2876. Ben Hill National Bank (Fitzgerald, GA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
8966
Charter Number
8966
Start Date
March 13, 1916
Location
Fitzgerald, Georgia (31.715, -83.253)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
76deaf08

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles show Ben Hill National Bank in Fitzgerald was placed in the hands of a receiver (C. L. Williams) in 1916 due to alleged shortages/abstractions by former officers; the bank did not reopen as an operating bank but was liquidated and dividends paid to depositors. No article describes a depositor run prior to suspension; cause is bank-specific adverse information (embezzlement/shortages).

Events (8)

1. March 13, 1916 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Mr. Williams, receiver for the bank, stated... C. L. WILLIAMS, Receiver. Ben Hill National Bank (multiple notices).
Source
newspapers
2. March 13, 1916 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Institution was placed in receivership following alleged abstractions/shortages by former officers; indictments mention approximately $12,000 shortage and violations of national banking laws.
Newspaper Excerpt
The creditors of the Ben Hill National Bank will be given all the reasonable consideration that the exigencies of the bank's conditions warrant. Mr. Williams, receiver for the bank, stated...
Source
newspapers
3. July 10, 1916 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
An effort is being made by them to repossess the affairs of this bank into the hands of the former stockholders... the department has recalled the call for the assessment of the stockholders as issued by the receiver.
Source
newspapers
4. July 16, 1916 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The indictment against Mr. Cook ... The shortage from abstractions is alleged to be approximately $12,000... this bank was later consolidated with the Ben Hill National bank which is now reported to be in the hands of a receiver.
Source
newspapers
5. December 13, 1916 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
BANK NOTICE Having sold the Ben Hill National. Bank Building and as the purchasers will take possession December 31st notice is hereby given to all parties having personal papers or documents here in the bank to remove same on or before December 27th, 1916. C. L. WILLIAMS, Receiver.
Source
newspapers
6. December 27, 1916 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
BEN HILL NATIONAL PAYS FIRST INSTALLMENT TO DEPOSITORS The receiver of the Ben Hill National Bank gladdened the hearts of the depositors of the defunct Ben Hill National by the announcement of a 30 per cent dividend Tuesday.
Source
newspapers
7. January 3, 1917 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Receiver C.L. Williams, of the Ben Hill National, has given possession to the recent purchasers of the bank building and has removed the records and effects of the bank into the office building...
Source
newspapers
8. April 13, 1917 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Receiver C. L. Williams announces that the second dividend of 20 per cent will be ready for distribution to the former depositors of the Ben Hill National Bank by April 16th.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, March 13, 1916

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Article Text

# CREDITORS TO BE # DEALT WITH LENIENTLY The creditors of the Ben Hill National Bank will be given all the reasonable consideration that the exigencies of the bank's conditions warrant. Mr. Williams, receiver for the bank, stated that it is not his intention to place any unreasonable hardships upon the creditors of this institution, if they show any willingness to co-operate with him in getting the affairs in a working condition. Mr. Williams has been connected with the national banking department for the past 16 years, though not related to Hon. John Skelton Williams, Comptroller of the Currency he realizies thoroughly the difficulties arising in a community under like conditions and desires to wind up the affiars of this bank with as little friction as possible and without adding useless costs and annoyance to the creditors who are willing to do their part. Capt. Geo. Williams, of the 13th U. S. Cavalry, at Columbus N M., we learn is the son of Receiver Williams, American oficer wounded n the preisent dfficulty in Mexico, but news has reached his father that the in his arm is only slight and that he expects to be again on duty shortly.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, July 10, 1916

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Article Text

BEN HILL STOCKHOLDERS GAIN TIME Mayor Drew W. Paulk and J. B. Wall returned Saturday from Washington, D. C., where they had been in the interest of the creditors of the Ben Hill National Bank. An effort is being made by them to repossess the affairs of this bank into the hands of the former stockholders. It is believed that a more economical system for the collection of the assets can be followed by them and the stockholders may be saved a large sum of money, without injury to the creditors of the institution. As a first step, the department has recalled the call for the assessment of the stockholders as issued by the receiver. Further steps are to be taken under the advice of the Comptroller of the Currency, which may lead to the desired change. Under the proposed change in winding up the affairs of this bank, the depositors are expected to receive their payments promptly and earlier than under the present receivership.


Article from The Brunswick News, July 16, 1916

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Article Text

U. S. Grand Jury Brings Charges Against Eight Individuals. J. W. RAY AND WIFE ARE BOTH INDICTED Another Cordele Merchant Is Charged With Concealing Assets From Trustee. ALBANY, July 15.-Indictments against eight individuals were returned by the grand jury in United States court. The parties indicted are: Ansel B. Cook, formerly president and cashier of a national bank at Fitzgerald; J. W. Ray and Mrs. Mary E. Ray, the latter postmaster a: Philema; Louis Miller and his father, George Miller, of Cordele; H. W. Wise, of Warwick, and two negroes, Stella Perry, of Rebecca and Shade Green, of Sumner. The indictment against Mr. Cook, is a lengthy one, containing something over twenty type written pages. Approximately fourteen or fifteen counts for violations of the national banking laws are set forth in the indictment. The alleged violations are said to have been committed while Mr. Cook was cashier and president of a national bank at Fitzgerald, which failed. This bank was later consolidated with the Ben Hill National bank which is now reported to be in the hands of a receiver. Mr. Cook is charged with abstracting and false entries on the books of the bank. The shortage from abstractions is alleged to be approximately $12,000, with a considerable alleged shortage from other sources.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, December 13, 1916

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Article Text

BANK NOTICE Having sold the Ben Hill National. Bank Building and as the purchasers will take possession December 31st notice is hereby given to all parties having personal papers or documents here in the bank to remove same on or before December 27th, 1916. C. L. WILLIAMS, Receiver. 2t Ben Hill National Bank.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, December 16, 1916

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Article Text

NOTICE TO TAX PAYERS It is imperative that I close the tax books for the year on Dec. 20, and all who have not yet paid state and county taxes are urged to come in before that time that they may suffer no inconvenience or expense thereby. Respectfully, F. M. Graham, Tax Collector. BANK NOTICE Having sold the Ben Hill National Bank Building and as the purchasers will take possession December 31st notice is hereby given to all parties having personal papers or documents here in the bank to remove same on or before December 27th. 1916. C. L. WILLIAMS, Receiver. Ben Hill National Bank. 2t


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, December 18, 1916

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Article Text

BANK NOTICE Having sold the Ben Hill National Bank Building and as the purchasers will take possession December 31st notice is hereby given to all parties having personal papers or documents here in the bank to remove same on or before December 27th, 1916. C. L. WILLIAMS, Receiver. 2t Ben Hill National Bank.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, December 27, 1916

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Article Text

BEN HILL NATIONAL PAYS FIRST INSTALLMENT TO DEPOSITORS The receiver of the Ben Hill National Bank gladdened the hearts of the depositors of the defunct Ben Hill National by the announcement of a 30 per cent dividend Tuesday.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, January 3, 1917

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Article Text

Receiver C.L. Williams, of the Ben Hill National, has given possession to the recent purchasers of the bank building and has removed the records and effects of the bank into the office building of Mr. J. M. McDonald. immediately south of the Ben Hill Bank building where the affairs of the defunct bank will be closed up.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, January 12, 1917

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Article Text

SHERIFF'S SALE GEORGIA--Ben Hill County. Will be'sold first Tuesday February, next, public outery at courthouse said county, within legal hours of sale to highest bidder for cash: All of lot of land number two hundred five in third land district of Ben Hill county, Georgia, together with all improvements thereon. Said property levied on as property of O. H. Elkins to satisfy execution issued from Superior Court Ben Hill county, favor of C.L. Williams, as Receiver Ben Hill National Bank of Fitzgerald, Ga., against O. H. Elkins. said property being in posession of O. H. Elkins. This Jan. 12, 1917. E. H. Dorminey, Sheriff.


Article from The Leader Enterprise and Press, April 13, 1917

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Article Text

# 2ND DIVIDEND ANNOUNCED Receiver C. L. Williams announces that the second dividend of 20 per cent will be ready for distribution to the former depositors of the Ben Hill National Bank by April 16th. Mr. Mercer Addison, of Leary, is spending a few days in the city on business.