236)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: ae1dab4e

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Description

Newspapers from March–April 1912 report rumors that led to heavy withdrawals (a run) and that the Lexington Savings Bank closed and was placed in the hands of a receiver (W. H. Townsend). Bankruptcy proceedings followed and trustees/creditors meetings indicate the bank did not resume operations.

Events (3)

1. March 1, 1912* Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Broadly circulated rumors that the bank was going to the wall provoked heavy withdrawals over several weeks.
Newspaper Excerpt: The rumor was carried broadcast several weeks ago to the effect that the bank was going to the wall and many depositors made a run on the bank, drawing out their funds.
Source: newspapers

2. March 27, 1912 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: The Lexington Savings Bank... is closed, and the affairs of the bank... are in the hand of W. H. Townsend, receiver, appointed by the court. The bankruptcy proceedings were begun in the United States court in Charleston on Saturday.
Source: newspapers

3. March 27, 1912 Suspension

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Following heavy withdrawals and revelation of insolvency/poor collections, the bank was closed and a receiver appointed; articles describe insolvency and ensuing bankruptcy proceedings as underlying causes.
Newspaper Excerpt: The Lexington Savings Bank... is closed, and the affairs of the bank... are in the hand of W. H. Townsend, receiver, appointed by the court.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (14)

1. March 27, 1912 The Lexington Dispatch Lexington, SC

Article from The Lexington Dispatch, March 27, 1912

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In The Hands of Receiver. The Lexington Savings Bank, for 20 years considered a financial stronghole, is closed, and the affairs of the bank, together with the affairs of its president, Mr. W. P. Roof, are in the hand of W. H. Townsend, receiver, appointed by the court. As a result of the bank's failure the large department store of W. P. Roof is closed, and the whole matter will be settled under bankruptcy proceedings, which were begun in the United States court in Charleston on Saturday. The failure of the bank has occasioned a great deal of regret, and has caused much alarm among the depositors. No statement as to what per cent the creditors will receive has been given to the public and it will be several days before anything definite can be ascertained. The cause of the failure may be assigned to & number of reasons. The rumor was carried broadcast several weeks ago to the effect that the bank was going to the wall and many depositors made a "run" on the bank, drawing out their funds. For a time it was hoped that the bank would be able to stem the heavy tide, but as fast as the money was deposited it would be drawn out by some anxious depositor, it is said. Mr. R of has done more for Lexington than any other liying man. It was he who caused to be built the Lexington Manufacturing Company and the Saxe-Gotha cotton mills, both of which will stand through generations as a living monument to his worth. He has always put his shoulder to the wheel and pushed with all of his energy for every enterprise which looked toward the betterment of his town and community. But few people have ever gone to W. P. Roof for a favor that went away without receiving help. He has held the confidence and esteem of the people of this entire section as no other man has ever held. That he has had confidence in the people is evidenced by the tact that were all the people who are indebted to him to pay up today everyone of his creditors could be paid off dollar for dollar and his mammoth business would continue as if nothing had occurred. Mr. Roof's great misfortune has been-aud this he realizes now when it is too late-his generous nature in furnishing to those from whom he could not secure i-edge collators. County Treasurer E. I. Wingard has deposits amounting to many of dollars tied up in the bank's securities. The State has about $22,000 deposited by Capt. D. J. Griffith as a trust fund. Mr. Wingard is under heavy bond and the county will lose nothing. Clerk of Court Shealy had several thousand dollars deposited in the bank belonging to estates in course of aottlement, but Mr. Shealy has made arrangements, on his personal manhood, auu ne is real to pay every dollar

2. March 28, 1912 Fort Mill Times Fort Mill, SC

Article from Fort Mill Times, March 28, 1912

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THE From of the State. for laying contract of brick 5,000 yards vitrified square of A. to E. was Columgiven Legare on be will Main laid The bia. brick stafrom union street extending to tion Caldwell here held election Scranton. in cast being one only resulted of he bonding againstt proposed for the pur school Scranton the of school pose enlarging the is It that expected for and sale, shape bonds will work begin building. will be in at once. fine the Fully ppreciating days farmers weather in this making section If they telling some stroker. Mallors of the past have been are fav of with good not long continuation them and they to catch all when ready ored weather it up will with for plowing planting the time will be arrives. of An the inspection by dock Charleston the was made water front of launch boarding the H. commission. Williams Commissioner and club pler proceed. Carolina to the ing along Columbus ing slowly the where street, the and down walked the front, property. alight/Inspecting of the term March Orange for of Orange court pleas common in this city was county convened burg of G. W. S. with Shipping Judge Florence few only cases presiding. has tried, Althoum much been progress A have cases number or compromised, o while comminued. After Columbia the service been have been either made. thers defaulted have been 30 years party active in for Gen. Democwile Jones. South Carolina, has 14 the state years past chairman. re. for ask will he not that announced the He called executive election. on in to meet Columbia the for call the 10, official committee April on to be May held state convention be 15 issued. of engineers of has turned in the canal island waterway nication closer providing and Char Camden between Columbia. been the recom route having leston. by corps Capt. Adams, E.M. mended the as last being the which summer most at were suggested of engineers, feasible of the time. his to give asked When Lancable by the leg. the of work done opinion the were what just closed. islature they how the body, issues before etc., were handled, Represent of W. Jones George Lancaster and very spoke gation on to he that said wanted optimistical made as every endorsing the in a recent publication by Mr. of the work Steven legislature of son Cheraw. of the books custody Newberry is the county storm at this time. fight Newberriestration of -The centre of of an Two in teresting an of are making boards registration the to and the books secure yet as has turn not The board board W. clerk effort of books the court over to either consisted C. of R. E. Wheeler ed the of registration W. Riser, and recommendfor ed this board on the Work C. Sligh, The delegation rappointmontal which river trestle Lancaster. jawba Chester the away during washed of its sections carried bridge and ward was & almost having had 28 being pushed that for in and freshet off. is is thought pas few freight days vigorously.golar ba can Pend traffic resumed. the trestle damaged Chester ern's tracks senger ing the en repair route to to trips and on from the South of Cart are trains making their via Rock Hill. John President Columbia. of chamber commerce has commit appointed on of the Orangebure the following supper at annual W commerce. o o tees: Committee chamber K. of Wilson, T S. and Clayton Dibble, Committee Berghaus. Fletcher meeting Fairey, Otto W. Spahr to devise ways im to and means perfect permanent the for at Edisto causeway provement of the on edge street L. W. Glaze, M. E. A.C. Zeigler, Watson. J. foot this city, of Russell W. L. M. Moseley, O. Dantzler and by W. who, Bennett, of committee his of Charleston of the was street dropped bureau from action council of the jailer city position as head was installed jail as and im street cleaning Charleston county upon his duties. and the of the Chentered Tri-State Water and mediately The Carolinas Columbia Association which of was organized has and 28, 1911. Light Georgia. and now 75 N. F. of membership here June of in Salisbury, will meet Stieglitz, or Columbia, C., members, April 16-17. is the president W of this ganization. The central commtt of tee matter the raising Orangeburg charge of endowment the for in this college that has $25,000 city held of office important the matter Orangeburg meeting at the of actual an and shortly canvass filed Under John Cart will begin petition B.J Rhame, Lexington Bank Examiner the agreement of the attorneys by State Columbia, and by the bank. and by parties of for interested an signed of order consent of the of Anderson, Townsend, appointing for receive Judge Prince, W. the Lexington Lexington. neSavings Columbia, Bank. William of Harrison a

3. March 29, 1912 The Herald and News Newberry, SC

Article from The Herald and News, March 29, 1912

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of why the reported shaky condition of the bank had not been reported to the governor and why action had not been taken to protect the interests of the depositors. The development, which is attended with much interest is the reply which Bank Examiner Rhame will make to the governor's letter. Mr. Rhame came to Columbia today, in reference to the matter, but as yet has no statement to make. Efforts to get a statement from Attorney General Lyon were unsuccessful, as he is not at present in the city. Today saw practically no development in the matter, except the explanatory statements by Messrs. W. A. Clark and Wilie Jones in reference to their names being mentioned in connection with endorsements of papers carried by the bank. State Bank Examiner B. J. Rhame, when seen by the News and Courier representative this afternoon and asked if he had any reply to make to the letter Governor Blease wrote him yesterday, said that he had received a letter from Governor Blease this morning and that he expected to make a reply to it as early as practicable. Governor Blease had no further comments to make on the Lexington Savings bank situation and Attorney General Lyon is out of the city. There were no new developments in the case of the Lexington Savings bank, of Lexington, which was owned by W. P. Roof, and which is now in the hands of a receiver.

4. March 29, 1912 The Herald and News Newberry, SC

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Rhame Will Reply to Governor. Columbia, March 27.-Quite a sensation was created here today by the story which appeared exclusively in the News and Courier in reference to the Lexington Savings bank, which is now in the hands of a receiver, and which was owned and controlled by Mr. W. P. Roof, of Lexington. Not least among the matters of interest involved was the letter addressed by Governor Blease to State Bank Examiner B. J. Rhame, in which the latter was called upon to make explanation

5. April 3, 1912 The Watchman and Southron Sumter, SC

Article from The Watchman and Southron, April 3, 1912

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ROOF'S STORE CLOSED. Receiver Kept Busy Checking Up Books of Lexington Merchant and Cotton Mill Owner. Lexington, March 28.-There have been no new developments in the bankruptcy proceedings instituted against W. P. Roof, the well known merchant, banker and cotton mill president, during the last couple of days. The large department store, as well as the bank, has been closed, and W. H. Townsend, the receiver in charge, and his assistants have been kept busy checking up the bank books and Roof's other affairs. Mr. Townsend stated today that he could not as yet give out any statement as to what per cent the creditors would receive, and that it would be several days, perhaps, before any statement to this effect would be issued. The claims have been pouring in since the proceedings began, and the depositors of the bank have been continualling calling at the bank asking all sorts of questions. The Farrish-Stafford company of New York, through its attorney, R. L. Abney, of Columbia, has published notice that it will sell at public auction before the court house door at Lexington, on Saturday, April 13, notes, chattel mortgages and bonds secured by mortgages on real estate, pledged to the company by the Lexington Savings bank, to secure notes owed to it by the Lexington Savings bank. The amount of the notes held by the Farish-Stafford company can not be learned.

6. April 3, 1912 The Lexington Dispatch Lexington, SC

Article from The Lexington Dispatch, April 3, 1912

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Rec iver is Busy. Mr W.H. Townsend, receiver for the Lexington Savings Bank and for W. P. Roof, bankrupt, i- busy arranging the books and accounts and secu ing an inventory of the belongings of Mr. Roof Mr. Townsend cannot give out any statement as yet and it may be several days before a statement can be made. There have been no new developments in the case. We will give our readers 8 full statement as soon as the receiver makes nis report. The whole county has been demoralized by the failure.

7. April 10, 1912 The Manning Times Manning, SC

Article from The Manning Times, April 10, 1912

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REFUSE TO RESIGN EXAMINER RHAME DECLINES TO VACATE OFFICE TAKE MATTER TO COURT He Declares That Governor Blease's Act Removing Him is Purely Arbitrary and That He Will Hold His Office Until Ordered by the Court to Relinquish the Same. "The Governor's act in attempting to remove me from office is purely arbitrary, and his statement that the condition of the bank was not published is false. I shall disregard his order and shall hold the office until ordered by the Court to relinquish," is the statement which was issued at Columbia Monday afternoon by State Bank Examiner B. J. Rhame, when he received the copy of Governor Blease's proclamation removing him from the office of State bank examiner. This means that Mr. Rhame will refuse to surrender his office until ordered to do so by the Courts. and that the Courts will finally have to decide the whole matter. This is the latest development in the situation growing out of the incidents surrounding the Lexington Savings Bank, now in the hands of a receiver. The bankruptcy proceedings now pending in the Federal court were brought on the initiative of the bank examiner. This he explains in his statement. Mr. Rhame filed with Governor Blease his answer to the letter of the governor of recent date in which the chief executive asked the bank examiner to explain his actions in connection with the condition of the Lexington Savings Bank in not reporting the condition of the bank two years ago, when it was learned that its condition was shaky and asking the bank examiner to resign if he could not explain his stand. The bank examiner's statement is lengthy and ends with his refusal to resign the office. The statement explains many of his acts in connection with the bank. The examiner explains that he is not required to report bank conditions to the governor, that he is required to report such with the State treasurer and this he did in connection with the Lexington bank. He explains that the Lexington bank was not incorporated and as a private concern was SO connected with President Roof's business as to make it almost impossible to ascertain the actual condition of the bank. The examiner further explains that the Jaw requires him to take a hand in closing out a bank only when there is manifestation of fraud on the part of the management and that as there were no evidences of such in this case he took no steps toward closing the institution. He had no way, he said, of knowing whether the bank was solvent or insolvent. As to the deposits in the bank of State and county funds the bank examiner stated that he did not know until a recent date that such were in the bank and that he has no right to discriminate in favor of State accounts in a bank as against the deposits of individuals, so that had he known there were State deposits he could have acted in no other manner. The letter of Mr. Rhame to the Governor was followed by the Governor's order removing the bank examiner and the latter's refusal to be removed until ordered to do SO by the Courts. Governor Blease stated over the telephone tonight that he had not selected a successor to Mr. Rhame. The matter will now go in the courts, where it will be threshed out.

8. April 12, 1912 The Herald and News Newberry, SC

Article from The Herald and News, April 12, 1912

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PENITENTIARY FUNDS "TIED UP." State Money Affected by Lexington Bank Failure-Outcome? Columbia, April 9.-Among the depositors when the Lexington Savings bank went into the hands of a receiver was the State penitentiary, which had something like $22,000, and Governor Blease meant this fund when he referred to the State having funds on deposit in the bank. The outcome of this is the board of directors of the penitentiary, composed of A. K. Sanders, chairman; W. Jasper Smith, W. H. Glenn, J. D. Deas and John Mobley are gathering here tonight for a meeting tomorrow, at which this matter will be considered. All of the members are present, and it is expected that the meeting will take most of the day. The whole matter of the finances of the penitentiary will likely be gone into by the board at this meeting. The penitentiary has been handling its funds alone, and attention was directed to the matter by the Lexington bank failure and the query arose as to how the funds were handled. It is known that Governor Blease, following his letter to State Bank Examiner Rhame anent the Lexington Savings bank, called Chairmna A. K.Sanders, of the penitentiary board, into consultation, and while the object of that consultation was not given out, it is believed to have been with reference to penitentiary finances, and that the meeting of the board here tomorrow is the outcome of the situation. The treasurer, when asked as to how much money the penitentiary had on hand, stated that only the surplus was paid over to the State; that the penitentiary handled its own finances independently. It is probable, therefore, some change will be made and that hereafter -only State depositories will receive the penitentiary funds, although this latter is only surmise. In justice to Superintendent D. J. Griffith, it should be stated that no blame is attached to him, but that the matter is simply in the limelight as a result of the failure of the Lexington Savings bank.

9. April 17, 1912 The Abbeville Press and Banner Abbeville, SC

Article from The Abbeville Press and Banner, April 17, 1912

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# NEWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA Short Paragraphs of State News That Have Been Gotten Together With Care by the Editor. Columbia. Encouraging reports, indicating a large attendance at the meeting to be held in Charleston on April 25, 26 and 27 are being received from every part of the state. Chester. The 15-year-old child of Abe Sanders, a negro, who lives on P. B. Good's plantation in the Mount Pleasant section of Chester county, was burned to death several days ago. Allendale.-Theo. Best, a negro, was shot and killed by Dennis Williams, another negro, at hot supper near here. Williams is still at large, but has been located. Chester. At a meeting of the Walker-Gaston camp, United Confederate Veterans, J. R. Simrill and Capt. W. H. Edwards were elected delegates to the annual reunion in Macon, Ga., next month. H. W. Hafner and W. S. Turner were elected alternates. Hopkins. This little town, has undergone in the past several months more changes than ever before in a like space of time. Several new buildings in and around here are now in the course of construction. Columbia-Charlie Zimmerman, who was convicted in Edgefield county in October, 1906, on the charge of murder and upon a recommendation to mercy was sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary, has been paroled by the governor during good behavior. Mallory. Farmers here are already rapidly planting cotton. The acreage has been somewhat reduced, but the reduction in the amount of fertilizer being used this season has been considerable. Many farmers have reduced by more than half, and it is thought the average reduction will be more than one-third of the amount used last year. Edgefield. The Dairy Instruction car of the Southern railroad reached Edgefield on schedule time and two series of lectures were given, those at night being illustrated. J. P. Ininerly was in charge of the car as a representative of the railroad and demonstrated the use of machinery in the model dairy equipment. Greenwood. A most unsual event in South Carolina court happenings was the commitment to jail here of Miss Belle Yoe by order of Judge Sease for contempt of court. She was adjudged in contempt of court because she had refused to vacate certain lands condemned by the town of Greenwood, such condemnation being recently affirmed by the supreme court. Conway. Dr. J. T. Howell, the hook worm specialist, who has been conducting a campaign against the disease in this county for the past three months, has finished his work and will leave Horry within the next few days. The doctor came to us some time in January under the auspices of the state board of health, and has made many friends in the county, who will regret to learn of his leaving. During his stay here Dr. Howell has had 3,265 applicants and of that number he has treated 2,029. Charleston. At the coroner's inquest, the chauffeur of E. W. Hughes, whose touring car killed little Adell Abrahams on King street, was exonerated from all blame. The chauffeur, Joseph Harper, a negro, was declared to have exercised all possible effort in preventing the accident and that he was not speeding the machine. The accident is said to have been caused by the child running into the machine, rather than the machine running her down. Charleston. Thrilling with the warm pleasures of reunited comradeship, yet tinged with sorrowful remembrances of former members, whom death has removed from their seats at the festive board, the 36th annual reunion of the Washington Light Infnatry Veterans, held at their armory, and followed by the annual dinner at the home of Mr. Nicholas Bischoff, was an event not soon to be forgotten by those who participated. There are still surviving only about a dozen members of this command, and nearly all of them were gathered together. In addition to the veterans there was present the commissioned officers of the Washington Light Infantry, National Guards. Charleston. Mr. L. C. A. Roessler, who, several months ago announced his candidacy for the office of Sheriff of Charleston county, has withdrawn from the race in favor of Mr John P. DeVeaux, who made the race against Sheriff J. Elmore Martin four years ago. Columbia. Among the depositors when the Lexington Savings Bank went into the hands of a receiver was the state penitentiary, which had something like $22,000, and Governor Blease meant this fund when he referred to the state having funds on deposit in the bank. Easley. Piedmont presbytery convened here with a sermon by Rev. W. H. Frazer of Anderson. Rev. G. M. Wilcox was elected moderator. The ruling elder, J. W. Todd, was elected clerk. Full reports from churches in

10. May 15, 1912 The Lexington Dispatch Lexington, SC

Article from The Lexington Dispatch, May 15, 1912

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CIRCULATION 2,300. Compromise of $75,000 Accepted Conditionally A conditional compromise of $75,000 was accepted by the creditors of W.P. Roof and of the Lexington Savings Bank at & largely attended meeting of the creditors held in the court house on last Saturday. The sum of $25,000 is to be paid within 60 days or sooner; $25,000in 12 months, and an additional $25,000 in 18 months. Upon the payment of the first $25,000 Mr. Roof is to file with Thos. P. Meetze, C. E. Leaphart and W. H. Townsend, trustees of the estate, a bond for $50,000 to be approved by the court. The offer is fully set out in the following address, which was read with much feeling by Mr. Roof: "To My Creditors-Ladies and Gentlemen: I am before you this morning to ask your kind attention and consideration for a few minutes only. It is not my purpose to attempt any explanation of all that has led up to this serious misfortune that has befallen me, yet I will say that I made an honest and desperate fight to keep back any such disaster. Now that it is on me, you can never realize or know the deep sorrow, humiliation and regret that has almost crushed my existence. Not for my own loss, though my whole life work has been swept away from me. but my deepest trial and greatest grief has been for the safety of my creditors. Yet, I have not ceased to work, for both night and day I have been with my attorneys making an effort to formulate some plan by which I might save my creditors, an 1 with the help of God I shall still contend for anything that will be for their inte. ests. "Thad a plan to present to my creditors, assuming that the committee selected on the 2nd would trade with the Farrish-Stafford Company, whereby I would be relieved of my endorsements of about $600,000, leaving approximately $374,000, at on Thursday afternoon last I was informed by a member of the committee that they could not, probably, agree to the proposition submitted to them by the FarrishStafford Company. My plan was the one outlined at the last meeting by Mr. Barron, viz, by which each creditor would be a stockholder for the amount that they have involved until all could be had without their assuming any additional liability. This I was willing to undertake with the assistance of a board of directors of your selection, if it had taken me ten years or the balance of my life, in order to pay all or any amount that might have been agreed on. "Now, believing that the estate will be forced through bankruptcy unless some compromise is made, and taking the very low estimate made by some of the committee and their attorneys, (they say very little will be realized,) to avoid the bankrupt proceedings and the sacrifice of everything. I desire to undertake to pay into the Court $75,000, viz, $25,000 in sixty days or less, $25,000 in twelve months, and $25,000 in eighteen months. On account of the very short time that I have had since Thursday afternoon I have not had the time to see my friends, from whom I think I can borrow the money for the first payment, but I feel reasonably sure that I can meet the payments and I am willing to enter into a bond to this effect. "This offer of composition is made to be applied to the bank, cotton and mercantile creditors, and I will trade with the Farrish-Stafford Company, whereby I will be relieved of all endorsements of the cotton mills." Following Mr. Roof's offer of compromise, the attorneys for the trustees made a statement of the conditions as they appeared to be after a thorough investgation. Mr. W. H. Townsend, receiver for the bank and one of the trustees of the estate of Mr. Roof, said that the best that the trastees could hope to realize for the creditors under the most favorable circumstances was about 18 per cent. Mr. Roof was questioned by Hon. George Bell Timmerman a3 to where and from whom ne hoped to be able and to this Mr Roof

11. December 3, 1912 The Herald and News Newberry, SC

Article from The Herald and News, December 3, 1912

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Defunct for Year? From the best information obtainable, it seems that the bank has been practically defunct for a year and that its condition was known to the State authorities. It is also stated on reliable information that the State bank examiner has not made an examination of the bank since last February. The failure of the People's bank is due, it is said, to bad collections, which means that the bank has probably taken a lot of worthless securities. The bank only has about $20,000 in deposits, according to the books of the institution. and it is probable that the depositors will be paid dollar for dollar. although since the closing of the bank has become known there has been much uneasiness among those who placed their savings in the bank's keeping. It is stated that Dr. Etheridge, the president, is indebted to the bank personally to the amount of about $20.000, and that his outside indebtedness will reach up into the thousands. Efforts to Stay Crash Fail. It is understood that since the condition of the People's bank has been known the National bank of Leesville, has used every effort to stay the suspension of its neighbor institution, with the hope that arrangements might be perfected whereby the People's bank might be liquidated. but the efforts were unsuccessful. The total liabilities of the suspended institution is said to be about $50,000. The directors of the bank are: Dr. F. J. Etheridge, Dr. L. B. Etheridge, W. Aug. Shealy, J. P. Able, Jacob Austin, Carwile Shealy, A. L. Eargle and J. P. Copeland. Dr. E. J. Etheridge is president and W. Aug. Shealy. cashier. Meeting Today. There will be a meeting of the stockholders and directors of the suspended bank held in Leesville tomorrow morning, at which time efforts will be made to perfect arrangements for the paying off of depositors. The People's bank has been organized only a few years ago, the capital stock being $25,000. This is the second bank failure in Lexington county this year, the Lexington. Savings bank, the oldest banking house in the county, having closed its doors in March.

12. December 3, 1912 Yorkville Enquirer York, SC

Article from Yorkville Enquirer, December 3, 1912

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1912. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. - Senator Hall of Cherokee, proposes to introduce a compulsory education bill at the next session of the senate. D'Dell, pre- Petitions are being circulated in Spartanburg county asking for an election on the question of re-establishing the county dispensary. ontgomery. - Lexington, December 1: The Peodin. ple's Bank of Leesville, Lexington county, has closed its doors. Dr. E. J. Etheridge, president of the institution, is reported missing, is information received here tonight. Poor collections are said to be the cause of the bank's Carter. action. The bank's liabilities are said Thite. to amount to $50,000. The capital stock of the institution is $25.000. This Hardin. is the second bank in the county to Bays. close its doors within the past year, Phillips. the Lexington Savings bank here having suspended business last March. - Columbia, November 30: Henry A. Simons, former cashier of the Richland Savings Bank and Trust comCauthen, pany, was placed in the Richmond county jail tonight on the charge of breach of trust, with fraudulent intent. Officers of the bank said tonight that Simons is about $7,000 short Brock. in his accounts. He was arrested two days ago at Hamilton, Ohio, and Meyers. brought here tonight. He is well To be supknown here, having been connected with the bank for three years. - After litigation extending over MorE. several years, the Tennessee supreme court has ordered that C. J. Herbert be Shell. turned over to the South Carolina authorities; but Herbert has appealed to the United States court and secured a stay of thirty days, thus keeping out of the custody of Sheriff Coleman, of Richland county, who went to Tennessee last Friday after him. Herbert was indicted in Richland county three years ago on the charge of having BrunN. swindled the defunct Seminole Securities company out of $98,000. His indictment was at the same time of D. Guess, John Y. Garlington and James Stobo Young. Garlington is serving a sentence of three years in the penitentiF. ary. Young has been pardoned. - The case of B. R. Tillman, Jr., and his former wife, Mrs. Dugas, was before the supreme court yesterday. It League is a suit for the possession of the children which were given to Mrs. Dugas, then Mrs, Tillman three years ago. At Jones, prethe hearing last week affidavits were submitted alleging that young Tillman was drinking as late as last month, although he claimed the contrary. The hearing was postponed until yesterday in order that young Tillman might submit affidavits in contradiction. A number of such affidavits were submitted. The court left the children in the custody of Mrs. Dugas but reserved its final ruling. - Columbia correspondence of the News and Courier: Spea about the seizure of the beer consigned 10 use here at the Shriners' banquet, and HutP. which was released on the opinion of the assistant attorney general that beer ordered and intended for such McM. purposes was not a violation of the dispensary law, Governor Blease said after this beer had been seized it was reported to him that 12 cases of liquor had been ordered and shipped Conferhere for the Elks yesterday for use at the smoker they gave the Shriners, onference. but the governor said that after the North Caropinion of the assistant attorney general, of course, this whiskey was not conimore molested. He said that he believed this was a violation of the law, but from that if it was law he was going to recommend to the legislature that it from be changed, for he thought liquor and beer used for this and other purposes from ought to be purchased from the county dispensaries.

13. July 18, 1913 The Herald and News Newberry, SC

Article from The Herald and News, July 18, 1913

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ECHO LEXINGTON BANK CRASH. Judge Shipp Renders Opinion in Interesting Case.-In Favor in Defendant. Lexington, July 14.-One of the most important decisions rendered in the courts of this county in many years has just been handed down by Judge S. W. G. Shipp, of Florence, in favor of the defendant in the case of Sarah C. Eleazer and her husband, H. H. Eleazer, plaintiffs, against Frank W. Shealy, clerk of the court of common pleas and general sessions for Lexington county, and special referee, defendant. This was an action brought by Mr. and Mrs. Eleazer arising out of the sale of certain lands belonging to the estate of John P. Bouknight, deceased, in which the clerk of court sold the property under an order of court for a division among several heirs. The land was bid off by Walter Looney for the price of $440, and thereafter Looney transferred his bid to Sarah C. Eleazer for $500 and authorized the clerk of court to make title to Mrs. Eleazer. The sale was made on the first Monday in February, 1912. On February the 21st, following, H. H. Eleazor, husband of Sarah C. Eleazer, acting for her, came to Lexington and presented to the clerk of court a check on the Lexington Savings bank for $600 drawn by one Riddle, with the request that the clerk then and there make title to the property in favor of his wife, Mrs. Sarah C. Eleazer, and at the same time requesting the clerk to accept the $600 check and give to him (Eleazer) a check for $100, the difference between the bid and the amount of the Riddle check. This the clerk refused to do, stating to Mr. Eeazer at the time, according to the evidence, that he (the clerk) knew bis own check was good, while he was not sure about the other man's. Wanted Cash Only. The clerk requested Mr. Eleazer to step across the street to the Lexington Savings bank, a short distance from the court house, get the $600 check cashed and bring back to him (the clerk) the $500 in money. Mr. Eleazer went out of the clerk's office, so the testimony goes, and returned a short while afterwards with a cashier's check drawn by the Lexington Savings bank for the amount of $500 and presented the same to the clerk of court. The clerk still refused to recognize the check for the reason, he stated, that the Lexington Savings bank was then in bad circumstances and that nothing but the money would go at his office. Mr. Eleazer went out of the clerk's office, carrying a check with him. Returning a second time he again pre-sented the cashier's check to the clerk of court in payment of the bid on the land. The clerk again refused to comply with Mr. Eleazer's request and did not execute the deed of the property in question. Finally an agreement was reached between Mr. Eleazer and the clerk of court to the effect that the clerk of court would keep the check and use every effort he could to collect it at the bank. Clerk Shealy testified at the hearing that he carried the check to the Lexington Savings bank and presented it for collection on the same afternoon, the 21st of February. He was unable, however, to get the check cashed, the teller requesting Mr. Shealy to hold the check for a day or two; that sufficient funds would then be on hand to nay it. A few days later. the clerk testified, he carried the check to the bank a second time for collection and was unable to get the amount. Bank Fails. In the meantime, the clerk said, he addressed several letters to H. H. Eleazer at Chapin, South Carolina, but he declared tlat he was unable to receive an answer. In addition to addressing the letters to Mr. Eleazer, the clerk testified that he communicated with the telephone operator in an effort to get in connection with Mr. Eleazer in reference to the check. On the 23rd day of March, 1912, about a month after Mr. Eleazer tendered the check to the clerk of court, the Lexington Savings bank closed its doors

14. September 10, 1913 The Lexington Dispatch Lexington, SC

Article from The Lexington Dispatch, September 10, 1913

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Roof Preliminary Continued Upon motion of W. S. Nelson, of counsel for the defense, the preliminary hearing in the several charges acainst Mr. W. P. Roof for obtaining money under false pretense while he was president and cashier of the Lexington Savings Bank, was continued until a future day, on Monday. There was no objection on the part of the State, Col. E. L. Asbill, of Leesville, who is aiding in the prosecution, agreeing to a continuance. When the case was called by Magistrate Thos. L. Harman on Monday Mr. Nelson stated to the court that the defense would ask for a continuance upon the ground that the affairs of Mr. Roof were still in the hands of the federal court and that in justice to all parties, both the state and the defendant, he thought that the cases should be continued. He stated that until the report of the trustees of the estate of Mr. Roof had made their report it would be impossible to tell to what extent, if any, the parties bringing the charges had been losers, and, further, he thought that the cases should rest until the defendant had received his discharge from the bankruptcy court. In reply, Mr. Asbill, for the State, said that he had no objection to the continuance; that it would be impossible for the State to proceed anyway without the presence of John J. Earle, referee in bankruptcy, W. H. Townsend, one of the trustees who was appointed receiver for the defunct bank, and B. J. Rhame, state bank examiner, all of whom were important witnesses for the state. The promised preliminary attracted a great many people to the court house, nearly every section of the county being represented in the court room. Many came as witnesses, while others came as interested spectators. Messrs. W. S. Nelson and Lawson D. Melton, of Columbia, were present at the hearing on behalf of the defense. Col. E. L. Asbill, of Leesville, represented the state. Solicitor Geo. Bell Timmerman was present but took no part in the proceedings other than to confer with Attorney Asbill. The cases now go over until the affairs of Mr. Root have been fully reported upon.