Merchants National Bank (Kansas City, MO)

Episode Information

Episode UID
244001013
Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
24400 national
Charter Number
2440
Start Date
May 15, 1884
Location
Kansas City, Missouri (39.100, -94.579)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
f7864b826dedb42d

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Partial suspension

Clearinghouse involved: Yes (loan, examination, or other measures)

Events (3)

1. December 2, 1879 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. May 15, 1884 Run
Cause
Correspondent
Cause Details
Runs triggered by failures and suspensions in New York (Donnell, Lawson & Simpson and other houses), affecting Kansas City via correspondent connections and causing depositors' nervousness.
Measures
Paid 20% in cash and issued certified checks for the balance (certified checks payable through the clearing house).
Newspaper Excerpt
there is a run on all banks there to-day, but they are standing together and paying depositors twenty per cent of deposits.
Source
newspapers
3. December 22, 1891 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (5)

Article from The Daily Cairo Bulletin, May 16, 1884

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Excitement in Bleecker Street. NEW YORK, May 15.-There is a run on the Bleecker Street Savings Bank today. At noon the lines of depositors intending to withdraw deposits extended many feet on either side of the bank. From appearances a heavy draw is expected. A Run on the Banks of Kansas City, Mo. NEW YORK, May 15.-Dispatches received from Kansas City state that there is a run on all banks there to-day, but they are standing together and paying depositors twenty per cent of deposits.


Article from Morris Tribune, May 21, 1884

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Money Matters at Other Points. ST. LOUIS, May 16.-The Bank of Kansas City closed its doors Thursday. It had a capital of $600,000, and was the last to fall in the great panic of 1873. President Chick states that is due to the failure of Donnell, Lawson & Simpson, their New York correspondent. The bank had a surpius of $106,688, and after a meeting of the directors it was announced that the bank would pay 20 per cent. cash and the ba anein certified checks. The amount of deposits is figured at $2,000,000. There was a run on the bank early in the morning which resulted in a panic among the depositors. The Merchants' National bank also issued certified checks to creditors. The Bank of Commerce was forced to post a notice thae it would pay 20 per cent. cash, only. There were very painful scenes in the crowd of laborers and small depositors that surrounded the Bank of Kansas City, and many women were observed in tears. There is no evidence of any trouble in the other banks of the city, and nearly all of the present institut tions passed through the panic of 1873 with flying colors. QUINCY, III., May 16.-The Union bank, of this city failed to open its doors Thursday morning. When the Marine bank of New York failed, the Union bank transferred its account to the Metropolitan and the closing of the doors of that bank Wednesday are given as the cause of the suspension. NEW LONDON, Conn., May 16.-The losses here by the New York failures will probably amount to between $100,000 and $200,000. NORWICH, Conn., May 16.-The losses by the New York failures on margins here will be all of $250,000. CHICAGO, May 16.-The feeling on 'change here is that, while our markets are becoming more and more affected by what occurs on Wall street, there is not much danger of any similar trouble here. For years the banks have not been in such a good condition as at present. If a panic had been anticipated better preparations could hardly have been made for it. It was remarked by a gentleman well posted on financial affairs that it seemed as though the banks had kept their money all at home to meet just such an emergency. LONDON, May 16.-The fresh failures in New York have had very little effect on the stock market. American securities are in some instances higher than the best figures Thursday, and some American securities are at or within a fraction of Thursday's closing prices. BRADFORD, Pa., May 16.-The failure of the Tuna Valley bank has been followed by the collapse of the Exchange bank. Great excitement exists, and the streets are filled with people. The situation is panicky. The failures of Jefferson & Varney and G.H. Brooks, oil brokers, are also announced, and others are anticipated. PITTSBURG, May 16.-2 p. m.-For fear the banks may throw immense blocks of oil on the market and precipitate a crash, oil brokers will buy nothing, thus forcing the banks to carry on their own affairs.


Article from The Abilene Reflector, May 22, 1884

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MORE OF THE CRASH. The Effect of the Late Failures-The Situation Grave, but More Reassuring. NEW YORK, May 16.-The market at the Produce Exchange was feverish yesterday, and at the opening prices fell off a little, and wild rumors of failures in the West were started. Subsequently the market regained what it had lost only to fall off again. However, on announcement of further failures, Wall street, it closed slightly lower than on Wednesday. There was talk at the exchange of abolishing calls, as has already been done in Chicago. It was the general opinion that this would be done immediately. At the Cotton Exchange the market opened firmer, prices being higher than at the close of business Wednesday. There was little business done, however. When, the news of the failure of Fisk & Hatch reached the exchange. the market broke somewhat. ST. LOUIS FINANCES. ST. LOUIS, May 16.-The situation here is practically unchanged. Bankers and business men generally have no apprehension for the future. More satisfaction is expressed at the resumption of the Metropolitan Bank, and while a little uneasiness is produced by the suspension of Fisk & Hatch and a very slight flurry is created by the temporary trouble in Kansas City, still the general opinion is that nothing serious will result outside of New York. Considerable attention was attracted, however, to Donnell, Lawson & Simpson, and there is considerable desire to know the condition of that firm and what its future action will be. It has intimate relations with and is correspondent of nearly a hundred banks in Missouri, some sixty in Kansas, thirty or forty in Texas, and has numerous connections in all the extreme Western States and Territories. It is not known, of course, to what extent they are involved in this course, but their indebtedness to Western bankers may run into millions. L. V. Stephens, of Boonville, one of the most prominent bankers of the interior of this State. estimates that in case of a complete failure of the firm the loss to Missouri will be fully $500,000. It is also feared the loss to Texas b nkers will be heavy. UNDISTURBED IN SAN FRANCISCO. SAN FRANCISCO,May 16.-The suspension of Fisk & Hatch, of New York. created more surprise than any yet announced. This is chiefly due to the fact that the suspended bank was such a heavy dealer in Government bonds, largely held on this toast: secondly, they were fiscal agents of the Chespeake & Ohio Railroad system, controlled by C. P. Huntington, first Vice President of the Central Pacifle. The announcement was immediately followed by rumors as to the effect the suspension might have on railroad interests on this cost. Charles Crocker, President of the Central Pacific, stated emphatically to a representative of the Associated Press that it would have none, that neither the Central nor the Southern Pacific were or could be involved with the suspension of the firm. NEW YORK, May 15, 10a. The Metropolitan Bank posted a notice that the bank examiners having made an investigation, the bank will resume at twelve o'clock. Henry L. Jaques was elected President of the Metropolitan Bank in place of George J. Seney, resigned. The floor of the Stock Exchange had more than the usual complement of buyers, and by 9:30 crowds of operators gathered in knots waiting the signal to commence the day business. Just as the clock marked ten Chairman Mitchell gave three raps of the gavel. In an instant the pent up excitement of the brokers gave vent to a howl, and five hundred hands were lifted in the air, and the various pools were formed in which different stocks were dealt in. Ere five minutes had elapsed the gavel was again heard among great din, and the announcement was made that Dimmick & Co., of the United Bank had suspended. Dimmick is President of the Bankers & Merchants' Telegraph Company. WHAT GOULD SAYS. Jay Gould stated to the Tribune: "This disturbance is a senseless thing. It comes from a fear of each other by both banks and brokers, I think, rather than anything else. The general calling of loans is wholly unnecessary and foolish. I suppose the banks are a little more cantious than usual on account of the loss suffered by the First National last week, but I think the worst is over; people will regain their senses, and there will be orders here from all over the country from persons eager to pick up bargains. The action of the banks is excellent. Every one will see that there can be no panic while the banks stand together. am sure all the excitement is at an end." He says the action of banks, in deciding to pool Issues, has decided the situation favorably. He does not anticipate further failures of either banks or banking houses, although he admits the possibility that some weak stock houses may suspend temporarily. The failure of the latter he does not regard as a misfortune, as the weeding out of small dealers helps to give a healthier tone to the general situation. GRANT WARD. Receiver Davies reports the liabilities of Grant & Ward, SO far as he is able to ascertain, at $14,501,531. Collaterals held by creditors between ten and twelve millions, leaving an unsecured indebteduess of be tween two and three millions. A SLIGHT BREEZE IN KANSAS CITY. KANSAS CITY, May an early hour this morning crowds began to gather around the banks. The news from New York yes terday had created some excitement, especially among small depositors, many of whom had all their savings in bank and naturally felt a little nervous. As the hour for the opening of the banks approached. the crowds about the doors grew denser. and speculations were rife as to what would be done. While some wore serious countenances. the greater portion of the people were good nathred. At nine o'clock the an nouncement was made that an agreement had been entered into by all the bankers of the city to pay twenty per cent. on deposits and give, if desired, a certified check for the balance, payable only through the Clearing House. The purpose of this measure was obviously to avoid the dangers of a panic ricken run. The large depositors were unitormly confident and kept away from the banks. All of the large mercantile houses made their deposits this morning as if nothing unusual had occurred. This had a decided tendency to check alarm on the part be frightened


Article from Barbour County Index, May 23, 1884

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days of 1873, when business was nearly suspended and when fortunes were swallowed up in the twinkling of an eye. Since 1873 it has not required much of an. effort to create an excitement, and so when the firm of Grant & Ward failed for ten millions of dollars and the country could not understand of what the firm's capital originally consisted, or how it was possible for any legitimate business to fall suddenly behind to such an alarming extent, there immediately grew up an uneasiness, a doubting of bankers and brokers generally. Last Thursday the crash came, and a dozen or more small brokers' in New York closed their doors. Fisk & Hatch, a leading firm of brokers, and the most extensive dealers in government securities on Wall street, gave up the ghost. Donnell, Lawson & Simpson, the well known bankers, suspended. The Metropolitan bank closed its doors. No sooner had the news flashed across the continent than the west became alarmed and wanted its money. Two of the firm of D. L. & S. were western men, from Missouri, and the bank had succeeded in becoming the correspondent for a large number of western banks-an hundred in Missouri, and as many in Kansas; and besides was the fiscal agent of the state of Kansas. Of course the announcement of such a failure caused trouble. At St. Joseph, Missouri, the State Savings bank largely owned by Donnell, was compelled to suspend, though it had always been considered safe. At Kansas City a considerable run was made on the banks, and as a matter of self protection they agreed to pay twenty per cent. of all demands, and give certified checks for the balance due depositors. This arrangement was satisfactory, and no serious inconvenience was experienced, though from this distance it is apparent that there was some trembling indulged in by the Kansas City institutions. By Saturday the excitement had about subsided, and up to now no new failures have been reported from the east. It is safe to say that the time is not far distant when the system of gambling in stocks, now the life of Wall street, will be entirely changed. It must be broken up, or only confined to the class who would gamble on the weather, or events as uncertain. Sound business men are fast finding out that they can invest their money in the great and growing west, and besides having it secured by actual property, they can derive a reasonable dividend on their investment. The time has past when the capitalists of the east would as soon think of loaning money on the fish in Boston harbor as on the cattle grazing over western plains. But outside of cattle the west can offer hundreds of other investments absolutely safe. These will, in time, take up the surplus money now being recklessly thrown away on the uncertainties connected with stock speculations. The values of railroad stocks and bonds must be settled municipal obligations must be redeemed or refunded into paper bearing a lower rate of interest, which interest must be promptly paid. Everything in the shape of securities must be trimmed up, re-written, and their exact valuations known. The country is too prosperous, the producing classes too independent, the real capitalists too particular to longer indulge in guess work when seeking investments. The sooner every rotten broker, every unsound bank, every snide financial speculator is forced to the wall the better. We hope to see the list of Wall street gamblers that are compelled to suspend run up into the thousands of names. We hope to hear of the failure of every banking institution that permits its funds used in buying "futures" or in monkeying with "wild cat" stocks. When the rotten branches of this immense financial and commercial tree have been cut off new life must be the


Article from The Iola Register, May 23, 1884

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MORE OF THE CRASH. the Effect of the Late Fallures-The Situation Grave, but More Reassuring. NEW YORK, May 16.-The market at the Produce Exchange was feverish yesterday, and at the opening prices fell off a little, and wild rumors of failures in the West started. Subsequently the market off regained were what it had lost only to fall furagain. However, on announcement of failures, Wall street, it closed slightly lower ther than on Wednesday. There talk at the exchange of abolishing calls, was as has already been done in Chicago. would It was the general opinion that this Exbe done immediately. At the Cotton bethe market opened firmer, prices business change higher than at the close of business ing Wednesday. There was little of the done, however. When the news reached the of Fisk & Hatch exchange. failure the market broke somewhat. ST. LOUIS FINANCES. LOUIS, May 16.-The situation here and ST. practically unchanged. Bankers apprehenbusiness is men generally have no is for the future. More satisfaction of the expressed sion at the resumption little Metropolitan Bank, and while a of uneasiness is produced by the suspension flurry Fisk & Hatch and a very slight Kanis created by the temporary trouble in is that City, still the general opinion of New sas serious will result outside attracted, nothing York. Considerable attention was Simpson, however, to Donnell, Lawson & the there is considerable desire to know future condition and of that firm It and has what intimate its relaaction tions with will and be. is correspondent of nearly sixty hundred banks in Missouri, some and has a Kansas, thirty or forty in Texas, extreme numerous in connections in all the It is not Western States and Territories. are of course, to what extent indebted- they involved known, in this course, but their milto Western bankers may run into of ness lions. L. V. Stephens, of Boonville, the one inmost prominent bankers of that terior the of this State. estimates failure of case of a complete fully in firm the loss to Missouri will be Texas the $500,000. It is also feared the loss to b nkers will be heavy. UNDISTURBED IN SAN FRANCISCO. SAN FRANCISCO,May The suspension creaof Fisk & Hatch, of New York, announced. more surprise than any yet susThis ted is chiefly due to the fact that dealer the in pended bank was such a heavy this Government bonds, they largely were held fiscal on agents of soast; the secondly, Chespeake by & Ohio C. Railroad P. Hunt- SYStem, controlled first Vice President of the immedi- Central ington, Pacific. The announcement was effect the followed by rumors as to the interests ately might have on railroad of suspension this cost. Charles Crocker, President to on Central Pacific, stated emphatically that the representative of the Associated the Press Central a would have none. that neither could be it the Southern Pacific were or the firm. nor involved with the suspension of The MetNEW YORK, May 15, 10a. the ropolitan Bank posted a notice investiga- that examiners having made an o'clock. bank the bank will resume at twelve of tion, L. Jaques was elected President George the Henry Metropolitan Bank in place of of the Seney, resigned. The floor than the Stock J. xchange had more 9:30 usual complement of buyers, and by knots crowds of operators gathered in day's waiting the signal to commence the ten business. Just as the clock marked of the Chairman Mitchell gave three raps exciteIn an instant the pent up howl, gavel. of the brokers gave vent to a in the and ment five hundred hands were lifted formed in and the various pools were in. Ere air, which different stocks were dealt was five minutes had elapsed the gavel the anagain heard among made great din, that and Dimmick nouncement Co., of was the United Bank had of sus- the & Dimmick is President Bankers pended. & Merchants' Telegraph Company. WHAT GOULD SAYS. Jay Gould stated to the Tribune: comes "This disturbance isa senseless thing. It and a fear of each other by both banks brokers. from I think, rather than of anything loans The general calling foolish. else. wholly unnecessary and more is the banks are a little loss I suppose than usual on account of the week, cautious by the First National last will suffered I think the worst is over; people orders regain but their senses, and there will be from all over the country from persons the here to pick up bargains. The action of that banks eager is excellent. Every one will the see banks can be no panic while excite stand there together. I am sure all the of is at an end." He says the action dement in deciding to pool issues, has not banks, the situation favorably. He does banks anticipate cided further failures of either admits the banking houses, although he houses or that some weak stock of possibility suspend temporarily. The failure misfor may latter he does not regard as a dealers the as the weeding out of small situation. helps tune, to give a healthier tone to the general GRANT WARD. Receiver Davies reports the liabilities of & Ward, so far as he is able to ascer by Grant at $14,501,531. Collaterals held creditors tain, between ten and twelve millions, be leaving an unsecured indebteduess of tween two and three millions. SLIGHT BREEZE IN KANSAS CITY. KANSAS A CITY, May 15.-At an early around hour this morning crowds began to gather York yes the banks. The news from New terday had created some excitement. of especially among small depositors, many and had all their savings in bank naturally whom felt a little nervous. As the hour the opening of the banks approached. the for crowds about the doors grew denser. would and speculations were rife as to what done. While some wore serious counbe tenances. the greater portion of the people were good natured. At nine o'clock the an nouncement was made that an agreement of had been entered into by all the bankers the city to pay twenty per cent. on deposits the and give, if desired, a certified check for balance, payable only through the Clearing was House. The purpose of this measure obviously to avoid the dangers of a panic unitricken run. The large depositors were the S confident and kept away from banks. formly All of the large mercantile houses if their deposits this morning as made unusual had occurred. This had a p nothing decided tendency to check alarm on the part