2064. First National Bank (Ocala, FL)

View Charter #3470 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
3470
Charter Number
3470
Start Date
April 20, 1895
Location
Ocala, Florida (29.187, -82.140)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
6eb18ab1519f9c86

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Capital injected, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Receiver was appointed and the Comptroller/Bank Examiner took charge; legal actions and indictments followed.

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
28.2%
Date receivership started
1895-04-22
Date receivership terminated
1899-06-30
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
43.9%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
33.2%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
22.9%

Description

Articles report a run/large withdrawals driven by rumors of insolvency in mid-April 1895, followed by Comptroller-ordered suspension/closing on April 20, 1895. The bank did not resume operations; it was placed in the hands of an examiner/receiver and suits/indictments followed and receivers were appointed (Stapylton by Aug 3, 1895). Assets were being liquidated as late as 1899. Classification: run → suspension → permanent closure (receiver). OCR errors corrected (e.g., Eckles -> Controller Eckels).

Events (5)
1. March 16, 1886 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. April 20, 1895 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Vigorous reports/rumors of insolvency circulated in the state; state treasurer withdrew funds and heavy counter payments ($17,000) occurred in the week prior to suspension.
Measures
Attempts at outside aid (New York correspondent and a Tampa banker tendered funds) but aid was refused or arrived too late; examiner later took charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
several weeks ago reports were vigorously set afloat ... of the insolvency of the bank ... within the last seven days $17,000 in currency was paid out over the counter.
Source
newspapers
3. April 20, 1895 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Comptroller closed the bank because capital was impaired by bad loans; examiner found affairs in bad shape.
Newspaper Excerpt
Controller Eckels to-day closed the First National Bank of Ocala, Fla., and placed it in charge of Bank Examiner McDonald. This bank is forced into temporary suspension, a posted notice read.
Source
newspapers
4. April 22, 1895 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. August 3, 1895 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The comptroller of the currency has appointed ... Granville C. Stapelton receiver of the First National bank of Ocala, Fla.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (22)
1. April 21, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, April 21, 1895

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AN OCALA BANK CLOSED. The Capital of the First National Impaired by Bad Loans. Washington, April 20.-Controller Eckels to-day closed the First National Bank of Ocala, Fla., and placed it in charge of Bank Examiner McDonald. The bank is a small one, with $50,000 capital, and its capital became impaired by bad loans: Ocala, Fla., April 20.-Harly this morning it was reported all over town that the First National Bank had suspended, but so great was the confidence in it by the average citizen and depositor that the story was not generally believed. At 8 o'clock the following was pested on the doors: "This bank is forced into temporary suspension, and the comptroller of the currency has been notified, by order of the board of directors, E. W. Agnew, Jr., cashier. E. W. Agnew, the president, in substance makes this statement: "The bank statement of March 15 was the best the bank ever made. The business enjoyed was splendid, but several weeks ago reports were vigorously set afloat over the state by some party unknown, of the insolvency of the bank. First, the state treasurer withdrew the state funds and within the last seven days $17,000 in currency was paid out over the counter.' Mr. Agnew's New York correspondent refused to extend aid, owing to the general commercial conditions of the state, owing to the freeze. Jacksonville withheld aid and it was deemed best by interested parties to close the doors. This morning Banker Taliaferro of Tampa, who reached Ocala this morning, hearing of the bank's misfortune tendered Mr. Agnew $50,000. but It was too late. Had it come last night It would have tided the bank over nicely. All regret the suspension, but all have confidence that the bank will resume. It is a severe blow for Ocala and Marion county. The court house was filled this afternoon with leading business men and depositors in the First National Bank expressing sympathy for Mr. Agnew in his financial misfortune in the suspension of the bank, and confidence that the assets of the bank will enable it to resume.

2. April 23, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, April 23, 1895

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AGNEW SELLS HIS BUSINESS. A SURPRISE IN CONNECTION WITH THE BANK CRASH, The Action Said to Have Been Taken to Protect New York Creditors and Avoid Complications at Ocala-A One-Third Interest Sold to H. B. Masters of New York for $105,000. The Other Two-Thirds Conveyed to W. H. Couch. Ocala, Fla., April 22.-The community was surprised this morning to find that E. W. Agnew & Co. had sold their merqantile business to H. B. Masters of New York for $105,000, including stock, notes and accounts, and the other personal property of the firm, including a onethird interest in the storeroom and warehouse at the Florida Central and Peninsular railroad crossing. A notice was posted in the windows announcing this fact and that the services of B. A. Weather had been temporarily secured as manager. Mr. Weathers was the junior member of the firm of E. W. Agnew & Co. This action caused much talk, and many were the gratuitous comments and surmises. The sale was made to protect the New York creditors and prevent complications arising from the First National Bank's suspension, as E. W. Agnew, the senior member of the mercantile firm, was also president of the bank. It will also assist the bank, as many of the country merchants are debtors to the firm and bank, and the new management will greatly assist them in cancelling their obligations with the bank. The new proprietor is one of the oldest and best known merchandise brokers in New York. He enjoys the respect and confidence of the business world of the metropolis and holds a high position in the military and social world, backed by @ fat bank account. He has been E. W. Agnew & Co.'s New York broker since the war. The town was full of country people to-day, who came to see about the suspended bank and what show there was for their deposits. Generally speaking, they returned home satisfied that they will get 100 cents on the dollar. Speculators are buying deposit accounts on the bank for 50 cents on the dollar. Citrus county sent up a big delegation. Their county treasurer has $6,000 of county money in the bank and it is satisfied will come out again to Citrus county. A party from Citrus county offered a deposit of $1,900 for $1,000 in cash and when the party tendered the cash he backed out. Bank Examiner McDonald has arrived and is examining the bank. The feeling is more hopeful to-night among depositors. Saturday a deed was filed conveying to W. H. Couch a two-thirds interest in the business here of E. W. Agnew & Co., and the same interest in the warehouse. The deed was given in 1893, but was held in reserve.

3. April 24, 1895 Morris Tribune Morris, MN
Article from Morris Tribune, April 24, 1895

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the agreest previous week. The increase, compared with the corresponding week in 1894. was 1.3. WILLIAM CRAMER, about 30 years of age, shot and fatally wounded his divorced wife at Decatur, Ill., and then killed himself. SIR BELIVERE, the champion St. Bernard and one of the most famous dogs in the world, owned by Capt. S. A. Pratt, and valued at $20,000, died at Little Rock, Ark. THROUGH undervaluation of imported goods at the port of New York it was said the government would lose over $100,000. SIXTY business houses at Ardmore, I. T., were destroyed by fire, the total loss being $600,000. THERE were' 241 businessfailures in the United States in the seven days ended on the 19th, against 207 the week previous and 219 in the corresponding time in 1894. A CYCLONE sweptaway twenty houses at Matties Landing, Ala., and killed three persons. FIRE in the building in Philadelphia occupied by the New York Biscuit company caused a loss of $300,000. BALDWIN BROS. & Co., brokers at Boston, with branch offices in over fifty New England cities and in New York, suspended with liabilities of over $500,000. PATRIOTS' day, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, was generally observed throughout New England. THORNTON PARKER (colored) was hanged at Westchester, Va., for assault on Mrs. Melton, and Frank Fuller (also colored) was hanged at New Orleans, La., for murdering Henrietta Gardner. FIVE HUNDRED garmentworkers went on a strike at St. Louis against the sweating system. THE Furnas county bank at Beaver City, Neb., closed its doors with liabilities of $27,000. JOHN B. THOMAS, late editor of the Mount Vernon (Ind.) Republican and a cripple, left Evansville to go round the world in a wheel chair in two years without a cent of money except what he earns on his way. MRS. DELIA T. S. PARNELL, 80 years of age, mother of the late Charles Stuart Parnell, was murderously assaulted by highwaymen near Bordentown, '[ N HARRY BLAKE, Patrick Harvey and William Hardpke were killed and John Conly and J. J. Hand were fatally injured by the collapse of hoisting machinery in the Chicago Ship Building company's yards at South Chicago. JUDGE EVERETT, of the superior court at Lafayette, Ind., in the case of Helen M. Gougar, decided that women were not entitled to the right of suffrage in Indiana. THE National Union of Heavy Hardware Dealers began its annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. THE percentages of the baseball clubs in the National league for the week ended on the 20th were: Boston, 1.000; Cincinnati, 1.000; Pittsburgh, .667; Chicago, .667; New York .500; Brookyn, .500; Baltimore, .500; Philadelphia, 500; St. Louis, .333; Louisville, .333; '000' :000* A TRAIN on the Philadelphia & Readng railroad struck a wagon containng Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frank, aged 2 and 65 respectively, near Richland, Pa., and both were instantly killed. THE Chicago Times-Herald and the Chicago Evening Post were purchased Rohnsant "H "H "W Aq THE forty-second regular session of the Wisconsin legislature adjourned sine die. THE First national bank of Ocala, Fla., closed it doors. LAKESIDE, a summer resort on Pewaukee lake, about twenty miles east of Milwaukee, was destroyed by fire. DURING a storm at Fort Worth, Tex., a portion of the roof of the tabernacle rave way and fell on part of an audince of 10,000 listening to Evangelist Dwight Moody, fifty persons being inured. MATTHEW CALLOWAY, a negro who nurdered Jim Walters (colored) at Santa Fe in July last, was executed at Columbia, Tenn. JULIUS and Ernst Haefelin and John Miller were drowned in the Delaware river at Philadelphia by the upsetting f a boat. HENRY A. SHIRLEY and James S. Amerton, English capitalists, were irowned south of San Antonio, Tex. HENRY WILLIAMS, of Hillsboro, Tex., killed his wife because she refused to ret up and make breakfast and then oisoned himself. ALL persons using profane or vulgar anguage on the streetsof McKeesport, 'a., will be arrested by order of the nayor. AFTER serving continuously in the ervice of the United States for period f forty-three years, Maj. Gen. Alexnder McDowell McCook retires from he army, the age of 64 years having een reached.

4. April 27, 1895 The Diamond Drill Crystal Falls, MI
Article from The Diamond Drill, April 27, 1895

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The News Condensed. Important Intelligence From All Parts. DOMESTIC. THE North Dakota Milling association of Grand Forks, owning and operating twelve flouring mills in North Dakota and northern Minnesota, made an assignment with liabilities of $400,000 and assets of $700,000. THE Universal Peace union in session at Philadelphia adopted resolutions that the 18th day of April be regarded as an annual Peace day for Americans. THE remains of James W. Scott, late proprietor of the Chicago Times-Herald, were buried in Graceland cemetery. By the failure of the Eureka Land company at Selma, Ind., many farmers will lose everything they have. THE National Manufacturing and Jewelry Importing company of Chicago failed for $100,000. THE government mint at Carson City, Nev., has been abandoned. THE American Mutual Fire Insurance association of Denver made an assignment with risks outstanding amounting to $216,000 and assets of $2,999. THE exchanges at the leading clearing houses in the United States during the week ended on the 19th aggregated $918,274,551, against $953,741,379 the previous week. The increase, compared with the corresponding week in 1894, was 1.3. WILLIAM CRAMER, about 30 years of age, shot and fatally wounded his divorced wife at Decatur, Ill., and then killed himself. THROUGH undervaluation of imported goods at the port of New York it was said the government would lose over $100,000. SIR BELIVERE, the champion St. Bernard and one of the most famous dogs in the world, owned by Capt. S. A. Pratt, and valued at $20,000, died at Little Rock, Ark. SIXTY business houses at Ardmore, I. T., were destroyed by fire, the total loss being $600,000. THERE were 241 business failures in the United States in the seven days ended on the 19th, against 207 the week previous and 219 in the corresponding time in 1894. A CYCLONE swept away twenty houses at Matties Landing, Ala., and killed three persons. FIRE in the building in Philadelphia occupied by the New York Biscuit company caused a loss of $300,000. BALDWIN BROS. & Co., brokers at Boston, with branch offices in over fifty New England cities and in New York, suspended with liabilities of over $500,000. PATRIOTS' day, the anniversary of the battle of Lexington, was generally observed throughout New England. THORNTON PARKER (colored) was hanged at Westchester, Va., for assault on Mrs. Melton, and Frank Fuller (also colored) was hanged at New Orleans, La., for murdering Henrietta Gardner. FIVE HUNDRED garmentworkers went on a strike at St. Louis against the sweating system. JOHN B. THOMAS, late editor of the Mount Vernon (Ind.) Republican and a cripple, left Evansville to go round the world in a wheel chair in two years without a cent of money except what he earns on his way. HARRY BLAKE, Patrick Harvey and William Hardpke were killed and John Conly and J. J. Hand were fatally injured by the collapse of hoisting machinery in the Chicago Ship Building company's yards at South Chicago. THE Furnas county bank at Beaver City, Neb., closed its doors with liabilities of $27,000. MRS. DELIA T. S. PARNELL, 80 years of age, mother of the late Charles Stuart Parnell, was murderously assaulted by highwaymen near Bordentown, N. J. JUDGE EVERETT, of the superior court at Lafayette, Ind., in the case of Helen M. Gougar, decided that women were not entitled to the right of suffrage in Indiana. THE National Union of Heavy Hardware Dealers began its annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. THE percentages of the baseball clubs in the National league for the week ended on the 20th were: Boston, 1.000; Cincinnati, 1.090; Pittsburgh, .667; Chicago, .667; New York .500; Brooklyn, .500; Baltimore, .500; Philadelphia, .500; St. Louis, .333; Louisville, .333; Washington, .000; Cleveland, .000. A TRAIN on the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, struck a wagon containing Mr. and Mrs. Henry Frank, aged 62 and 65 respectively, near Richland, Pa., and both were instantly killed. THE Chicago Times-Herald and the Chicago Evening Post were purchased by Mr. H. H. Kohlsaat. THE forty-second regular session of the Wisconsin legislature adjourned sine die. THE First national bank of Ocala, Fla., closed it doors. LAKESIDE, a summer resort on Pewaukee lake, about twenty miles east of Milwaukee, was destroyed by fire. DURING a storm at Fort Worth, Tex., a portion of the roof of the tabernacle gave way and fell on part of an audience of 10,000 listening to Evangelist Dwight Moody, fifty persons being injured MATTHEW CALLOWAY, a negro who

5. May 15, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, May 15, 1895

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OCALA'S BANK CRASH. The Creditors in Favor of Giving It a Chance to Resume. Ocala, Fla., May 14.-The depositors of the First National Bank met this afternoon in Knights of Pythias hall, which was crowded. H. W. Long was made chairman and T. T. Munroe secretary. Dixon Grovine stated the object of the meeting to be to confer with the stockholders about resumption, and to assist in the same. Judge W. S. Bullock spoke for the stockholders and especially for E. W. Agnew, and as a depositor, said he was not an applicant for the receiver's position, and the stockholders did not want one appointed. A. receiver meant the destruction of every depositor's interest. When Bank Examiner J. K. McDonald took charge the officers of the bank become dead. The examiner acted for the stockholders. A statement was not yet ready and he could not say when it would be. This was in the discretion of the examiner. It might be a day, it might be ten, no one would know its contents. The examiner could not even intimate what it would be. It would take a week from the time the controller received the examiner's report until it was made public. Then those interested could say if the bank should go on. He was authorized to say Mr. Agnew had offers of help from several parties if the examiner's report was favorable, which would mean a new organiztion, new officers and fresh capital. Bank Examiner McDonald was highly spoken of as a man and an official. He opposed the appointment of a receiver until the inevitable come, as it would take him three or four years to complete his work. Col. Edward Spencer moved that the meeting adjourn until the last Wednesday in May, but at the request of B. Arentz, Mr. Spencer withdrew his motion and Mr. Arentz substituted one which said it was the sense of the depositors present that if the bank can resume that the depositors will give all the time needed. One man shouted "Five years, if Agnew wants it." The resolution passed. Joseph A. Horns said he had known Mr. Agnew since he was a boy, that no one knew the financial condition of the creditors of the bank as Mr. Agnew did. and he was willing to let him be the judge of their likelihood to pay. Mr. Agnew was called for and said the day the bank closed it owed $235,000. If reasonable time was given for the assets of the bank to be collected he had no doubt that after paying off all the depositors there would be a surplus of $100,000. He thought, in case of resuming payment to depositors could be made in eight installments, say three months apart, though it might not require six months to do this. He then reiterated Judge Bullock's statement about help and reorganization. Judge Bullock said the proceedings of this meeting would be reported to Controller Eckels and suggested that the number of depositors and their proxies be sent him. Six additional secretaries were appointed and 315 depositors and proxies were found present, and it was requested that no receiver be appointed until the meeting of May 29 so ordered. Every person present was in the best of spirits and felt confident that Mr. Agnew would pull the bank through all right if time was given him. Senator S. H. Blitch was present. He will go to inspect the convict camp at Oxford to-night and return to Tallahassee tomorrow.

6. June 15, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, June 15, 1895

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AGNEW ON THE RACK. No Intentional Wrong Doing Proven Against Him Yet. Ocala, Fla., June 14.-A committee of the Agnew Bank depositors convened this afternoon in the court house. Those present were Alfred Ayer, who was chairman; D. A. Miller, secretary, Robert Harrison of Orange Springs, Samuel Sligh of Lady Lake, Messrs. Baker and Scott of Sumter county and R. L. Anderson of Ocala. The meeting was held to make inquiry into the truth or fallacy of rumors charging E. W. Agnew with converting certain assets of the, bank to his use, among others $40,000 of Globe Phosphate mining stock. Mr. Agnew said that the stock was bought for the bank and was still in the bank. At its purchased price, $12,000, it was deemed a perfectly good par asset. Other rumors were found equally baseless, and S0 pronounced by Receiver McDonald. Some of these depositors who felt decidedly unkind toward Mr. Agnew when they came to town, believing these exagerated and baseless reports, are now convinced the late president of the First National Bank was more sinned against than sinning. From statements made this afternoon it seems the charge against Mr. Agnew of appropriating bank assets to his own use grew out of Mr. Agnew and the bank holding some Marion phosphate stock when the run was made on the bank this stock, $8,000,, was sold and instead of the amount received being placed to to credit of the bank, and Mr. Agnew, It all went to the latter's account. In the excitement attending the run on the bank this error was not discovered until its affairs went into the receiver's hands. The transaction is looked upon as a technical violation of the banking law, but without any intent on Mr. Agnew's part to appropriate the money received to his own use for the stock belonging to the bank, as the money so received by him was paid out in the run on the bank. Receiver McDonald received the committee very kindly and answered every question put to him that the law would admit of.

7. June 23, 1895 Richmond Dispatch Richmond, VA
Article from Richmond Dispatch, June 23, 1895

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BANK PRESIDENT INDICTED. Charges Embezzlement, Abstraction, and Misapplication of Funds. JACKSONVILLE, FLA., June 22.-E. W. Agnew, president of the First National Bank of Ocala, was to-day indicted by the grand jury of the United States court on charges of embezzlement, abstraction and misapplication of the funds of the bank, of making false entries on the books, and crediting his own account with sums amounting to $25,000, belonging to the bank. The bank suspended two months ago, and has since been in charge of National-Bank-Examiner McDonald. The affairs were found to be in bad shape, and it is doubtful If the depositors will get 10 per cent. of their money. Agnew will be arraigned next Tuesday in the United States court here. One of the counts in the indictment against Agnew is his placing a check for $3,400, payable to the bank, to his private credit. Another is the embezzlement of $17,500 in bank-notes, greenbacks, and coin. Agnew is charged with buying worthless stocks and bonds of a par value of $25,000° for a nominal consideration, and placing them to his personal account on the books of the bank at their facevalue.

8. June 23, 1895 Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL
Article from Birmingham Age-Herald, June 23, 1895

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The U. S. Gov't Reports show Royal Baking Powder superior to all others. Baby caps at cost at HIRSCH'S. Ice cold lager at Beer Pavil6-23-tt ion, Lakeview. BANK PRESIDENT AGNEW Of the Ocala First National Bank Gets Into Trouble. Jacksonville, Fla., June 22.-E. W. Agnew, president of the First National bank of Ocala, was today indicted by the grand jury of the United States court on charges of embezzlement and misapplication of funds of the bank and of making false entries on the books of the bank by crediting his personal accounts with sums of money aggregating $25,000. The bank suspended two months ago and has since been in charge of National Bank Examiner J. R| McDonald. The affairs were found to be in bad shape, and it is doubtful if the depositors will get 10 per cent of their money. Agnew is under bond for appearance for trial and will be arraigned next Tuesday in the United States court here. One of the counts in the indictment is placing a check for $3400 payable to the bank to his private credit. Another is the embezzlement of $17,500 in bank notes, greenbacks and coin. He is charged with 'buying worthless stocks and bonds of a par value of $25,000 for a nominal consideration and placing them to his personal account on the books of the bank at the face value.

9. June 23, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, June 23, 1895

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BANKER AGNEW IN A BAD BOX. HE IS CHARGED WITH WHOLESALE CROOKEDNESS. Embeszlement of His Bank's Funds, Falsification of the Books and Other Offenses Alleged-One of the Counts Recites That He Bought Very Low-Priced Securities and Turned Them Into the Bank at Par. Jacksonville, Fla., June 22.-E. W. Agnew, president of the First National Bank of Ocala, was to-day indicted by the grand jury of the United States court on charges of embezzlement, abstraction and misapplication of funds of the bank, and of making false entries on the books of the bank by crediting his personal acwith sums of money aggregating bahk suspended $25,000. count The charge two months of Naago and has since been in tional Bank Examiner J. R. McDonald. Its affairs were found to be in bad shape and it is doubtful If the depositors will get 10 per cent. of their money. Mr. Agnew is under bond for appearance for trial and will be arraigned next Tuesday in the United States court here. One of the counts in the indictment is placing a check for $3,400 payable to the bank to his private credit. Another is the embezzlement of $17,500 in bank notes, greenbacks and coin. He is charged with buyworthless stocks and bonds of a par value of $25,000 for a nominal consideration and placing them to his personal account on the books of the bank at the face value. The first indictment had eight counts, the first of which charges that knowing his personal accounts to be overdrawn, and that he was largely indebted to the bank, he caused a check for $3,400 to be entered to his credit. The check was drawn by J. Rauers, on the Merchants National Bank of Savannah, and was made payable to the First National Bank of Ocala, as payment in full for 1,700 shares of the Union Phosphate Company's stock. The second count charges that he caused a certain deposit slip to be made showing by entries thereon credit to his private account of $9,350, and that he had placed to his credit the said amount on the individual ledger of the bank. It further charges that this entry is false. The third account charges that on Jan. 1894, he did embezzle $2,500 in bank notes, 12, greenbacks, silver certificates, gold and silver coin. In the fourth count Mr. Agnew is charged with having purchased from John A. Bishop, president of the Globe Phosphate Company, bonds of the said company of the face value of $5,000 and placed the bonds in the bank as part of the credits and assets of the bank, and did credit and cause to be credited to his personal account the sum of $5,000, knowing the bonds to be worthless. The embezzlement of $7,500 on Feb. 12, 1894, is charged in the fifth count. The sixth count charges that he bought from John A. Bishop, president of the Globe Phosphate Company. bonds of the company of the face farue of $10,000 and paid therefor $2,500, and had the same credited to his account as $10,000, although he knew the bonds were worthless and of no value. In a seventh count he is charged with the embezzlement of $7,500 in cash and checks. The eighth count is identical with the sixth. The second indictment contains two counts, the first to the effect that on Dec. 14 Mr. Agnew, who was president of the bank, did there unlawfully and wilfully misapply the moneys, funds and credits of the bank with intent to convert the same to his own use, and with intent to defraud said bank. The specific charge is that Mr. Agnew, as president of the bank, did solicit and procure from George W. Martin, who was not in anywise indebted to Mr. Agnew or the bank, a promissory note for $4,200 payable four months after date. Mr. Martin 'received no benefits therefrom and no considerations therefore, but Mr. Agnew is charged with having placed said worthless note among the credits and assets of the bank and caused the personal account of himself to be credited on the books with the sum of $4,200 for his own benefit and use, with intent to defraud the bank. It is also charged in this indictment that on Aug. 5, 1893, the firm of Barretto, Luis & Co. was credited on the individual ledger with the sum of $8,245 and that the money was not received and the entry was false. It is set forth that at the time this entry was made the firm was insolvent and indebted to the bank in the sum of $13,381.86. It is charged that the amount of the false entry was made up by notes given by H. L. Anderson for $2,425, J. W. Pearson for $2,910 and R. L. Anderson for $2,910, aggregating $8,245, and that the notes were procured by Mr. Agnew on an understanding that the makers would never be called upon to pay the amounts or any part thereof. On be next as to libarraigned his these guilt various or innocence. charges Tuesday Mr. He to Agnew is plead still will at erty under bonds in the sum of $5,000.

10. June 26, 1895 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, June 26, 1895

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# AGNEW AGAIN INDICTED. Three Charges Made Against Him in the U. S. Court. We clip the following from the Tuesday evening's Jacksonville Metropolis: "The grand jury came into the U. S. court this afternoon and presented another indictment against E. W. Agnew, president of the suspended First National bank of Ocala, making now three against him. The one found today charges further wrongdoing in banking affairs, fraudulently issuing and honoring notes for his own benefit etc. When court opened this morning Agnew was arraigned upon the indictments found Saturday, and his attorney moved for a continuance, and owing to there being no funds to pay jurors or witnesses with, the motion was granted, and Judge Locke required bail in the sum of $10,000 for his appearance for trial on the 2d of December next. He was allowed to file special pleas on that date. Mr. Agnew said he could give the bail in Ocala. Whether additional bail will be required since the last indictment was found was not known by the marshal.

11. July 21, 1895 Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL
Article from Birmingham Age-Herald, July 21, 1895

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President McDonald. The newly elected president of the Elyton Land company, Mr. J. K. McDonald, is in the city for a few days' stay. Mr. McDonald says that he will soon take charge of the affairs of the company and after August 1 will give it his entire. attention. He will continue his duties as receiver of the First National bank of Ocala, Fla. His resignation as bank examiner has not yet been accepted by Comptroller Echols.

12. July 23, 1895 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, July 23, 1895

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SUMMONSES ISSUED In the Ocala Bank Cases Against E. W. Agnew and Associates. Papers were filed in the office of the clerk of the United States court yesterday against Eboch W. Agnew and his associates in the First National bank of Ocala. The documents were precipes for summonses, and were filed by R. A. Burford, attorney for the plaintiffs in the various cases. The titles of the cases were John K. McDonald, receiver of the First National bank of Ocala, against the several defendants as follows : Enoch W. Agnew, sr., damages laid at $35,000; Enoch W. Agnew, jr., $1,500; Brantley A. Weathers, $15,000; Robert D. Thompson, $1,500; Willis M. Etheridge, $1,500; Isaac Stevens, $1,500. The summonses were issued as prayed by the plaintiffs.

13. July 27, 1895 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, July 27, 1895

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FRANK E HARRIS, editor of the Banner, returned from Washing- ton Thursday night, where it is supposed he went to interview Senator Call and Mr. Eckles with the view of getting the appoint- ment to the receivership of the de- funct First National bank of this city.

14. August 3, 1895 Pawtucket Tribune Pawtucket, RI
Article from Pawtucket Tribune, August 3, 1895

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Two Receivers Appointed. W ASHINGTON, Aug. 3.-The comptroller of the currency has appointed William S. Nelson receiver of the Union National bank of Denver, and Granville C. Stapelton receiver of the First National bank of Ocala, Fla,

15. September 7, 1895 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Journal, September 7, 1895

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Suit on Bank Stock. Suit was yesterday filed in the United States Court against Louisa Bachman, of Evansville, and Luella Moninger, of Terre Haute, to collect an assessment on stock held by the defendants in the First National Bank of Ocala, Fla. The suit was brought jointly by the receiver.

16. October 1, 1895 The Morning News Savannah, GA
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A Bank's New Attorney. Ocala, Fla., Sept. 30.-Attorney Robert McNamee of Leesburg is the new attorney for Receiver Stapylton of the defunct First National Bank. He will make Ocala his home and bring his family here.

17. October 11, 1895 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, October 11, 1895

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THE BANK CASE. Judgment by Default Against the Defendants. Jacksonville, Oct. 9 -A precipe for judgment by default for the amount of $35000 has been filed in the offi of the clerk of the United States court in the case of John K. McDona'd as receiver of the First National Bank of Ocala vs. E W. Agnew, sr. Failure to plead, answer or demur to the declaration of the plaintiff is alleged. Similar precipes were filed by the same plaintiff against E. W. Agnew, jr., and Isaac Stevens, each for the sum of $1500. In the intervention in the case of W. S. Hart et al. vs. Courtland C. Clement et al., a precipe for a final decree was filed by the attor-

18. October 30, 1895 The Florida Agriculturist Jacksonville, De Land, FL
Article from The Florida Agriculturist, October 30, 1895

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FLORIDIANA, A rumor is afloat that H. M. Flagler will erect at Miami a 1,500 room hotel in the near future Myron W. Lovell, one of the biggest orange grower in Florida, says that he has every reason to expect a crop of one thousand boxes of oranges on his Leesburg grove in December, 1896. It is reported that a 15 per cent dividend will soon be paid to the depositors of the defunct First National Bank of Ocala. This will place about $30,000 additional in circulation. The loggers are beginning to start business, and by the first of October the Ocklawaha river swamp will be a lively place. Some six or eight machines will run with gangs of about twenty men to each machine. John Dallow is fast completing what will prove to be one of the most powerful machines on the work, building his own lighter and selecting own machinery, and putting the same up, with the assistance of Geo. Russel. Nothing will be needed after he is ready to snake out the cypress.-Eustis Lake Region. Mr. G. L. Dudley has been kept quite busy with his baling machine for some time past. He has put up more than a thousand bales of hay for himself and his neighbors. He says he is compelled to refuse further work of this kind now in order to give his attention to his tomato crop. He already has a portion of his crop so far along as to have part of the plants in bloom, and he is now anxious to set out the remainder of his land.-Bartow Courier-Informant. News reached this city Tuesday even ing of a horrible shooting affair at St Marks, twenty-one miles south of here on the gulf. James Oliver, deputy collector of customs at St. Marks and Sidney Linton, justice of the peace, and the latter's son became involved in a quarrel it is said about a dog, when Oliver pulled a gun and commenced firing on the Lintons. The old man was shot twice in the breast and the son twice in the throat and abdomen. Later news stated that the elder Linton was dead and the young man lay in a very critical condition.-Taliahassean. Mr. M. C. Rerdell is in receipt of a letter from Mr. E. F. Reynolds an artist of Bronson, in which he speaks very highly of the paints made from the material taken from the Rerdell-Peak sienna beds in Levey county. Mr. Reynolds painted for the Plant System exhibit at Atlanta with these paints and was greatly pleased with them. The colors ran through all shades from a rare sienna yellow to brown, red brown and black. Mr. Reynolds says all the colors work well on canvass especially the black which he says can't be beaten.-Orlando Sentinel. The Florida Citizen recently contained an editorial endorsing the action of an Alabama judge in opening court with prayer and expressing the hope that other judges would follow the example. In the course of comment the citizen gravely remarked that this was the first instance probably in the history of this country where the rule of opening court with prayer was practiced. This is an error. The late Judge D. S.

19. January 5, 1896 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, January 5, 1896

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# AGNEW IN A BAD LIGHT, Bonds Bought at 25 Cents Sold to the Bank at Par. Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 4.-The trial of E. W. Agnew, late president of the First National Bank of Ocala, for embezzlement, misappropriation and misapplication of funds of the bank, was largely confined to-day to transactions with the Globe Phosphate Company and from the evidence it seems that Mr. Agnew bought $25,000 of the bonds of the company for $7,500 and deposited them as $25,000 cash to his individual account. The bonds were placed in the bank and used as assets of the bank at their face value. J. K. McDonald, formerly receiver of the bank, said that he asked Mr. Agnew where he got the bonds and Mr. Agnew replied that he bought them from the Globe Phosphate Company and paid par. This was denied by John A. Bishop, who said that Agnew paid him 50 cents for $5,000 and 25 cents on the dollar for $20,000. Mr. McDonald advised Mr. Agnew to sell the bonds. Mr. Agnew said he could have sold them in a week, but failed to do so. W. A. Bullock testified that he was the vice president and a director of the bank in 1894, in the early part of which year the transactions with the Globe company took place; that Mr. Agnew controlled the bank and that the others were figureheads. He also said the purchase of these bonds was without the knowledge or consent of the directors. The books were produced and A. M. McIntyre, forerly cashier, identified entries charging the bank with the face value of the bonds and crediting Mr. Agnew with their face value. He said the bonds were held as assets.

20. January 1, 1897 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, January 1, 1897

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FLORIDA. The Baptists of the state will meet at St. Augustine next Monday in annual convention. The convention will be in session three or four days. The next movement in the way of rapid transit will probably be a bicycle path from Orlando to Apopka, about twelve miles. The cost will be about $50. Jack Bird, a farmer living three miles west of Orlando, has just finished making up his sugar cane crop. He has made 300 gallons of syrup from a small patch of cane covering only one acre of ground. Longwood's Masonic lodge has been compelled to surrender its charter, owing to stringency of the times and removal of members to other points. The membership had fallen below a point that warranted continuance. John E. Stetson has announced his determination to proceed at once to erect the wings of Elizabeth Hall of Stetson University, at DeLand. These additions are each to be 90x45 feet, and together will occupy considerably more space than the present structure. They will be three stories high, built of brick, and elegantly finished. The people of Oviedo raised $1,000 by private contributions, to be expended in road improvements in their vicinity. This will entitle them to receive another $1,000 from the county. From present indications, at least fifty miles of the most prominent highways of Orange county will be rendered permanently good within the next year. J. H. Mooney has been notified by Manager Ford of the South Florida division of the Plant system railroad that that line will transport free of charge thirteen cars of Bartow clay from Bartow to Orlando, with which to make some needed repairs to the bicycle course. The Bartow clay is said to be the best material found in the state thus far for such a purpose. The proposition will be accepted and the work done at once. The man who was found on the Plant system bridge at Tampa, Monday night, so horribly mangled has been identified as E. Cranden, who lived at Frazier's Beach, on Old Tampa Bay. The remains were kept at Come's undertaking establishment until they were identified, and his wife was sent for. As soon as she entered the undertaking rooms she recognized the head of her husband, and the scene that followed was a most touching one. Cranden leaves a family of four children and his wife. Tampa Times: During the recent visit of Rice's Evangeline Company to Tampa two of the chorus girls indulged in a spree and were discharged by the manager. One of the women who was the leader of the chorus-was robbed in a Fort Brooke dive of jewelry and money to the amount of $200, and she remained here and made an attempt to recover the stuff. But she continued to drink heavily, and now she is demented. About 5 o'clock Wednesday morning she went into the home of a Cuban family in Ybor City and took possession, frightening the inmates of the house so that they did not attempt to put her out. They reported the matter, to the police. Sheriff Spencer was notified and went to the house and took the woman in his buggy to the country jail, where she is now confined. Excessive drinking has unbalanced her mind, but it is thought that she will be all right again in a few days. Several of the suits brought by George C. Stapylton, receiver of the First National Bank of Ocala, against stockholders who failed to pay the receiver's assessment on the stock of the defunct bank held by them, and against persons who failed to pay back money due the bank, borrowed by them, came up for argument in the United States court at Jacksonville Wednesday. The cases against R. L. Anderson, S. W. Teague and G. H. Carmichael were the first taken up, and were argued on demurrer to pleas. J. C. Cooper represented the plaintiff, and R. L. Anderson represented the defendant. In the case of the Florida Land and Mortgage Company vs. Finlayson, argument was heard on a demurrer to the bill of complaint and the matter was submitted. In the case of Carl Thalheim vs. H. L. Anderson, argument was heard on the motion to dissolve the injunction. In this case the court ordered that the papers be sent to Judge Bullock of Ocala, special master, for examination, and that a report be made in fifteen days.

21. January 30, 1897 The Morning News Savannah, GA
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first became aware of his power, and does not even know how he discovered it. He says that when the figures are given him he sees their answer immediately. Simply by glacing at a long line of figures he can tell immediately what the addition is. FLORIDA. Alachua county's jail only contains four prisoners. Ripe Japan plums made their appearance in Gainesville last week. Strawberry and celery shipments will soon be made daily from the Gainesville section. The stockholders of the Brooksville State Bank are negotiating for a loan to pay off the depositors and resume business with every prospect of success. The Key West Advertiser says the judgment in the case of Baer vs. the city of Key West amounting to $11,523.71 with 8 per cent. interest from March 1894, now amounts to $30,000. It is now reasonbaly certain that a harness factory will be established in Gainesville before next spring. The factory will be started by a stock company of business men of that city. The Tallahassee and Gulf Railway Company is putting up poles for the new telephone service between Minneola and Tavares for the benefit of the truckers during vegetable season. The telegraph line has been removed. In the United States court at Jacksonville Thursday morning the two children of John B. O'Neil, a former Georgian, but now a resident of Arkansas, were turned over to the father in accordance with the granting of an application brought by the father in habeas corpus proceedings. Representative-elect Crampton of Cedar Key spent several days among the people of Eastern Levy county recently, in company with his friend, Rev. Dr. DePass. It is said that Mr. Crampton intends to introduce a bill in the legislature soon to assemble releasing the county from taxation. The name of the Russell house at Key West has been changed by the new lessees the Florida East Coast Line, to "Hotel Key West," and it will be opened on next Saturday, with Leon H. Cilley as manager, who is well known to the traveling public as manager of the Maplewood Cottage, Maplewood, N. H. J. K. McDonald, national bank examiner, who had charge of the First National Bank of Ocala for some time after Its suspension in 1894, arrived in Ocala Thursday and will assist Examiner E. T. Shubrick in the work of making up the reports of the suspended Merchants National. A report will in all probability be made to the controller within the next three days. The Florida Farmer and Fruit Grower copies the substance of a recent report made to the United States department of agriculture concerning the Mexican orange worm, in which the facts are stated that no specimens of the worm are to be found save in oranges that were grown in the state of Morelos, about 100 miles south of the City of Mexico, and that no fears are entertained that the pest will be introduced into the United States. Dr. J. T. Godfrey, one of the most eminent physicians of Hamilton county, and whose residence is at Belleville, in the upper part of the county, has been recently sorely afflicted. On Monday of last week, one of his daughters (Delia, 17 years old) died. Wednesday his only son (Joshua, just grown to manhood) died. Another daughter (Emma, about 15) is not expected to recover. The doctor himself has been very sick. A few days ago he seemed better and could get up, but has relapsed and is not now expected to live. The cold Thursday morning throughout Florida was the most intense since February, 1895. Across the northern counties from Jacksonville to Pensacola the thermometer ranged generally between 20 and 24 degrees, going here and there as low as 17 degrees. Frost in lesser degree was felt as far south as Rockledge on the east coast, and the neighborhood of Tampa on the west. At Palm Beach 45 degrees was the minimum. Reports from the districts devoted to the orange culture indicate that, except in the more exposed situations, little injury was done. In some instances, the groves will lose part of their follage or the latest shoots. Not sufficient sap was in the wood to cause material damage. The losses of the truck farmers in the Gainesville district will prove more severe. A. considerable percentage of the growing lettuce, beets and cabbage was killed, but no close estimate can yet be formed. The late Henry C Houghton the pub

22. April 27, 1899 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, April 27, 1899

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NOTICE Receiver's Sale Notice is hereby given that pursuant to an order made on the thirty-first day of March, A. D., 1899, by the Hon. James W. Locke, judge of the United States Circuit Court, Southern District of Florida, I will sell for cash, at public auction. to the highest hidder, in front of the court house, at Ocala, Florida. on MONDAY, THE EIGHTH DAY OF MAY, A.D. 1899, at 10 o'clock a. m., the remaining assets of the FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OCALA, FLORIDA, consisting of promissory notes, secured and unsecured, judgment claims, etc., etc., and real estate in the city of Ocala and in the counties of Marion, Alachua, Sumter, DeSoto, Lake, Citrus and Levy. Full particulars of the assets can be obtained and the personal property can be seen during business hours at my office. G. C. STAPYLTON, Receiver First National Bank of Ocala, Fla.