Le Mars National Bank (Le Mars, IA)

View Charter #2818 on SPMC View balance sheet

Episode Information

Episode UID
281801216
Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
28180 national
Charter Number
2818
Start Date
April 17, 1901
Location
Le Mars, Iowa (42.794, -96.166)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
eacf87ac49a7de62

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
60.0%
Date receivership started
1901-04-17
Date receivership terminated
1903-01-05
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
11.8%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
52.4%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
35.8%

Description

Newspaper texts use variants like Lemars/LeMars; corrected to Le Mars.

Events (4)
1. November 13, 1882 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. April 17, 1901 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
3. April 17, 1901 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
National Bank Examiner Meyer has been temporarily placed in charge, pending the arrival of Special Agent Thomas M. Thornton, who has been appointed temporary receiver.
Source
newspapers
4. April 17, 1901 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Vice president/manager Thomas F. Ward confessed embezzlement and absconded, creating a $25,000–$30,000 shortage that forced closure.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Le Mars National Bank ... closed its doors this morning; did not open this morning.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (20)
1. April 17, 1901 Daily Inter Mountain Butte, MT
Article from Daily Inter Mountain, April 17, 1901

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Article Text

IOWA BANK CLOSES. Closes Its Doors, but Nobody Will Lose Money. Washington, April 17.-The controller of the currency has received word that the Lemars National Bank of Lemars, Iowa, closed its doors this morning. National Bank Examiner Meyer has been temporarily placed in charge, pending the arrival of Special Agent Thornton, who has been appointed temporary receiver. The following is a statement of the condition of the bank as shown by its sworn report to the controller of the currency under date of February 5, 1901: Capital stock $100,000; surplus and undivided profits $3,579. Circulation $25,000; due to banks and bankers $659; deposits $180,177; borrowed money $30,421. Total liabilities $267,836. Total resources $267,836.

2. April 17, 1901 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, April 17, 1901

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Bank at Le Mars, Iowa, Closed. The controller of the currency has received word that the Le Mars National Bank of Le Mars, Iowa, closed its doors this morning. National Bank Examiner Meyer has been temporarily placed in charge, pending the arrival of Special Agent Thomas M. Thornton, who has been appointed temporary receiver. The following is a statement of the condition of the bank, as shown by its sworn report to the controller of the currency, under date of February 5, 1901: Capital stock, $100,000; surplus and undivided profits, $3,579; circulation, $25,000; due to banks and bankers, $659; deposits, $108,177; borrowed money, $30,421; total liabilities, $267,826; total resources, $267,836.

3. April 17, 1901 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, April 17, 1901

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Article Text

ACCOUNTS BALANCE. Liabilities and Resources of a Failed National Bank. Washington, April 17.-The comptroller of the currency has, received word that the LeMars National bank of LeMars, Ia., closed its doors this morning. National Bank Examiner Myer has been temporarily placed in charge pending the arrival of Special Agent Thomas M. Thornton, who has been appointed temporary receiver. The following is a statement of the condition of the bank as shown by its sworn report to the comptroller of the currency under date of February 5, 1901: Capital stock. $100,000: surplus and undivided profits, $3,579; circulation. $25,000; due to banks and bankers, $659: depcsits, $108,177: borrowed money, $30,421. Total liabilities, $267,836; total resources, $267,836.

4. April 18, 1901 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Journal, April 18, 1901

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VICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGER A SELF-CONFESSED EMBEZZLER. An Iowan Who Says Board of Trade Business Ruined Him-Fled, but Left a Letter. SIOUX CITY, Ia., April 17.-The Lemars National Bank, at Lemars, Ia., did not open this morning. Thomas F. Ward, vice president and manager of the institution, is a self-confessed embezzler to an amount of from $25,000 to $30,000. He has also absconded. Ward departed Monday night and yesterday Cashier Frank Koob received a letter from him, beginning: "Dear Frank-I leave to-night for, God Almighty knows where. This Board of Trade business has ruined me. Save me from indictment if you can. I will pay back every cent I can." Then the writer explained the funds from which he has been stealing to cover his losses. Cashier Koob, in the absence of advice, other officers and directors being away, closed the doors, posting a notice that an examiner would be placed in charge. Other Lemars banks-the First National, the German-American and American State -learning last night that the Lemars bank would not open to-day, sent to Sioux City for currency to withstand the run to-day. The Sioux City clearing house responded promptly, offering ample assistance. The defunct bank was organized a number of years ago by William H. Dent, who represented Plymouth county in the State Legislature in 1895. He left the State after disposing of the institution, Ward coming from Primghar, Ia., to be manager. The institution was capitalized for $100,000, and at the date of the last statement, Feb. 15, showed $108,000 deposits. Ward was a member of the Democratic state central committee from the Eleventh congressional district. The sad feature of the case is that Mrs. Ward is dangerously sick at her home, having given birth to a child but a week ago. News of her husband's disgrace is kept from her.

5. April 18, 1901 The Indianapolis Journal Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Journal, April 18, 1901

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Article Text

Examiner Meyer in Charge. WASHINGTON, April 17.-The controller of the currency has received word that the Lemars National Bank, of Lemars, Ia., closed its doors this morning. National Bank Examiner Meyer has been temporarily placed in charge pending the arrival of Special Agent Thomas M. Thornton, who has been appointed temporary receiver.

6. April 18, 1901 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, April 18, 1901

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RUINED BY GAMBLING. Bank Cashier Loses Thousands on Board of Trade. St. Paul, Minn., April 18.-A Sioux City, Ia., special to the Dispatch says: The Lemars national bank at Lemars, Iowa, did not open thismorning. Thomas F. Ward, vice president and manager of the institution is self-confessed embezzler to an amount of from $25,000 to $30,000. He has also absconded. Ward departed Monday night, and Tuesday Cashier Frank Koots received the following letter from Ward, beginning: "Dear Frank-I leave tonight, for God Almighty knows where. This board of trade business has ruined me. Save me from indictment if you can. I will pay back every cent I can." Then the writer explained the funds from which he had been stealing to cover his losses. The officers of the bank are: President, V. G. P. MacLagan, who is in Scotland; vice president, T. F. Ward, absconded; cashier, Frank Kcots, the only officer in town. Directors, J. J. Tierney and John Linden, both in Hot Springs, Ark. Cashier Koots in the absence of the officers closed the doors, posting a notice that an examiner would be placed in charge. Other Lemars banks, the First National, German-American and German States learning that the Lemars National would not open sent to Sioux City for currency to withstand the run. The Sioux City clearing house responded promptly offering ample assistance. The defunct bank was organized a number of years ago by William H. Dent, who represented Plymouth county in the state legislature in 1895. He left the state after disposing of the institution, Ward coming from Primghar, Iowa, to be manager. The bank was capitalized for $100,000, and at the date of the last statement, February 15, showed $108,000 deposits. Ward was a member of the Demoeratic state central committee from the Eleventh congressional district. The sad feature of this case is that Mrs. Ward is dangerously sick at her home. News of her husband's disgrace is kept from her.

7. April 18, 1901 Evening Times-Republican Marshalltown, IA
Article from Evening Times-Republican, April 18, 1901

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WARD STILL MISSING. Nothing Yet Heard From the LeMars Absconder. Special to Times-Republican Sioux City, April 18.-T. F. Ward, the absconding vice president of the LeMars National Bank. has not been found. The cashier of the bank refuses to divulge the amount of the shortage until the temporary receiver arrives from Washington. It is understood that most of the shortage has come since April 1. Ward's scheme was to draw on Chicago for $5.000 or $10,000 and enter the figures on the books as $5 or $1. When he bade his wife good-bye Monday night she thought he was leaving town on a business trip. She is quite shocked over the news of his defalcation. He was seen to board a northbound train that night.

8. April 18, 1901 Evening Times-Republican Marshalltown, IA
Article from Evening Times-Republican, April 18, 1901

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Shortage Estimated at Abou $30,000--His Wife Very Sick. Special to Times-Republican. LeMars, April 18.--The whereabout Tom Ward, the defaulting officer o he LeMars National Bank, is a matte much speculation. Many believe tha has or very likely will commit sui The general opinion, however, 1 he is living and has put-as man niles as possible between himself an LeMars. It is not known exactly whe left town. He is not known to hav oarded a train here. The amount of hi hortage is about $30,000. Mrs. Ward, wife of the absconder, I their home in this city. She is a ver woman. She gave birth to a chil week ago, which together with th that her husband has left her an a fugitive from justice, has place in a critical condition. The only officer of the institution il own is Frank Koob, cashier, and h eclines under advice to give any de till the examiner shall be here. Th fficers and directors are: President-G. P. Maclagan. Vice President-T. F. Ward. Cashier-Frank Koob. Directors-G. P. Maclagan, T. F Vard, Frank Koob, J. J. Tierney an ohn Linden. Mr. Maclagan is in Scotland, Messrs Tierney and Linden are at Hot Springs Ark., Ward has disappeared and Koo the only officer or director in th own. Yesterday. being alone and with counsel, he received a letter fron Ward, left for him before the latte lisappeared. He wrote: "Dear Frank: I leave tonight for Go Almighty knows where. This board o rade business has ruined me. Save m from indictment if you can. I will pa ack every cent I can." Then follows latement of the different amount which Ward admits he has taken, ag gregating between $25,000 and $30,000. I said by those in authority that War been for a long time speculating o he board of trade, and that this wa he cause of his defalcation, disgrac and disappearance. The other banks in LeMars, the Firs National, German-American Saving and German State banks. all strong in titutions, are not affected by the fail They were informed Tuesda vening that the LeMars Nationa vould not open Wednesday, and sent t Sioux City for currency in order t uard themselves against possible trou There are no signs of panic. A the banks report that they are receive money and conducting business jus usual, and that there is no reaso whatever why they should be even em parrassed by the trouble. The LeMars National was for year under the management of Williar Hamilton Dent. who represented the ounty in the state senate and was sup osed to be wealthy. His affairs SO nto bad shape, and in 1895 he retire rom the bank and left LeMars, it wa inderstood, practically a financia vreck. When he went away the ban vas reorganized. Mr. Ward came her

9. April 18, 1901 The Saint Paul Globe Saint Paul, MN
Article from The Saint Paul Globe, April 18, 1901

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LEFT $30,000 SHORTAGE MANAGER WARD, OF THE LEMARS NATIONAL BANK, A DEFAULTER "GOING GOD KNOWS WHERE" The Iowa Town Excited Over the Case, but None of the Other Banks Are Affected. LE MARS, Io., April 17.-(Special.)Thomas F. Ward, the manager and vice president of the Le Mars National bank has furnished this town the greatest sensation it has ever had. The bank failed to open this morning and it was later discovered that Ward had fled after using $30,000 of the bank's funds. He left a note saying he was "going, God knows where," and asking to be saved from indictment if possible, and saying that he would pay every cent. He had been speculating on the board of trade heavily for some time and the money taken by him was deposited in the bank the past few weeks. The affairs of the bank are badly involved. The liabilities to depositors are more than $125,000. Ward has been one of the most prominent business men of Le Mars, a city of 5,000 people. News of his defalcation and the closing of the bank has caused much excitement, but has not started runs on the other banks. Ward leaves a beautiful wife and several children among them a babe one week old.

10. April 18, 1901 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Herald, April 18, 1901

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CASHIER LOOTS BANK AND FLEES Leaves Wrecked Institution and Sick Wife. 'HE SAYS BOARD OF TRADE RUINED HIM Shortage Said to Be Between $25,000 and $30,000. St. Paul, Minn., April 17.-A Sioux City (Ia.) special to the Dispatch says: The Lemars National bank at Lemars, fa., did not open this morning. Thomas F. Ward, vice president and manager of the institution, is a self-contessed embezzler to the amount of $25,000 to $30,000. He has also absconded. Ward departed Monday night and yesterday Cashier Frank Koots received a letter from Ward beginning: Wear Frank-1 leave tonight, for God Aimighty knows, where. Tae board 01 trade business has ruined me, Save me from indictment if you can. I will pay back ever cent I can. The writer explained the funds from which he had been stealing to cover his losses. Cashier Koots, in the absence of advice, closed the doors, posting a notice that an examiner would be placed in charge. The officers of the bank are: President. v G. P. Mac Lagan, who is in Scotland: vice president, x. F. Ward, absconded; cashier, Frank Koots, the only officer in town; directors, J. J. Terney and John Linden, both in Hot Springs, Ark Other Lemars banks, thei First Nationay, German-American and German State, learning last night that the Lemars National would not open today, sent to Sioux City for currency to withstand the run today. The Sloux City clearing house responded promptly, OIfering ample assistance. The defunct bank was organized a number of years/ago by Wiliiam H. Dent, who represented Plymouth county in the state legislature in 1895. He left the state after disposing of the institution, Ward coming from Primghar, 1a., to be manager. The bank was capitalized for $100.000, and at the date of the last statement, Reb. 15, showed $108,000 deposits. Ward was a member of the Democratic state, central committee from the Eleventh congressionaj district. The sad ieature of his case is that Mrs. Ward is dangerously it at her home, having given birth to a child but week ago. ,News of her husband 8 disgrace is kept from her.

11. April 18, 1901 The Age-Herald Birmingham, AL
Article from The Age-Herald, April 18, 1901

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BANK MANAGER SKIPS COUNTRY Thos. F, Ward, of L. m rs, la., Confesses to Embezzlement and the Bank Closes St. Paul, Minn., April 17.-A Sioux City, Iowa, special to the Despatch says: The Lemars National Bank at Lemars, Iowa, did not open this morning. Thomas F. Ward, vice president and manager of the institution, is a self-confessed embezzler to an amount of from $25,000 to $30,000. He has also absconded. Ward departed Monday night and yesterday Cashier Frank Koob received a letter from him beginning: "Dear Frank: I leave tonight for God Almighty knows where. This board of trade business has ruined me. Save me from indictment if you can. I will pay back every cent I can." Then the writer explained the funds from which he has been stealing to cover his losses. Cashier Koob closed the doors, posting a notice that an examiner would be placed in. charge. Other Lemars banks, the First National, German-American and German State, learning last night that the Lemars would not open today, sent to Sioux City for currency to withstand the run today. The Sioux City clearing house responded promptly, offering ample assistance. The defunct bank was capitalized for $100,000 and at the date of the last statement, February 15, showed $150,000 deposits.

12. April 19, 1901 Iowa State Bystander Des Moines, IA
Article from Iowa State Bystander, April 19, 1901

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LE MARS BANKER SKIPS T. F. Ward Absconds With $30,000 in Bank Funds. Sioux City, April 18.-Thomas F. Ward, manager. and vice president of the LeMars National bank, has disappeared, and yesterday morning when the bank opened for business it was found that he had left a letter saying that he was short $30,000 and that he had been speculating on the board of trade. The letter said that he had used certain funds which had been entrusted to the bank. Ward asked that indictment be prevented, and said that he would restore every dollar that he had taken. He has been one of the most prominent business men of LeMars, a city of 5,000 people. Considerable excitement exists. but has not started a run on the other banks. It is hot known where Ward has gone, his letter saying that he had left for "God Knows Where." Ile leaves a beautiful wife and a number of children, among them a babe one week old. The other LeMars banks notified the Sioux City Clearing House association of the failure of the bank at LeMars, and were at once advised by wire to call upon the association for any sum that might be needed to proteet them. Gold to the amount of $20,000 was sent on a morning train, out was not needed, as no run was started. The officers of the bank which crached are as follows: C. P. Maclagen, president. T. F. Ward, vice president. Frank Koob, eashier. All but Koob are out of the city, now that Ward nas skipped, the president being in Seotland. and the members of the board of directors out of the city. Washington, D. C., April 18. The LeMars National bank of LeMars, rowa, has closed its doors. II. Meyer, national bank examiner for Iowa, has been ordered to take charge of the bank, pending the arrival of Special Agent Thomas M. Thornton, who has been appointed teraporary receiver. The following is a statement of the condition of the bank as shown by its sworn report to the comptroller of currency under date of February 5. 1901: $100,000.00 Capital stock Surplus and undivided 3,379.05 profits 25.0.0.00 Circulation 659.28 Due to banks and bankers 108,176.96 Deposits 30,121.60 Borrowed money 267,836.87 Total liabilities 267,836.87 Total resources Sioux City, April 10.-T. F. Ward, the abscording vice president of the LeMars National bank. has not been found. The eashier of the bank refuses to divulge the amount of the shortage until the temporary reeeiver arrives from Washington. It IS understood most of the shortage has come since April 1. Ward's scheme was to draw on Chicago for $5,000 or $1,000 and enter the books as $5 or $1. When he bade his wife good-bye Monday night she thought he was leaving town on a business trip. She is quite shocked over the nows of his defalcation. He was

13. April 27, 1901 Macon Beacon Macon, MS
Article from Macon Beacon, April 27, 1901

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week numbered 206 in the United States the ,against 184 last year, and 21 in Canada, against 17 last year." G.W. Fishback and Jose Gomez Brithe commissioners of Porto Rico CSO. to the Buflalo exposition, sailed from San Juan for New York, on the 16th, on board the steamer San Juan, with exhibits. The president, on the 19th, signed and ratified the treaty amendatory of the Brussels convention for the protection of industrial property, and the document has been forwarded to Brussels, where it will be deposited. Col. John C. Gilmore, assistant ad jutant general of the Department of the Lakes, having reached the age limit, retired from the regular army on the 18th. Lieut.-Col. W. P. Hail will advance a grade and succeed him. In reply to a dispatch of inquiry, Gen. MacArthur, on the 18th, cabled the adjutant general that press re ports of peculation in the commissary department at Manila had been great ly exaggerated and were entirely misleading. The itinerary of the president's tour to the Pacific coast is now complete, and no further appeals for changes in route or stops will be considered party will spend Sunday, June Salt Lake City, as originally planned. The coronation of King Edward will take place at the end of June, 1902 Westminster abbey will be entirely closed to the public for four months e event, and all services will be suspended, in order to prepare the interior for the ceremony The committee of fifteen of New York city, on the 17th, raided seven alleged pool rooms and captured many inmates. At one place, where their visit failed of results, the com mittee claim that the proprietor was informed by the police of the intendd raid. A court-martial has been convened in Manile to try Lieut. Fred Boyer who is charged with the embezzlement of commissary stores Capt Frederield J. Barrows, of the Thirtieth volunteer infantry, who was arrested under similar charges, will be tried later. In the Westminster (London) coun tv court, on the 16th, an order for committal to prison was made against Sir Robert Peel for on-payment of judgment debt. The warrant, however. suspended for a week, and it was announced in court that a settlement would be effected in the interral. The influx of sugar into England from the continent has been SO enormous in expectation of the imposition of a duty on that commodity, that 87,629 tens are now in stock in Liverpool,against 33,850 tons for the month of April, 1900. About 6,500,000 Havana tigars have also been taken out of bond. The quartermaster general's department has purchased a transport at Manila to carry animals from that port to various island stations, relieving the larger transports of that duty, The new transport has been named the Liscum, in honor of Col. Liseum, who was killed at the battle of Tien Tsin, China. A new manganese iron ore field has een discovered 12 miles south of LitGrande, Utah, a station on the Rio Grande-Western railway. The report is that E. T. Wolverton, a veteran prospector. when searching for copper, stumbled upon an extinct crater from which had overflowed fast quantities of manganese iron. The National Academy of Science, at meeting in Washington, on the the elected Arnold Hague, of Washmeton city, home secretary, and also the following new members E. H. Moore. Chicago; Edward H. Nichols, F. New York. Cattell and T. M. of Cornell university; et of Washington Prudden, City: George Joseph Beck McK. Co., nine additional Topeka, has purchased The e Continental Creamery of owned the Continental operated by treameries mal of 19: creameries Kansas, This company. makes and in in Nebraska and in Kansas. The remainder Nine ef these are Colorado, output Oklahoma, company's three the at present is about twenty thousand pounds of butter a day. the season in opening of the The nsual scenes Irving-Terry attending around the reLyceum theater on as seven o'clock in the and women collected, novels, doors armed with camp morning men 15th. As early of the stools, sand- the a police to the firstwiches and flasks. increased The keep special crowds rapidnighters in line. The Lemars national bank, at Leit doors, Frank Koob the letter mars. Ia., did not received following open having on institution: manager of the Thomas F. Ward, Frank, 1 leave vice-president "Dear from and for God Alwhere. This board of has ruined me. Save indictment if can. mighty knows me trade business from to-night you pay back every cent I can." don According to the Onlooker (a Lonsociety paper), a site of 145 acres acquired in Ireland for the royal residence. The the have been proved has erection plans been for of building apand work will commence short-

14. April 27, 1901 Morris Tribune Morris, MN
Article from Morris Tribune, April 27, 1901

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CRIMINAL NEWS. I Two convicts were killed in an attempt to escape from the New Mexican penitentiary at Santa Fe. Captain Ripley, the fourth man to be tried in connection with the murder of Governor Goebel of Kentucky, has been acquitted. Marvin R. Baldwin, former congressman from the Duluth district, committed suicide at Seattle, Wash., because of financial troubles. An express train on the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf railway was held up near Bridge Junction, Ark. The express messenger and porter were wounded in resisting the robbers. The Le Mars (Ia.) National bank has suspended. Thomas F. Ward, vice president and manager of the institution, is a self-confessed embezzler to an amount of from $25,000 to $30,000. Charles Brown and E. L. Canby, president and cashier, respectively, of the First National bank of Vancouver, Wash., which was closed Saturday by the controller of the currency, committed suicide by shooting themselves with a revolver.

15. May 2, 1901 The Butler Weekly Times Butler, MO
Article from The Butler Weekly Times, May 2, 1901

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An lowa Banker Flees. LeMars, la., April 17.-T. F. Ward, vice president of the LeMars National bank, fled last night, leaving a note saying: "I am going, God knows where." It is said he left his affairs badly involved and in a letter to his wife said the board of trade had ruined him. It is supposed he took $30,000 with him or lost it in the last few days in speculation. as it is missing from the vault of the bank. All the directors except F. Koob, the cashier, are absent from theeity. G. C. MacLagan, the president, is in Scotland. A number of minor depositors will suffer. The failure did not cause excitement and no run was occasioned upon the other three banks. Ward leaves a young wife, & baby boy a week old. and a Inxurious home. The bank's capital stock was $100,000.

16. August 13, 1901 Evening Times-Republican Marshalltown, IA
Article from Evening Times-Republican, August 13, 1901

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LeMars National Dividend. LeMars, Aug. 13.-Receiver Thornton, of the LeMars National Bank. which was wrecked by T. F. Ward last April, has received instructions from the comptroller of the currency at Washington to pay a dividend of 25 per cent to the creditors of the bank, and the dividend will be paid as soon as the achedule can be made up and the checks mailed out from Washington. Receiver Thornton advised the payment of the dividend a few days ago and yesterday morning received notice that the first dividend would be paid at once.

17. August 16, 1901 Iowa State Bystander Des Moines, IA
Article from Iowa State Bystander, August 16, 1901

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DIVIDEND FOR CREDITORS. Announced LeMars National Bank Will Pay Dividends. LeMars, Aug. 15.-The comptrolier of the currency has instructed Receiver Thornton to pay a dividend of 25 per cent to the creditors of the LeMars National bank and the dividend will be paid as soon as the schedule can be made up and the checks sent out from Washington. The LeMars National bank is the bank closed by the defalcation of Vice-President Tom F. Ward, who skipped out in the early spring with about $30,000 of the bank funds and who was arrested about a month ago at Jersey City, New Jersey. Receiver Thornton advised the payment of the dividend a few weeks ago and has just received notice that the first dividend will be paid at once.

18. August 28, 1901 Manchester Democrat Manchester, IA
Article from Manchester Democrat, August 28, 1901

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the city. This is the second Oskaloos jail delivery within eight months. TI other time two note forgers, wanted a over Iowa, made their escape. Receiver Thornton, who has charge the Le Mars National Bank, which we wrecked by the Board of Trade specul tions of Its vice president, T. F. War in April last, has received instruction from the Comptroller of the Currency Washington to pay a dividend of 25 p cent to the creditors of the bank. TI dividend will be paid ns soon AS ti schedule is made up and the checks mai ed from Washington. In Des Moines a meeting has been he of the executive committee of the organ zation of State agents of fire insurance companies formed for the purpose of ed: cating the public on the subject of wh: insurance policies really are. The mer bers of the committee decided to prepa to fight any antagonistic legislation du ing the approaching session of the legi lature. The thing most feared is a r currence of the valued policy law which was passed by the legislature and vetoe by Gov. Shaw. A large Newfoundland dog known : Frank, belodging to C. W. Franklin, Muscatine, arrived home front DI Ren O. T., afoot. At its master's door tl dog collapsed and seettied about to d from fatigue, but it was revived by ti use of restoratives. Its toenails we worn almost entirely off from constal contact with the hot roads and its fe swollen three times their natural siz The dog's owner had loaned him to h brother, Melvin Franklin, when the la ter started for El Reno to engage in tl race for Oklahoma lard, A new point was raised in the answ to the petition for an injunction to 1 strain the Iowa Telephone Compar from erecting its line out along We Grand avenue, Des Moittes. The con pany in Its answer declares that it h: toll lities running all over the State fro Des Moines and is really conducting telegraph line rather than a telephor busitiess and as such comes under ti jurisdiction of the telegraph laws rath than the local telephone ordinances. TI assertion made in answer to n former p tition that the franchise was given I the State and could not be taken aw: by the city is reiterated. A shortage in the accounts of the Ma shalltown postmaster, when made publi created considerable excitement in bus ness circles. The shortage was disco ered by Postoffice Inspector W. y Ketcham and amounts to $833.30. Pos master J. Q. Saint was at once informe of the shortage and promptly made god the loss. The responsibility of the $10 000 in stock and the $3,000 in post funds has largely rested with Deput Postmaster Max Kruskopf. Howeve others have access to the funds, which are kept in the vault, and there can no determination made as to who mu be held responsible until the matter h been fully Investigated. Saint was a pointed postmaster during McKinley first administration. The College of Liberal Arts Building Iowa City has been completed and w be ready for occupancy when scho opens in September. It has been officia ly announced that the building will dedicated Oct. 4, at which time the ut versity will hold a gala day and expec to entertain a large number of her the sands of alumni from all over the Stat As soon as President MacLean return from the East, where he is now spen ing his vacation, the program for the de lention will be arranged and the invit tions Issued. These invitations will sent broadeast throughout the State, at the university will welcome all Iowa be present and help dedleate the large and best school building not only in low but in the entire West. The temperature of the week was abo normal, with increased humidity of t) air, and fairly well distributed showe that came in a manner to be very bene cial to all growing crops. Drouthy co ditions of some severity still prevail in number of counties in the southeaste and east central districts, but in ti Garger part of the State the supply moisture has been ample to cause CO siderable improvement in pastures, la corn, potatoes and gardens. Reports i dicate that late corn has eared sufficier ly to give promise of a better yield th: has been anticipated, if September is no mally fair and frostless. The car planted portlon of the corn is great damaged, and the ears generally sho defective fertilization. The crop as whole will be very valuable in qualit and the fodder and grain that mature and much more than the usual acrea will be harvested with binders. Follow ing are the estimates of crop reporters to average condition of crops: Corn. per cent, spring wheat S4, onts 75, ba ley S3, flax 74. millet 62, potatoes 3 pastures 45, apples 35, grapes 70. T threshing returns thus far received in cate that the oats crop is generally be ter than the estimates made Aug. 1. The Cottage Creamery, south of Iov Falls, was burned to the ground, t building being a total loss. Frank Armstrong, armed with a volver, entered the apartments of 1 wife, at Muscatine, and after shooting

19. October 3, 1901 Evening Times-Republican Marshalltown, IA
Article from Evening Times-Republican, October 3, 1901

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TOM WARD INDICTED Man Who Wrecked the LeMars National Bank Indicted by Federal Court. Is Formally Accused on Seven Different Counts--Embezzlement Is Charged. The Amount of His Peculations Said to be $13,000--Gives Bond. Sioux City, Oct. 3.-Thomas F. Ward, whose peculations from the LeMars National bank while its vice president brought on its failure, yesterday afternoon was indicted by the federal grand jury on seven different counts. The first charges him with embezzlement of $13,000; the remaining six charge him with as many different fraudulent entries in the books of the bank. To all seven counts Ward entered a plea of not guilty thru his attorneys. The bond was fixed at $7,500, which was furnished. This, it is understood, will stand for the present. Before the trial of the cases is reached at the next term of court it is not unlikely that some adjustment may be reached whereby Ward will change his plea to guilty, receive a lenient sentence and begin serving it in the hope of obtaining a pardon later on. Ward's conduct since his return has been commendable; he has tendered his knowledge and his services to the receivers of the bank in untangling its mixed up affairs and otherwise manifested a desire to square up his wrong-doing. Ward has been one of the most interested spectators of the federal court during its sessions of the past few days; he watched particularly the grand jury room where his shortcomings were being weighed in the balance. Late yesterday afternoon, just before the report of the grand jury was brought into court, he paced nervously up and down the court room. He was not in the court room when Judge Shiras fixed the amount of the bond, but he was near by, and when he learned the sum, he hastened off to find his attorney to arrange for bondsmen. Kinnan and Berry, the two tramps who were arrested at Rock Rapids for supposed complicity in the Alvord postoffice robbery, were dismissed. The grand jury found that they probably had the stolen stamps in their possession when arrested at Rock Rapids, but there was no evidence to show that they had got possession of them in any other way than as they alleged, by finding them. Several indictments against bootleggers were found, the chief of which was against James Crowe, of Onawa, who has given the federal authorities much trouble by his persistent liquor selling to Indians of the Omaha reservation.

20. October 1, 1902 The Minneapolis Journal Minneapolis, MN
Article from The Minneapolis Journal, October 1, 1902

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Clark and J. Haines and the serious injury of D. Davis, IOWA "SHOCKED" HIS CORN SEED Microbes Were Killed and the Yield Is 70 Bushels to the Acre. MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA.-A new thing in growing corn was attempted by W. S. Stacy, a farmer residing near this city, with what he asserts are remarkable results. The corn was planted May 17, after having been treated to a course of electricity in the electric light plant at this place. Mr. Stacy filled a barrel with corn and water, placing a piece of zinc at the bottom and one on top. Five hundred volts of electricity was then turned on and continued for twenty minutes. The corn was then thoroughly dried and ten acres planted with a drill. The corn averaged eight feet in heighth, and Mr. Stacy says the yield will be not less than seventy bushels to the acre. His theory is that all microbes are killed by the electric treatment and the germ is not injured in any way. Much indignation is expressed over the turn affairs have taken in the RhoadesCarmean Buggy company's affairs, Federal Judge McPherson having granted an order for temporay receiver, on the request of creditors representing not much over a hundredth part of the liabilities. Mr. Greene, the assignee, had just put matters in shape where he thought he could start the works and in time put the institution on its feet. L. B. Goodrich, of State Center, has temporary charge of the company's affairs. The department store known as the Bee Hive, owned byJ. F. Harrigan, was entered by robbers and goods to the value of several hundred dollars stolen. Daniel Daley, charged with larceny, was found guilty. He is a railroad laborer and is alleged to have stolen a time check for $42.20 from A.. J. Cofer. SIOUX CITY, IOWA-T. C. Cannon, expert accountant hired by Cedar county, Nebraska, to investigate the records of the former treasurer of the county, T. F. Zeigler, yesterday sent his report to the Cedar county commissioners, stating there was a known shortage of $23,914.22. -For the first time since its establishment, there will likely be no federal court at Sioux City this fall. There are no contested civil or criminal cases and the business will be transferred to the Fort Dodge term, to convene Nov. 11. The most important case is against T. F. Ward, who wrecked the LeMars National bank, by his speculations with its money, and loss of $30,000. Twice has this case been continued, and now it will go over a third time..-Dealers in the small towns about Sioux City are suffering from the coal and car shortage. It is estimated that there are 700 cars of unfilled orders for surrounding territory, sent in by Sioux City coal jobbers.