Union National Bank (Oakland, CA)

Episode Information

Episode Type
Suspension β†’ Closure
Start Date
December 1, 1907*
Location
Oakland, California (37.804, -122.271)
Bank Type
national
Charter Number
2266
Alt. names
Union National Gold Bank

Metadata

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
100.0%
Date receivership started
1909-04-14
Date receivership terminated
1918-10-31
OCC cause of failure
Losses
Share of assets assessed as good
22.4%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
30.2%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
47.4%

Notes

Bank had an earlier precautionary suspension in late 1907 and reopened, then closed and entered receivership in April 1909.

Events (6)

1. May 20, 1875 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. December 1, 1907* Suspension
Cause Details
Precautionary suspension during holiday period and financial uncertainty (management-ordered temporary suspension).
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank some weeks ago took advantage of the holidays to suspend operations.
Source
newspapers
3. January 3, 1908 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union National bank of Oakland reopened its doors yesterday, after seven weeks of inoperation.
Source
newspapers
4. April 13, 1909 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Unable to meet obligations after prior troubles and alleged misapplication of funds by officers; insolvency revealed.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union National bank of Oakland, closed its doors this morning and went into the hands of a temporary receiver.
Source
newspapers
5. April 13, 1909 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union National bank of Oakland, closed its doors this morning and went into the hands of a temporary receiver. In this capacity E. P. Rorebeck... will act.
Source
newspapers
6. April 14, 1909 Receivership
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (23)

Article from The Sun, April 22, 1906

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holidays "in the interest of public welfare, and in consequence no legal business can be transacted and all banks will remain closed. Another important meeting in Oakland to-day was that of the San Francisco Clearing House, which discussed the financial question and prepared plans which will be submitted to the State Clearing Association in Oakland Tuesday. While the State bank report shows all the banks throughout the State in good condition yet a large majority of the smaller institutions had large deposits with the San Francisco banks and the situation is very grave. A general suspension of banking business throughout the State until the monetary condition is readjusted was the general idea of the bankers attending the meeting. WASHINGTON, April 21.-The Treasury Department to-day received several telegrams relating to the condition of banking property and the financial outlook in San Francisco. Supt. Leach of the San Francisco Mint reported that every bank in the devastated city was buried in ruins, but banks in Oakland, Berkeley and Ala= meda were able to resume business. The telegrams to Secretary Shaw follow: "Thanks for your complimentary despatch. Every bank in San Francisco buried in ruins. All banks in Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda able to resume business, including First National, Oakland; Union National, Oakland; First National, Berkeley, and Berkeley National, Berkeley. "It looks as if Oakland must be temporarily the banking centre for California north of Tehachapi. State Banking Commissioners have located office in Oakland to meet this condition. "The suburban banks ought to have free and prompt telegraphic transfer of funds. In view of the ruined condition of SubTreasury, advise making the transfers direct through the Mint. "The Sub-Treasury went down in the fire early, and is now surrounded by blocks of ruins. "The fire is still burning, but it is thought to be confined to a few blocks of residences somewhat isolated. No foundation for published statement of attack on Mint. "Will do what I can about bureau of information of refugees. Have received to-day Meline's order for transfer of funds to Bank of California, San Francisco. "LEACH, Superintendent U.S. Mint." "My temporary address is 3147 Clay street, San Francisco. All San Francisco banking houses destroyed. None destroyed in Oakland. Cannot report at present as to condition of suburban banks. "Sub-Treasury roof caved in. Vaults apparently intact, but blocked with dΓ©bris. After consultation with leading bankers, will report as to best plan of procedure. "JULIUSJACOBS, 'Assistant Treasurer, U.S." "Plenty water at Unalaska wharf. All business portion of San Francisco burned except Appraiser's building. Crew of Thetis and Bear have done guard duty since the earthquake Can'tsay when they can resume ships' duty. City burning. HUMMEL, "Official Treasury Department. OMAHA, Neb., April 21.-Joseph Tobin, president of the Hibernia National Bank, San Francisco, en route from New York, received a telegram in Omaha to-day reading: "Bank destroyed; every dollar in vaults gone." After reading the telegram President Tobin said: "Our deposits were up in the millions of dollars. We will pay dollar for dollar to all depositors."


Article from The San Francisco Call, April 26, 1906

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OAKLAND BANKS RESUME AND DEPOSITS ARE LARGE Funds Received Reported to Exceed Those That Are Paid Out to Creditors. OAKLAND, April 25.-All the banks of the city opened today, by direction of the State Bank Commissioners. Savings bank depositors were permitted to withdraw small amounts. Commercial business is receiving attention in the usual manner. A committee of bankers is formulating a plan for reopening all the interior banks at the earliest possible moment. The limit put upon savings bank patrons who desired to withdraw money today was set at $30. No limit was put upon commercial bank business, although the understanding prevailed that no large sums should be taken out except in cases of great necessity. The money will be released in larger amounts from day to day. Despite the supposed scarcity of cash in circulation, a large amount of money was brought in for deposit It is estimated that ten times the amount of money taken out was brought in for deposit. W. W. Garthwaite of the Oakland Bank of Savings said: "Up to last night the local banks had received from the U. S. Mint about $2,000,000. Today about $2,000,000 more came from the mint. If deposits continue to be made as they were today we shall not require much more money from the mint. Each bank has received a share of the gold from the city. The banks will hold meetings daily at 4 o'clock to insure harmony of action."


Article from The Barre Daily Times, April 27, 1906

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PARDEE TO CALL EXTRA SESSION

To Pass Laws Demanded by the San Francisco Situation. Oakland. Cal., April 27.-It was said yesterday on the best of authority that a special session of the Legislatura would be called at once to provide for laws demanded by the situation. A conference of insurance men will be held here today to decide on a policy of paying losses. The bank vaults in San Francisco will not be opened for at least thirty days. The Oakland banks opened today and are paying off savings deposits and commercial accounts. There was no run and no excitement, and the strange part of it all was that customers put in more money than was withdrawn. Complete communication has been restored be. tween Oakland and San Francisco. Local trains are running again on their regular schedule The refugees that have come to this city have been placed in reconcentrado camps so that the relief work may be systematized. San Francisco firms are scrambling to obtain permanent locations on this side of the bay. In the meantime building operations in the stricken city are being pressed forward with great energy.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, November 12, 1907

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NO ALARM FELT

San Francisco Bankers Expect Normal Conditions Shortly. San Francisco, Noc. 11.-Financial conditions in this city today are quiet, no alarm being anywhere manifested. Clearing house certificates are rapidly passing into circulation, and bankers anticipate a resumption of all business on a normal basis before long. Three hundred thousand dollars was transferred to this city through the subtreasury this morning. This gold was consigned to six different banks. four of them in this city. An Oakland bank received $100,000 and another amount went to a bank in Seattle. The new clearing house certificates, made after a complicated design which It will be exceedingly difficult to counterfeit, began to go into general circulation today. The banks exchanged them in large numbers for the certificates of the original issue. The Citizens' State bank, which suspended last week, has decided to remain closed until the end of the period of legal holidays. The closing of the Union National bank of Oakland had no appreciable effect here.


Article from The San Francisco Call, December 7, 1907

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EDITORIAL Page 8 Concerning consolidation Page 8 One way to stop thuggery Page The cuckoo and the oriole, et al. Down with Shea. Page CITY Following the filing of a petition by the lawyers for the contestant in the Colton will contest case. alleging fraud and mismanagement Walter J. Barnett has been suspended as special administrator of the estate in litigation by an order of the superior court of Santa Cruz Page 1 county. Real estate market shows notable inquiry by merchants for locations in the downtown Page 6 district. Mrs. W H. Broome of Santa Barbara appeals to British government to help her get back home worth $12,000 forfeited for $480 street Page 16 bill. Sbakeup occurs in police department as requit of order by Chief Biggy assigning captains to Page 16 new commands. Mayor Taylor asks that three members of the fire department be removed for political are Page 5 tivity. Finance committee of board of supervisors bolds up expense bills of Oliver grand jury until authority to pass on them is Jeter Page 5 mined Her meals not like those bis mother used to cook. is criticism that leads wife to seek 9 Page divorce. While mother sleeps pretty Santa Barbara girl burriedly packs and joins man she marto ried in afternoon for burry trip 9 Page city. Miss Gladys Van, comedienne, passes through San Francisco on the trail of Ollie Mack. who, Page 16 she alleges, betrayed her. B. B. Lee will be charged today with the murder of Thomas McCarthy, a private detective by shoving the point of an umbrella Page 12 into his eye. Prominent Chinese is slain by San Jose high binder in tong war and murderer is captured Page 16 after pursuit in automobile. Fight trust graft cases assigned to Judge Page 16 Dunne for trial. Bank commissioners will decide this morning whether or not the California safe deposit and trust company shall be per mitted longer time in which to strengthen its affairs. Page 5 SUBURBAN Two young Salvadorans captured in San Francisco accused of many robberies in Oak 4 Page land. Preliminary hearing of Mark A. Wilking charged with the murder of Vernie Carmin. be gun before Police Judge Gearry. Dead woman's busband watches prisover in court. Page 4 Directors of Union national bank of Oakland make announcement that the institution has been declared solvent by the national bank exPage 4 sminer. Prisoner in Alameda temporary jail ents. sets fire to mattress and escapes to be recan 4 tured and charged with intoxication. Page Professor Stephens says the young engineers. the pioneers who blaze the way for civilization. are the only men who have romance connected 4 Page with their lives, Modern 'Raffles' is suspected of the theft of jewels worth $2,000 from a fashionable apartPage ment house in Berkeley Death claims Augustine Galindo, aged 80. sioneer citizen of Oakland and member of one of the oldest Spanish Californian families in the 4 Page west Shangbaied boy held 18 months in Arctic returns to tell of hardships in while Page 4 prison. DOMESTIC Republican national committee stands about even on Kansas City and Chicago as convention cities while few votes will decide Page 1 Coal company fixes number of dead or dying in mine disaster in West Virginia at 380, and is 1 Page said to bare ordered coffins for all. J. L. Bristow. formerly assistant postmaster general. investigates plan to establish government steamship line from San Francisco to Page 12 Panama Clara Bloodgood's suicide explained by friends as due to worries over finances. while manager asserts she played too many one night Page T stands. Attempt made to wreck Julius Kruttselmett's Page 12 special train in Texas. COAST Dynamite is used OD potter poles in attempt to plunge Goldfield in darkness: protest entered against calling of troops: eight companies of regulars depart from California for the secue 1 Page of trouble. Those involved in Imperial valley alleged land frauds seek to obtain ruling absolving them Page 7 from all taint. New flowing well proves south Coalinga oil Page 15 field a great producer. Death at Santa Rosa of John Taylor Bowers, a well known piopeer, who was an active memPage 12 ber of the vigilantes. Majority of Sonoma county hon growers an prove the proposed coast organization. Page 11 | Despite protesis, Japanese church will be built in the finest residence section of Page 15 Vacaville Andrew C. Cozad, founder of Norris & Rowe's circus, kills himself at Santa Cruz. Page 15 Two Portuguese fishermen in launch battle against high seas on ocean for seven days and are finally picked up by vessel and towed 10 Page 11 Capitola FOREIGN Prediction made that Taft's visit will result in Page 1 Russian-American alliance Latest Parisian style-of dress for women fts Page 8 the figure with marked tightness. SPORTS Edith R at 100 to 1 and four other long shots win races at Emeryville in sloppy Page 10 going. George Memsfe coming to San Francisco Page 10 range match with Battling Nelson. inake stake Ten starters in Crocker selling Page 10 hard picking for the tarent. me Three winners at New Orleans races from P. Dunne's barn. Page 10 J. Scott Leary defeats George Bromley in-a match swimming race at the Olympic Page 10 club SOCIAL Winter's garety opens last night with cotilion Page at Fairmont hotel Mrs. Crrus Walker is bostess at largest bridge whist party given in this city in several years. Page 8 LABOR Three contributions from the international union have been received by the carmen of this Page a city. MARINE Suorting southwester makes floating property dance to a lively tune and keeps ships from Page 11 going to ses. Japanese liner America Maru ends storiny voyage across Pacific and brings rich cargo from the orient. Page 11 MINING Sending of troops to Goldfield strengthens


Article from Arizona Republican, December 22, 1907

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A BANK'S PRECAUTIONS The Union National of Oakland Made Sure of Its Position. Oakland, Cal. Dec. 21.-The Union National Bank will resume business on Monday with over $30,000 cash on hand and with depositors representing nine-tenths of the $1,200,000 deposits pledged not to withdraw their money for a sufficient period of time to put the bank on a solid basis. The bank some weeks ago took advantage of the holidays to suspend operations.


Article from Los Angeles Herald, January 4, 1908

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BROWN ALLOWED TIME IN WHICH TO ENTER PLEA Disgraced Banker Must Answer to Grand Jury Indictments in Judge Dunne's Court on January 8 By Associated Press. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 3.-J. Dalzell Brown was today given until January 8 to plead to the indictment charging him with embezzlement in connection with the disappearance of the Colton estate securities from the California Safe Deposit and Trust company, of which he was formerly general manager. Judge Dunne made an order allowing Brown to visit the vaults of the insolvent bank today for the purpose of getting some private papers. Yesterday was dividend and interest day with the banks, and large sums of money, approximating $6,000,000, were paid over the counters of the savings and trust banks. The panicky feeling which existed some weeks ago has wholly disappeared and conditions in the various banks are practically normal. The savings banks alone paid out in excess of $2,500,000, or were prepared to do SO. It had been thought by some that savings depositors would wait until dividend day and make that an opportunity to draw considerable sums out of the banks. But this prediction failed of fulfillment. Nothing of an unexpected or unusual character occurred at any of the banks. The Union National bank of Oakland reopened its doors yesterday, after seven weeks of inoperation.


Article from The Tacoma Times, April 13, 1909

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BANK CLOSES (By United Press Leased Wire.) OAKLAND, Cal., April 13.-The Union National bank of Oakland, closed its doors this morning and went into the hands of a temporary receiver. In this capacity E. P. Rorebeck, a national bank examiner will act The bank suspended during the recent financial flurry but later, under a new management, resumed business. It was unable. however, to meet its obligations.


Article from Los Angeles Herald, April 18, 1909

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Bank Examiner Suspended WASHINGTON, April 17.-Immediately after the suspension of the Union National bank of Oakland, Cal., a few days ago, Comptroller of the Currency Murray ordered the suspension of Bank Examiner Charles G. Reed, pending an investigation to determine whether the bank was insolvent during the time Mr. Reed had examined it and reported it solvent. A full investigation of the condition of the bank for some time past will be made by the comptroller.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, April 18, 1909

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EXAMINER SUSPENDED

Washington, April 17.-Immediately after the suspension of the Union National bank of Oakland, Cal., a few days ago, Comptroller of the Currency Murray ordered the suspension of Bank Examiner Charles G. Reed, pending an investigation to determine whether the bank was insolvent during the time Mr. Reed had examined it and reported it solvent. A full investigation of the condition of the bank for some time past will be made by the comptroller.


Article from The San Francisco Call, April 24, 1909

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WILL PRESS BURRELL CLAIM AGAINST BANK / Suit Grows Out of Financing Government Contracts OAKLAND, April 23.-The Burrell suit for $50,000 damages against the Union national bank will be pushed in spite of the fact that A. W. Burrell, plaintiff, died in voluntary absence from this city during phases of the preliminaries to the suit. Attorney M. C. Chapman, who was associated with E. G. Ryker in prosecuting the claim, announced today that the death of Burrell would have no influence in killing the action. The Burrell suit involved the relations between three successive managements of the bank over the financing of contracts which Burrell held for the government at Prescott, Ariz. The contracts were awarded Burrell while Edson F. Adams and Thomas Prather had control of the bank, and they gave him $50,000. J. Dalzell Brown followed and then the bank was closed during the panic. When George Roeth took charge with the reopening of the bank Burrell's advances had totaled $150,000 and then credit was shut off.


Article from The San Francisco Call, April 30, 1909

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BANK SHARE HOLDERS SUE FOR RETURN OF MONEY Misrepresentation by President Alleged in Suits OAKLAND. April 29.-Arthur Brown petitioned the superior court today to annul the purchase of $3,000 worth of stock in the Union national bank, now under a receivership. Brown said he had $3,000 on deposit July 8, 1908, but that he was induced by representatives of President George Roeth to accept stock in exchange. Brown asked the court to compel Receiver Edwin F. Rorebeck to place him on the lists of the bank's creditors for the full amount of his former deposit. George Roeth, James L. de Fremery, R. W. Kinney and George D. Gray were defendants. A similar suit was filed by C. E. Frank, who said that he purchased $500 worth of stock under the same conditions.


Article from Los Angeles Herald, May 4, 1909

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Says Bank Will Pay Dividends OAKLAND, May 3.-E. R. Roreback, United States bank examiner, announced today that he had completed and forwarded to the controller of the currency im Washington his preliminary report on the condition of the Union National bank, which he recently suspended. He declined to discuss his report beyond saying there would be a dividend declared in about three months.


Article from Los Angeles Herald, May 8, 1909

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of va

, Cabell Richmond, lected to succeed John G. Capers of South Carolina as commissioner of internal revenue. Mr. Capers is ill. To License Clubs - Governor Hadley sent a special message to the legislature at Jefferson City, Mo., yesterday in an effort to obtain the enactment of a law requiring a state license for the sale of intoxicants in social clubs. Hearing Delayed-The habeas corpus proceedings for the release of W. F. Ford, cousin of Tirey L. Ford, from the county jail at Oakland, were again put over yesterday by Judge Brown, after listening to two hours' argument. Six Beds Stolen-Six beds and the furnishings of the pest house at Alton, Ill., were stolen by burglars who broke into the unoccupied building. The city authorities now fear an epidemic of smallpox, as it is expected the beds and coverings will be sold. Lumberman Dies-Mrs. Mary Campbell, widow of Capt. John Campbell, lumberman of Port Blakely, Wash., whose sawmill was the largest in the world, died yesterday at Seattle, aged 87 years. The family is widely known in shipping and lumber circles. Shot in Quarrel-Con Enright and William M. Iverson, teamsters, quarreled yesterday at Portland, Ore., over the harnessing of some horses, and in his anger Enright shot Iverson in the back. The latter is seriously but not fatally wounded. Enright escaped. Mrs. Thaw Pays-Evelyn Nesbit Thaw did not go to jail yesterday. Instead. representatives of her counsel paid the receiver appointed to take charge of Mrs. Thaw's affairs the amount of $250, the fine imposed for contempt in failure to appear in supplementary proceedings. There still remains to be paid nearly $100. Triple Tragedy - James A. Dawson, night watchman for a mill company at Three Lakes, a small town near Everett, Wash., yesterday morning shot and killed his wife and 14year-old daughter and then killed himself. The daughter lived long enough to run to a nearby house. It is supposed family trouble caused the shooting. Train Blockaded - The Denver-bound train on the Denver, Northwestern & Pacific railroad (Moffit road), which left Steamboat Springs last Friday morning, is still snowbound within 1000 feet of the snow sheds at Corona. If the blockade is not broken today the mail on the train will be taken by stage to Wolcott and thence to Denver. Court Sustained-The Fresno county court is sustained in a decision handed down yesterday by the appellate court involving the right to irrigation waters. Frank Silva won a suit in the Fresno court against C. H. Hawn to prevent him from obstructing the flow of water in a ditch which led onto the plaintiff's land. The appellate court declares the defendant's appeal to be without merit. Mother to Protect DaughterThe mother of Hazel Moore, the girl to whom the Seattle authorities attribute the downfall of Adjutant General Hamilton of Washington, says she expects her daughter to leave Seattle at once for Oakland. The mother, who lives at 466 Rose street, Oakland. said today: "I will do everything I can for her, because she is my daughter." They have not met for ten years. D. of C. Convention - The delegates to the ninth annual convention of the Daughters of the Confederacy devoted yesterday to pleasure. During the forenoon they took observation cars to many places of interest in and about San Francisco, crossing the bay at noon for luncheon upon the campus of the University of California. In the afternoon they were the guests of Joseph LeConte chapter at Berkeley. Sues for Deposit-During the attempt of George Roeth, James L. De Fremery, R. W. Kinney and George D. Gray to reorganize the defunct Union National bank at Oakland, with a capital stock of $300,000, Leon Veiller, a depositor, was induced to invest $500 in the capital stock of the institution, he alleges in his complaint to recover that amount from the bankers, filed yesterday in the superior court at Oakland. Breaks All Records - Private advices received by Col. N. E. Linsley, chairman of the Spokane naval trophy cup committee, state that the armored cruiser Washington broke all previous records of the United States navy in the recent target practice at Magdalena bay. This means that the Wash-


Article from The San Francisco Call, July 9, 1909

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RECEIVER PREPARES CLAIM CERTIFICATES Documents Distributed to Cred= itors of Defunct Bank OAKLAND, July 8.-Depositors in the Union national bank, now in liquidation, are being given by the receiver certificates for the amounts of their claims. When dividends are paid, the sum is entered on the face of the certificate. The documents are transferable, as they represent merely the amount of money due from the bank to a dΓ©positor.


Article from Arizona Republican, October 24, 1909

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OAKLAND BANKERS ACCUSED

Charged With Having Discriminated In Favor of Friends. San Francisco, Oct. 23.-H. N. Morris, receiver of the Union National bank of Oakland, filed today in federal court a new complaint against Thomas Prather, Edson F. Adams and John C. Adams, setting forth more specifically the charges previously made against those officers by the suspended bank. They are accused of having fraudulently withdrawn funds from the institution, and lent large sums of money to friends at lower rates of interest than were charged other patrons.


Article from Los Angeles Herald, October 24, 1909

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FILES SECOND COMPLAINT AGAINST BANK'S OFFICERS SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 23.-H. N. Morris, receiver of the Union National bank of Oakland, filed today in the federal circuit court a new complaint against Thomas Prather, Edson F. Adams and John C. Adams, setting forth more specifically the charges previously made against these officers of the suspended bank. They are accused of having fraudulently withdrawn funds from the institution and lent large sums of money to friends at lower rates of interest than were charged other patrons of the bank.


Article from Arizona Republican, November 10, 1909

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GRAND JURY NET CAUGHT BIG FISH ONE OF THEM FORMER CALIFORNIA CONGRESSMAN English and Prater Arrested in Connection With Failure of Oakland Bank San Francisco, Nov. 9.-As a result of the failure of the Union National Bank, of Oakland, Thomas Prather, who was president of the bank, and former Congressman Warren B. English, former director of the defunct institution, surrendered themselves to the United States marshal this afternoon when they learned that he held warants against them on indictments drawn by the federal grand jury, charging them with misapplying the funds of the bank. The indictments were returned secretly several days ago, but no attempt was made to serve warrants until today. The accused men were notified that they were wanted early in the day, and when they appeared at the office of United States Marshal Elliott, they were provided with bondsmen. who put up $5,000 for the release of each. The bank in which the alleged frauds were committed was acquired August, 1906. by the California Safe Deposit and Trust company, and shortly after that institution failed the Oakland bank suspended business. At the time an investigation was commenced by the comptroller of the currency, but no formal charges were made against the officials of the bank until the last session of the federal grand jury for the northern district of California. The two bankers are jointly indicted on the charge of making various dummy loans. The first count charges Prather with making a loan of $2.203.50 to English on insufficient surety, and without the knowledge and consent of the directors. The count charges that Prather knew at the time the note was not good for the amount borrowed, and the bank lost the sum" loaned. The second count is a repetition of the first, except that the sum of $1.100 is involved. The third count charges that Prather loaned $34,000 to I. Harrison Clay on an agreement that the money aws to be for the use and investment of the bank president. It further alleges that subsequently, without the knowledge and consent of the directors, he compelled the bank to accept $19,000 and the promissory note of I. H. Clay for $15.000 in full satisfaction of the sum, $34,000. Both the indicted men are well known in financial and political circles. English was elected to congress on the democratic ticket, and has been an active worker in the national councils of the party. Besides having held the 'presidency of the Union National Bank, Prather is connected with some of the largest corporations in the state.


Article from Albuquerque Morning Journal, November 10, 1909

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FEDERAL WARRANTS FOR BANKERS IN SAN FRANCISCO Prominent California Financiers Required to Give Bond on Charge of Misapplying Funds of National Bank. [By Morning Journal Special Leased Wire] San Francisco, Nov. 9.-As the result of the failure of the Union National bank, of Oakland, Thomas Prather, who was president of the bank, and Former Congressman Warren B. English, who was a director in the institution, surrendered themselves to the United States marshal today when they learned that he held warrants against them on indictments drawn by the treasury department, charging them with misapplying the funds of the bank. The indictments were returned secretly several days ago, but no attempt was made to serve the warrants until today. When the two men appeared at the office of United States Marshal Elliott they were provided with bondsmen, who put up $5,000 for the release of each of the bankers. The bank in which the alleged frauds were committed was acquired in August, 1906, by the California Safe Deposit & Trust company and shortly after the latter institution failed the Oakland bank suspended business. The two bankers are jointly indicted on the charge of making various dummy loans. The first count charges Prather with making two loans, one for $2,203.50 and another for $1,100. to English on insufficient surety and without the knowledge or consent of the directors. A third count charges that Prather loaned $34,000 to I. Harrison Clay on the agreement that the money was to be for the use and investment of the bank. Former Congressman English said: "I am not guilty of any wrong-doing. I did not know what the charge is and am not conscious of having violated any laws of the United States." Both of the indicted men are well known in financial and political circles. English was elected to congress on the democratic ticket and he has been an active worker in the national councils of his party. Besides having held the presidency of the Union National bank. Prather is connected with some of the largest corporations in the state.


Article from The San Francisco Call, November 12, 1909

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DEPOSITORS OF DEFUNCT BANK HOLD MEETING Committee Named to Confer With Federal Receiver OAKLAND, Nov. 11.-A meeting of depositors of the defunct Union national bank was held tonight at the offices of Frank L. Rawson in the Bacon block. A committee composed of James J. Paul. E. Hilling, Frank L. Rawson, E. E. Needham and W. L. Peterson was appointed to confer with H. N. Morris, the federal receiver, on the prospects of liquidation. They will report November 18.


Article from Evening Bulletin, November 17, 1909

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Former Mayor Sued

-Oakland. Nov. 3.-Receiver H. N. Morris of the Union national bank has filed suit to collect $2901 on a promissory note alleged to have been given by former Mayor John L. Davie.


Article from The San Francisco Call, December 17, 1909

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PRATHER AND ADAMS TO PAY BANK FOR LOANS Three Defendants. Compromise Suit, Paying $120,000 Each The three suits brought in the United States circuit court by H. N. Morris, receiver of the Union national bank of Oakland, against Thomas Prather, Edson F. Adams and John Charles Adams, were dismissed yesterday by Judge Van Fleet upon a compromisΓ© agreement by which the defendants must each pay to the bank $120,000. The suits were filed \with a view to discovering what use the former president and the two former directors had put large sums borrowed from the bank without interest and invested in private ventures. The reason for the compromise, which has the consent of the comptroller of the treasury, is that many of the loans have been outlawed and others would be hard to trace. POWDER PLANT BLOWS UP-Vaneouver. R. €., Dec. 16.-The mixing house of a powder making plant owned by Ironsides. Rannie & Campbell of this city blew up today. fatally injuring two Chinese. The powder plant "is situated 15 miles from Vancouver.


Article from The San Francisco Call, February 25, 1910

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METCALF AIDS TWO INDICTED BANK OFFICALS Reported to Have Effected Compromise in Cases of Prather and English Said to Have Gone to Washing= ton Seeking Dismissal of Federal Indictments That Victor Metcalf, former secretary of the navy, has had an important part to play in the final settlement of the cases resulting from the failure of the Union national bank of Oakland was reported yesterday in dispatches from Washington to the effect that Metcalf had brought about a compromise with the government in the cases of Thomas B. Prather and Warren English. The real object of Metcalf's present visit to Washington is said to have been to prevail upon Attorney General Wickersham, if possible, to have the criminal indictments against Prather and Warren English, growing out of the bank failure. dismissed. Prather and English were indicted by the federal grand jury for the alleged misuse of $120,000 of the funds of the bank, and at the same time a suit was begun against them in the name of H. N. Morris, the federal receiver, to recover this amount. Metcalf was apointed by the federal receiver to determine the amount due from Prather and English and set the sum at $120.000. This money was paid into the bank and it was announced a few days ago that the creditors of the institution would be paid dollar for dollar. Within the last few days, also, the papers in the case were taken out of the hands of United States Attorney Devlin and forwarded to Wickersham. Metcalf is credited with having effected the compromise by which Prather and English paid the $120,000 in settlement of the alleged misuse of funds. Knight & Heggerty, attorneys for Prather, said yesterday that they had no knowledge of Metcalf's entrance into the case in behalf of their client.