2899. Farmers State Bank (Hazlehurst, GA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
January 31, 1914
Location
Hazlehurst, Georgia (31.864, -82.599)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
e0dd0ff8

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Cashier embezzlement/shortage discovered; receiver appointed subsequently.

Description

A run occurred (paid out vault funds) and the bank closed (suspended) Jan 31, 1914; later declared insolvent and a receiver was appointed (temporary receiver qualified Feb 11). Investigation revealed a large shortage by the cashier, indicating bank-specific adverse information/insolvency as the underlying cause.

Events (3)

1. January 31, 1914 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Shortage/embezzlement discovered in cashier's accounts (approx. $12,000$15,000) indicating insolvency
Measures
Paid out all money in the vault then closed doors; placed in hands of State Bank Examiner
Newspaper Excerpt
A run was made on the bank Saturday, and, after paying out all the money in the vault, the doors were closed
Source
newspapers
2. January 31, 1914 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank pronounced insolvent by State Bank Examiner; investigation disclosed a shortage of roughly $12,000$15,000 attributed to the cashier's misconduct
Newspaper Excerpt
Directors of the Farmers' State Bank posted a notice on the door this morning that the bank is closed and in the hands of the State Bank Examiner.
Source
newspapers
3. February 11, 1914 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
F. M. Haynes ... has qualified ... as temporary receiver of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (15)

Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 3, 1914

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Article Text

Rural Bank Closes After Saturday Run HAZELHURST, Feb. 2.-Directors of the Farmers' State Bank posted a notice on the door this morning that the bank is closed and in the hands of the State Bank Examiner. A run was made on the bank Saturday, and. after paying out all the money in the vault, the doors were closed and depositors tald that business would be resumed to-day. G. F. Armstrong, cashier, is confined at his home sick. The/bank was organized three years ago as one of the Walker chain, but Mr. Walker had sold his interest. It is said that the assets are sufficient to pay all depositors.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 9, 1914

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Receiver for Failed State Bank Sought The Governor Saturday directed the Attorney General to institute proceedings looking to the appointment of a receiver for the Farmers State Bank of Hazlehurst, which has been pronounced insolvent by State Bank Examiner Speer,


Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, February 10, 1914

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GEORGIA CASHIER OF BANK SUICIDES G. F. Armstrong, Charged With $12,000 Shortage, Takes Own Life Hazlehurst, Ga., February 9.-G. F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers State bank here. which closed its doors January 31, today shot himself through the head and died several hours later. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12.000 and a warrant today was issued charging Armstrong with responsibility for the disappearance of this sum. He was given until 3 o'clock to make good the shortage and shot himself just before the officers called to serve the warrant. Armstrong's son, W. O. Aarmstrong. now is in jail at Rentz, Ga., charged with being short in- his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended the same day the Farmers State bank here closed its doors.


Article from The Brattleboro Daily Reformer, February 10, 1914

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BANKER SHOT HIMSELF. Had Been Arrested Charged with Being $12,000 Short in Accounts. HAZELHURST, Ga., Feb. 10. - Officers who went to the home of (i. F. Armstrong here yesterday to arrest him for an alleged shortage of $12. 000 in his accounts. as cashier of the Farmers' State bank. found Armstrong dying, with a bullet in his head. The cashier had been given until 3 o'clock to make good the shortage, and he shot himself just before that time came. He died within a short time. The Farmers' bank closed its doors Jan. 31. The dead cashier's son, W. O. Armstrong, is now in jail at Rentz, Ga. charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz, which suspended on the same day.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 10, 1914

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SLAYS HIMSELF TO ESCAPE ARREST Hazlehurst Bank Cashier Commits Suicide When Warrant for Him Is Issued. HAZLEHURST, Feb. 10.-George F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a pistol rather than submit to arrest. K. Duncan had sworn out a warrant for Armstrong, charging larceny after trust, he having bought an $800 New York exchange which Armstrong failed to account for. Armstrong, who was at his home sick, sent for Judge Knox, and from him learned that the warrant had been issued, whereupon he took his life rather than go to jail. Armstrong claimed that he was penniless, the bank failure taking all he had, and that his family was suffering for necessities of life. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12,000. Armstrong was well known in Georgia banking circles. His son, W. O. Armstrong, now is in jail at Dublin, charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State Bank here closed its doors. Will Armstrong, the son, is alleged to be short with the Bank of Rentz about $15,000, and has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Laurens County and is in jail at Dublin. Ga., in default of bond. George F. Armstrong was a brother of Frank Armstrong, of the Brown House, of Macon. He leaves a wife and six children.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 10, 1914

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Article Text

SLAYS HIMSELF TO ESCAPE ARREST Hazlehurst Bank Cashier Commits Suicide When Warrant for Him Is Issued. HAZLEHURST, Feb. 10.-George F. Armstrong. cashier of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a pistol rather than submit to arrest. K. Duncan had sworn out a warrant for Armstrong, charging larceny after trust, he having bougnt an $800 New York exchange which Armstrong failed to account for. Armstrong, who was at his home sick. sent for Judge Knox, and from him learned that the warrant had been issued, whereupon he took his life rather than go to jail. Armstrong claimed that he was penniless, the bank failure taking all he had. and that his family was suffering for necessities of life. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12,000. Armstrong was well known in Georgia banking circles. His son. W. O. Armstrong, now is in jail at Dublin, charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State Bank here closed its doors. Will Armstrong. the son. is alleged to be short with the Bank of Rentz about $15,000, and has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Laurens County and is in jail at Dublin. Ga., in default of bond. George F. Armstrong was a brother of Frank Armstrong, of the Brown House, of Macon. He leaves a wife and six children.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 10, 1914

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Article Text

SLAYS HIMSELF TO ESCAPE ARREST Hazlehurst Bank Cashier Commits Suicide When Warrant for Him Is Issued. HAZLEHURST, Feb. 10.-George F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a pistol rather than submit to arrest. K. Duncan had sworn out a warrant for Armstrong, charging larceny after trust, he having bought an $800 New York exchange which Armstrong failed to account for. Armstrong, who was at his home sick, sent for Judge Knox, and from him learned that the warrant had been issued, whereupon he took his life rather than go to jail. Armstrong claimed that he was penniless, the bank failure taking all he had. and that his family was suffering for necessities of life. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximate $12,000. Armstrong was well known in Georgia banking circles. His son. W. O. Armstrong, now is in jall at Dublin. charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State Bank here closed its doors. Will Armstrong, the son, is alleged to be short with the Bank of Rentz about $15,000, and has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Laurens County and is in jall at Dublin. Ga., in default of bond. George F. Armstrong was a brother of Frank Armstrong, of the Brown House, of Macon. He leaves a wife and six children.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 10, 1914

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Article Text

SLAYS HIMSELF TO ESCAPE ARREST Hazlehurst Bank Cashier Commits Suicide When Warrant for Him Is Issued. HAZLEHURST, Feb. 10.-George F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a pistol rather than submit to arrest. K. Duncan had sworn out a warrant for Armstrong, charging larceny after trust, he having bought an $800 New York exchange which Armstrong failed to account for. Armstrong, who was at his home sick, sent for Judge Knox, and from him learned that the warrant had been issued, whereupon he took his life rather than go to jail. Armstrong claimed that he . was penniless, the bank failure taking all he had, and that his family was suffering for necessities of life. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12,000. Armstrong was well known in Georgia banking circles. His son, W. O. Armstrong, now is in jail at Dublin, charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State Bank here closed its doors. Will Armstrong, the son. is alleged to be short with the Bank of Rentz about $15,000, and has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Laurens County and is in jail at Dublin, Ga., in default of bond. George F. Armstrong was a brother of Frank Armstrong, of the Brown House, of Macon. He leaves a wife and six children.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 10, 1914

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SLAYS HIMSELF TO ESCAPE ARREST Hazlehurst Bank Cashier Commits Suicide When Warrant for Him Is Issued. HAZLEHURST, Feb. 10.-George F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a pistol rather than submit to arrest. K. Duncan had sworn out a warrant for Armstrong, charging larceny after trust, he having bought an $800 New York exchange which Armstrong failed to account for. Armstrong, who was at his home sick, sent for Judge Knox, and from him learned that the warrant had been issued, whereupon he took his life rather than go to jail. Armstrong claimed that he was penniless, the bank failure taking all he had, and that his family was suffering for necessities of life. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12,000. Armstrong was well known in Georgia banking circles. His son, W. O. Armstrong, now is in jail at Dublin, charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State Bank here closed its doors. Will Armstrong, the son, is alleged to be short with the Bank of Rentz about $15,000, and has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Laurens County and is in jail at Dublin, Ga., in default of bond. George F. Armstrong was a brother of Frank Armstrong, of the Brown House, of Macon. He leaves a wife and six children.


Article from Arizona Republican, February 10, 1914

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DEFAULTING CASHIER SUICIDES [ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH HAZELHURST. Ga., Feb. 9.-Officers who today went to the home of G. F. Armstrong to arrest him for. an alleged shortage of $12,000 in his accounts as cashier of the Farmers' State bank found Armstrong dying with a bullet in his head. He died tonight. The Farmers' bank closed its doors on January 31. The dead cashier's son, W. O. Armstrong, is in jail at Rentz, charged with a shortage in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz, which suspended the same day.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 11, 1914

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Acting Receiver for Failed Bank Named hazlehurst, Feb. 11.-F. M. Haynes, assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at this place, has qualified before R. J. Roddenberry, Clerk of Superior Court, as temporary receiver of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed. Petition for permanent receiver will be heard before Judge C. B. Conyers on February 18 in Superior Court. It is said there is a shortage of $15,000 or more. The failure of this bank led to the suicide of G. F. Armstrong, the cashier, who was charged in a warrant with having wrecked it.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 11, 1914

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Acting Receiver for Failed Bank Named HAZLEHURST, Feb. 11.-F. M. Haynes, assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at this place, has qualified before R. J. Roddenberry, Clerk of Superior Court, as temporary receiver of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed. Petition for permanent receiver will be heard before Judge C. B. Conyers on February 18 in Superior Court. It is said there is a shortage of $15,000 or more. The failure of this bank led to the suicide of G. F. Armstrong, the cashier, who was charged in a warrant with having wrecked it.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 11, 1914

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SLAYS HIMSELF TO ESCAPE ARREST Hazlehurst Bank Cashier Commits Suicide When Warrant for Him Is Issued. HAZLEHURST, Feb. 10.-George F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed, committed suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a pistol rather than submit to arrest. K. Duncan had sworn out a warrant for Armstrong, charging larceny after trust, he having bought an $800 New York exchange which Armstrong failed to account for. Armstrong, who was at his home sick, sent for Judge Knox, and from him learned that the warrant had been issued, whereupon he took his life rather than go to jail. Armstrong claimed that he was penniless, the bank failure taking all he had, and that his family was suffering for necessities of life. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12,000. Armstrong was well known in Georgia banking circles. His son, W. O. Armstrong, now is in jail at Dublin, charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State Bank here closed its doors. Will Armstrong, the son, is alleged to be short with the Bank of Rentz about $15,000, and has been indicted by the Grand Jury of Laurens County and is in jall at Dublin, Ga., in default of bond. George F. Armstrong was a brother of Frank Armstrong, of the Brown House, of Macon. He leaves a wife and six children.


Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 12, 1914

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Acting Receiver for Failed Bank Named HAZLEHURST, Feb. 11.-F. M. Haynes, assistant cashier of the Citizens Bank at this place, has qualified before R. J. Roddenberry, Clerk of Superior Court, as temporary receiver of the Farmers State Bank, which recently failed. Petition for permanent receiver will be heard before Judge C. B. Conyers on February \18 in Superior Court. It is said there is a shortage of $15,000 or more. The failure of this bank led to the suicide of G. F. Armstrong, the cashier, who was charged in a warrant with having wrecked it.


Article from Goldsboro Weekly Argus, February 12, 1914

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BANKER COMMITTED SUICIDE. Learned of Warrant For His ArrestShot Himself Dead. Hazelhurst, Ga., Feb. 9.-G. F. Armstrong, cashier of the Farmers' State Bank here, which closed its doors January 31st, today shot himself in the head dying a few hours later. Investigation of the bank's affairs disclosed a shortage of approximately $12,000, and a warrant was issued today charging Armstrong with responsibility for the disappearance of this sum. He was given until 3 o'clock to make good the shortage and shot himself just before officers called to serve the warrant. Armstrong is well known in Georgia banking-circles His son, W. O. Armstrong, is now in jail at Rentz, Ga., charged with being short in accounts as cashier of the Bank of Rentz. The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers' State Bank here closed its doors.