20548. Sanborn County Bank (Woonsocket, SD)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
December 26, 1890
Location
Woonsocket, South Dakota (44.054, -98.276)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
5eed2c56

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporaneous newspaper reports (Dec 26–30, 1890) state the Sanborn County Bank at Woonsocket closed/suspended payments Dec 26, 1890, and was placed in hands of an assignee/receiver (George W. Corkings / Carkings). Reports consistently say there was no run and cite poor business and slow collections as the reason. OCR variations present in sources for the assignee's name (Corkings / Carkings) and owner L. L. / Leon L. Stevens; these corrections noted here.

Events (3)

1. December 26, 1890 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The Sanborn County bank ... was closed this morning, and placed in the hands of George W. Carkings, assignee.
Source
newspapers
2. December 26, 1890 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Closed for poor business and slow collections; insolvency/illiquidity with county and city funds tied up (county treasurer had $8,000; city funds $300).
Newspaper Excerpt
The Sanborn County bank ... closed this morning. ... There was no run on the bank, and the reasons given for the suspension are poor business and slow collections.
Source
newspapers
3. December 29, 1890 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The strain upon L. L. Stevens, owner of the Sanborn County Bank which failed Friday, has driven him mad. ... Steps are being taken to have him examined by the insanity board and sent to an asylum.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (16)

Article from Deseret Evening News, December 26, 1890

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Closing of a Bank. WOONSOCKET, S. D., Dec. 26.The Sanborn County bank, run by Leon L. Stevens, closed this morning. The county treasurer had $8000 of the county's money in the bank, and a number of merchants were also caught. There was no run on the bank, and the reasons given for the suspension are poor business and slow collections.


Article from Evening Star, December 27, 1890

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Suspension of Two Western Banks. The Sanborn County Bank at Woonsock,S.D., closed its doors yesterday. The county treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank and a number of merchants are caught. Stevens was city treasurer and closed down on $300 of the city funds. There was a run on the bank and the reasons given for the suspension were poor business and slow collections.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 27, 1890

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Maverick Bank, of San Antonio, Tex., Closed by a Run. WESTINGHOUSE SHORT OF CASH. Largest Retail Dry Goods House in Iowa Goes to the Wall. Assignments in Various Eastern Cities "Bradstreet's" Reports Money Much Easier, and January Settlements Will Be Met-No Speculation in Stocks. 1 CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Dec. 26.-The Hugh Lumoer Company assigned today, with liabilities of $174,000; assets, $320,000. D. W. Hugh, president of the company, has made a personal assignment, with liabilities of $67,000 and assets of $475,000. DETROIT, Mich., Dec. 26.-The stringent money market has caused the temporary embarrassment of E. W. Leech & Co., extensive lumber dealers. The creditors do not appear to fear the approaching assignment, one stating that the firm's affairs are in excellent condition. ST. LOUIS, Mo., Dec. 26.-A special to the Republic from San Antonio, Tex., says: The Maverick bank of this city closed its doors this morning, after a heavy run that had lasted three weeks. Sam Maverick, sole owner of the bank, has made an assignment of his property, real and personal, to Regas Houston. The liabilities, according to the schedule, amount to $844,164, and the assets foot up $1,789,615. PITTSBURG, Dec. 26.-A meeting of bankers and business men of this city who had loaned George Westinghouse $500,000 lately was held today, and an advisory board of five was elected to act with Westinghouse in placing the $500,000 and managing the affairs of the compani-s requiring the loan. In an interview one of the subscribers to the fund stated that Westinghouse was negotiating a $1,000,000 loan in the East when his competitors in business prevented it. The loan was merely being made to tide over the present stringency. SALT LAKE, Dec. 26.-S. Keiner, a merchant of this city, assigned today with liabilities of $48,000, and assets about the same. NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-William H. Sandifer, dealer in diamonds and fine jewelry, assigned today. Sandifer's assets are $25,000 or $30,000. The liabilities are not at present known. WOONSOCKET, S. D., Dec. 26.-The Sanborn County bank, run by Leon L. Stevens, was closed this morning. The county treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank, and a number of merchants were also caught. There was no run on the bank. and the reason given for the suspension was poor business and slow collections. Stevens is city treasurer and secretary of the Republican county committee. NEW YORK, Dec. 26.-Rob rts, Cushman & Co., dealers in hatters' materials, who ecently assigned, filed schedules today stating that the liabilities were $4.660 nominal assets, $705,000, and total assets, $437,000. DEDHAM, Mass., Dec. 26.-Walter Potter, broker and trader, has been declared insolvent. COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia., Dec. 26.-Simon Eisman, of the firm of Henry Eisman & Co., dry goods merchants, who assigned yesterday, estimate the liabilities of the firm at $200,000, and the assets at $300,000. The failure was a great surprise, as the firm was the largest and oldest retail dry goods house in Iowa. In addition to their house here they operated branch houses in Omaha and Missouri Valley Junction, Iowa. These were included in the assignment, as is also the entire real and personal property of the firm. The failure is attributed to the stringency of the money market and light trade.


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, December 27, 1890

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. Bad Business Breaks n Bank. 1 WOONSOCKET, S. D., Dec. 26.-The Sanborn county bank, run by Leon L. Stevene, closed its doors this morning. The county treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank and R number of merchants are caught. Stevens has made an assignment to George W. Corkings, a former partner. Stevens City Treasurer and closed down on $300 of the city funda. There was no run on the bank and the reasons given for the suspension were poor business and slow collections. Stevens was Secretary of the Republicau County Committee and stood high.


Article from The Morning News, December 27, 1890

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A DAKOTA BANK CLOSED. The County Treasurar Caught With $8,000 of County Funds WOONSOCKET, 8. D., Dec, *-The Sanborn County Bank, which was run by Lean L Stevens, closed its doors this morning. The county treasurer bad $8,000 of the county's money in the bank, and a number of merchants are caught. Stevens has made an assignment to George W. Corkings, & former partner. Mr. Stevens was city treasurer and closed down on $300 of the city funds. There was & run on the bank, and the reasons given for the suspension were poor business and slow collections. Stevens was secretary of the republican county committee and stood high.


Article from Wheeling Register, December 27, 1890

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Stood High, But Failed. WOONSOCKET, S. D., December 26.The Sanborn County Bank, run by Leon E. Stevens, closed its doors this morning. The County Treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank, and a number of merchants are caught. Stevens has made an assignment to Geo. W. Corkings, a former partner. Stevens was City Treasurer and closed down on $300 of the city funds. There was no run on the bank, and the reasons given for the suspension were poor business and slow collections. Stevens was Secretary of the Republican County Committee and stood high,


Article from The Helena Independent, December 27, 1890

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Poor Business and Slow Collections. WOONSOCKET, S. D., Dec. 26.-The Sanborn County bank, run by Leon L. Stevens, was do ed this morning. The e ounty treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank and a number of merchants were also caught. There was no run on the bank and the reasons given for the suspension was poor business and slow collections.


Article from Evening Journal, December 27, 1890

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A Bank Closes Its Doors. WOONBOCKET, S. D., Dec. 2r.-The Sanborn County bank, run by Leon L. Stevens, closed its doors yesterday. The county treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank, and a number of merchants are caught. Stevens has made an assignment to George W. Corkings, a former partner. Stevens was city treasurer and closed down on $300 of the city funds. There was no run on the bank, and the reasons given for the suspension are poor business and slow collections.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, December 27, 1890

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BANK CLOSED. A Dakota Institution in the Hands of a Receiver. Special to the Globe. W OONSOCKET, S. D., Dec. 26.-The Sanborn County bank,was closed this morning, and placed in the hands of George W. Carkings, assignee. The bank has been run by Leon L. Stevens for the past two years, Carkings being a former partner. County Treasurer C. C. Hays is the heaviest loser, having on deposit about $8,000 of the county's funds. Stevens is one of the treasurer's bondsmen, and it is probable the county will be the loser. Other county officials and a number of merchants are losers to the amount of several thousand dollars. There was no run on the bank, and it was doing a good business.


Article from Pittsburg Dispatch, December 27, 1890

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CITY AND COUNTY FUNDS INVOLVED. A Disastrous Bank Suspension in Dakota Caused by Poor Business. VOONSOCKET, S. D., Dec. 26.-The Sanborn County Bank, run by L. L. Stevens, closed its doors this morning. The County Treasurer had $8,000 of the county's money in the bank, and a number of merchants are caught. Stevens has made an assignment to George W. Corkings, a former partner. Stevens was City Treasurer, and closed down on $300 of the city funds. There was no run on the bank, and the reasons given for the suspension were poor business and slow coilections. Stevens was Secretary of the Republican County Committee and stood high.


Article from Daily Yellowstone Journal, December 28, 1890

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Another South Dakota Bank Failure. WOONSOCKET, 8. D. Dec. 26.-The Sanborn county bank, run by Leon L. Stevens, closed it doors this morning. The county treasurer, C. C. Hays, is out $8,000 of county money. Stevens has made an assignment to George W. Corkings, a former partner. Stevens was city treasurer, and closed down on $300 of the city funds. There WAS no run on the bank, and nospecial reason for shutting its doors, except that the banking business has not been profitable for some time, and he says he was unable to make collections.


Article from Telegram-Herald, December 30, 1890

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CRAZED BY HIS RUIN. The Failure of His Bank Drives a South Dakotan Financier Insane-Other Business Troubles. WOONSOCKET S. D., Dec. 29.-The strain upon L. L. Stevens, owner of the Sanborn County Bank which failed Friday, has driven him mad. Frequently he has torn hair from his head and constantly called for money he could not get. Steps are being taken to have him examined by the insanity board and sent to an asylum. Just before going crazy he gave instructions to the assignee to pay back some money to a few creditors who had made late deposits, but nobody knowing the combination of the safe it could not be opened. Small depositors lose about $20,000 and they are greatly excited. GREELEY, Col., Dec. 29.-The banking firm of Hunter & West has suspended with liabilities of about $100,000. The assets, including the private property of members of the firm, which has been turned over to the assignee, are placed at $130,000. It is believed that no one will lose by the failure if sufficient time is given to realize upon securities and real estate owned by the the firm. Stringency in the money market forced the suspension.


Article from Echo De L'ouest, December 31, 1890

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WOONSOCKET, S. D. 29 Decembre -La "Sanborn County Bank" à suspendu ses paiements. Passif inconnu.


Article from Abilene Weekly Reflector, January 1, 1891

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The Sanborn County Bank at Woonsocket, S. D., has suspended because of poor business. Leon L. Stevens, the city treasurer, was the owner. The county had $8,000 in the bank.


Article from The Iola Register, January 2, 1891

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Two small children of Victor Rodgers. of Jesseville, Mich., were burned to death while alone in their home the other day. AT a Christmas entertainment at a church at Nabb'sstation near Jeffersonville, Ind., Joseph Taftinger and Bud Robinson were probably fatally wounded. The fight sprang up in the rear of the room while the programme of the Sunday school was being carried out. FRANK E. DICKINSON and Minnie Brundage fell through the ice while skating on a mill pond near Ann Arbor, Mich. Both were students at the Michigan University. AT East Chicago, Ind., Christmas morning, while a masquerade party was in full blast at the Tod Opera House, a fire broke out, creating a terrible panic. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt. THE large dry goods firm of Henry R. Heman & Co., Council Bluffs, Iowa, has suspended. The assets are reported at $300,000; liabilities, $200,000. THE wife of General Fremont was presented with a Christmas gift in the shape of the lovely cottage in which she lives, as a token of affection from a number of women of California, headed by Mrs. Senator Hearst, who raised $10,000 purchase money. LINDEMANN'S building with other property at Viroqua, Wis., was consumed by fire, involving a loss of $150,000; insurance only $16,000. THE Sanborn County Bank at Woonsocket, S. D., has suspended because of poor business. Leon L. Stevens, the city treasurer, was the owner. The county had $8,000 in the bank. THE Ohio Oil Company, a branch of the Standard Oil Company, has increased its capital stock from $3,500,000 to $8,000,000. A REPORT from Pine Ridge Agency says that after a council in the Bad Lands the Indians had resolved to surrender. THE 600 employes of the Pullman works of Chicago have been notified of a reduction of ten per cent. in wages. GUSTAV LARSON, a laborer, lost himself in one of the big sewers of Minneapolis and wandered three miles before he could get out. He was badly poisoned. FIRE in Weyaumega, Wis., the other morning caused the death of Orrin Ennis and did much damage. THE SOUTH. THE sugar house on Cartwright Eustis' fusilier plantation in Louisiana burned. Loss, $100,000; insurance, $50,000. GENERAL SPINNER, ex-Treasurer of the United States, is slowly dying at Jacksonville, Fla. THE schooner Mary Ellen, from Salisbury, Md., for Baltimore, is reported lost, together with her crew of five men -Captain Henry Wheatley and son, William Abbott and son and Saul Gale. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., iron men claim that good tin-plate has been made from basic steel made in Chattanooga. A SPECIAL from Petersburg, Va., says it is reported that the five negroes who were arrested for the murder of Dr. E. H. Riggin, in Mecklenbourg County, and committed, were taken from jail and lynched. SAN AUGUSTINE, Tex., has been seriously damaged by fire. IN a row at Chilesburg, Ky., a tough named James Parlin from Jacks creek was killed. Two or three others were injured during the fusilade of over 100 shots. FOREPAUGH'S Theater and the Masonic Temple, Baltimore, were destroyed by fire Christmas day. The loss was heavy. THE Savannah (Ga.) Fire & Marine Insurance Company has wound up its affairs. Threatened adverse legislation was the principal cause of closing up the business. THE Edisto phosphate and fertilizer works about three miles from Charleston, C., were burned the other night. The loss was about $200,000, fully covered by insurance. THE Maverick bank, of San Antonio, Tex., closed its doors after a heavy run that lasted three weeks. Sam Maverick, sole owner of the bank and its business, has made an assignment of all his property, real and personal, to Reagan Houston. The liabilities amount to $844,164, and the assets are estimated at $1,780,915. IN a saloon row in Birmingham, Ala., George Kelly and Jack Lynch, railroad men, were fatally stabbed. W. D. SIMPSON. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, is dead. By an explosion of a boiler at Kelly & Wells' lumber mill on Black river, forty miles from Newport, Ark., two men were killed. Another man and a woman were severely injured. GENERAL.


Article from Dakota Farmers' Leader, January 8, 1891

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STATE AND INTER-STATE. The city of Pierre looms up with improvements made during the year, amounting to over $600,000. This is reasonably considered as a good showing for a town that is as nearly bankrupt as it had been represented to be. Fire at Ree Hights, recently destroyed the principal part of the business portion of the town. Loss estimated at $50,000. The male portion of a Sioux Falls family of Wilsons is in a sad plight. Last winter the oldest son of the family was sent to the reform school for stealing and SOOR thereafter the father of the young man was arrested for running a hole in the wall after being forbidden to do so by the court, and heis now in jail. To cap the climax, a few days ago the youngest and only male member of the family, was arrested for robbing a fruit store. The whole outfit are now in jail and all that is left of the family is the sorrow-stricken wife and mother who is nearly heartbroken over the action of her recreant husband and sons. The Huron National bank, which suspended a few weeks ago, is about to be reopened By Joe Bailev and H, L. Greene of Sioux Falls. An examination has disclosed that the affairs of the institution were in good condition and had its correspondents been advised of the need of money, plenty would have been forwarded to meet all demands. The Scandinavian Republican League, of South Dakota, which held its regular meeting in Sioux Falls last week, had a very slim attendance. The league recommended B. H. Lien, of Brookings, for commissioner of immigration and K. C. Stabeck, of Canton, for consul of the United States at Christiana, Norway. J. A. Marvin, of Vermillion, who was crippled in the war SO as to loose the use of both legs, has been granted as pension of $75 per month. The report of Hon. L. G. Pinkham, state superintendent of schools, shows that there were 78,043 pupils enrolled in the public schools of the state during 1890, out of a possible 86,000, and that the total value of permanent school property is $2,585,248, against $2,219,620 for the previous year. The expenditures for school purposes for the year amount to $1,225,208, and the receipts for such purposes, $1,439,531. The average salary paid for male teachers was $49 and for female teachers $37 per month. The regular annual meeting of the South Dakota Educational association was held in Sioux Falls last week. Over 150 teachers, superindents and college professors were in attendance. Among the most prominent educators in attendance were State Superintendent Pinkham, Prof. Hood of Aberdeen, Prof. Kratz of the State University, Prof. Tuve of Augustana College, Canton, Dr. Kyle of the state Agricultural College, Prof. A. T. Free of Yankton, Prof. Frazee of Lead City, and Prof. Beadle of the State Normal school at Madison. The session was very successful. Outside of Minnehaha, Lincoln county, sent the largest delegation. Diphtheria is raging seriously at Madison. The health authorities have taken steps to prevent the spread of the disease. The recent failure of the Faulk county bank involves the county to the extent of $13,000, and the failure of the Sanborn county bank at Woonsocket will let that county down for about $8,000. Of the amount lost in the Faulk county bank, $7,500 belonged to the seed wheat fund. Menor & Jacobson are making a liberal offer on winter goods in their advertiseto