21171. City Bank (Houston, TX)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: December 19, 1885
Location: Houston, Texas (29.763, -95.363)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: b39526a1

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Full suspension

Other: Receiver appointed and bank placed in hands of receiver; creditors later petitioned to set aside trust deeds.

Description

City Bank of Houston closed doors Dec 19, 1885; judge appointed Benjamin F. Weems receiver same day. Newspapers report heavy losses from large loans (William J. Hutchins) and depreciated collateral; depositors clamored at the door and a run was started on the Houston Savings Bank (shared officers). The institution operated under a state charter (articles state state charter). No reopening reported; receiver appointed and litigation/creditor meetings followed.

Events (4)

1. December 19, 1885 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: Judge Materson ... granted an order appointing Benj. F. Weems receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified, filing a bond for $300,000 and the receiver, with a force of clerks, is at work on the books preparing a statement
Source: newspapers

2. December 19, 1885 Run

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Withdrawals and crowding driven by the bank's insolvency and large bad loans (William J. Hutchins indebtedness) and depreciated collateral; loss of confidence in the institution.
Measures: None reported for City Bank; receiver appointed same day (payments suspended).
Newspaper Excerpt: a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for their money
Source: newspapers

3. December 19, 1885 Suspension

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Bank had been losing money for years; large indebtedness (Hutchins) and depreciated security left bank insolvent, prompting suspension and petition for a receiver; liability over $1,000,000 reported in newspapers at time of suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt: the doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver
Source: newspapers

4. December 23, 1885 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: About a hundred creditors of the suspended City Bank held a meeting ... adopted resolutions declaring the deeds of trust ... fraudulent and void and pledging their utmost endeavors to have them set aside and the depositors paid (creditors' meeting over trust deeds and appointment of co-receiver).
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (24)

1. December 20, 1885 Los Angeles Daily Herald Los Angeles, CA

Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, December 20, 1885

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NEWS OF THE WORLD. A Bank Fails at Houston Texas, A MILLION DOLLARS. FOR The Troubles of a Bavarian Who Proved too Attractive to the Fair Sex. Special to the Herald by the Associated Press. HOUSTON, Tex., December 19.-Con siderable excitement was occasioned here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city and having a pa.d up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. At 2:30 P. M. Judge Materson, of the District Court, on a petition filed by the bank's attorney, granted an order appointing Benj. F. Weems, receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified in bonds of $300,000. Hon. Wm. R. Baker, present Mayor of the city, is President of the bank and Benj. F. Weems, Cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city, and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for their money, yet the sus. was no surprise to the Total liabilities the a million dollars. other generally. pension including banks capital and An stock, exact business of will statement the exceed bank, men, of the bank's affairs at the time of the suspension is not obtainable to-night, but the last statement made, August 7 1885, gave the assets and liabilities as follows: Loans and discounts, $614,939; stocks and bonds, $343,662; bank building and furniture, $74,566; cash on hand, $145,445; exchange, $62,558; total, $1,241,230. Liabilities-Capital stock, $500,000; demand deposits, $417,841; time deposits, $255,589; due other banks, $65,047; profits, $2753; total, $1,241,230. The above statement is believed to represent nearly the condition of the bank's finances at the time of the suspension. The bank has been losing money for years. Since the time of the failure of William J. Hutchins who was indebted to the bank in $350,000. As security they held liens upon Hutchius' hotel property, the Eureka mills and several va. cant lots. This property constantly depressed in value on the bank's hands, and finally became a source of expense instead of revenue. Owing to the fact that several members of the directory of the Houston Savings Bank are also officers in the suspended bank, e run was immediately inaugurated on the savings bank, but all claims were promptly met. The bank, however, closed its doors at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, with a long line of anxious depositors waiting to reach the paying teller's window. If the run is continued on Monday it is believed that the savings bank will be prepared to meet the exigency. The deposits of the broken bank will reach over $500,000. Many poor people were among the depositors.

2. December 20, 1885 The Democratic Leader Cheyenne, WY

Article from The Democratic Leader, December 20, 1885

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Big Bank Failure. HOUSTON, TEXAS, Dec. 16.-Considerable excitement was occasioned here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city and having a paid up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. The Hon. William R. Baker, the present mayor of the city, is president of the bank, and Benjamin F. Weems is cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for their money, yet the suspension was no

3. December 20, 1885 St. Paul Daily Globe Saint Paul, MN

Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, December 20, 1885

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A BANK GOES TO THE WALL. The City Bank of Houston, Capital $500,000, Closes Its Doors. Excitement Over the Failure Very Great--Savings Bank Suffers. HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 19.-Considerable excitement was occasioned here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city and having a paid-up capital of $500.000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended, pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. At 2:30 Judge Matterson of the district conrt, on the petition filed by the bank's attorneys, granted an order appointing Benjamin F. Weems receiver and that gentleman immediately qualified, filing a bond for $300,000. Hon. William R. Baker, the present mayor of the city, is president of the bank. and Benjamin F. Weems cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank, clamoring for money, yet the suspension was no surprise to the other banks and business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank. including the capital stock, will exceed $1,000,000. AN EXACT STATEMENT of the bank's affairs at the time of suspension is not obtainable to-night, but the last statement, given Aug. 1, 1885, gave assets and liabilities as follows: Assets-$1,241,230; liabilities. $1,241,230. The above statement is believed to represent nearly the condition of the bank's finances at the time of the suspension. The bank has been losing money for years. Up to the time of the failure of William J. Hutchins, who was indebted to it to the amount of $380,000. As security, the bank held loans upon the Hutchins hotel property, Eureka mills and several vacant lots. This PROPERTY CONSTANTLY DEPRECIATED in value on the bank's hands, finally becoming a source of expense instead of revenue. The debts of a similar character accumulated as the years passed, and on May 1 last, when the bank struck a balance. the directors were greatly chagrined and surprised to find that it had failed to pay its expenses for the year ended April 30 by some $6,000. At that time its deposits reached $572,000. and, notwithstanding the fact that it became known in business circles that the bank was heavily loaded down, its deposits during the next three months increased over $80,000. This was owing to the high character of its officers, among whom are the best-known men in the city. The institution did business under a state charter granted in 1868, one of the last banking charters granted in Texas. The late Benjamin A. Botts was president of the bank for about fifteen years. On his death on Oct. 1 last, Mayor Baker succeeded him. B. F. Weems THE RECEIVER has been cashier ever since the bank started. William M. Rice, formerly of Houston, now of New York, is one of the largest stockholders. All these gentlemen are wealthy aside from their stock. Owing to the fact that certain members of the directory of the Houston Savings' bank are also officers in the suspended bank. A run was immediately inaugurated on the Savings' bank. but all claims were promptly met. The bank, however, closed its doors at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, with a long line of auxious depositors waiting to reach the paying teller's window.. If the run continues on Monday. it is believed the Savings' bank will be prepared to meet the emergency. Deposits of the broken bank will reach over $500,000. Many poor people were among the depositors. The Missouri Pacific Railroad company deposited with it. The New York correspondents of the bank are the Continental, National and the Nation Park bank, at New Orleans the State National bank and at St. Louis the Bank of Commerce. The receiver, with a force of clerks, is at work on the books preparing a statement.

4. December 20, 1885 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN

Article from The Indianapolis Journal, December 20, 1885

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BANK FAILURE IN TEXAS. The City National, of Houston, After Losing Money for Years, Finally Closes Its Doors. HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 19.-Considerable excitement was occasioned here, this afternoon, by the failure of the City Bank, of Houston, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city, and having a paid-up capital of $500,000. The books were closed at 1 P. M., a notice being posted on the door that the bank had suspended, pending an application for a receiver. A large crowd gathered about the door, clamoring for money, but there was no violence offered. It is not possible, to-night, to obtain a statement of the bank's exact situation. The bank has been losing money for years to the time of the failure of William J. Hutchins, who was indebted to it to the amount of $350,000. As security, the bank held liens upon the Hutchinson Hotel property, the Eureka mill, and several vacant lots. This property constantly depreciated in value in the bank's hands, finally becoming a source of expense instead of revenue. Other debts of a similar character accumulated as the years passed, and on May 1, last, when the bank struck a balance, the directors were greatly chagrined and surprised to find that it had failed to pay expenses for the year ended April 30, by some $6,000. At that time its deposits reached $572,000, and notwithstanding the fact that then it became known in business circles that the bank was heavily loaded down, its deposits during the next three months increased over $80,000. This was owing to the high character of its officers, among whom are the best-known men in the city. The institution aid business under a State charter granted in 1868, one of the last banking charters issued by Texas. The late Benjamin A. Botts was president of the bank for about fifteen years. On his death, on Oct. 1 last, Mayor Baker succeeded him. William M. Rice, formerly of Houston, now of New York, is one of the largest stockholders. These gentlemen are wealthy, aside from their bank stock. Owing to the fact that certain members of the directory of the Houston Savings Bank are also officers in the suspended bank, a run was in augurated on the Savings Bank, but all claims were promptly met. The bank, however, closed its doors at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, with a long line of depositors waiting to reach the paying teller's window. If the run is continued on Monday it is believed the Savings Bank will be prepared to meet the ex igency. The deposits of the broken bank will aggregate over a half million dollars. Many poor people were among the depositors. The Missouri Pacific Railway Company deposited with it. The New York correspondents of the bank are the Continental National and the National Park; at New Orleans, the State National Bank, and at St. Louis, the Bank of Commerce. The receiver, with a force of clerks, is at work on the books, preparing a statement.

5. December 20, 1885 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT

Article from The Salt Lake Herald, December 20, 1885

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YAG-OT W30 HERALD 1885. X SH A Bank Failure. HOUSTON, Texas, December 19.-ConGladstone siderable excitement was occasioned Questic here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, one of the oldest LONDON, financial institutions in the city, and dispatch f having a paid up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a note ceived by being posted thereon that the bank had "Hawar suspended payment. pending an applishould. at cation for the appointmentof a receiver. intention At 2.30 p.m. Judge Materson. of the of Irish a District Court, on a petition filed by the publicly a bank's attorney, granted an order not by an # appointing Benj. F. Wiems receiver, declaration and that gentleman immediately qualiassured th tied. filing his bond for $300,000. Hon. to them, Wm. R. Baker. the pie ent mayor 1 that I an the city, is president of the bank, and respecting Benjamin P. Weims. cashier. While cently an the failure caused some consternation saying this throughout the citv, and a large сгои d from repli gathered about the bank, clamoring for rumors o their money, yet the suspension was no Irish quest surprise to the other banks and business (Signed, men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including the capital stock, will exceed $1,000,000 An exact stateMrs. ment of the bank's affairs at the time of EMPORIA the suspension is not obtainable to-night. hours

6. December 21, 1885 The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer Wheeling, WV

Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, December 21, 1885

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BIG BANK FAILURE At Houston, Texas-the City Bank Closes its Doors. HOUSTON, Dec. 19.-Considerable excitement was occasioned here this afternoon by the failure of the City Bank of Hous. ton, one of the oldest financial institutions in the city, and having a paid-up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at 1 o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of B receiver. B. F. Weems was subsequently appointed. While the failurecaused some consternation throughout the city, and & large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for money, yet the suspension was no surprise to the other banks and business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including the capital stock, will exceed $1,000,000. The assets, according to the last statement, amount to about the same. Owing to the fact that certain Members of the directors of the. Houston Savings Bank are also officers in the suspended bank, a run was immediately inaugurated on the savings Bank, but all claims were promptly met. The bank, however, closed its doors at 9 o'clock, the usual hour, with a long line of anxious depositors waiting to reach the paying teller's window. If the run is continued on Monday it is believed the Savings Bank will be prepared to meet the exigency.

7. December 21, 1885 Evening Star Washington, DC

Article from Evening Star, December 21, 1885

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Liabilities Over a Million. FAILURE OF THE CITY BANK OF HOUSTON. The City bank, of Houston, Tex., one of the oldest financial institutions in the city, and having a paid-up capital of $500,000, failed Saturday. The doors were closed at 1 p. m., a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment pending an application for the appointment of a receiver. At 2:30 Judge Materson, of the district court, on the petition filed by the bank's attorneys, granted an order appointing Benjamin F. Weems receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified, filing a bond for $300,000. The Hon. Wm. R. Baker, mayor of the city, is president of the bank and Benjamin F. Weems cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank clamoring for money, yet the suspension was no surprise to the other banks and business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including the capital stock, will exceed $1,000,000.

8. December 24, 1885 Savannah Morning News Savannah, GA

Article from Savannah Morning News, December 24, 1885

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HOUSTON'S BANK CRASH. Creditors Demand that Certain Deeds of Trust be Set Aside. HOUSTON, TEXAS, Dec. 23.-About a hundred creditors of the suspended City Bank held a meeting yesterday and adopted resolutions declaring the deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of its officers and directors when they knew of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void and pledging their utmost endeavors to have them set aside and the depositors paid. A resolution asking that a co-receiver be appointed to act with B. F. Weems, and suggesting the name of Henry S. Fox for the position, was also adopted. The trust deeds referred to in the resolution were executed in faver of Hon. William R. Baker, President of the Bank, for $75,000 advanced to the bank, as security for which the bank recently executed a mortgage on the Hutchins house and other valuable property and a trust deed to Robert Lockhart conveying valuable improved city property, together with judgments aggregating $30,000 conveyed to Mr. Lockhart as security for money loaned to the bank.

9. December 24, 1885 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN

Article from The Indianapolis Journal, December 24, 1885

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BUSINESS EMBARRASSMENTS. John o. Louis, a Vincennes Grocer. Compelled to Close His Doors. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. VINCENNES, Ind., Dec. 23.-A serious failure occurred here to-day, the doors of John O. Louis, grocer, being closed on account of suit brought by Specker, Buddeke & Co., of Cincinnati. The principal creditors are as follows: Specker, Buddeke & Co., Cincinnati, $1,500; Severin, Ostermeyer & Co., Indianapolis, $1,500; H. Hulman, Terre Haute, $900; E. Burhaus & Sons, Vincennes, $150; Adam Blum, $250; J. & S. Emison, $500; J. Pollock & Co., $250. The total assets are estimated at $11,000, while the liabilities amount to more than $5,000. Mr. Louis was a very popular merchant, and he hopes to be able to tide over his adversity and start again. Jonathan Keith was appointed assignee. Houston's Suspended Bank-Other Failures. HOUSTON, Tex., Dec. 23.-About one hundred of the creditors of the suspended City Bank held a meeting yesterday and adopted resolutions declaring the deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of its officers and directors, when they knew of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void, and pledging their utmost endeavors to have the same set aside and the depositors paid. A resolution asking that a co-receiver be appointed to act with G. F. Weims, and suggesting the name of Henry S. Fox for the position, was also adopted. The trust deeds referred to were executed in favor of Hon. Wm. R. Baker, president of the bank, for $75,000 advanced to the bank, as security for which the bank recently executed a mortgage on the Hutchings House and other valuable property, and a trust deed to Robert Lockhart, conveying valuable improved city property, together with judgments aggregating $30,000 conveyed to Lockhart as security for money loaned to the bank. The Houston Insurance Company, here, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London Company, limited. The Houston company will immediately wind up its affairs and go out of existence. The stockholders expect to lose the entire amount of the capital, $300,000, nearly all of which was invested in City Bank stock. DETROIT, Dec. 23.-The Holmes Lumber Company this morning made a voluntary assignment to N. Dennis. The liabilities are estimated at $45,000; the assets cannot be stated until the lumber in stock has been appraised. Twentythree thousand dollars' worth of M. C. Hyatt & Co.'s paper was held by the company, and was indorsed over to local banks. It is believed that Hyatt & Co. will no more than cover their mortgages, and the Holmes Company's claims are about worthless. Outside of this city the prineipal creditors are Saginaw valley lumbermen. CLEVELAND, O., Dec. 23.-The following busiLess failures in northern Ohio are reported today: Sharp & Echenberger, dry goods, Black Creek, Holmes county; Henry Lesher, groceries, Fremont; Abram Miller, farmer, Madison township, Sandusky county. The liabilities and assets are not given. ST. LOUIS, Dec. 23.-M. W. Reid, retail dealer in clothing. boots and shoes, made an assignment to Breck Jones, yesterday afternoon, for the benefit of his creditors. The value of the assets is placed at $11,000. DES MOINES, Ia., Dec. 23.-A. J. Flood," dry goods dealer, has made an assignment. Liabilities about $15,000; assets not stated.

10. December 24, 1885 The Portland Daily Press Portland, ME

Article from The Portland Daily Press, December 24, 1885

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GENERAL NEWS. While testing the boilers at the Lactriel rolling mills in Harrisburg, Pa., yesterday morning, one of them exploded and scattered the steam and debris in every direction. Over one hundred persons were in the vicinity at the time and six were injured, two seriously. At Parkersburg, W. Va., Monday evening Mrs. Fred Kopt went to the store near by leaving her girl, 4 years and babe 18 months old locked up in the house. The house caught fire and the children were burned to death. The Dominion government have wired instractions to all inspectors and commissions under the Dominion License Act to cease all attempts to enforce the act as it is now a dead letter. The provincial government alone will now issue liquor licenses. Early yesterday morning burglars broke into the jewelry store of Ramsay & Co., of Milton, Ont., and carried off a cart load of jewelry, silver ware, money, etc. The store was cleaned out. The goods were worth thousands of dollars. The frame warehouse and elevator of the Wabash railroad at Huntington, Ind., was burned Tuesday night with all its contents. Two frame dwelling houses were also consumed. The loss is $50.000. A despatch"from Houston, Texas. says that about a hundred of the creditors of the sus pended city bank held a meeting Tuesday, and adopted a resolution declaring the deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of the officers and directors, when they knew of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void, and pledging their utmost endeavors to have the same set aside and the depositors paid. Mrs. Lizzie Brown, a young Chicago widow, has for some time been annoyed by the persistent attentions of John Oakley, a barber. Saturday she had him arrested on charge of disorderly conduct. In leaving the court room he assaulted her with a razor, wounding her severely. and then attempted in vain to take his own life. Chunk McLenden shot and killed his father-in-law, Judge Rufus Johnson, at Greenville, Ga., yesterday, while the latter was endeavoring to collect rent. General Alexander Shaler of New York, appeared in the general sessions court yesterday and pleaded not guilty to the indictment recently laid against him charging bribery in connection with the selection of armory sites. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was waited upon yesterday morning at his residence by Alderman George Curtis and Councilman Wm. Taylor of Boston, who presented him with a beautiful gold watch, the gift of the city government of Boston, as a memorial for the service he rendered the city of Boston, October 22, in delivering the eulogy on Gen. Grant. Mr. Beecher made a feeling response to the address, in which Alderman Curtis presented the time piece. Rev. Daniel James Noyes, D. D., who for nearly a half century was one of the most valuable instructors in Dartmouth College, died Tuesday night in Chester, N. H. He was born in Springfield in 1812. It is reported that a settlement of the suit of the Erie Telephone Company against its old officers has been made by which the Erie will receive between $30,000 and $40,000, and the receipt of this money will nearly cancel all the indebtedness of the Erie. While a lot of longshoremen engaged in unloading a vessel at the sugar refinery on South Second Pier, IN. Y., Tuesday, were washing up for dinner one of their number was pushed into the great "breaker" so called where the lumpy sugar is broken up and converted into syrup-and instantly killed. He was crushed and mangled in a fearful manner. Schaeffer defeated Slosson yesterday at billiards in Chicago 800 to 668. Schaeffer's highest run was 122 and Slosson's 108. Mr. Parnell says he cannot attend the land league convention in Chicago in January and the convention has been postponed to some date to be named hereafter. The Houston Insurance Company of Houston, Texas, whose capital was badly impaired by the recent failure of the City bank of Houston has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London company (Limited) and the Houston company will immediately wind up its affairs and go out of existence. The stockholders expect to lose"the entire amount of the capital $300,000, nearly all of which was invested in the City bank stock.

11. December 24, 1885 The Austin Weekly Statesman Austin, TX

Article from The Austin Weekly Statesman, December 24, 1885

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HOUSTON BANK SWINDLE. Special telegram to the Statesman. HOUSTON, December 22. -A meeting of depositors and creditors of the City bank was held this morning, at which 100 were present, and adopted resoIntions very denunciatory of the bank managers in receiving deposits, knowing the bank was failing and declared their action fraudulent and void and advised the appointment of a joint receiver, recommending H. S. Fox. An element of the meeting strove to draw it mild but the majority was bitter.

12. December 24, 1885 The Marietta Journal Marietta, GA

Article from The Marietta Journal, December 24, 1885

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The City Bank of Houston, Texas, has failed and gone into the hands of the receivers.

13. December 24, 1885 The Waco Daily Examiner Waco, TX

Article from The Waco Daily Examiner, December 24, 1885

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THERE is one thing about the failure of the City Bank of Eouston which bath a fishy smack to it. The cause of the collapse is asserted to have been the sudden withdrawal of the large deposits of the Central railroad, and those of several other large depositors. This looks like collusion, and at the expense of the lesser depositors-those least able to stand the loss, If this should prove to be true, and it ought to be thoroughly investigated, somebody ought to go to state's prison over it. The protection of the rich at the expense of the poor, is a crime. In Europe such a failure would have gotten somebody into trouble.

14. December 25, 1885 Weekly Commercial Herald Vicksburg, MS

Article from Weekly Commercial Herald, December 25, 1885

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Meeting of the Creditors of the Suspended City Bank. HOUSTON, TEX., Dec. 23.-About one hundred of the creditors of the suspended City Bank held a meeting yesterday and adopted resolutions declining deeds of trust executed by the bank in favor of its officers and directors. when they new of the bank's insolvent condition, fraudulent and void and pledging theirJutmost endeavors to have same set aside and depositors paid. The resolution asking that a receiver be appointed to act with B. F. Weims, and suggesting the name of Henry S. Fox for the position, was adopted, and trust deeds referred to were executed in favor of Hon. Wm. R. Baker, president of the bank, for $150,000 advanced to the bank as security, for which the bank recently executed a mortgage on Hatching's house and other valuable property, and a trust deed to Robert Lockhart and conveying valuable improved property together with judgements aggregating to $30,000 conveyed to Lockhart as security for money loaned the bank.

15. December 26, 1885 The Dillon Tribune Dillon, MT

Article from The Dillon Tribune, December 26, 1885

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A TEXAS BANK FAILS. Another Bursted Bank With a Long Line of Depositors. Considerable excitement was occasioned at Houston, Texas, on the 19th by the failure of the City Bank of Houston. one of the oldest financial institutions in that city, and having a paid up capital of $500,000. The doors were closed at I o'clock, a notice being posted thereon that the bank had suspended payment, pending an application for the appointment of a re. ceiver. At 2:30 that day Judge Waterson, of the District Court, on a petition filed by the bank's attorney, granted an order and appointed Benjamin F. Weems receiver, and that gentleman immediately qualified tiling a bond for $300,000. Hon. William R. Baker, the present Mayor of the city, is President of the bank, and Benjamin F. Weems, cashier. While the failure caused some consternation throughout the city and a large crowd gathered about the bank, clamoring for their money, yet the sus. pension was no surprise to the other banks and business men generally. The total liabilities of the bank, including the capital stock, will exceed a million dollars

16. December 31, 1885 The Abilene Reflector Abilene, KS

Article from The Abilene Reflector, December 31, 1885

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1111, 111 1118 annual report w que Date De partment, speaks very flatteringly of Bismarck and the success of His colonial and other policies. THE Mayor of Venice, Italy, has sent out a circular in which he declares that the stories of cholera are much exaggerated. A FIERCE battle took place in Poplar Island Narrows, Maryland, the other night between a fleet of dredge boats and one of the oyster police steamers. The steamer found the at to them. arrest dredges They which work resisted and and returned attempted opened fire on the steamer, was at first with small arms. The dredgers made it hot for the steamer until her Captain opened fire upon them with a cannon. This silenced their fire and put them to flight. THE Houston (Tex.) Insurance Company, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the of London The City stockholders expect to Company, lose $300,000. limited. THE Grant monument fund has reached a total of $111,728. A PORT TOWNSEND, W. T., special says: A citizens a 125 an number miles distant, of telegraphed of Quellente, here that town Indian was for The grows protection. outbreak trouble feared, of doubtless the and Indians asked out of the ill treatment by the white settlers. It is not believed that it will be serious. ONE of the Schlitz Brewing Company's storehouses at Milwaukee, containing 120,000 bushels of choice barley, was damaged by fire the other day. The loss was $75,000, the insurance $68,000. THE Christmas tree at the county hospital, Chicago, caught fire during the entertainment on Christmas day. An indescirbable panic occurred among the children and others in consequence. Fifty persons were badly injured and many others slightly, but no one was killed. The fire was subdued without serious damage. Two men were killed and two dangerwounded by the a at the ously Spring Valley bursting waterworks, of boiler San Francisco, recently. The damage amounted to $150,000. THE French Chamber of Deputies has the a 274 270. It is adopted to Tonquin rumored credit that by owing vote to of the closeness of the vote the Cabinet has resigned. FIRE in Cincinnati the other night caused a loss of $60,000 on the building and stock owned by the Western Paint and Roofling Company and M. E. De Hart & Co., patent roofers. THE Manchester-Congo Railway Comhas been a pany granted franchise to to construct a railway from the upper the lower Congo region in Africa. THE Montreal Board of Health has perordered the Pointe to emptorily Longue Asylum lady have superior all the of the inmates vaccinated at once. There were eighteen cases in the asylum. SEVENTEEN convicts out of a force of 150 on a railroad in the conworking escaped other night. Stokes The County, victs waited men were on one at each entrance to when all to one guard, ade, N.C., until rushed only two the entrance, stockwhere they overpowered the guard and with axes cut out the planks of the gate and seventeen escaped through the opening. A FATAL accident occurred the other morning at the Walnut Hills Incline Rail way, near Cincinnati. Jack Failon, a subdriver, while on the descending car lost his hat and jumped off to get it, and was the car up to the of the hill. One foot was cut and caught top by going and dragged off he was terribly bruised from his waist down. He was taken to the hospital where he died. J.C. FRANCE, while examining a pistol, was accidentally shot and killed at Rockfield, Ky., recently, Three days before he was kicked by a horse and had his leg broken. A YOUNG man named Benjamin Beebe was killed while jumping from a passenger train at Berea, O., the other night. Hip body was completely cut to pieces. was is of Abyssinia, IT reported engaged that in the King occupation John, of Massowah and is preparing to make war upon the Italians. THE residence of Dr. Emil Bessells, the Arctic explorer, at Glendale, Maryland, was burned the other morning, and all of his books, charts and other valuable documents relating to Arctic matters were totally destroyed. BETWEEN eleven and twelve o'clock the other night fire broke out at 424 Water street, New owned and as a occupied York.in the by M. three Fink story building factory of whale and fish oils. The fire caused an estimated damage of $40,000; partly insured.

17. January 1, 1886 The Red Cloud Chief Red Cloud, NE

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Mr. RAINE, the American Consul at Beg in his annual report to the State Do partment, speaks very flatteringly of Bismarck and the success of his colonial and other policies. THE Mayor of Venice, Italy, has sent out circular in which he declares that the stories of cholera are much exaggerated. A FIERCE battle took place in Poplar Island Narrows, Maryland, the other night between a fleet of dredge boats and one of the oyster police steamers. The steamer found the dredges at work and attempted to arrest them. They resisted and opened fire on the steamer, which was returned at first with small arms. The dredgers made bot for the steamer until her Captain opened fire upon them with a cannon. This silenced their fire and put them to flight. THE Houston (Tex.) Insurance Company, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London Company, limited. The stockbolders expect to lose $300,000. THE Grant monument fund has reached total of $111,728. A PORT TOWNSEND, W. T., special says: number of citizens of Quellente, a town miles distant, telegraphed here that an Indian outbreak was feared. and asked for protection. The trouble doubtless grows of the ill treatment of the Indians by the white settlers. It is not believed that will be serious. ONE of the Schlitz Brewing Company's storehouses at Milwaukee, containing 120,bushels of choice barley, was damaged fire the other day. The loss was $75,000, the insurance $68,000. THE Christmas tree at the county hospiChicago, caught fire during the enterainment on Christmas day. An indescirbpanic occurred among the children others in consequence. Fifty persons badly injured and many others slightbut no one was killed. The fire was subwithout serious damage. Two men were killed and two dangerpusly wounded by the bursting of a boiler the Spring Valley waterworks, San Francisco, recently. The damage amounted THE $150,000. French Chamber of Deputies has dopted the Tonquin credit by a vote of to 270. It is rumored that owing to closeness of the vote the Cabinet has esigned. FIRE in Cincinnati the other night caused loss of $60,000 on the building and stock wned by the Western Paint and Roofiing Company and M. E. De Hart & Co., patent oofers. THE Manchester-Congo Railway Comhas been granted a franchise to contruct a railway from the upper to the Congo region in Africa. THE Montreal Board of Health has permptorily ordered the lady superior of the longue Pointe Asylum to have all the invaccinated at once. There were ighteen cases in the asylum. SEVENTEEN convicts out of a force of 150 working on a railroad in Stokes County, C., escaped the other night. The conwaited until only two men were on uard, one at each entrance to the stockwhen all rushed to one entrance, here they overpowered the guard and ith axes cut out the planks of the gate seventeen escaped through the openA FATAL accident occurred the other norning at the Walnut Hills Incline Rail near Cincinnati. Jack Fallon. a subriver, while on the descending car lost his and jumped off to get it, and was aught by the car going up and dragged to top of the hill. One foot was cut off and was terribly bruised from his waist He was taken to the hospital where

18. January 1, 1886 The Iola Register Iola, KS

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THE SOUTH, By order of court, the Richmond (Va.) Whig has suspended publication. JUDGE F. S. GOODE, of the Nineteenth Judicial District of Louisiana, committed suicide the other day at his home on the Ridgeland plantation by shooting. MRS. CORNELIA SCOTT, daughter of the late General Winfield Scott, died at the University Hospital, Baltimore, recently in her sixtieth year. She had been ill for several months. She was the widow of Lieutenant H. L. Scott, U. S. A. THE Houston (Tex.) Insurance Company, whose capital was badly impaired by the failure of the City Bank, of Houston, has reinsured all its outstanding risks in the City of London Company, limited. The stockholders expect to lose $300,000. THE other evening Mrs. Fred Kohs, of Wadesville, near Parkersburg, W. Va., went to a store near by, leaving her girl of four years and hər babe of eighteen months locked up in the house alone. The house caught fire and the children were burned to death. THE steamer Sallie Carney was burned in the Tallahatchie River, six miles above Greenwood, Miss., the other evening, together with 260 bales of cotton. Loss on boat, $8,000; on cotton, $13,000; insurance, $4,000 on boat. A FIERCE battle took place in Poplar Island Narrows, Maryland, the other night between a fleet of dredge boats and one of the oyster police steamers. The steamer found the dredges at work and attempted to arrest them. They resisted and opened fire on the steamer, which was returned at first with small arms. The dredgers made it hot for the steamer until her Captain opened fire upon them with a cannon. This silenced their fire and put them to flight. SEVERAL horrible outrages were reported recently in Austin, Tex., all evidently perpetrated by the same parties. After outrage the victims had been brained with an ax. Intense excitement existed. SEVENTEEN convicts out of a force of 150 working on a railroad in Stokes County, N. C., escaped the other night. The convicts waited until only two men were on guard, one at each entrance to the stock-ade, when all rushed to one entrance, where they overpowered the guard and with axes cut out the planks of the gate and seventeen escaped through the open-ing. J. C. FRANCE, while examining a pistol, was accidentally shot and killed at Rockfield, Ky., recently. Three days before he had been kicked by a horse and had his leg broken. THE residence of Dr. Emil Bessells, the Arctic explorer, at Glendale, Maryland, was burned the other morning, and all of his books, charts and other valuable documents relating to Arctic matters were totally destroyed. PHILIP EWALD, a laborer of Louisville, Ky., went home drunk Christmas night and began chasing his wife with a knife. His son, Phillip, jr., aged seventeen, interfered, and the father cut him twice on the head. The son then drew a pistol and shot his father four times, fatally injuring him.

19. January 1, 1886 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX

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Houston Dots. to the Gazette. AHOUSTON, TEX., Dec. 31.-Suit was to-day to raise the mortgages ounting to $150,000 on the property of City bank. Mortgages were made by sofficers and directors of the bank, and re filed by creditors. An injunction u be sued out to stop the action of the sent receiver and get another. U.S. German paper, the Anzeiger, with a lick company, started here with a capof $10,000. Charter applied for, but st yet received.

20. January 22, 1886 Weekly Commercial Herald Vicksburg, MS

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[The City Bank. GALVESTON, Jan. 20.-A special to the News from Houston says: "Judge Masterson of the district court yesterday made an order allowing all persons having bills of exchange on New York, drawn by the suspended City Bank of Houston, to attach any money found to the credit of that bank in New York."

21. February 4, 1886 The Austin Weekly Statesman Austin, TX

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HOUSTON. MERCANTILE FAILURES AGGREGATING $200,000. Special Telegram to the Statesman. HOUSTON, February 2.-To-day Geo. L. Porter, wholesale grocer, assigned to G. L. Fitzgerald, in favor of creditors. Liabilities placed at $121,860: assets at $114,1 121. The assets embrace real estate in half a dozen counties, and city pcoperty here, at Lampasas and at Hempstead. The Houston Flour Mills company assigned to W. A. Garrington, in favor of creditors. Estimated liabilities, $80,000; assets, about $60,000. These were drawn in by the failure of the City bank.

22. February 10, 1886 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX

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GALVESTON. The Council to Meet and Hear the Deep Water Memorial to Congress-Crain's Letter. Judge Pardee Astonishes the Lawyers by Withholding His Decision in the Contempt Cases. DEEP WATER AND A PUBLIC BUILDING. Special to the Gazette. GALVESTON, Feb. 9.-To-morrow evenIng there will be a special meeting of the city council. This meeting is called for two purposes. The first matter for consideration will be the report of "the special committee on deep water and harbor improvements. This committee, consisting of Aldermen Fowler and Weis and citizens Sinclair and Hawley, was appointed at a meeting of the city council several weeks ago and was instructed to prepare a memorial on the deep water questiion for submission to congress, to enable that distinguished body to act intelligently, appropriate generously and legislate wisely in behalf of Galveston and deep water. What action the council will see proper NA to adopt to lay the enlightened views of their special committee upon this vital subject before congress is difficult to foreshadow, in view of the conflicting opinions prevailing here as to how and under what direction and supervision the work to secure deep water at this port should be placed. ( The second matter for consideration by the council will be the contents of a letter from the Hon. William II. Crain addressed to the Hon. R. L. Fulton, in which the distinguished congressman suggests to the mayor that the city through its council make an application to buy the present postoffice building from the general government for the sum of $50,000. That if the city will agree to make this purchase from the government and thus secure n building ( adequate in every respect for a city hall, Mr. Crain says it will enable him to get an appropriation through the E present congress for a public building that will accommodate and provide facilities for the transaction of all government business at Galveston, both judicial t and civil. It is doubtful from the opinions expressed by a number of aldermen I whether the suggestions of the rising young statesman from the "shoe-string" g district will be concurred in. At all events the called session will be an interesting one. THE CONTEMPT CASES. The hearing of the contempt charges, t brought by Receiver Dillingham of the Houston & Texas Central road as an off ficer of the United States court against o Mayor Baker, Cashier Weems and Directors Brewster and McIlhenny of the defunct City bank of Houston was renewed this morning, before Circuit Judge Pardee. The evidence on the part of the respondents went to show that they as officers of the bank had perpetrated no intentional fraud upon the receiver or any of their depósitors, but that heavy losses sustained by the bank had seriously crippled them, and they had suffered far more than any of the bank's other creditors. In their arguments to the court the attorneys for Messrs. Baker and Brewster held that they had never received legal notice that their bank had. by an order of this

23. February 26, 1886 San Antonio Daily Light San Antonio, TX

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Bank Failure. Special Telegram to the Light. HOUSTON, February 2.-The Houston Savings Bank failed to open its doors this morning at the usual hour, causing great excitement among citizens and business men generally. Developments show that a petition was filed last night for a receiver, which was granted. Dr. D. F. Stuart being appointed, and that several heavy depositors drew their money yesterday. When the City Bank failed last December a heavy run was made on the Savings Bank, but they met the run successfully. The officers of the late City Bank are the principal officers of the Savings Bank. It is estimated the deposits amount to $250,000. C.M.McD.

24. March 10, 1886 Fort Worth Daily Gazette Fort Worth, TX

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Not Personally Ilable. Special to the Gazette. HOUSTON, Tex., March 9.-In the district court this morning the case of Giddings & Giddings vs. R. Cohen, W. R. Baker, F. A. Rice, S. R. McIlhenny, W. B. Botts, Robert Brewster, S. Baldwin and B. F. Weems came up on demurrer. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants were personally liable by their management for the failure of the City bank. To the petition Baker, Botts & Baker and Hutchinson & Carrington filed a demurrer. After being argued Judge Masterson sustained the demurrer and decided that the defendants were not personally liable. The plaintiffs in the case are bankers at Brenham and had $1000 on deposit in the City bank at the time it went into the hands of a receiver.