2436. Farmers & Merchants Bank (Gordon, GA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Unsure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
November 27, 1928
Location
Gordon, Georgia (32.882, -83.332)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
d8e5b6c1bf7ffff8

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporary articles report that the Farmers & Merchants Bank of Gordon closed after heavy withdrawals triggered by the failure of the Fourth National Bank of Macon. The sequence is a run (heavy withdrawals) followed by the bank's suspension/closure; articles say directors expect to reorganize and reopen but no firm reopening date is reported, so outcome is uncertain.

Events (2)
1. November 27, 1928 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals induced by the failure/closing of the Fourth National Bank of Macon and the ensuing financial scare.
Measures
Directors voted to close doors to conserve assets; suspension invoked and state examiner to take charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
The institutions were closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to the financial scare that followed closing of the Macon bank.
Source
newspapers
2. November 28, 1928 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Closed (suspended) following runs precipitated by the Macon Fourth National failure; state banking examiner to take charge and attempts at reorganization were discussed.
Newspaper Excerpt
Eight small Georgia banks were closed today as result of the failure Monday of the Fourth National Bank of Macon... Farmers & Merchants Bank of Gordon ... The institutions were closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to the financial scare that followed closing of the Macon bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)
1. November 28, 1928 The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, PA
Article from The Pittsburgh Press, November 28, 1928

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Article Text

NINE BANKS CLOSED Eigh Shut After Collapse of One in Macon. By The United Press. Macon, Ga., Nov. 28.-Eight small Georgia banks were closed today as result of the failure Monday of the Fourth National Bank of Macon, with listed resources of more than $11,000,000. With the exception of the Citizens Bank of Fort Valley, capitalized at $100,000, the other institutions. the Bank of Byronville Irwinton Bank, Bank Preston. Citizens Bank Co. of Culloden, Bank Bradley, Farmers &, Merchants Bank of Gordon and Farmers Bank of were capitalized at from $15,000 to $25,000. The institutions were closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to the financial scare that followed closing of the Macon bank. All the banks were located in the Georgia peach belt.

2. November 28, 1928 The Brooklyn Daily Times Brooklyn, NY
Article from The Brooklyn Daily Times, November 28, 1928

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Article Text

EIGHT MORE BANKS CLOSE IN GEORGIA Failures in Peach Belt Due to Collapse Yesterday of $11,000,000 Institution. Macon. Ga., Nov. 28.-Eight small Georgia banks closed today as the failure Monday of the Fourth National Bank of Macon, with listed resources of more than With the of the Citizens Bank of Fort Valley capitalized at the other institutions, the Bank of Byronville, Irwinton Bank, Bank of Preston, Citizens Bank Company of Culloden, Bank of Bradley Farmers Merchants Bank of Gordon, and Farmers Bank of Byron were capitalized at from to The institutions closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to the financial scare that followed closing of the Macon All he banks located in the Georgia peach With Clyde J. Edwards in charge of an audit, and Claude Gilbert. named receiver the Fourth National here. plans today to adjust affairs so creditors could be cared for. Exact cause of the run was con. although financial circles said investments had turned out poorly. The Brooklyn Times will be published tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day.

3. November 28, 1928 The Brooklyn Daily Times Brooklyn, NY
Article from The Brooklyn Daily Times, November 28, 1928

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Article Text

EIGHT MORE BANKS CLOSE IN GEORGIA Failures in Peach Belt Due to Collapse Yesterday of 000,000 Institution. Macon, Ga., Nov. Georgia closed today of the failure Monday of the Fourth National Bank Macon, with tisted resources of more than With the exception of the Citizens Bank Fort Valley, capitalized at $100,000. the other institutions, the Bank of Byronville, Irwinton Bank. Bank of Preston, Bank Company of Culloden, Bank of Bradley, Farmers and Merchants Bank Gordon, and Farmers Bank of Byron were capitalized at from The institutions closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to the financial scare that followed closing of the Macon bank. All he banks are located in the With Clyde Edwards in charge the Fourth Na. tional here, plans under today to affairs so creditors cared Exact cause the run was concircles said investments had turned out poorly.

4. November 28, 1928 The Ogden Standard-Examiner Ogden, UT
Article from The Ogden Standard-Examiner, November 28, 1928

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Article Text

EIGHT BANKS CLOSE WHEN ONE FAILS MACON, Ga., Nov. Eight small Georgia banks were closed today as result of the failure Monday of the Fourth National bank of Macon. with listed resources of more than With the exception of the Citizens' bank of Fort Valley. capitalized at $100,000. the other institutions. the Bank of Byronville, Irwinton bank, Bank of Preston, Citizens Bank company of Culloden, Bank of Bradley, Farmers and Merchants' Bank of Gordon, and Farmers' Bank of Byron capitalized at from $15,000 to $25,000. The institutions were closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to the financial scare that followed closIng of the Macon bank All the banks located the Georgia peach belt. Exact cause of the run was con. cealed, although financial circles said recent investments had turned out, poorly.

5. November 28, 1928 Transcript-Telegram Holyoke, MA
Article from Transcript-Telegram, November 28, 1928

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Article Text

EIGHT MORE BANKS CLOSED IN GEORGIA Shut-Down of Fourth National in Macon After Run Forces Others to Appeal to State Two Declared Insolvent. Ga., Nov. the closing the Fourth National Bank Macon after run, eight other financial institutions have turned their affairs over the State Banking said that the closing of the Macon bank forced the others shut down. The banks involved are the Farmers' Bank of Byron, the Citizens' Bank Fort Valley, the Irwinton Bank of Irwinton. the Bank of Byromville. the Bank of Bradley. the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Gordon. the Bank of Culloden and the Bank Preston. The State Bank Examiner will take charge at once and every effort be made reorganize and reopen the banks soon What caused the run on the Macon bank not known. One report lays to rumors regarding the dropping of negotiations for the sale of the Fourth National to syndicate of lanta financiers. The Citizens' Bank of Fort Valley declared by its officers be solvent and the suspension attributed to desire to conserve assets. President Martin said had cap. ital of $100,000 surplus and undivided profits of $80,000. There on the bank yes. terday following of the run on the Fourth National of Macon. The Byron Bank had capital stock of deposits of about $15. 000. H. Weaver president. Officers said that the bank was solvent and that the closing was made to The Fourth National Bank of Maone of the largest institutions in middle Georgia. was organized nineago and had capital stock of $500,000. of more than and deposits of about At one time during the about people on hand. The police any disorder. President Leon Dure today that plans being pushed rapidly. and that the would suffer hardship result of the closing. new be formed at once It stated. to take over the existing to the Georgia and pay all positors in full, provided they select this course. Meantime, Ellis D. Robb, chief na tional bank of the Sixth District, had taken over the affairs of liquidation and received will named.

6. November 29, 1928 The Anniston Star Anniston, AL
Article from The Anniston Star, November 29, 1928

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Article Text

EIGHT SMALL GEORGIA BANKS CLOSE DOORS Failure Of Fourth National Of Macon Brings Collapse To Others small Georgia banks were closed today as result of the failure Monday of the Fourth National bank of Macon. with listed resources of more than $11,000,000. -With the exception of the citizens bank of Fort Valley, capitalized at $100,000 the other institutions, the Bank of Byronville, Irwinton bank, Bank of Preston Citizens Bank company of Culloden Bank of Bradley, Farmers and Merchants Bank of Gordon, and Farmers Bank of Byron were capitalized at from $15,000 to $25,000. The institutions were closed after heavy runs Tuesday due to a financial scare that followed closing of the Macon bank. All the banks were located in the Georgia peach belt. With Clyde J. Edwardson in charge of an audit. and Claude Gilbert named as receiver of the Fourth National here. plans were under way today to adjust affairs so creditors could be cared for, Exact cause of the run was concealed, although financial circles said recent investments had turned out poorly. There are 47 public swimmingbaths in London and 3,995,915 people bathed in them in 1926-the last year for which complete figures are available.

7. November 29, 1928 The Marshall News Messenger Marshall, TX
Article from The Marshall News Messenger, November 29, 1928

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Article Text

Eight Georgia Banks Fail To Open Wednesday Atlanta Nov Eight small Georgia banks today result the Monday the Fourth National Bank with listed than With the exception of the zens Bank Fort capital the other Bank of Preston. Citizens Bank Company Culloden: Bank Farmers and Mer Bank of Gordon: and Farm Bank of Byron from $15,000 to $25,000 institutions closed ter heavy runs Tuesdav due the financial that followed the Macon bank All the banks located the eGorgia belt FOUND NOT GUILTY Texas. Nov. 28. Police Chief Pat Sullivan, against whom charges of inefficiency were preferred by Fire and Police Commissioner Frank Mellina, found "not guilty" by City Council. He will retain his position.

8. November 29, 1928 The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta, GA
Article from The Valdosta Daily Times, November 29, 1928

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Article Text

THE DANGER OF FALSE RUMORS The failure of seven middle Georgia banks to open for business following the closing of the Fourth National Bank of Macon has caused widespread apprehension on the part of depositors and is just another evidence of what rumors will do. The closing of the Fourth National was made necessary because of a rumor A run followed and the bank found it impossible to conserve its assets without shutting its doors. As soon as this happened depositors in all the surrounding section were struck with sudden fear and their various banks closed for safety's sake. Those which closed include the Bank of Byromville, capitalized at $15,000; Bank of Bradley, capitalized at $15,000; Bank of Preston, capitalized at $15,000; Farmers and Merchants Bank at Gordon, capitalized at $25,000; Citizens Bank at Fort Valley, capitalized at $100,000. According to C. E. Martin, president of the Fort Valley bank; the directors voted to close following heavy withdrawals on Monday. Mr. Martin also declared the bank was solvent and the institution was closed only to preserve its assets. The bank was founded in 1909 and had approximately $330,000 on deposits. In the last financial statement of the bank the institution's undivided profits were given at $80,000. All of the other banks were considered in good condition before the closings and as an evidence of the veracity of that belief. the presidents declare that they will all be ready to re-open within a short time. Each one of the closings was attributed to runs induced by the news of the closing of the Fourth National Bank at Macon and the others in succession. The Fourth National was the approved reserve agent for the other banks and officials are certain that as soon as the affairs of the Macon institution are readjusted all the banks will be open and in good condition. With the auditors at work, the directors of the Fourth National are holding conferences with view to working out plans to rclieve the situation for the creditors of the institution. One of the plans being discussed has to do with the organization of a new bank to take over the affairs of the Fourth National and start out anew. This new bank, should it be organized, would have capital stock of $750,000. It has been shown that the whole affair was brought about through a baseless rumor. Such rumors are hard to suppress once started for there is no rumor quite so interesting to a depositor as the alleged condition of his bank. The closings tend to cast an inaccurate reflection upon the financial situation in Georgia to people in other states. The majority of the people who learn of the closings will probably only read a small part of the news and will form a false conclusion as to the reported state of affairs. The whole trouble starts with the original rumor. In hundreds of cases such rumors of a bank's condition are untrue and some depositors might avert many unfortunate circumstances if they could learn enough about the banking business to keep their heads and work to prevent runs.

9. November 29, 1928 The Altus Times-Democrat Altus, OK
Article from The Altus Times-Democrat, November 29, 1928

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Article Text

EIGHT GEORGIA BANKS CLOSED MACON. Ga. Nov. Eight small Georgia banks were closed today as result of the failure Monday of the Fourth National Bank of with listed resources of more than With the exception of the Citizens bank of Fort Valley, capitalized $100,000. other institutions. the bank of Byronville and Bank of Irwinton: Bank of Preston. Citizens Bank company of Culloden. Bank of Bradley, Farmers and Merchants Bank of Gordon. and Farmers bank of Byron were capitalized at from $15,000 $25,000 The institutions were closed after heavy runs Tue day due to the financial scare that followed closing of the Macon bank

10. December 4, 1928 The Macon Telegraph Macon, GA
Article from The Macon Telegraph, December 4, 1928

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Article Text

Georgia Editors Say DANGER OF FALSE The failure of Middle Georgia open business following closing of the Fourth National Bank of Macon has caused widespread apprehension the part of depositors and just another of what will closing of the Fourth Namors do. tional necessary because of rumor. followed the bank found impossible to assets without shutting its doors. As soon this happened depositors all the surrounding section struck with sudden fear and their various banks closed for safety's Those which closed include the Bank Byromville, capitalized $15,000; Bank Bradley, capitalized $15,000; Bank Preston, capitalized at $15,000; Farmers Merchants Bank of Gordon, capitalized at Citizens Bank Fort Acthe Fort cording Valley the voted Monday. Mr. Martin ing the bank solvent and the was only The bank had the last financial the bank the profits All the other good condition closing and of the presidents declare that they will all re-open within short closings was tributed by the news the closing the Fourth Bank at Macon succession. National the approved agent for other banks and officials are certain the affairs the Macon readjusted all the banks will open good With work, the directors of the National are holding working out plans relieve situation for the the plans being has the ganization bank take over the Fourth National and start This new bank, should organized, would capital stock $750,000. has been shown that the whole affair was brought about through baseless rumor. Such rumors hard suppress once started for there rumor quite interesting positor alleged his bank. The closings reflection upon the financial situation Georgia people other the learn the closings small the will form to the reported state whole starts the original rumor. cases such rumors of some depositors might they about the banking their heads and work to prevent Times HIGHWAY BUILDING Next on the program, matter of course. must be the and means "coming going". Every those days back sandy were the dry days, swollen the the passing the sured, and the lizzie" hailed means being able fifteen miles per hour, including balking cranking up. have seriously in our minds that duty pleasure, boost for roads. and season our voice has been raised for them. Progress though us desire, has outdistanced the accomyet great been the change, the everlasting pleading, and argument acknowledged be necessity the an found accomplish become obsolete. Real roads being temporary construction scorned. The narrow broad And considered speed of dozen years Several organizations polled represenour adherents but they putting thorns our roses. peeved. help highway, refund bond first give We don't any promises, are tired second the first Oh, stand not big don't far big do, gas tax the Fords and far the fellow We objection and contact. Let's play the you. Charlton County Herald.