2447. Southern Bank and Trust (Miami, FL)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Start Date
February 6, 1928
Location
Miami, Florida (25.774, -80.194)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
ff0adf5d

Response Measures

Full suspension

Description

Anonymous letters (signed Hiram with crude Masonic emblem) triggered heavy withdrawals and led the State Comptroller to take charge of Southern Bank and Trust (suspended). Southern announced it would reopen March 15. A consequential, orderly run occurred at the First National Bank (large cash shipments sent by plane/train). Also Citizens Bank and Bank of Allapattah were temporarily closed. Dates taken from contemporaneous newspaper reports (Feb 6–7, 1928).

Events (2)
1. February 6, 1928 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run on First National was triggered by the closing/suspension of three Miami banks (including Southern) announced after circulation of anonymous letters; depositors sought funds at First National.
Measures
Federal Reserve branch in Jacksonville rushed millions in currency by airplane and train; First National paid out deposits from large cash on hand and incoming shipments to meet withdrawals.
Newspaper Excerpt
A determined run on the First National bank began during the noon hour today following the failure of three other Miami financial institutions to open for business today ... an airplane bringing $1,500,000 and more by train to bolster reserves.
Source
newspapers
2. February 6, 1928 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Anonymous circular letters mailed to depositors urging them to 'quietly get money out' of the Southern Bank and Trust (signed 'Hiram' with crude Masonic emblem), causing heavy withdrawals and prompting the comptroller to take charge and suspend business.
Newspaper Excerpt
State Comptroller Ernest Amos had taken charge of the affairs of the Southern Bank and Trust ... the Southern Bank and Trust had suspended but would reopen March 15.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (9)
1. February 6, 1928 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, February 6, 1928

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BANKS FLORIDA CLOSE All the Failed Financial Institutions Are Located in Miami. banks open for business today. They were the Southern Bank and Trust the Citizens bank and the Bank Cash Rushed by Plane MIAMI, Fla., Feb million dollars in cash will sent the First National bank by the bank branch in Jackson by and train pay all depositors who withdraw their funds, officials of the local institution announced this afternoon following an orderly run on the bank growing out closing of three other local nancial Institutions this morning.

2. February 6, 1928 The Times Record Brunswick, ME
Article from The Times Record, February 6, 1928

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ANONYMOUS NOTES CAUSE OF RUN ON A BANK IN MIAMI Three Banks Fail to Open Their Doors This Morning Miami, Fla. Feb. 6 (P).-A determined run on the First National bank began during the noon hour today following the failure of three other Miami financial institutions open business today The bank's large lobby commodated all who sought to gain al mittance 12.30. Other large banks reported normal conditions. Officers the First National bank mingled with the crowd in the lobby and could not be reached immediately for The bank's regular closing time is CASH COMING Miami Fla. Feb. Seven million dollars cash be to the First National Bank by the Federal Reserve Bank Branch in Jacksonville by airplane and train pay all depositors wish to withdraw their funds officials of the Miami institution announced this after noon the bank growing out the closing of other local institutions this morning THREE FAIL TO OPEN Miami, Fla. Feb. 6 Miami banks failed to open for today They Southern Bank and Trust the Citizens Bank. and the Bank The Southern Bank and Trust comptroller Amos charge its affairs pending strength ening of heavy with drawals of deposits by circula tion anonymous letters predicting Mr. Amos ordered other tions the belief that they were financial with stand large withdrawals which might result from incident to closing the Southern Bank and Trust Under normal they could operate adding that there had been no sign of run at either In that the Southern Bank and Trust had suspended but would reopen March 15. and that the comptroller had taken charge the request its officials. President Lummus said public statement that "large for cash during the last few had been caused by anonymous letters written to depositors and advising quietly get money the Southern Bank The letters. be signed Hiram" and crudely drawn Masonic emblem. They mailed Saturday Jan. in but Mr Lummus unable to estimate number, more accurately than that were "more than dozen. sent to per sons not depositors, he added The police Drace the sender. President Lummus said that deposits open accounts and trust funds fully protected. Other banks reported unusual withMr Amos made public plea for and collected public spirit the public remains and doesn't rush the banks this ought blow over. ones. cannot answer for the result.'

3. February 7, 1928 Asheville Citizen-Times Asheville, NC
Article from Asheville Citizen-Times, February 7, 1928

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RUN STARTS ON BANK AT MIAMI Letters Cause Three Other Institutions To Close Doors letter predicting the failure of one bank caused that Institution suspend business here today resulted in the temporary closing of two others, and brought about a run on fourth which called for from the Federal ReBranch Bank Jacksonville to bolster Its reserves. The run. determined but orderly started at noon on the First Nation. Bank following that State Comptroller Ernest Amos had taken charge of the affairs of the Southern Bank and Trust and ordered the Citizens Bank and the Bank of A1lapattah Asserting he had con Bank and Trust Company the request of its because of caused by the circulation of the anonymous Comptroller Amos said he ordered the other two banks closed through fear they might not be to sible runs growing out the closing the Southern. He made plea for cool and collected public spirit, declaring that the banks would have been able to main open under normal condiMeanw the reverberations were felt in an unexpected quarter quietly was begun the First National Until ing the tellers were rapidly handing money to every depositor It while officlals of the institution mingled with the crowd to spread enAt no time was the lobby the bank, holding about Officials estimated that the day began with $1 50,000 cash and that only about $350,000 was paid out during $7,000,000 In Cash When the bank closed at the hour of run they would have more than in cash and would meet every demand. They said an airplane bringing and that the rest of the money would be sent from by No other banks in the city were W. H. Burwell president of the Chamber attributed situation to outside Influences and not to any intrinsic economic fault in the institutions or in the territory He said the would the situahas worked toward perfecting oxygen apparatus. which feeds air to the pilots observers. and superchargers, which feed air to Pursuit planes recently ordered the army carry both of these

4. February 7, 1928 Courier-Post Camden, NJ
Article from Courier-Post, February 7, 1928

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BY PLANE TO AID 3 CLOSED BANKS Disastrous Runs on Florida Institutions Laid by Officials to Anonymous Letters MILLIONS MORE ON WAY By United Press Miami, Fla., Feb. 6.-A million and half dollars was being rushed to Miami by airplane today to relieve tense situation which developed three banks closed this morning. Failure the Southern Bank and Trust largest the state, business caused runs on the Citizens Bank of Miami and Bank of Allapattah which forced them to close few hours later. was being brought by plane to First National Miami from Jacksonville branch of the Sixth District Federal Reserve Bank. First National Bank Miami suffered slight runs when the three banks the money here depositRomfh, president of the First his institution had felt no ill Millions More Coming Romfh said expecting another $5,500,000 arrive by train (Continued on Page Two)

5. February 7, 1928 Evening Courier Camden, NJ
Article from Evening Courier, February 7, 1928

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IS RUSHED TO BANKS Note Held Refor Trust Company Closing REASON FOR ALARM Feb. in cash was being Miami today to assure the First National Bank that institution banks closed their runs on the First after not thousand dollars airplane from Reserve additional $5,500,000 today. that yesterthe runs on anonymous depositors attacking the Southern Bank and The notes were signtoday the man for Southern Bank and Trust to open its doors there the Citizens Bank of the Bank of Allapattah. of the Trust Company, closed after the and place instituErnest rather than probably would be control, which have Southern condition business March 15. other two banks could normal could not stand any have as tense situation.

6. February 7, 1928 The Herald-Sun Durham, NC
Article from The Herald-Sun, February 7, 1928

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BLAME LETTERS STATE STRIVING FOR CLOSING OF FOR CONVICTION BANKS IN MIAMI OF GIRL-SLAYER One Bank Suspended Business While Two Others Were Temporarily Closed Hickman's Own Words Weighed Against Him at Session of Court Yesterday RUN STAGED ON ANOTHER HICKMAN DECLARED SANE Anonymous Letters Predicted the Closing of One of the Banks; Money Is Being Rushed From Jacksonville Federal Reserve Bank to Take Care of Run letters predicting the failure bank caused that institution suspend business here to closing of in and brought about which called for on fourth from Reserve bank Jacksonville to its cash but orderly The at noon on the First started State Comptroller Ernest Amos of the affairs of taken charge Southern Bank and Trust the and the Citizens bank and the Bank of Allapattah tempo rarily closed. he had assumed control at the Bank and Trust at the request of of caused by the of the anony said he ordered the other two fear might not out of the closing of He for cool and public the would have claring that open under been able reverberations were an unexpected quarter the was begun at First Until closing the tellers rapidly hand depositor while of the mingled the crowd spread the lobby of the bank about 250 ed Officials timated that the day began with that only about was paid out during the When the bank closed at the reg" hour of officials in event the run was renewed they would have than in cash and meet every demand No other banks city were W. H. Burwell president of the attributed the "whole to outside In not any in the or in the He said the the tion at tonight. E the First National later that the Jacksonville Federal had the to send part of the by but that patched by train tonight and the "Though we won't need added. the run as "temporary flurry attributable to the other closings. which will minish as people the lack of need for withdrawing funds. Asserting his belief that all the closed banks shortly and that will be serious effect Mr. Bur well the who are seek. ing to money only and body any the police Ing the author of the letters which in Instances were signed simply "Hiram," and which were decorated with crudely drawn Masonic emblem. Mailed some to not depositors in the Southern Bank and Trust company "Quietly get money out of the Bank and Trust company. It going of the letters said. although they differed somewhat phraseology President E. of the Southern held the letters re sponsible for heavy withdrawals from his which have occurred over period of several days and the bank had been to call in the comptreller. He issued public statement which said the bank be on March and that deposits funds fully protected. The Citizens bank and the Bank of Allapattah small tions, one located on the edge of the business district. the other the suburbs. and capitalized at $100 000 and $15,000 respectively. The Southern Bank and Trust and had in All of the Alienists Who Have Testified So Far Have Agreed That Hickman Was Insane When He Kidnaped and Killed Marian Parker, But Sane Now Los Feb Edward purported that before he stole words Marian Parker from school and her that kidnaping and murder crimes by life ment and death weighed against at his sanity trial were carried the court Frank Mikels of by an by the in efforts to prove that the parently unworried youth in prisoner's dock was sane. Not only did he admit knowledge the the the witness but added this significant mark "I don't fear punishment, but rd not be hung All the prosecution sent the witness box to of the actions and reactions of the youth mentality the subject of lawyers and last week by another of medical men in testimony adduced the of Dr Parkin the Los that told him the killing of school girl had to be tection Parkin quoted the saw had be oner and just did medical witness Every by the state has so one the firm be agreed Hickman was when killed and mutilated Parker Most others have Marian that the youth feigned insanity after his capture The defense late said Hickman was insane was the stand Dr. practically all of the afternoon on the motive vanced by the prosecution that Jerome defense with once clashed the was claring had taken testimony Hickman for when he examined the testified in Dr. Mikels the for emotional & closely definite explaining these con indication protest against the the lowed the the could use notes his the The court the to refresh may his reading from "I am Dr. Mikels "Well objected clear and he reading from ent exclaimed positively he is "He states said Judge Hickman not and does That not have Dr He testified Hickman's delusions were "be not dominating When the witness turned Attorney cross examination after stead and five for two Walsh asked he on he based any more his have, the surgeon replied gravely "Then doctor.' Walsh requested all of We "Let's hear all the on which you to ripple of spread A the for Walsh the a Dr. Mikels renewed his testi on Page Seven)

7. February 7, 1928 Tulsa World Tulsa, OK
Article from Tulsa World, February 7, 1928

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One Suspend S Business, Two Closed, Fourth Weathering Storm 'INFLUENCE' BLAMED Could Have Stayed Open Under Ordinary Circumstances, Comptroller Says MIAMI, Fla., Feb. 6 (A.P.) letters predicting the failure of one bank caused that in stitution to suspend business here today. resulted indirectly in the temporary closing of two and brought about run on fourth which called for $7,000,000 from the Federal Rese Branch bank Jacksonville to bolster its cash The run, determined but orderly started at noon the First Nationa bank following announcement that Ernest Amos, state comptroller. taken charge of the affairs of the Southern Bank and Trust and ordered the Citizens bank and the Bank of Allapattah temporarily closed. Letters Blamed. he had taken control at the Southern Bank and Trust at the Instanc its of. ficials because of caused by the circulation of the letters. Amos said he ordered the other two closed through fear they might not be able possible runs. He made plea for cool and collected public declaring the would main open under normal the was felt in an unexpected quarter the run quietly the First closing the tellers were rapidly out money while officials of the institution mingled with the crowd spread At no time was the lobby of the bank holding about 250 crowded beyond its capacity Bringing More Cash Officials estimated that the day began cash that only $350,000 paid out during day the closed for the day' business at the regular losing time of officials announced that. in event the run was renewed tomorrow they would have more than cash and would They said an airplane was bring ing and that the rest of the money would sent from Jacksonville by train No other banks in the city were affected. W H. Burwell. president of the chamber the situation to outside fluences, and not to any intrinsic economic fault in the institutions or in the territory. from Doctor Parkin the admission that Hickman's family constituted predisposition to difference of opinion between veloped subject of epileptics. Doctor Reynolds said last week that the term meant nothing him. that the true designation of the for Parkin testified that existence of ept. brain and surgeon was the witness Doctor He testified that he found the prisoner was and "is not sane The witness said he amined Hickman closely as to his ional reactions in the belief that these provided definite indication of mental Walsh objected to Docpaper which he held in his hand. Judge repeated his ruling of the that might refresh his Hickman told him. the witness said. that he came to California for the definite purpose of "pulling Jobs and to have good time. This point was made by in attempt to prove that wassuch that he had definite object in view when came est and was not merely by wanderlust found. Doctor Mikels said. "that there was a purpose He testified further that Hick. man told him did not believe his mother but only discouraged by family difficul- Relate Love Affairs. Love affairs of the youth Hickman also for narration. Two "crushes' on high school girls In Kansas City Mo., described by Doctor Mikels. Hickman told him he "got rid the second girl of her-she had too other fellows. Crime small had been habit with Hickman in the Mis. souri city, Doctor Mikels said he learned from the prisoner, before the west. He quoted him this way formed the habit of stealing small things such candy Also stole hundred books from the library Ma warned me many times about my stealing telling me I'd end in the penitentiary. Then the name Welby Hunt. with Hickman accused of murder for the killing of Ivy Thoms druggist of the suburb of Rose Hill year ago last Christmas went into the record. Doctor Mikels said Hickman related to him of having met Hunt and youth in City pull some big jobs." the witness Hickman, "and steal some big cars for cash in California. We pulled about twenty jobs together Doctor Mikels stated positively that Hickman "did not and does not have hallucinations nor delusions His pretenses of "divine guidance" were "not fixed. nor dominating On the contrary was the witness opinion. he said, that crimes were "wilfully and deliberately thought out,' and that he "is not nor was inAttorney Walsh took Doctor Mikels for after the physician had occupied the stand steadily for more than two

8. February 7, 1928 The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta, GA
Article from The Valdosta Daily Times, February 7, 1928

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RUSH FOR MONEY DROPS OFF TODAY Some Withdrawals Still Being Made, But Lines to Tellers Are Quiet and Small HUGE RESERVE SHIPPED IN Estimates of Six Millions to Ten Millions on Amounts Sent From Jacksonville Feb. excitement following diminishing yesterday's flurry which resulted from the closing of three Miami banks today encouraged financiers and state officials Some withdrawals were being made. but the lines to tellers' cages were not as long or as insistent as yesterday's State officials anticpiated no more suspensons. Emergency funds had been received by practically every major institution in town. No accurate estimate of the total sent in could be made, but bankers® unofficial guesses ran from to The funds were brought in secretly at was made yesterday on the First National Bank which kept the tellers busy until closing time handing out money to depositors as they demanded it. Other institutions of the city today had prepared for their possible part in the emergency Increased supplies of currency had been requisitioned Nearly all of them experienced slight withdrawal increases early yesterday reported later that City National 000 boost. President E. C. Romfh of the First National Bank, declared that the Jacksonville branch of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank was answering his institution's call for in funds bolster the cash reserves but said the institution would not need it. President E Lummus. of the Southern Bank and Trust. held the mysterious letters responsible for the withdrawals that caused his institution to summon state aid and issued statement which said the bank would reopen March 15. While this bank capitalized at $100.000. it had deposits $5,138,112. officials said.

9. February 7, 1928 Press of Atlantic City Atlantic City, NJ
Article from Press of Atlantic City, February 7, 1928

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Anonymous Letters Close Miami Bank Results in Temporary Closing of Two Others and Run on Fourth MIAMI, Feb. letters predicting failure bank caused that institution suspend business here today, resulted indirectly the temporary closing others brought run fourth. which called for the Federal Reserve branch bank Jacksonville bolster cash orderly, started noon the First National Ernest Amos, comptroller. had taken the Southern Bank and Trust ordered the Citizens' bank the Bank of Allapattah temporarily closed. Explaining had taken control at the Southern Bank and Trust pany at instance its officials caused by the circulation the Amos said ordered other banks closed through fear might able possible He for and lected declaring that banks would remain conditions. Continued on Page