2044. J. H. Squier & Co. (Washington, DC)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
private
Start Date
June 1, 1884*
Location
Washington, District of Columbia (38.895, -77.036)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
aa4f7b9f

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Assignment of assets to an assignee (Jay B. Smith) and later appointment of a court receiver (Jesse B. Wilson). Legal actions and replevin suits followed.

Description

Contemporary articles state a run/pressure began in early June 1884, Squier assigned assets to an assignee on/around June 7, 1884, and the bank was placed in the hands of a court-appointed receiver (Jesse B. Wilson) in July 1884. There is sustained litigation and receiver actions afterward, indicating permanent closure rather than reopening. Cause of run/suspension is bank-specific adverse information/insolvency (heavy losses and inability to meet demands).

Events (3)

1. June 1, 1884* Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Deposit withdrawals/pressure due to Squier's longstanding heavy losses and inability to realize assets to meet demands; creditors pressing for payment
Measures
Assignment of assets to an assignee (Jay B. Smith) on June 7, 1884; court actions to restrain transfers
Newspaper Excerpt
by that time a run had been begun on the bank
Source
newspapers
2. June 7, 1884 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Assigned assets to an assignee on or about June 7, 1884 because of pressure for money and inability to meet immediate demands; Squier admitted heavy losses dating back years and 'pressure' for money at time of assignment to Smith; creditors sought injunction/receiver appointment to prevent transfers of property.
Newspaper Excerpt
The suspension of J. H. Squier & Co., bankers and brokers, Washington, D. C., is announced.
Source
newspapers
3. July 8, 1884 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
receiver of the suspended bank of J. H. Squier & Co., gave bond in the sum of $50,000 ... Mr. Jesse B. Wilson ... takes charge of the affairs of the bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)

Article from The Milan Exchange, June 14, 1884

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MISCELLANEOUS. THE suspension of J. H. Squier & Co., bankers and brokers, Washington, D. C., is announced. PIG-IRON imported into Russia will pay a duty of nine copecks on and after July 1. THE Louisiana Militia Committee has reported in favor of giving each disabled Confederate soldier 168 acres of land. FOR seven days ended the 6th the failures in the United States numbered 199; Canada, 16. Total, 215. TWENTY deaths were reported at Havana, Cuba, from yellow fever for the week ending the 7th. THE French police at the request of the English have been searching for dynamite in Paris, but have not succeeded in finding any of a suspicious nature. NOTICE has been given by the Burlington Route of its withdrawal from the Transcontinental Association. ENGLISH army officers are endeavoring to perfect a scheme to provide the army with water while operating in the desert. THE French proposal has been accepted by Anam without modification, which places itself under the French protectorate.


Article from Evening Star, June 18, 1884

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THE SQUIER FAILURE. Commissioner Ednonds Explains His Connection with the Bank. THE SMALL SAFE IN THE ANKING HOUSE A PRIVATE SAFE BELONGING TO THLCOMMISSIONER-HIS MONEY TRANSACTIONS WITH SQUER-HE LOANED THE LATTER MONEY AT TEN PERCENT. A meeting of the credtors of J. H. Squier & Co. was held at the bank yeterday afternoon for the purpose of taking steps O prevent any transfer of property by Mr. Squier or Mr. Smith. When the meeting had organized Mr. W. A. Cook, as attorney for several of the creditirs, stated that he had today filed a bill asking that the transfer be restrained until a receiver!or the bank was regularly appointed, that the cour, had granted the preliminary injunction, and that notice had been served upon Mr. Squier. It vas at once decided that nothing further was to be done, and the meeting adjourned without taking any action. A statement was male that Commissioner Edmonds present at ths meeting and attempted to explain to the the reason why he had a right to remove private safe belonging to him, but that his explanation was cut off by the announcement of the issue of the injunction. The article then went on to allege that Mr. Edmonds was a partner in the concern. MR. EDMO/DS EXPLAINS. Commissioner Edmords was at his office in the District buildings this norning, looking as placid as usual. His attention was called by a STAR reporter to the publication in a morning paper respecting what was said by himat meeting of some of the creditors of Squier & Co-brokers. He said he had not seen the publication referred to. The paper was produced, and he said it was true that he owned a small safe in that office, and proceeded to state that wien he commenced to build his house on K street, some four or more years ago, for onvenience he bought a safe to keep his private papers in. Mr. Squierwas a neighbor of his, and his wife objecting to hiving an iron safe kept in the house, he asked and oltained permission of his old friend, Mr. Squier, to keep It in his office, and he has kept it there ever snce; all of his old papers are there, and articles of siver and papers belonging to his wife. Mr. Squier nor no other person had any access to that safe; noine ever had except himself, and no one had any right to open it but himself. Mr. Squier had come to fim several times to borrow money, and he had loaned him money several times at ten per cent per annum. Mr. Squier had represented to him that le could purchase vouchers, pay accounts, &c., to dvantage, but he could not spare the money from his regular business, and he saw good opportunitis slipping away from him every day on account of the want of money He (Squier) had given him notes at ten per cent for the use of money to enter Into these transactims, and these notes were now locked up in the safe. When Mr. Squier wished to secure him firther than by simply a note, he would give him be vouchers he purchased, which were all placed by him (Edmonds) in this safe until matured. Hehad no thought or idea that Mr. Squier was on the verge of bankruptcy, and was surprised few days ago to read in the papers that he had closed hisdoors. His wife called his attention to It in the afernoon papers after dinner. He remarked to her that he would have to go down there and take his safe away. "W hen went to te bank," continued Mr. Edmonds, "I told Mr. Smth that would like to look into the safe and see what was there and arrange for its removal. He sall that Shellabarger and Wilson were Squier's attoneys, and that had better consult them. saw Nr. Wilson, and he went to my house, and showe him, as far as could, the papers relating to my transactions with Squier. had most of the clecks which had given to Squier as loas, and these showed the amounts of the bans. Sometimes the loan amounted to $1,200, an sometimes more. I had told Squier that some of this money was trust funds, and that I mut have good security For this reason he had freqently given me pay vouchers. As explained tolir. Wilson, part of the contents of the safe was buchers and part Squier's notes. should think that the total amount represented was about $4000. A month ago told Squier," remarked theCommissioner. in a sort of parenthesis, "that I hd no time to attend to these matters, and that he nust give me my money, as wanted to invest It elswhere. He told me that if withdrew my money hat he would have to lose some of his customers, ind he did not want to do that. He said, howevel that he would take up his notes in a few days win pay vouchers, and promised to give me $4,000 licash by paying $1,000 per month. neglected tojo to his office for twenty days after that, and bythat time a run had been begun on the bank. an Squier had really been paying off his customer with my money "Well," remarked the Commissioner, "as I was saying, explained to N. Wilson, and he sald that the matter was perfecty plain and simple. Mr. Wilson said that in ordr to have the thing fully understood, might inform Mr. Cook, who reprerented some of the crditors. did so, and told Mr. Cook that I woul open the safe yesterday afternoon, when the cotents could be examined, and a list of them made last evening, if SO desired. When reacted the bank yesterday I found a large number b people there. said to Mr. Wilson: Wilson, the seems to be a town meeting. They are going 0 elect a chairman, and organize for the purpos of taking charge of Mr. Squier's affairs. have no interest here except as one of the creditors, ad SO, without saying more, left the bank. "What are you all gong to do now?" asked the reporter. "I don't know,' washe reply. "I have not yet determined. I want 0 have no misunderstanding. Does the safe belongto the assets of the bank?" continued the listener. "No more than the shes on my feet," was the emphatic response. "hat safe isprivate property, and when get a chane want to look over the papers and see how muh have lost. think that it will be several thousand dollars. Everything in the vouchers above he 10 per cent goes to 11quidate the principal Mr. Edmonds laughd at the idea of his being a partner of Squier, and aid that he merely loaned him money, as he woul(make any investment. MR. SQUIER CORROBORATES COMMISSIONER EDMONDS. A STAR reporter found Mr. J. H. Squier at his residence at noon to-cay. In reply to inquiries, he corroborated Commissioner Edmonds' statement that the safe and contents about which there 18 some among the creditors, are the exclusive property of Mr. Edmonds, having simply been placed on pecial deposit with him by the OW for conventere. In regard to the statements of a partnership relation between Mr. Edmonds and himself, MrSquier said that there were no such relations, achowledging, however, that he had borrowed mory in large amounts from Mr. Edmonds, and halgiven him collateral security. While conversing further upon affairs connected with the suspession of the bank, Mr. Squier said that there were vidoubtedly heavy losses running back many year don't intend 0 run away." said Mr. Squier. "I haven money entigh to take me to Canada, if wanted togo. will be here to stand whatever befalls Mr. Squer further stated that his losses began in 1870, when he was doing a large business, and was abseit from the city by sickness, when he lost heavily The house he lives In, Mr. Squier sald, he mortraged for $12,000 in 1873, and for $8,000 in 1875, and both of these mortgages are held, and have been for years, by Mr. Gunnwell, of Alexandria. "There #as nothing wrong in my transferring the property to him, as some suppose," said Mr. Squier. "He practically owns the property, and can sel t at will. deed of transfer was only to avoid the expense of such a sale. No one can take thepoperty from him. THE REAL OBJECT OF THE SUIT IN EQUITY, filed yesterday by M: T. C. Crawford agt. J. H. Squier by Messrs. Cok & Cole, and Mr. A. C. Richards, is to causea disclosure as to whether Commissioner Edmons did not constitute the "Co.' of the concern, aid for the present his safe will be locked up. The morning a copy of the bill was ordered by Mr. N.Wilson, who will appear for Mr. Edmonds. The Queei of the Waters. THE NATIONAL RIFLES' TO LAKE MINNETONKASOMETHING ABOUT THE NEW RESORT IN THE NORTHWEST. Correspondence of THE EVENING STAR. HOTEL LA FAYETTE, AKE MINNETONKA, June 14. As Lake Minnetonkaand its surroundings are SO little known in Washington a brief description may


Article from The Spirit of Democracy, June 24, 1884

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The L uisville Commercial has been sued for $10,000 damages for alleged libel. J. H Squier & Co., hankers and brokers of Washington City assigned. The cotton prospect in the Memphis district is reported as fair. In a paper read before the Edinburgh Health society Dr. Almond referred to the custom of having the head covered out of doors and uncovered within doors as very injurious on account of its making people 80 sensitive to draughts of air as to cause them to take cold. Boys, he said, who went bareheaded out of doors could stand a grester amount of ventilation in sehool-rooms and slee 10 ing rooms than those who wore bes I coverings.


Article from Evening Star, June 24, 1884

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THE FAILURE OF SQUIER & CO. Proceedings in Court To-day. THE CASE AGAINST SQUIER POSTPONED IN THE EQUITY COURT UNTIL THURSDAY MORNING. This morning, on the convening of the Equity Court, the case of T. C. Crawford against J. H. Squier & Co. was called by Judge Cox. R. D. Mussey appeared for Mr. Squier, and Mr. N. Wilson for Commissioner Edmonds, who petitioned the court to have the safe in Squier's office delivered to him, (Edmonds) Messrs. Shellabarger & Wilson, who represent Mr. Smith, were not present. Mr. Mussey asked a continuance of the case till Thursday morning on the ground that they had not had sufficient notice under the amended bill. After some discussion this motion was granted. MR. SQUIER'S ANSWER TO THE CHARGES. The answer of Mr. Squier in the Crawford suit was filed to-day. He denies that the plaintiff's account is so complicated as to require the interposttion of equity, and avers that he has a remedy at law. He denies that the assignment is "irregular or illegal" and "insufficient for its purpose, and that "It was made when there was no pressure" upon him, and that It was made to enable him to cheat his creditors and deprive them of their just rights. He denies that Smith "isin no respect a competent person." He avers that "on or about the 7th of June, there being a pressure upon me for money in my said bank, and that the nature of my banking business such that It was impossible for me to realize at once my assets and meet the immediate and pressing demands upon me with a view of protecting, 80 far as I could, the interests and rights of all my creditors, and to secure for them the fullest and most satisfactory results," &c., he assigned his assets to Smith. He avers that he made the assignment to Smith because of his knowledge of the business, &c., and the assignment was made in entire good faith and was fully free of crime or fraud, and the trust was accepted by Smith in like good faith. He denies the allegations charging him with unwillingness to pay his creditors, and says his action was intended for a speedy ascertainment of the claims of his creditors and a prompt payment of all, and he avers that this proceeding has already intertered to some extent with his purpose. Messrs. Allen Rutherford and R. D. M ussey appear for him. REBECCA W. ROBESON'S PETITION-CURIOUS AFFIDAVIT OF JACOB COOK, THE NIGHT WATCHMAN AT THE BANK-GEORGE J. BROWN'S DEPOSIT OF $2,000. To-day Rebecca W. Robeson filed a petition to become a party complainant in the case of Crawford against Squier and Smith, she being a creditor to the amount of $790. There was also filed an affidavit of Jacob Cook, who has been the night watchman at the banking house since 1872, stating that he had about $400 in the bank; that on Sunday, the day following that on which the assignment was made to Jay B. Smith, he (Smith) came to his (Cook's) house about one o'clock, and stated that he had been at work all day and was tired and nervous and asked affiant's wife to get him some dinner: that in the conversation which followed Smith said be knew nothing of the assignment till fifteen or twenty minutes before it was made; that there was no money on hand in the safe, and he knew of none due Squier except some $3; that Smith asked affiant what he would take for hisclaim, but affiant;declined to name a sum; that on Tuesday following Smith demanded the key, which affiant refused to give up, and on the following day Smith again asked for the key, saying the court and his lawyer said It should be delivered up. Smith then said that there was money in the bank, and told affiant he did not wish Squier to have the key or to be allowed in the bank. Affiant then, at the suggestion of his wife, gave up the key, taking a receipt for it. On the same day he saw Smith and his father there, and the latter asked what he would give or take for a thousand dollars in the bank, and affiant replied that he had no such amount there, and Smith said he had. There was also filed an affidavit of George J. Brown, of the Post Office department, to the effect that in April last he had $2,000 for which he had no use till November; that a friend advised him to deposit with Squier; that he addressed a note to Squier, who called on affiant April 7th. assured him that he (Squier) was doing a good business, and he exhibited a number of pay vouchers saying that he could not afford to do any business but on the square, and his credit was good at the National Metropolitan bank, and whenever he needed a little more monew


Article from Evening Star, June 27, 1884

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The case of T. C. Crawford against J. H. Squier and his assignee, J. B. Smith, for an injunction and the appointment of a receiver, was before Judge Cox, in the Equity Court, this morning-Messrs. Cook and Cole for complainants, Messrs. Allen Rutherford and R. D. Mussey for Squier, Judge Shellabarger for the assignee, and Mr. N. Wilson for District Commissioner Edmonds. Mr. Squier and a number of his creditors were present. Mr. Squier's answer was read denying the allegations in the amended bill. He denied every charge of fraud or attempted fraud, and asserted that the assignment was made equally for the protection of the creditors. Mr. J. B. Smith, the assignee. in his answer said that at the time of the assignment there was but $700 in the bank. He denied that Squier or any one had taken away or suppressed anything of the assets. He states that he is unable to give the amount of liabilities, because he does not know the amount of Squter's paper out. He denies that he is under the control and influence of Squier, or that the assignment Is virtually an assignment to Squier himself. He admits that he has received no schedule of assets except from the books; but he believes that a correct account can be made. MR. EDMONDS' RELATIONS WITH SQUIER Mr. Smith's answer further states in regard to the averment that Squier had a silent partner this has some responsible person, "that respondent no knowledge in regard to said matter, except that he is informed and believes that James B. Edmonds, of the city of Washington and District of Columbia, was at the time of and before the said assignment under a contract relation with the said Squier, which relation was from time to time evidenced by several written contracts between said Edmonds and said Squier. Respondent is not able to give a copy of the said contract now in force. He requested said Edmonds to permit respondent since the assignment was made to see the contract, but the said Edmonds did not furnish such inspection to respondent. That at the time the said assignment was made, to wit: on the 7th day of June, 1884, and for several years before that time, said contract or contracts existed between the said J. H. Squier and Edmonds, the substance of which was as respondent can state, as follows:-That the said Edmonds would and did furnish money to the said Squier, the amount whereof respondent cannot aver, for which a note or notes were given to the said Edmonds. and it was agreed by said writings that said Squier would buy pay vouchers at such rates as to yield a certain designated profit; that these vouchers should be delivered from time to time to the said Edmonds, and that there should be collected by the said Squier, when they became due, upon his delivering to said Edmonds other vouchers of equivalent amount and like kind with those surrendered for collection; and that in the settlement or the said matters relating to the said vouchers, as purchased under the said written contracts, the said Squier should pay to the said Edmonds the principal sum by him advanced and evidenced by said promissory notes, and also the interest on said principal at the rate of one and one-half per cent per month. In view of the matters atoresaid existing between the said Edmonds and the said J. H. Squier, respondent believes and charges that respondent, as assignee, and the creditors of the said J. H. Squier & Co., have an interest in all vouchers purchased under said contracts. and are entitled to have an accounting in regard thereto, and avers and charges that the said Edmonds is a proper and necessary party in this case. Respondent is informed and charges that a large amount of vouchers of the kind called for and described in said written contracts between the said Edmonds and said J. H. Squier, and which were purchased by said Squier pursuant to said written contracts, are now in the safe claimed by said Edmonds as private property, and which is in the said banking room on Pennsylvania avenue, in this city; and the respondent avers and charges that the said vouchers ought, under the order of the court to be placed in the possession of this respondent and assignee. for the purpose of taking said account and for the purpose of securing any interest which said creditors may be found, under the direction and order or the court, to have in the same. Respondent has not since said assignment was made, nor at any time, had access to said vouchers so kept by said Edmonds in said safe claimed by him: and respondent has not the combination of the lock of the safe and never had it. The reading of this part or the answer caused a sensation in court. The counsel then proceeded to argue the case. The court took the papers, and will announce its decision to-morrow.


Article from National Republican, July 8, 1884

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Bouguevan's Celebrated "Nymphs Bathing," At David Hagerty's, 1203 Pennsylvaniaavenue Receiver Wilson Gives Bonds. In the equity court yesterday Mr. Jesse B. Wilson, recently appointed receiver for the suspended bank of J. H. Squier & Co., gave bond in the sum of $50,000, with Messrs. Charles Edmonston, Christian Ruppert, and E. W. Donn as sureties. In accordance with the order Mr. Jay B. Smith, the assignee, is now discharged, and Mr. Wilson takes charge of the affairs of the bank.


Article from National Republican, July 28, 1884

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# THE SQUIER BANK. An Effort Will Be Made to Hold Commissioner Edmonds as Partner. The "busted" bank of J. H. Squier & Co. occupied the attention of the equity court for a short time last Saturday. First an order was passed directing the receiver to pay to J. Edward Temple $176, or balance due for rent, or show cause why it should not be done. Later in the day the case of T. C. Cranford and others against Squier & Co., came up. Mr. C. C. Cole, as attorney for the complainants, filed a petition asking permission to amend their bill and make District Commissioner J. B. Edmonds a party defendant. After reciting the appointment of a receiver, &c., the petition stated that Mr. Edmonds claimed probably three-fourths of the assets, which had been delivered to him on giving bond for the payment of such money as the court might hereafter decree. It was further asked that Squier be compelled to uncover as to the assets and deliver to the receiver such as the creditors are entitled to. The petition was granted and the bill as to Mr. Edmonds will be amended in a few days. Toothache is killed by the great Conqueror of Pain, St. Jacobs Oil.


Article from National Republican, August 25, 1884

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# GEN. BANKHEAD'S VOUCHERS. Testimony Directed to Ascertain Their Status in Squier's Bank. Judge Hagner heard, in chambers last Saturday, in the case of Theron C. Crawford and others against J. H. Squier & Co., the defunct bankers, the motion in behalf of Gen. H. C. Bankhead for the return of his pay account, claiming that no consideration had been given for the same. Mr. A. H. Jackson appeared for the applicant, and Mr. W. Willoughby for the receiver, Mr. Jesse B. Wilson. In the answer of the receiver it is admitted that the pay account is in his hands, but he says that there was placed to the credit of Gen. Bankhead on the books of Squier & Co. $212.19, and there now stands to his credit $212.28, and the proceeds of the account do not seem to have been drawn upon. He submits the question as to what should be done with the pay account, and if the order is made to deliver it up then the amount appearing to stand as a credit to Gen. Bankhead upon the books, he says, should be satisfied and discharged. Judge Hagner said that the answer showed that the matter was a subject for proof, and he made an order referring the case to Mr. John A. Clarke, examiner in chancery, to trke the testimony within the next thirty days.


Article from The Evening Critic, September 16, 1884

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# GENERAL BANKHEAD'S ACCOUNT, Which He Has Been Trying to Recover from the Firm of J. H. Squier & Co. In the suit of General Bankhead (retired) against J. H. Squier to recover his pay account, which he deposited with Squier's bank on the 2d of June last, Colonel H. H. Jackson to-day filed with the Court a voluminous mass of testimony taken by Examiner John A. Clarke. It will be remembered that General Bankhead's suit is based upon the fact that he deposited his pay accounts for June, payable June 30, 1884, with a view of having the amount thereof credited to him that he might draw against it. The bank failed early in June and before General Bankhead drew against his pay account, and for that reason he demands the return of the account as the Paymaster-General of the Army has refused to pay him his salary for June. The testimony of Mr. Jay B. Smith, formerly clerk to Mr. Squier, and now clerk to Receiver Jesse B. Wilson, shows that General Bankhead did not draw a single dollar against his pay account. Mr. Smith's evidence showed that the bank charged the modest sum of 3 per cent. per month, or 36 per cent. per year to discount the pay accounts of army and navy officers. Witness Smith did not know the name of any member of the firm of J. H. Squier & Co., except Mr. Squier himself. When asked what security had Squier & Co. against the collection of pay accounts by the officers themselves, Mr. Smith said that the honor of the officer was relied upon. When the question, "Did you ever hear of any other member of the firm except J. H. Squier?" the witness promptly said: “I decline to answer." The claim of General Bankhead is being resisted by the other creditors of the bank, who want his pay account to be bunched with the other claims and put in with the assets of the concern. General Bankhead very naturally takes a different view of the matter and wants all that is due him. If his account goes with the other assets he will have to take "pot luck" with the rest of the victims.


Article from National Republican, November 27, 1884

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Repleving Squier's Safe. Mr. Jesse B. Wilson, as receiver for J. H. Squier & Co., has filed an action in replevin against United States Marshal McMichael, F. B. Bowers, and H. V. Boynton to recover a safe, valued at $500, and taken by them from the bank July 10.


Article from Evening Star, December 16, 1884

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The Squier Failure. THE RECEIVER BEGINS ACTION AGAINST DISTRICT COMMISSIONER EDMONDS - HE REITERATES THE CHARGE THAT MR. EDMONDS WAS SQUIER'S PARTNER. This afternoon Mr. J. B. Wilson, receiver of the estate of J. H. Squier & Co., filed a bill in equity against James B. Edmonds for a discovery and nocount. The complainant charges, on information and belief, that the defendant is not entitled to vouchers which he was allowed to take into bis possession by order of the court, but they are a part of the assets of Squier & Co., to whom they were payable. He further charges that defendant has been interested in the business of Squier s Co. for years past; that there are one or more contracts in writing between Squier and Edmonds defining their relations to each other, but complainant has no access to them. He further says that he will show that Edmonds was a partner, and charges that his attempt now to claim the bulk of the assets is in fraud of the rights of the creditors. He charges, on information and belief, that the nojes for $40,000 and $4,000, dated August 1st, 1883, filed by Edmonds, are mere pretexts given to cover and secrete the real manner of doing business, and that Squier was never indebted in such amounts He further charges that all the time Edmonds was interested with Squier he was continually drawing out moneys, the Interest being largely in excess of what is allowed by law, and he should be required to refund the unlawful interest. THE RECEIVER ASKS THE COURT 90 SET ASIDE CERTAIN DEEDS CLAIMED TO BE FRAUDULENT. To-day, Mr. Jesse B. Wilson, the receiver in the case of J. H. Squier & Co., the suspended bankers, filed a bill against A. B. Greenwell and others for an account, ac. The bill 'sets out that Squier and wife made a deed of trust to R. H. Willson and L C. Tallmadge of his house and lot, 1514 K street northwest, to secure the payment of a note for $12,000 made by Squier to the Girard Fire and Marine Insurance company. of Philadelphia, which was subsequently paid by Squier's personal check, but no release was made. The value of the property is stated to be $20,000; that there Is also of record a second deed from Squier and wife to Cordial Storrs, trustee, to cover a purported indebtedness of $8,000 in five notes, which It is charged were given without consideration, and to hinder and delay the creditors who existed at the time, and Is fraudulent. It is stated also that Mrs. Lucy P. Squier since the execution of the papers has not treated the deed as having been made for her benefit and the notes have been delivered to her; but were made by her husband and delivered to Greenwell without consideration, for the purpose of delaying the creditors and in fraud of their rights. The bill also states that a thira deed was made by Squier and wife, dated December 18th, 1883, to A. L Merriman and Cordial Storrs, trustees, on the same property, but was not placed on record until June 11th, 1884, four days after the assignment of Squier to Jay Smith. This deed recites the one to Willson and Tallmadge for the payment of $12,000. and that the note of the Insurance company was held and endorsed by Greenwell, and as the trustees desired to be released the conveyance was made to Merriman and Storrs to secure Greenwell until. the note was paid. The receiver claims that Squier extinguished the note by his personal check July 17, 1882. paying Greenwell $12,000, and the paid check is with the bank papers, It is charged that this deed was without consideration and made in fraud of the creditors. A fourth deed dated March 11, 1882, from Squier and wife to Greenwell, recorded four day S after the suspension, is set out. This is given in consideration of a debt of $5,000, and is on all the furniture and chattels in houses 1514 K street and 1416 Pennsylvania ave., and this is declared also as fraudulent. It is further stated that Greenwell was a messenger of Squier at a small monthly compensation; that he has but little property and is not responsible for any great sum of money, and the collection of a judgment against him cannot be enforced. The receiver asks that the first deed be declared paid and Willson and Tallmadge be directed to execute a deed of release; that the deeds to C. Storrs, trustee, to Storrs and Merriman and to Greenwell be declared void,and that the real estate and chattels be adjudged assets of the estate of Souter & Co. and annlied to the nasmont of and