22890. First National Bank (Seymour, WI)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
6575
Charter Number
6575
Start Date
June 14, 1907
Location
Seymour, Wisconsin (44.514, -88.327)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
8780dc1a

Response Measures

None

Description

Cashier Thomas C. Coghill admitted a $40,000 shortage (embezzlement). The bank closed briefly (one afternoon) to prepare for reopening and did reopen; no depositor run occurred. Directors and other institutions provided funds; examiner and accountants reconciled books.

Events (3)

1. January 10, 1903 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. June 14, 1907 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Thomas C. Coghill, cashier, admits shortage in his accounts of $40,000. A United States bank examiner has been in the city for several days and the books are being straightened up by expert accountants.
Source
newspapers
3. June 14, 1907 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Discovery of a $40,000 shortage by cashier Thomas C. Coghill (defalcation); directors provided funds and other banks aided to meet the crisis.
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank has been aided by other institutions and the wealthy stockholders and closed only for a short time yesterday afternoon in order to prepare for the opening today.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from The Manitowoc Pilot, June 20, 1907

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Article Text

SEYMOUR BANKER LOST IN WHEAT PIT. THOMAS C. COGHILL, CASHIER, ADMITS SHORTAGE IN HIS ACCOUNTS OF $40,000. INSTITUTION NOW SAFE Depositors Are Satisfied and No Run Results, Although Stockholders Provided Funds to Meet Crisis. SEYMOUR, Wis., June 14.-[Special.] -A defaulter to the extent of $40,000, a result of the magic allurement of the Chicago wheat pit is responsible for the disgrace and downfall of Thomas C. Coghill, cashier of the First National bank of this place, and for whose arrest a deputy United States marshal left Milwaukee this forenoon. The officer was to have reached this place before' noon but he missed his train. He had a warrant issued this morning by Commissioner Bloodgood and will probably take Coghill into custody this afternoon. Mere observance of an unusual quantity of mail being received during the last few weeks by Coghill was the indirect cause of the expose. The bank has been aided by other institutions and the wealthy stockholders and closed only for a short time yesterday afternoon in order to prepare for the opening today. No Run; Bank Safe. An expected run today did not materialize and not one of the many depositors called for their money. The public is maintaining only a slight interest in the affair and almost refuses to believe that the much-trusted cashier has done wrong. His standing in the community has been of the highest. The affair will not affect the bank in any particular. A United States bank examiner has been in the city for several days and the books are being straightened up by expert accountants. President Dittmar says that plenty of cash has been received to meet any emergency and that business will not be suspended for a moment. May Get Money in Chicago. It is expected that a portion of the bank's funds can be secured from a Chicago grain broker with whom Coghill has had transactions. Bonds in the possession of the cashier. bought with the bank's cash, have been turned over to the directors, and are practically all of Coghills assets. The sum to be made up will be about $28,000. Well Known and Liked. When twenty years of age Coghill came to Seymour and acted as station agent for the Green Bay & Western road. This position he held until four years ago, when the First National bank was organized and he was made cashier, owing to his large circle of acquaintances and great popularity. He was well known and well liked everywhere, and was a member of the Methodist church. Coghill is married and has one child, a son 8 years of age. The directors of the bank are F. R. Dittmer. Peter Tubbs. Robert Kuehne, Fred Dorrow, John Uecke and Jacob Freund of Seymour, and S. H. Cady of Green Bay.


Article from Watertown Weekly Leader, June 21, 1907

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Article Text

SEYMOUR BANKER LOST IN WHEAT PIT. THOMAS C. COGHILL, CASHIER, ADMITS SHORTAGE IN HIS ACCOUNTS OF $40,000. INSTITUTION NOW SAFE Depositors Are Satisfied and No Run Results, Although Stockholders Provided Funds to Meet Crisis. SEYMOUR, Wis., June 14.-[Special.] -A defaulter to the extent of $40,000, a result of the magic allurement of the Chicago wheat pit is responsible for the disgrace and downfall of Thomas C. Coghill, cashier of the First National bank of this place, and for whose arrest a deputy United States marshal left Milwaukee this forenoon. The officer was to have reached this place before noon but he missed his train. He had a warrant issued this morning by Commissioner Bloodgood and will probably take Coghill into custody this afternoon. Mere observance of an unusual quantity of mail being received during the last few weeks by Coghill was the indirect cause of the expose. The bank has been aided by other institutions and the wealthy stockholders and closed only for a short time yesterday afternoon in order to prepare for the opening today. No Run; Bank Safe. An expected run today did not materialize and not one of the many depositors called for their money. The public is maintaining only a slight interest in the affair and almost refuses to believe that the much-trusted cashier has done wrong. His standing in the community has been of the highest. The affair will not affect the bank in any particular. A United States bank examiner has been in the city for several days and the books are being straightened up by expert accountants. President Dittmar says that plenty of cash has been received to meet any emergency and that business will not be suspended for a moment. May Get Money in Chicago. It is expected that a portion of the bank's funds can be secured from a Chicago grain broker with whom Coghill has had transactions. Bonds in the possession of the cashier, bought with the bank's cash, have been turned over to the directors, and are practically all of Coghills assets. The sum to be made up will be about $28,000. Well Known and Liked. When twenty years of age Coghill came to Seymour and acted as station agent for the Green Bay & Western road. This position he held until four years ago, when the First National bank was organized and he was made cashier, owing to his large circle of acquaintances and great popularity. He was well known and well liked everywhere, and was a member of the Methodist church. Coghill is married and has one child, a son 8 years of age. The directors of the bank are F. R. Dittmer, Peter Tubbs. Robert Kuehne, Fred Dorrow, John Uecke and Jacob Freund of Seymour, and S. H. Cady of Green Bay.