Mechanics Bank - Knoxville, TN

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: state
Start Date: January 1, 1882*
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee (35.961, -83.921)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 9932872f

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health

Description

Article recounts an 1882 episode where crowds stormed the bank after the president (Thomas Connor) was shot; Col. S. B. Luttrell quelled the run by publicly reassuring depositors and the bank remained unharmed. No suspension or closure is mentioned.

Events (1)

1. January 1, 1882* Run

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: The bank president, Thomas Connor, had been shot to death, which prompted crowds to attempt withdrawals.
Measures: Bank president's death countered by Col. S. B. Luttrell's public reassurance from a desk; allowed withdrawals and inspired confidence so most depositors left their money in.
Newspaper Excerpt: Shooting of the president does not affect this bank in the least. Everyone who wants to withdraw his money can have it.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. November 13, 1930 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Knoxville, TN

Article from The Knoxville News-Sentinel, November 13, 1930

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Article Text

Old Timer Tells How Luttrell Prevented 'Run' Closing of the Holston-Union National Bank yesterday brough to mind for D. L. Million, veteran News-Sentinel linotype operator, how Col. S. B. Luttrell stopped "run" on the Mechanics Bank here back in 1882, after the bank president. Thomas Connor, had been shot to death. "O'Connor had been fatally wounded and crowds were storming the Mechanics Bank, situated at the old site of the Bankers Trust Co., adjoining the S. & W. Cafeteria," Million recalled. "I was one of those, who had gone to the bank to withdraw deposits. But Mr. Luttrell jumped up on a desk in the bank and shouted out: 'Shooting of the president does not affect this bank in the least. Everyone who wants to withdraw his money can have it. "These words inspired confidence among the depositors, most of them left their money in and the bank came thru unharmed,' Million said. Col. Luttrell, who later became president of the Mechanics Bank, now lives at 1501 Laurel Avenue.