2989. Bank of Rentz (Rentz, GA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
January 31, 1914
Location
Rentz, Georgia (32.384, -82.991)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
3eb9c3eb

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles (Feb 1914) report the Bank of Rentz suspended on January 31, 1914, the same day Farmers' State Bank closed. Reports tie the suspension to shortages by its cashier W. O. Armstrong (indicted). No article mentions a reopening; facts indicate a suspension tied to internal shortages/possible embezzlement, so classified as suspension leading to closure.

Events (1)
1. January 31, 1914 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Suspension tied to alleged shortages/short accounts by cashier W. O. Armstrong (about $15,000) and indictment; bank suspended same day another nearby bank failed; internal embezzlement/shortage suspected.
Newspaper Excerpt
The latter bank suspended on the same day the Farmers State bank here closed its doors.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)
1. February 10, 1914 The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Tribune, February 10, 1914

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Article Text

BANK CASHIER AVOIDS ARREST BY SUICIDE HAZELHURST, Ga., Feb. 9.-Officers who went to the home of G. F. Armstrong today to arrest him for an alleged shortage of $12,000 in his ac. counts 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 now in jail at Rentz, Ga., charged with being short in his accounts as cashier of the bank at Rentz, which suspended on the same day.

2. February 10, 1914 The Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL
Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, February 10, 1914

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Article Text

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.

3. February 10, 1914 Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, GA
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.

4. February 10, 1914 Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, GA
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.

5. February 10, 1914 Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, GA
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.

6. February 10, 1914 Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, GA
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.

7. February 10, 1914 Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, GA
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.

8. February 10, 1914 Arizona Republican Phoenix, AZ
Article from Arizona Republican, February 10, 1914

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Article Text

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.

9. February 11, 1914 Atlanta Georgian Atlanta, GA
Article from Atlanta Georgian, February 11, 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 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.

10. February 12, 1914 Goldsboro Weekly Argus Goldsboro, NC
Article from Goldsboro Weekly Argus, February 12, 1914

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Article Text

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.