Browne National Bank - Spokane, WA

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 4025
Charter Number: 4025
Start Date: May 5, 1889
Location: Spokane, Washington (47.659, -117.426)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 10e0d76f

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles show Browne National Bank authorized to begin business in 1889 and later was 'wrecked' in the panic of the early 1890s; government appointed J. J. Browne receiver who paid out depositors. Exact suspension/receivership year not given — article refers to 'the panic in the early 90s' (likely Panic of 1893). Spokane Falls in 1889 refers to same locality (Spokane).

Events (3)

1. May 5, 1889 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: The comptroller of currency has authorized the Browne national bank of Spokane Falls to begin business with a capitol of $100,000.
Source: newspapers

2. January 1, 1893* Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: Mr. Browne stood SO high for probity and integrity that the government appointed him receiver of his own bank, and he paid out every dollar due depositors.
Source: newspapers

3. January 1, 1893* Suspension

Cause: Macro News
Cause Details: Bank was wrecked during the panic of the early 1890s (systemic financial crisis).
Newspaper Excerpt: At the time of the panic in the early 90s. Mr. Browne was at the head of the Browne National bank. and that institution, like so many others of like kind, was wrecked.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

1. May 5, 1889 The Cheyenne Daily Leader Cheyenne, WY

Article from The Cheyenne Daily Leader, May 5, 1889

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Article Text

SPARKS FROM THE WIRES. Yesterday's temperature-New York 46, Chicago 38, St. Paul 46, Winnipeg 50, New Orleans 60. Furious fires are ragining in Northern Wisconsin forests; from Ashland to Clear Lake 150 miles are ablaze. Forest fires of considerable magnitude are reported from Minnesota, fifty miles in nearly all directions from Duluth. The comptroller of currency has authorized the Browne national bank of Spokane Falls to begin business with a capitol of $100,000. Exports of gold from Mew York during the week $3,186,000, of which $2,801,000 went to Europe. The imports of gold were $504,658. The New York weekly bank statement: Revenue decrease, $604,000; specie decrease, $3,703,000; banks hold $5,572,000 in excess of the 25 per cent rule. Australian election law, with modifica tions to suit the locality, has been adopted by both houses of the Missouri legislature and awaits the governor's signature. Major John N. Edwards, one of the editors of the Kansas City Times and one of the best newspaper men in the west, died suddenly in Jefferson City yesterday morning from a stroke of paralysis. The secretary of the navy has approved the sentence of Lieut. Wm. C. Strong, U. S. N., for being drunk on duty, neglect and disobedience of orders. He is suspended from duty for five years on half duty pay, will keep his present number on the list and be publicly reprimanded.

2. August 11, 1911 The Oroville Weekly Gazette Oroville, WA

Article from The Oroville Weekly Gazette, August 11, 1911

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Article Text

SPOKANE VISITOR. Hon. J. J. Browne, of Spokane, spent last Friday in Oroville. Mr. Browne is the stable backing of the bank of Oroville, and was here looking over the field. He is far from strong, as he is just recovering strength after a long attack of illness, and hence was not able to get around much while in town. It was his first visit to Oroville for two or three years. Mr. Browne is one of the real pioneers of Spokane, and his name, in conjunction with the names of James E. Glover and the late A. M. Cannon. is closely identified with the early history of the place. In early days he secured a large holding of real estate, all of it now within the city limits. that made him a fortune. Browne's addition, one of the choicest residence sections of the city, is a part of those holdings. At the time of the panic in the early 90s. Mr. Browne was at the head of the Browne National bank. and that institution, like so many others of like kind, was wrecked. Mr. Browne stood SO high for probity and integrity that the government appointed him receiver of his own bank, and he paid out every dollar due depositors. Mr. Browne saved much real estate out of the general ruin. and when business conditions improved and Spokane spread out with miraculous rapidity those holdings made him a millionaire, and then some.