21971. Bradford Savings Bank & Trust Company (Bradford, VT)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
December 8, 1897
Location
Bradford, Vermont (43.993, -72.129)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
9f4b5bf4

Response Measures

None

Description

No clear run is described in the articles—only a precautionary limitation on withdrawals in Dec 1897 due to fear of a run. The bank was enjoined from doing business Feb 1, 1898 and a receiver was appointed; it remained closed and paid dividends through receivership. Classified as suspension_closure (suspension by court leading to permanent closure/receivership).

Events (3)

1. December 8, 1897 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
it had limited withdrawals to 10 per cent a month ... owing to litigation ... and a story that a run on the bank might come, the trustees, as a precautionary measure, voted to 'pay not more than 10 per cent on any interest bearing deposit.'
Source
newspapers
2. February 1, 1898 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
James B. Hale of Newbury was appointed receiver for the corporation.
Source
newspapers
3. February 1, 1898 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Chancery court injunction restraining the bank from doing further business; trustees/inspector involvement preceding injunction.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company has been enjoined by the chancery court from doing further business
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (20)

Article from The United Opinion, December 10, 1897

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A Precautionary Measure. Bradford, Vt., Dec. 8.-A cirçular is... sued by the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company, saying that it had limited withdrawals to 10 per cent a month, has caused a good deal of misunderstanding among the depositors. The facts are that owing to litigation of the bank against Robert F. Straine of Boston and a story that a run on the bank might come, the trustees, as a precautionary measure, voted to "pay not more than 10 per cent on any interest bearing deposit." This resolution was adopted at the suggestion of the state inspector of finance, and only applies to interest bearing deposits, not affecting at all accounts subject to check or the general business of the bank.


Article from Vermont Phœnix, December 10, 1897

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dedicated Sunday with impressive ceremonies. It has a seating capacity of 500 and cost about $10,000. The pastor is Rev. Thomas Mitchell. Gerald A. Hodgkins, 37, was instantly killed at Westfield Nov. 25. He was chopping a log, which rolled suddenly, and he was thrown upon his head, his skull being crushed. He leaves a widow and two children. Burleigh W. Hunt, 72, of Norwich committed suicide at Hanover, N. H., last Thursday by taking morphine pills. It is th ought that he was insane as he had previously tried to secure a revolver from his friends. Ira Smart of East Wallingford was found dead in bed recently. He lived alone, his wife having died several years ago, and it is thought that he committed suicide by taking laudanum, an empty bottle being found in his room. Mrs. Lydia C. Tenney of West Concord, N. H., who was 102 Wednesday, was born in Bradford. She joined the Congregational church in 1813 and was married in 1816. Of her nine children only one is living, Daniel C. Tenney, 75, with whom she makes her home. Two barns and a large shed near Brandon, belonging to Arnold Manchester, were burned Saturday night, the loss being nearly $3000. The barns contained a large amount of hay and many farming implements. Nine valuable cows were burned. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. John F. Rolffes, W. H. Kochs, and Leo Bushe of New York, have taken a five year lease of the button shop at Gaysville, which has been idle since the be ginning of Cleveland's second administration, when the removal of the tariff on pearl buttons made the business unprofitable. The company will manufacture vegetable ivory buttons and will employ from 50 to 75 hands. The December term of the Windsor county court opened at Woodstock Tuesday before Judge L. H. Thompson. The case of H. M. Dufur, the insurance agent, against Dr. Allen of White River Junction for $30,000 damages as the result of a shooting affair last summer, will be tried. The noted Smith-Bagley case for alienation of affections comes up Dec. 20 for its third trial. The grand jury will consider the charge against Wm. Lawrence, who shot Judge Seaver of Woodstock. The Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company issued a circular recently limiting the withdrawal of deposits to 10 per cent a month. This was done for fear that there would be a run on the bank as a result of the litigation of the institution against Robert F. Straine of Boston. The resoluon tion was adopted at the suggestion of the ne state inspector of finance, Hosea Mann of nt ir Wilmington, and applies only to interestbearing deposits, not affecting at all ace. counts subject to check or the general business of the bank. Wendell Rice, 65, pleaded guilty to adultery in the Bennington county court Tuesday and was sentenced to 18 months in state's prison. Georgie Mack, 16, who fled with him, will probably receive a similar sentence. They went to Hardwick, where they remained one winter, but they were found and brought back to Bennington by Rice's son. While under bonds they eloped again, and Rice was arrested at Plattsburg, N. Y. The girl had fled from there with another man but later was arrested at Bennington after she had called on Rice at the county jail.


Article from Evening Journal, February 3, 1898

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Bank Enjoined From Doing Business. BRADFORD, Vt., Feb. 3.-The Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company has been enjoined by the chancery court from doing further business, and James B. Hale of Newbury was appointed receiver for the corporation. The company has been prominent in a number of suits in both the Vermont and Massachusetts courts for the past year. No statement has been made of the assets or liabilities of the bank.


Article from Worcester Morning Daily Spy, February 4, 1898

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BRADFORD BANK ENJOINED. Bradford, Vt., Feb. 2.-The Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Company was enjoined by the chancery court today from doing further business, and James B. Hale of Newbury was appointed receiver for the corporation. The company has been prominent in a number of suits in both the Vermont and Mass. achusetts courts for the past year. No statement has been made of the assets or liabilities of the bank.


Article from The United Opinion, March 18, 1898

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MR. EDITOR:-James B. Hale of Newbury, Receiver of the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Co. is the right man in the right place, and all depositors can easily inform themselves that it means more dollars to them, also it is quite essential that each and every depositor be loyal and true and assist in every possible way speedy settlement of their claims. A DEPOSITOR WHO KNOWS.


Article from Barre Evening Telegram, January 27, 1899

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State News. --Fire damaged the dry house of the Frary Co. at Essex Junction, January 24 to this amount of $50. Ruiland had 45 firo claims in 1898 and a total loss of $214,375, with insur nce amounting to $122,175, William P. Walker, of Burlingto has composed and published The Orympia Walizes," which are dedicated 10 the 1st Inf. Vt. Vols. The W. B, Jones & Co. creamery it Essex Junction paid 87 cents for stand ard December milk. Highest test 5.40 lowest 4.00, average 4.60. The thirteeth annual district meeting of the Womanss Home Missionary soc.city of the Burlington district will be held at Middlebury, Feb. 2. The eight annual metting of the Ma sonie district was held at Bellows Falls Jan. 24. There was a large attendance 200 being present from out of town After May 1 Mrs. W. K. Walker will be lessee and manager of the Howard opera house in Burlington, which for : number of years past has been lease by K. B. Walker and managed by he son, the late W. K. 11 alker. The Sherman military band of Builington, has puachased a helicon basi horn with portion of the proceeds of the recent joint fair in which the Sher man's participated It is the only on of the kind in the state. Capt. Salmon F. Dutton, commissar\ of subsistence, U. S. Vols., a Vermoner, has been ordered to report to the general commanding the district of Cuba. Capt. was Santiago, Dutton las il summer commissary of the brigade which the 1st Vt. Vols. was a member. The Windsor County Agricultural Society reduced its indebtedne-s $600 las year and it is now only $1,200 F.I. Davis was elected president and treas urer, Four hundred dollars was appropriated for special attractions this year. The fair will de held at Woodstock, Sept, 26, 27, and 28. Judge Watson was upheld Tuesday in two important cases in which he act. ed as attorney. One, State vs. Hoyt, from Orange county, involved the constitutionality of the pedler's license law and the court decided the law uneonstitutional. The other was that of State of Vermon 3. Bradford Savings bank and Trust company, James B. Hale. receiver, and the question raised was whether or not the bank was liable for a corporation tax in the nature of a franchise tax after it had gone into the hands of the receiver. The court decided that after the bank had been enjoined by order of the court from con tinuing its business neither it nor the receiver was liable for the corporation unon banks doing business


Article from Bellows Falls Times, March 1, 1899

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The Bradford Bank Suit. Some interesting testimony is being taken bo Commissioner John H. Mimms in the case of Robert F. Straine against the Bradford Savings bank and Trust company, which went into the hands of a receiver February 1, 1898 A statement of the evidence is given as follows: It appears that from May 1, 1896 to May 1, 1897, E. O. Leonard ran the bank on a contract price of $3000 a year and certain ex penses; that the bank in 1896 had $50,000 of the assets invested in the Ely mine and had possession of the mine. The bank had negotiated a sale of it to the E'v Copperfield Mining company, July 23, 1896. for $51.000, taking the note of the latter company for that sum and dis charging all its claims against the mining property. This company was organized by Mr. Straine and Mr Leonard with a capital stock of $1,000,000 and immediately issued $200.000 of bonds secured by a mortgage of its entire mining property. The Bradford bank accented one-half these bonds as security for its $51,000 note and the other $100 000 of bonds were turned over in Mr Straine as his propty, the bank officials thus accomplishing the brillia t financial enterprise of getting one-half a loaf in payment for the whole loaf which they had owned. Mr Straine made a contract with the bank that the defendants should sell one-half of the bonds issued. For the failure to do an suit was brought against the bank for $250,000 dimages. The testimony is especially interesting as it touches upon the business if the bank The only witness thus far examined i- James B Hale. the former president and now re. ceiver of the bank The main focts brought out in the testimony are that officers, ouncel and clerks received pay in ful to January 31, the day before the doors were closed. and that the account of E o Leonard, vice president and general manager of the bank, WAS. on December 1, 1897, overdrawn for $6500 The amount was reduced to $5200 January 1, and wiped out the 3d- by a deposit of notes signed by Irene L Leonard, his wife. Mr. Hale. when on the stand. positively refused to produce certain bills that were called for by the nator's attornev. and especially one of $2772 paid January 31, 1895, and application will be made to Judge Wheeler for an order compelling the witness to produce these papers. Loans to the Copperfield Mining and Smelting company (cered by mortgage) to the amount of $40,000 were shown and $1000 to Mr. Kaigen, with E M. F Krause as endorser. On the $40.000 no interest had been paid since 1893 and the bank in 1896, natu rally wished to unload, and did di-charge its mortgage when the Elv Copperfield Mining company was organized and took the deed of the property.


Article from The Vermont Watchman, March 1, 1899

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BRADFORD BANK Inside Facts Regarding This Institution, The case of Robert F. Straine VS Bradford Savings Bank and Trust the pany, a suit pending in the United Com Circuit Court, began at Hotel Low States Feb 21 Testimony being taken is The orator John ial examiner H Mimms Esq of St Albana, before specJ. by Messra William M. Stockbridge represented and Hutching Boston Gilbert F of Windsor and John B. Peckett A. of Davis sented ford, W. B.C Stickney of Bethel, repre- Bradthe defendant W The witnesses examined and to be amined are John B Hale and Horace of Newbury C. Celley Pailey Fairlee L Hale Dadley K Androak C. Sawyer and John H Watson of ford, and Elbert O. Leonard of St. Johns Brad bury all former trustees of this bank Coppertiel Fred W Farnbam of assignees in insolvency of the or er field Farnham Mining Company, and ex-Govern He last underex and John B. Hale is the receiver of this bank its president the day all afternoon During amination session an adjournment was taken some bank. The books and papers of the to bank the and were produced, interesting velopments startled those interested appeared that from May 1896, to May 1897, E o Leonard ran the bank 1, tract price of $3,000 year and Certain on 'a con penses: that the bank in 1896 had $50,000 ex. the assets invested in the Ely mine had possession of the mine. The bank and negotiated of it to the Ely Copper- had field Mining Company, July 23, 1896, $51,000. taking the note of the latter for claims pany for that sum and discharging all com its This against the mining property company was organized by Straine and Mr Leonard with a Mr stock of $1,000,000 and immediately capital $200,000 of bonds secured by a issued entire mining property The mortgage Bradford of bank accepted one half these curity bonds as se. for its $51,000 note and the other $100,000 of bonds were turned Straine as his property the bank over officials to Mr. thus accomplishing the brilliant financial enterprise of getting one half loaf in pay ment owned. for the whole loaf which they had Mr. Straine was the owner of sixty-fou shares of the stock of the Bradford bank and in the autumn of 1897 emanded amination bank. of the books and papers an of ex- the bridge He sent his Messrs Stock. & Davis,to the bank to make the investigation These gent lemen were fused access to the books and papers and finally at the close of banking hours were turned out. A suit is now pending in Orange county court against E. O Leonard M the clerk, for refusing to show the books Straine's attorneys The bank got into disrepute and matters with it went worse and worse An assessment of $50 on share was voted the to bolster up its falling fortunes. by The stockholders demanded an investigation and l a committee for that purpose was chosen. The trustees. pending this inves. tigation charge to profit and loss $25 500. being one-half of its claim against the Copperfield Mining Company, and Ely of other to the same account avariety charged But what is more particularly interestin items. just now is the fact. that these trustees. January 31, 1898, on the very last day of the bank's existence prior to the appointme of a receiver and the issuing of an injunc tion by Chancellor Tyler proce edings equity that were set on foot by these trus in tees on the night of January 31, paid themselves as follows $110 J. B. Hale services to date, trustee, L. E Kimball services to date, trus. 100 tee, W . S. Celley, services to date, trus60 tee, E. C. Sawyer, services to date, trug1/ tee R D. K. .Andross, services to date, trus. 100 tee, E. O. . Leonard, services to date, trus 100 tee, 7. W W Goodwin services to date, treasurer, 50 6, H. A C. Bliss, services to date clerk, T Johnson, services to date, clerk. I also appears under the same date that payment was made to J H Watson $2 722.02. a trustee, in full for his service as attorney date This suit of Straine against the Bradford , bank is equity recover damage bank for its failure to carry out partnership agreement with Mr Straine a to the Ely Copperfield bonds, to preven the sale by the bank of United Telegra bonds, held by it as colla eral for Mr he he Mr. Straine's stock. Straine's notes and to prevent the sale ls, Judge Wheeler has enjoined the ban hofficers as pray for. Mr. Straine claim that the bank officials have ry ruin him for the purpose of getting conspired back Ely mine property and that Mr Leonar th enterprise. nd has its whole been the principal agent of the bank our here is great interest in Bradford ove cal this investigation, and groups intereste nd stockholders and depositors can be seen the streets discussing the situation. WEDNESDAY The day has been entirely occupied in examination of John B. Hale trustee th uireceiver and with the books of the defund an ore bank. The developments have been of th gravest im portance, and are the subject ng discussion throughout this community appeared that in January, 1898, E ion Leonard, trustee, clerk and manager, an the at one time treasurer, overdrew his account ento the amount of about $5,200 This WE fixed on January 3, 1898, by two ersigned by his wife, Irene L Leonard, note on of 83,075, secured by two bonds of the he tional Life Insurance Company as collate e." al, and one for $2,200 with Ely-Copperfie Mining Company bonds as collateral, not September, 1897, this mining company been adjudged insolvent, assignees poin ha ed and its bonds were then not of value. These notes remain unpaid in grea behands of the receiver. It further that the bank held Mr Leonard's appear eef the amount of $3,277 Mr Hale notes eed draft. able to recall any knowledge of this was ove or The purchase of United Telegram Com in$36,000 pany bonds by the bank to the amount was discovered on the books on. the numbers of the bonds were duly all corded An unexplained matter, 80 far, that among the assets of the bank is a of $12,500 dated July 1. 1897, signed twenty. with Horace S. Homer ws these same United Telegram bonds .five and lateral, These bonds are for $500 each, as low are registered in the of E. o Leonar not otter under date of May 1896 they do yet and be pear transferred ials ing them by number with the on bonds comp chased by the Bradford Savings Bank Trust Company the numbers and amoun are identical. re's ure It appears that Mr Straine's Ag sixly-four shares the par value of was R was sold by the trustees. anuary to John B. Arnold of Providence 19 that al


Article from The Vermont Watchman, March 1, 1899

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The progress of the Investigation ha beer necessarily slow 84 many objections have been interposed wl en the production of PA. per was called for, It ppeared that Hor ace F Bailey and William E S Celley in September, 1897. were appointed by the trustees auditors to audit and did audit and allow a bill of services and ex penses for E. O. Leonard to the amount of $1 566; their report was accepted by the trustees but Mr. Hale testified that no such bill of $1,566 can now be found in the bank and the witness did not know the items hat made up the bill, or what had become of the bill. This certainly had the element of novelty about it. Strange that the president and receiver can not produce the items of a hill of that magnitude. Mr. Hale testified that the attorney of the bank was not paid a salary but according to work, and was allowed to bring and de fend suits according to his discretion, and that, he, Mr Hale, left the whole matter of the bank's litigation to the attorney Loans to the Copperfield Mining and Smelting Company (secured by mortgage) to the amount of $40,000 were shown, and $10,000 to Mr. Kaigen, with E M F. Krause as en dorser On this $40,000 no interest had been paid since 1893, and the bank, in 1896, naturally wished to unload, and did discharge its mortgages when the Ely Copper field Mining Company was organized, and took the deed of the property as stated in report of yesterday '8 hearing. Charles A. Lamson, of the United Telegram Company is here as an interested speciator, and full of information as to the affairs of that company It is apparent.that this investigation will be quite protracted, and as was remarked on the street here, 'There is no knowing where lightning will strike THURSDAY The hearing of Straine V. Bradford SavBank and Trust Company has occupied the entire ings day, and Receiver James B. Hale has been under examination by Attorney Stockbridge. The interest in the developments contin- of unabated and exclamations, not all them ues pious, are heard upon the street as the different facts brought out are narrated and discussed. The deposit account of E. o. Leon ard from January 1. 1896, to January 1, 1898 was obtained and it was found that with an overdraft of $16 12, January 1, 1896, these overdrafts continued in an ascending series until they touched high water mark Dec. 1, 1897, at $6504 70. On January 1, 1898, it had been reduced to $5215 72 and this was wiped off January 3, 1898, by the two notes of $2,200.00 and L. $3075.00 respectively, signed by Irene Leonard. These notes remain unpaid. d Receiver Hale, for all the time of these overdrafts a trustee, and for a part of the rer time the president of the bank, could k call no vote of the trustees authorizing these overdrafts, or ratifying them after e wards. There is no record of any such <notes. Mr Hale professed almost absolute le ignorance of these overdrafts, but thought that at least once he personally did object d to it. yet, he has been unable to find any items of expenses amounting to $1,566. In e 68 for which Mr. Leonard had been paid that amount in drafts up to September 14, to 1897. Mr. Hale, under the advice of counsel, '8 refused point blank to produce bills of ex8penses and documents that orator's solicie tors called for, and was notified more than 3. once that applications would be made to a Judge Wheelor to compel him to produce as there documents We do not undertake 8say who right about this production. a 0, The solicitor for orator went into ly lengthy examination about the appearance ed of George M. Dickey, Esq ostensibly 18 the attorney of John B. Arnold, about the pg purchase of Mr. Straine's sixty. four shares be 8, of stock. Mr. Hale's memory seemed to he verymuch in fault about it. but he admitted nt that Mr. Dickey had made and presented Cto him as receiver a bill against the bank in for these services, which he had declined to 18pay unless directed to do so by Chancellor m Tyler. Mr. Hale refused to produce Mr. Dickey' bill. Mr. Straine claims this sale 10 of his stock was a sham. It was further developed that at no time 100 had this bank had a trial balance made 60 month as required by the Vermont Statutes, had it had its affairs investigated by of committee nor of not less than three of its 15 ficers. It was brought out that, in June 1896, Mr 00 Hale was informed that Mr. Straine was dangerous man, that he believed this infor 100 mation to be correct, and never changed his mind on that matter, and yet afterwards he 75 and three others of the trustees went to 50 Bostor, met Mr. Straine at the Parker House, and on July 23, 1896, entered into 36 the contract of that date with Mr. Straine at discharged all the claims of the bank on th of Ely Copperfield mining property, and took ees the $51,000 note, with $100,000 of the Ely Copperfield Mining Company bonds as col rd zes lateral. Mr. Hale testified that in his judgmen a this $51,000 note was thereby amply secur as ed and these bonds a good safe investment ent proper to be sold by this bank, but admit am ted that the bank had made no effort to se Mr. them, so far as he knew It is for this ne of glect, in view of the terms of this contract July 23, 1896, that the orator, Mr. Straine further ink seeking to recover damages. It my appeared that instead of trying to sell thes to bonds, this bank, in February, 1897, brough the a suit in New Jersey against Mr. Strain M ard for $13,000 and endeavored to attach in Straine's stock in the United Telegrar Company. This suit is one of a series M ver attacks on him by this bank that ted Straine claims were designed to cripple an on ruin him. On the other hand, the ban claims that it was doing nothing.mor tha had a right to do in order to collect a M gitimate debt that it had against the and Straine. The handsome brick block of the Brad net ford Savings Bank and Trust Compan the stands as a monument to the memory of this financial wreck. In the early days It its existence, this bank was content to re o. main in more humble quarters, its ex and weresma its management conserva unt tive, penses its fidelity unquestioned, its trustee was were in fact, as well as in name, trustees we tes the deposits of widows and orphans, as one those of business men were carefull Naas looked after, and 8 handsome surplus wa ter kepton hand; but the old, reliable me eld were displaced and the results are known In Horace W. Bailey of Newbury, was had and president at one time, but inttrustee resigned. Judge Gleason of Thetford wa eat trustee at one time, but he got out. Pres the ident a Chapman died in 1895, and his estat lia red is embarrasssed by litigation over his to on the bond of the former treasure unGeorge bility P. Arthur-and 80 goes the woef vertale Among some of the interested spectator m to-day were some gentlemen who, on Jan of 31, 1898, the last day that the ban and kept ary open doors, came in and made the redeposits in the ordinary way, trusting


Article from Herald and News, March 2, 1899

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Bradford Savings Bank Hearing. Col. John H. Mimms, commissioner appointed by the United States circuit district of Vermont, commenced to take testimony at Bradford in the case of Robert F. Straine V the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Co. last week. Mr. Straine claims $250,000 damages and a writ of attachment was placed on defendants in the sum of $50,000 restraining them from selling the stock which they held as collateral at Vershire, on which the bank had a mortgage of $51,000. The officers of the bank met Mr. Straine and on his proposal a new company was formed and bonds were issued to the amount of $200,000. Of this bond issue the bank held $100,000 as collateral, on a note of the new company given to cancel the mortgage. On July 23, 1896, Mr. Straine made a contract with the bank that the defendant should sell one-half of the bonds issued. For failure to fulfil suit was brought against the bank. The testimony is especially interesting as it touches upon the business of the bank which went into receiver's hands on Feb. 1, 1898. The only witness thus far is James Hale, the former president, and now receiver of the bank. The main facts brought out in his testimony are that the officers, counsel and clerks received pay in full on Jan. 31, the day before the doors were closed, and that the account of E. O. Leonard, vice president and general manager of the bank was on Dec. 1, 1897, overdrawn for $5,500. The amount was reduced to $5,200 Jan. 1, and wiped out the 3d by a deposit of notes signed by Irene L. Leonard. The examination was brought to a sudden stop Friday by the refusal of W. B. C. Stickney, counsel for the receiver of the bank, to produce certain papers without orders from Judge Wheeler as to the use to which they shall be put. This decision was reached on account of the publication in a Montpelier daily paper of an article, data for which it is claimed appeared to have been furnished by attorneys for the orator and which data was obtained for use in court in this case. The adjournment was taken till 8 10 a. m. Thursday, March 2. Mr. S Straine has until May 1 to take the t testimony on his side of the case. After that two months will be allowed the bank to complete its estimony. At the time of adjournment the examination of Receiver James B. Hale was not completed. Other witnesses who have been summoned in addition to the officers of the bank at the time suit was brought are W. A. Farnham t of Copperfield, assignee of the Ely Copperfield Mining company, and exh Gov. Roswell Farnham of Bradford, I an officer of the mining company. S There is nothing inst as good for salt


Article from Vermont Phœnix, March 3, 1899

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# THE VERMONT NEWS. Refusal to Produce Papers in the Bradford Bank Suit. The taking of testimony before Commissioner John H. Mimms in the case of Straine against the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company was brought to a sudden stop at Bradford Friday by the refusal of W. B. C. Stickney, counsel for the receiver of the bank, to produce papers without orders from Judge Wheeler as to the use to which they shall be put. This decision was reached on account of the publication in a Montpelier daily paper of an article the data for which, it is claimed, appeared to have been furnished by attorneys for the orator, and which data was obtained for use in court in this case. An adjournment was taken till 10 A. M. Thursday, March 2. Mr. Straine has until May 1 to take testimony on his side of the case, and after that two months are allowed the bank to complete its testimony. At the time of adjournment the examination of Receiver James B. Hale was not completed. Other witnesses who have been summoned in addition to the officers of the bank at the time the suit was brought are: F. W. Farnham of Copperfield, the assignee of the Ely Copper Mining company; ex-Gov. Roswell Farnham of Bradford, an officer of the mining company.


Article from The Vermont Watchman, May 10, 1899

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Supreme Court. The May term of Supreme court convened at ten o'clock Tuesdav in the Supreme court room at the State House. All the members of the bench were present. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Norman Seaver, and proclamation was made by deputy sheriff J. L. Tuttle. Among the attorneys present from outside of Washington county were E. C. Mower of Burlington, W. W. Stickney of Ludlow, State's Attorney Fish of Vergennes, Lieutenant-Governor Bates of St. Johnsbury, J. L. Martin of Brattleboro. W. H. Bliss of Burlington, Harry Blodgett of St. Johnsbury. S. E. Pingree of Hartford, F. S. Platt of Poultney, W. B. C. Stickney of Bethel, F. H. Button of Middlebury and W. P. Stafford of St. Johdsbury. Decisions were rendered in the following cases heard at the October term: Littleton Bridge Company against Daniel and Robert Pike, from Caledonia county. Case not properly before the court. Exceptions dismissed, Decision by Judge Munson. State against Allen Rooney and others, listers of town of Maidstone, from Essex county. Exceptions sustained, indictments quashed, respondents discharged. Opinion by Judge Start. Hosea Mann, inspector of finance, against the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Company, petition for receiver, from Orange county. Decree reversed and cause remanded with mandate. Opinion by Judge Start. Town school district of Brattleboro against Graded school district et al. Decree reversed and cause remanded. Opinion by Judge Munson. Cheshire Beef Company against George C. Thrall, from Rutland county, assumpsit, general and common courts. Judgment affirmed. Opinion by Judge Munson. A. P. Tupper's executors against Charles Chapman, apt., assumpsit, from Addison county. Judgment affirmed. Decision by Judge Munson. Walter Scranton et al. against Fred G. Barnard, trespass, from Addison county. Settled and discontinued. Hardwick Savings Bank and Trust Company against R. F. Drenan and trustee, special assumpsit, from Caledonia county. Discontinued. E. M. Crane against S. E. Darling, slander, from Caledonia county. Settled and discontinued. R. F. Drenan against Hardwick Savings Bank and Trust Company, petition for a new trial. Settled and discontinued. W. P. Dwyer against S. N. Howe, assumpsit, from Franklin county. Discontinued. A. S. Richardson against the city of St. Albans, from Franklin county. Discontinued. The National Bank of Commerce against the Burlington Woolen Company, assumpsit. Discontinued. D. L. Fuller & Son against Woolson Brothers from Washington county. Petition dismissed. Thomas W. Wood against Montpelier Public Library Association, et al is still with the court. The first case for hearing was Vivian Barrett against F. L Fish, petition to dissolve injunction from Addison County. Button & Button, and H. C. Shurtleff for plaintiff: W. H. Bliss for defendant. The docket was called by Chief Judge Taft and a large number of cases were set for hearing. The next case set for hearing is Amos W Moody against the town of Bristol from Addison county.


Article from Burlington Weekly Free Press, May 11, 1899

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Of the Supreme Court Opened at Montpelier Tuesday. DECISIONS RENDERED On a Part of the Cases Heard at the October Term-Vivian Barrett vs. F. L. Fish Being Heard-Woman Fatally Burned at White River Junetion-Fire in Barre. Montpelier, May 9.-The May term of Supreme Court opened yesterday morning in this city in the court room at the State House. All the members of the supreme bench were present. Prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Norman Seaver of this city and proclamation was made by Deputy J. L Tuttle. A large number of atterneys of the Washington County bar were present and among those from outside the county who were present were: E. C. Mower of Burlington and W. H. Bliss of Middlebury J. L. Martin of Brattleboro, W. W. Stickney of Ludlow. State's Attorney Fish of Vergennes, W B. C. Stickney of Bethel, Lieut.-Gov. Bates and Harry Blodgett and W. P. Stafford of St. Johnsbury, F. H. Button of Middlebury. S. E. Pingree of Hartford and F. S. Platt of Poultney. Deeisions were rendered in the following cases heard at the October term:CALEDONIA COUNTY. Littleton Bridge Co., vs. Robert Pike. Case not properly before the court. Excentions dismissed. Opinion by Judge Minson. Hardwick Savings Bank and Trust Co., vs R. F. Drenan and trustee, special assumpsit. Discontinued. E. M. Crane vs. S. E. Darling, slander. Settled and discontinued. R. F. Drenan vs. Hardwick Savings Bank and Trust Co., petitioning for a new trial. Settled and discontinued. W. H. Carter vs. Central Vermont Railroad company. Still with the court. J. G. Bussing vs. Geo. C. Carey. Settled and discontinued. WINDSOR COUNTY. Town of Weathersfield VS. Town of Mt. Tabor. Judgment affirmed ESSEX COUNTY State vs. W. S. Allen, B. Rooney and others listers of the town of Maidstone. Exceptions sustained, indictments quashen and respondents discharged. Opinion by Judge Start. ORANGE COUNTY. Hosea Mann. inspector of finances vs. the Bradford Savings bank and Trust company, petition for receivers. Decree reversed and cause remanded with mandate. Opinion by Judge Start. WINDHAM COUNTY. Town school district of Brattleboro vs. graded school district, et al. Decree reversed and cause remanded. Opinion by Judge Munson. RUTLAND COUNTY. Cheshire Beef company vs. George C. Thrall, assumpsit, general and common courts Judgment affirmed. Opinion by Judge Munson. New England Fire Insurance company vs. David N. Haynes. Settled and discontinued. W. F. Walker and W. E. Strong as administrators of F. W. Walker vs. E. W. Arnold. Discontinued. Mary J. Comstock VS. Delaware and Hudson Canal company. Still with the court. John Morrell & Co., VS. New England Fire Insurance company. Discontinued. George T. Chaffee and Newman K Chaffee VS. the Rutland Railroad company. Still with the court. Thomas Murtey as receiver of the Commercial bank of Weeping Water, Neb., vs. Simeon Allen. Still with the court. ADDISON COUNTY. A. P. Tupper's executors vs. Charles Chapman, apt., assumpsit. Judgment affirmed. Opinion by Judge Munson. Walter Scranton, et al., VS. Fred G. Barhard, trespass. Settled and discontinued. FRANKLIN COUNTY. W. P. Dwyer VS S. N. Howe, assumpSit. Settled and discontinued. A. S. Richardson VS. the City of St. Albans. Settled and discontinued. CHITTENDEN COUNTY. The National Bank of Commerce VS. the Burlington Woolen company, assumpsit. Settled and discontinued. WASHINGTON COUNTY. Thomas W. Wood vs. the Montpelier Public Library Association, et al. Still with the court. Grace 1. Parker VS. Taylor O. Parker, et al., general assumpsit. Still with the court. John and R. W. Kelley VS. Town of Moretown, apt. Settled and discontinued. D. L. Fuller and Son vs. Woolson Bros. Petition dismissed. State vs. Arthur J. Smith, nuisance. Still with the court. State vs. Jules Sanctuary and Charlon


Article from Burlington Weekly Free Press, May 11, 1899

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WINDSOR COUNTY. Town of Weathersfield vs. Town of Mt. Taber. Judgment affirmed. ESSEX COUNTY. State vs. W. S. Allen, B. Rooney and others, listers of the town of Maidstone. Exceptions sustained, indictments quashed and respondents discharged. Opinion by Judge Start. ORANGE COUNTY. Hosea Mann, inspector of finances vs. the Bradford Savings bank and Trust company, petition for receivers. Decree reversed and cause remanded with mandate. Opinion by Judge Start.


Article from Orleans County Monitor, May 22, 1899

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In the case of Hosea Mann, inspector of finance, against the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company, the supreme court has held that the assets should be applied for payments of the costs of the receiverships and the balance should be divided pro rata among the creditors. The decision of the chancellor was reversed, with mandate.


Article from The Vermont Watchman, May 31, 1899

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Bradford Bank Matters. BRADFORD, VT., May 25, 1899. Editor Watchman:-I wish, through the columins of your paper, to express to some extent the feelings of a depositor in the Bradford Savings Band and Trust Company, now in the hands of a rceiver. February 1, 1898, after a lengthy meeting of the directors of this institution,- and about all said honorable boa d had knowingly done for a long time,"-on January 31, it was thought best to close the doors of the bank. This was done, and we depositors yielded to the inevitable, without murmuring, trusting in those under whose charge affairs were placed. A receiver was in due time appointed, and matters continued along, all trusting that affairs were running smoothly. Even the Opinion, the local paper, came out with its usual flourish to say that in a short time a dividend would probably be declared, the idea conveyed being that things were all right as had been claimed. But in a few weeks from that writing counsel of Robert F. Straine appeared here to take testimony in a case pending in the United States circuit court, and during the taking of the testimony things came to light which caused much apprehension in the minds of innocent depositors as to the safety of their money. Those matters were published in your paper, much to the credit of writer and publisher. Since that time the columns or your paper have been anxiously scanned for further facts about the bank, but nothing has appeared. We trust your correspondent is in sympathy with us and that you will be ready to print whatever may be of interest. But certain facts stand out plain since February 1, 1898. With the rapid improvement in times the value of all investments, east, west, north or south, which ever were of any value at all, has advanced in a considerable degree. Also, due to the great advance in copper, the Ely mines in which the bank has interests, are of value and should mean something for the creditors, there being plenty of money idle seeking such investments. In the issue of the Opinion of May 12, 1899, is a very pretty piece, the head line of which reads, "A Bank Dividend in Sight." Under proper management the creditors should expect that which they instrusted to these men's care would be returned to them. but we know not what awaits us in the future. We have to trust in an all wise being, for in men we cannot. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for your kindness and help in the past, I am a subscriber of your paper and A BANK DEPOSITOR.


Article from Barre Evening Telegram, January 22, 1900

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ANOTHER DIVIDEND. Depositors in Bradford Savings Bank Will Get 20 Per Cent. B radford, Jan. 22.-The receiver of the Bradford savings bank and trust company gives notice that pursuant to order of the court of chancery, a second dividend of 20 per cent will be paid on and after Feb. 1, 1900, to all depositors or other creditors who have proved their claims pursuant to the statute and in accordance with the chancellor's order of March 1, 1898.


Article from The United Opinion, January 26, 1900

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BRADFORD SAVINGS BANK AND TRUST COMPANY. SECOND DIVIDEND. The undersigned Receiver of the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Company, hereby gives notice that pursuant to order of the Court of Chancery, a second dividend of 20 per cent will be paid on and after February I, 1900, to all depositors or other creditors who have proved their claims pursuant to the statute and in accordance with the Chancellor's order of March I, 1898. No payments will be made unless the deposit book or other evidence of indebtedness of said bank is presented; and if payment is desired to be made to the order of any person an order in writing bearing a two cent revenue stamp and properly witnessed must accompany the book. Depositors living away, can send their books by mail and a check will be sent them and the book returned. When sending books by mail, please state definitely present post office address. Administrators, executors, guardians, etc,, who have not already done so, will be required to file with the Receiver a certified copy of their appointment. JAMES B. HALE, Receiver. Bradford, Vt., Jan. 17, 1900.


Article from Barre Evening Telegram, January 12, 1901

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The Bradford Bank. Bradford. Jan. 12.-James B. Hale, receiver of the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust Co., has declared a dividend of ten per cent. payable Feb. 1st. This is the third dividend the others having been 20 per cent. each. The bank closed its doors Feb. 1, 1898.


Article from Vermont Phœnix, February 8, 1901

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E. J. Wilder's farm house in Sheldon, two miles from Enosburg Falls, was burned Friday, causing a loss of $3000. Charles S. C. Beaman, the New York lawyer who died recently, bequeathed $2000 to the Windsor library association and $1000 to the town of Cornish, N. H., opposite Windsor. He had a summer home in Cornish. Major H. Edward Dyer of Rutland is arranging a trip to Washington by companies M of Burlington, A of Rutland and K of Bennington the first week in March for the purpose of taking part in the inauguration parade. On the third anniversary of the closing of the doors of the Bradford Savings Bank and Trust company, James B. Hale, the receiver, began Friday the payment of the third dividend of 10 per cent. This brings the total return to depositors to 50 per cent. Forty thousand is required to pay this dividend. G. Edward Towne, 58, who died Monday of paralysis in Granville, N. Y., was formerly one of the best known hotel men in Western Vermont. He was proprietor of the Stark House in Bennington several years, and later ran the Brandon inn in Brandon and the Logan House in Middlebury. The burning of the grist mills at North Montpelier and East Calais within two weeks has given the impression that the fires were of incendiary origin and the people of East Montpelier have become so aroused over this theory that not only has a night watchman been placed on guard over the grist mill there, but also over other business plants. The herd of cattle belonging to A. I. Croft at West Enosburg was tested by Dr. J. C. Parker of St. Albans and about one-half the herd of 70 cows found affected with tuberculosis. Ernest Hitchcock of Pittsford of the state cattle commission directed the killing of 21 cows and 14 young cattle. The cows were appraised at from $20 to $25 per head and the young cattle at $20. Of this Mr. Croft receives one-half. Luther C. Dodge, 79, who died in San Francisco Sunday night, was born in Calais and as a young man was operator at Burlington on the first line of telegraph between Montreal and Troy. He went to California, where he was successful in the wholesale grocery business. He returned to Burlington in 1869, and was elected mayor of that city three terms. Since 1876 he had been engaged in mining and lumbering in California and Idaho. Representatives from New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island met in Boston Saturday and took action on a plan for securing a New England building on the Pan-American exposition grounds in Buffalo this year. It was unanimously voted to construct a building, at a total expense, including maintenance, not exceeding $18,000. A building committee, consisting of one member from each state, was appointed to proceed at once with the arrangements.