20913. Fourth National Bank (Nashville, TN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
1669
Charter Number
1669
Start Date
August 11, 1893
Location
Nashville, Tennessee (36.166, -86.784)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
3684df36

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health

Description

Multiple contemporary articles (Aug 10-12, 1893) describe a run on the Fourth National Bank in Nashville. The bank continued to pay checks (later limiting cash payouts to $100 and issuing certified checks for larger amounts) and did not suspend or close in these reports. The runs were triggered by the suspension of other Nashville banks (First National, American National).

Events (1)

1. August 11, 1893 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run began after suspension of the First National (and suspension of American National) in Nashville; runs on other local banks spread to the Fourth National.
Measures
Paid checks up to $100 in currency; larger amounts paid in certified checks. Directors published cards pledging personal estates to payment of depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt
The run on the Fourth National bank continued to-day but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100. Any check over that amount was paid in certified checks.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (14)

Article from The Indianapolis Journal, August 10, 1893

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FAILURE AT NASHVILLE, The First National Bank Coses Its DoorsPayment of Deposits Guaranteed. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 9. - The First National Bank to-night posted a notice that it was closed. The bank has lost deposits steadily for some weeks, and this finally nearly exbausted the currency. The bank is solvent and will easily pay out when given time to realize on the paper and securities held by it. The capital stock is $2,000,000, and on publication of the last statement there were $1,005,000 deposite. After the enspension of the First National Bank the directors of the Fourth National Bank held a meeting, those present representing several millions of property. They signed a giaranty, pledging themsolves and their individual estates to the payment of all deposits. They further state that the bank is able to meet all of its obligations. Edgar Jonee. president of the Union Bank and Trust Company, and John M. Sperry, president of the Merehants' National Bank, say in interviews their banks will open as usual to-morrow. The directors of the City Savings Bank held a meeting to-night, and unanimously decided to suspend payment for sixty days. The suspension is cansed by the stringency of the money market. The bank IS considered solvent, and will pay depositors and stockholders in full. Deposits. $40.707.90; assets, $151,499.42. 90 per cent. of which is good. The directors of the bank have personally pledged themselves and their estates to the payment of all depositors in full.


Article from Waterbury Evening Democrat, August 10, 1893

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The Flurry In Nashville. NASHVILLE. Aug. 10.-After the suspension of the First National bank of this city the directors of the Fourth National bank held a meeting, those present representing several millions of property, and signed a guarantee pledging themselves, their individual estates, to the payment of all deposits. The directors of the City Savings bank held a meeting and unanimously decided to suspend payment for 60 days. The suspension is caused by the stringency of the money market. The bank is considered solvent.


Article from The Helena Independent, August 11, 1893

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BUSINESS DIFFICULTIES. The Banks of Nashville Experience Hard Times. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 10. - -The First National bank of this city, the oldest national institution south of the Ohio river, closed its doors this afternoon. Capital $1,000,000, deposits $1,000,000, surplus fund and undivided profits $100,000. The directors of the Fourth National bank and other capitalists representing several millions of property have signed a guarantee pledging themselves and their individual estates to the payment of all deposits. Bank Examiner Plumle is in charge. It is believed the bank will resume in sixty days. The directors of the City Savings bank held a meeting to-night and decided to suspend payment for sixty days. The bank is considered solvent. Deposits $40,707, assets $151,499. An uneasy feeling povails. The American National, one of the strongest in the city, capital $1,000,000, surplus $116,000, suspended AS a result of a run caused by the suspension of the First National, in spite of a published card by the officers ea ing the bank was perfectly solvent, and pledging their personal estates to depositors. A run also set in on the Fourth National, but it is considered perfectly solvent. The Safe Deposit Trust and Banking company, posted a notice that depositors are safe for every dollar. EBENSBURG, Pa., Aug. 10. .-Johnston, Buck & Co., with banks here and at Carrollton and Hastings, suspended. They claim Assets in excess of liabilities. LAFAYETTE. Ind., Aug. 10.-The - O'Brien Wagon works failed; liabilities $100,000. LEROY, N. Y., Aug.-Lathrop's bank failed. It is claimed it will pay in full.


Article from The Morning News, August 11, 1893

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RUN TO A CLOSE. Two Nashville Banks Succumb to the Pressure. Nashville, Tenn., Aug 0.-The suspension of the First National Bank last evening was followed to-day by the suspension of payment by the American National Bank, one of the largest and strong est in the city. The bank has a capital stock of $1.000,000 and a surplus of $1e6,000. When the bank opened for business at the usual hour there were MANY DEPOSITORS ABOUT ITS DOORS, and soon a run was made. The crowd was very orderly and were paid as rapidly as possible. Meanwhile a run began on the Fourth National Bank, which has a capital stock of $2,000,000, and a surplus fund of $200,000, and is regarded by business men as perfectly solvent. BOTH BANKS SOLVENT. The directors of both the American and Fourth National banks published cards this morning to the effect that their banks were perfectly solvent, and also pledging their personal estates to the payment of depositors. The run on the American National bank was stopped at 9:30 o'clock by the announcement of the board that they had decided to suspend payment. The Fourth National continued to pay depositors as fast as checks were presented, and at this hour (10 o'clock) is still doing so. Directors of the Safe Deposit, Trust and Banking Company met at an early hour and decided in view of the-excitement prevailing to TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE CLAUSE. of their charter requiring depositors to give sixty day's notice of withdrawal of deposits. The board posted a notice stating that the depositors are absolutely safe for every dol'ar they have in the bank. There was no run on this bank, and but few depositors presented checks for payment.


Article from New-York Tribune, August 11, 1893

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RUNS ON NASHVILLE BANKS. THE AMERICAN NATIONAL SUSPENDS-DIRECTORS PLEDGE THEIR PERSONAL ESTATES TO THE PAYMENT OF DEPOSITORS. Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 10.-The suspension of the First National Bank last evening was followed to-day by the suspension of payment by the American National Bank, one of the largest and strongest in the city. The bank has a capital stock of $1,000,000 and a surplus fund of $116,000. When the bank opened for business at the usual hour there were many depositors about its doors, and soon a run was made. The crowd was orderly, and was paid as rapidly as possible. Meanwhile a run began on the Fourth National Bank, which has a capital stock of $1,000,000 and a surplus fund of $200,000, and is regarded by business men as perfectly solvent. The directors of both the American and Fourth National banks published cards this morning to the effect that their banks were perfectly solvent, and also pledging their personal estates to the payment of depositors. The run on the American National Bank was stopped at 9:30 o'clock by the announcement of the board that they had decided to suspend payment. The Fourth National Bank continued to pay depositors as fast as checks were presented. The directors of the Safe Deposit, Trust and Banking Company met at an early hour, and decided, in view of the excitement prevailing. to take advantage of the clause In their charter requiring their depositors to give sixty days' notice of withdrawal of deposits. The board posted a notice stating that the depositors are absolutely safe for every dollar they have In the bank. There was no run on this bank, and but few depositors presented checks for payment. The Merchants' and the Union Bank and Trust Company Bank, State banks, are solid, no runs being made on them.


Article from The Helena Independent, August 12, 1893

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Pass for Currency. BUFFALO, Aug. 11.-In response to a question by a local corporation Comptroller Eckels has given an opinion to the effect that the use of certified checks as currency is not contrary to the law. The scheme is to make certified cheeks for five and ten dollars. payable to bearer, to be used as payment of wages. Bankers and business men here believe it will bring a large measue of relief at once. Advices to the Associated press are to the effect that similar action is being arranged by employee and banks at Danbury and Hartford, Conn. NASHVILLE, Aug. 11.-The - run on the Fourth National bank continued 10-day. but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100. Any check for over that amount will be paid in certified checks. There was no excitement 10-day. but n general feeling of distrust pervades the community. WAXAHACHIE Tex., Aug. 1.-The Waxahachia National bank suspended; assets $206,000. liabilities $86,000; money strin. gency.


Article from The Anaconda Standard, August 12, 1893

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Paying in Certified Checks. NASHVILLE, Aug. 11.-The run on the Fourth National bank continued to-day but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100. Any check over that amount was paid in certified checks. There is no excitement to-day. but a general feeling of distrust pervades the community.


Article from The Times, August 12, 1893

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Business Failures. NEW YORK, August 11.-The failure of Washington Barrows was announced at the Consolidated Exchange this morning. The failure is a small one. WASHINGTON, D. C., August 11.Comptroller Eckels was informed this morning of the suspension of the Waxahatchie National Bank, of Waxahatchie, Texas: capital, $100,000. NASHVILLE, TENN., August 11.-Matters are quiet in banking circles to-day. The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed, but the line of depositors was small. The bank continued to pay all checks presented up to 11:30 o'clock, when it was decided to pay all checks up to $100 and give certified checks for the balances above this amount. NEW ORLEANS, August 11.-The Cotton Exchange, in consideration of the action of the banks here and elsewhere, have passed a resolution providing that all settlements under the rules of the exchange shall be made in certified checks. CHICAGO, August 11.-A special from Vernon, Tex., says: A district court has appointed a receiver for the Espula Land and Cattle Company. The company owns 60,000 acres of land and 35,000 head of cattle. The company is an English one, and the grounds of complaint were insolvency and mismanagement. The property involved amounts to over $1,000,000. MILWAUKEE, WIS., August 11.-The official statement of Receiver Geilfuss, of


Article from The Roanoke Times, August 12, 1893

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Nashville Banking Circles Quiet. NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 11.-Matters are quiet in banking circles to-day. The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed, but the line of depositors was small. The bank continued to pay all its checks presented up to 11:30 o'clock, when it was decided to pay all checks up to $100 and give certified checks for balances above this amount.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, August 12, 1893

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[Runs on Nashville Banks. NASHVILLE, Aug. 11.-The run on the Fourth National bank continued today, but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100,000 and any check over that amount was paid in certified checks. There was no excitement today, but a general feeling of distrust pervades in the community.


Article from The Times, August 13, 1893

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Concerted Action by Numerous Banking Institutions. NASHVILLE, TENN., August 12.-The People's Bank, at Lewisburg, failed to open its doors this morning. The suspension is due to the suspension of the First National and American National Banks, of Nashville, a constant drain by depositors and the failure to collect The president and cashier state bank is in are confident It will be to money. and that they the first-class condition, able a resume in a few days, or as soon as meeting of the stockholders and depositors can be held. There is no excite+ ment at Lewisburg on account of the suspension. BROOKLYN, N. Y., August 12.--The Commercial Bank, of Brooklyn, a State institution, failed to open its doors this morning. The following notice was posted on the door: This bank is compelled to close temporarily. (Signed) J.J. Vall, cashier. GADSDEN, ALA. August 12.-The First National Bank suspended payment this morning with a capital stock di- of $50,000 and deposits of $80,000. The rectors assure the depositors that they will be paid in full. LANCASTER, Pa., August 12.-The following notice was posted on the doors of the bank of E. K. Smith, at Columbia, this morning: "Closed for the present to liquidate." The bank is a small one. NASHVILLE, TENN., August 2.-The Fourth National Bank was rewhen that its doors, but by noon sumed opened run on this the morning, institution it than was practically over, as there were less dozen men standing at paying teller's desk. a The deposits by substantial busimen were quite as large as the ness amount drawn out by others. There is uneasiness now, and the crisis is evino dently over. The People's Bank and the Bank of Lebanon, two State institutions Lebanon, have adopted a rule to pay at only 5 per cent. of deposits, and give certitled checks for balances. NEW YORK, August 12.-The weekly statement of the associated banke shows the following changes: $2,327,575 Reserve, decrease 3,017,200 Loans, increase 2,306,000 Specie, decrease 408,000 Legal tenders, decrease 741,700 Deposits, decrease 733,100 Circulation, The banks increase. are now $16,545,375 below the requirements of the 25 per cent. rule. STAUNTON, VA., August -Special The following resolutions were adopted by the National Valley Bank to-day and the concurred in by the other banks of city, and is fully indorsed by our entire community: Whereas the banks of the principal of the country and this State, de- in cities order to protect themselves against a pletion of currency, have declined to furnish currency against balances due by them: and Whereas it is deemed advisable for the of this city, in their endeavor to not only their own of their depositors and the banks protect those adopt interests, similar whole but community, to of and thus to be of service to their to business banks means precaution, enable customers action the the public, being similar and and taken by the banks of this city State that in 1873, by which no depositor was inconvenienced; therefore, be it Resolved, That during the present checks mondepression this bank pay to etary against existing balances drawn amount not exceeding fifty ($50) of an dollars in currency, in the discretion the bank. but that ON good, of checks we certify the same as payable through the daily exchange and made be between the banks of this city, it further Resolved, That checks against deposits be by currency after this date of this made in currency at the counter between bank, paid or through the exchange banks at the option of the depositor. resolution will take effect from This this date. Our banks are solvent and and on conservative, and the action taken is to protect our community and business cities. on the same lines as in other There will be no trouble here. GREENVILLE, MISS., August 12. to-day The banks here at 10 A. M. three notices on their doors that checks no posted would be paid out on issued money that certified checks would be at instead. but At a meeting of cilzens held the Cotton Exchange this afternoon reso- aclutions were adopted approving the tion of the banks. MONTGOMERY, ALA., August 12.Josiah Morris & Co., the leading private an banking house of the State, made is due assignment late this evening. It continued withdrawal of deposits to during the the last sixty days and large drafts being made to-day. This act has ofcaused a meeting of the other bank to-night, and they resolved, clear- commencing ficers Monday morning, upon the not yet ing house system. what percentage They have they will announced This will be made known Monday pay. In their card in the Adverthe bankers of Morris & Co. tiser morning. assets to-morrow will state liabilities. easily that the largely more than the who This realize is the general belief of those are acquainted with the situation.


Article from Richmond Dispatch, August 13, 1893

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Nashvil e's Crisis Over. [By telegraph to the Dispatch.] NASHVILLE, TENN., August 12.-The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed this morning when that institution opened its doors, but by noon it was practically over, as there were less than a dozen men standing at the paying-teller's desk. The deposits by substantial business men were quite aslarge as the amount drawn out by owners. There is no uneasiness now and the crisis is evidently over. The People's Bank and the Bank of Lebanon. two State institutions at Lebanon. have adopted a rule to pay only 5 per cent. of the deposits and give certified checks for the balance.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, August 13, 1893

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THE FLURRY AT NASHVILLE. Runs on the Banks Continue-An Iron Firm Assigns. NASHVILLE, Aug. I2.-The financial flurry still continues. The Fourth National bank is paying off only with checks when the amount required is over $100. The financial stringency and general distrust is beginning to tell upon the corporations and firms employing operatives. The Southern Iron company, as anticipated, made a special assignment this afternoon. The property conveyed is valued at $324,000, to secure debts of $145,000. Two other small failures occurred here today.


Article from The Providence News, July 12, 1899

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foremost rank of the financial institutions of the South, and bears the enviable distinction of having larger surplus and profits than all other banks in Nashville combined. Its capital stock is $600,000, and surplus and profits, as shown by its last published statement, is $318,648.13, and the stock is in demand at $1.75. During the memorable panic of 1893 the Fourth National was the only national bank in Nashville that did not close its doors. Its record during these terrible days of August, 1893, has earned for it a reputation that has spread over the entire Southern country. The bank does an enormous commercial business and has a very extended line of correspondents. Great care is taken to handle all classes of business promptly and satisfactorily, and clients entrusting their interests to the care of the Fourth National Bank are certain to be served in a business-like manner. Its board of directors are composed of prominent business men representing varied interests, and the personnel of the directory is very high. The "Old Fourth," as it is affectionately termed, is a landmark in Nashville, and a synonym for strength, integrity and conservative business methods. Railroads as a Waterways. Nashville is happily situated as regards its transportation facilities. Its position on the Cumberland river gives it eight to ten months of navigation and two trunk lines of railroad contribute to furnish competitive rates to merchants and manufacturers. Six lines of railroads conect Nashville with the country tributary and the great cities of the country beyond. These six lines of railroad are controlled by the trunk lines mentioned. The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis railroad runs its main line to Atlanta via Chattanooga; the Northwestern branch of the same system runs to Hickman, Ky., and to Memphis, Tenn., and Paducah, Ky., by intersecting lines. The Lebanon division of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis reaches out to Lebanon, Tenn. The Louisville & Nashville gives the city direct connection with Louisville, St. Louis and the great northwest, as well as Florida and Louisiana. The main line of this railroad runs direct to Louisville, and the Decatur division to Decatur, Ala., and on to Birmingham, Montgomery and Flomaton, Ala., where the road divides and reaches into Florida on one line and Mobile and New Orleans on the other. The St. Louis & Southeastern division, which unites with the main line at a point nine and one-half miles from Nashvilla, and gives the outlet direct to St. Louis and the northwest. In the Cumberland river Nashville has 518 miles of navigable water. Boats of 400 tons burden can reach a point 325 miles above Nashville for at least eight months of the year. From Nashville to the junetion of the Cumberland river with the Obio is 193 miles. Through this stream connection is made with the Mississippi