Merchants National Bank (Ocala, FL)

View Charter #3815 on SPMC View balance sheet

Episode Information

Episode UID
381501165
Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
38150 national
Charter Number
3815
Start Date
January 13, 1897
Location
Ocala, Florida (29.187, -82.140)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
3e83a4286ce50ed1

Response Measures

Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Full suspension, Books examined

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
23.8%
Date receivership started
1897-02-03
Date receivership terminated
1901-09-30
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
13.3%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
37.8%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
48.9%

Description

Comptroller briefly authorized resumption (Jan 21) but a receiver was soon appointed and the bank remained in receivership and was liquidated.

Events (8)
1. November 21, 1887 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. January 13, 1897 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Steady withdrawals over weeks due to perceived poor management and inability of president to obtain correspondent assistance; heavy local withdrawals culminated Jan.13.
Measures
Directors met and decided to close; notice posted 'Bank closed by order of directors'; bank examiner placed in charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
yesterday a climax was reached. All day a steady rub was made and at night the withdrawals by local depositors during the day footel up over $12,000.
Source
newspapers
3. January 14, 1897 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Closed by directors after withdrawals exhausted cash on hand and bank deemed insolvent/ill-managed; examiner placed in charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
Merchants' National bank at Ocala, Fla., suspended today by reason of the board of directors. Bank Examiner Shubrick has been placed in charge.
Source
newspapers
4. January 21, 1897 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Comptroller will authorize the bank to resume as now advised and not appoint a receiver. WILKINSON CALL.
Source
newspapers
5. January 21, 1897 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Davis offered a resolution favoring the appointment of Z. C. Chambliss as receiver of the Merchants' National bank. It was unanimously adopted. The inquiries that are being received by G. C. Stapylton, receiver of the Merchants' National bank, indicate an early settlement ... G. C. Stapylton, receiver of the bank, made affidavit ... placed in the hands of U.S. Commissioner ... receiver of the bank, awaiting appointment of a receiver.
Source
newspapers
6. February 3, 1897 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
7. January 13, 1898 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The sale of the Merchants National Bank building, vaults and fixtures took place yesterday by Receiver Stapylton ... Messrs. Munroe & Chambliss were the purchasers
Source
newspapers
8. June 12, 1899 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
I will sell for cash, to the highest bidder, ... the remaining assets of the MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK of OCALA, FLORIDA ... G. C. STAPYLTON, Receiver
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (24)
1. January 14, 1897 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, January 14, 1897

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DETROIT FIRM FAILS. Detroit, Mich., Jan. 14.-The old es. tablished firm of H. S. Robinson & Co. boot and shoe manufacturers, filed three chattel mortgages today, securing creditors for liabilities aggregating $138,365. The first mortgage secures local banks in the sum of $43,000, the second secures the United States Rubber company for $38,730, and the third a large number of manufacturers, mostly in the east, for $41,000. The general business depression is said to be responsible for the trouble. The assets are hardly sufficient to cover more than the first and second mortgages. | Washington, Jan. 14.-Mr. Cofrin, the acting comptroller of the currency, has received a telegram stating that the Merchants' National bank at Ocala, Fla., suspended today by reason of the board of directors. The bank has a capital of $100,000 and at the date of its last report it owed other banks $8,000. Its individual deposits amounted to $108,000 and its payable bills $38,000. Bank Examiner Shubrick has been placed in charge. It is stated that the bank has not been well managed for some time. A DIVIDEND PASSED. New York, Jan. 14.-A director of the Toledo & Central says that the passing of the dividend was on account of the losses in net earnings due to the demoralization of the bituminous coal trade for the five months ending November 30, losses in net earnings on this account amounting to $118,000. The road at present, the director says, is barely making its fixed charges. NEW YORK DRY GOODS FAILURE. New York, Jan. 14.-The sheriff today took charge of the stock of David O'Grady, retail dry goods dealer. Liabilities, $40,000; assets, $50. MINNEAPOLIS BANK. Washington, Jan. 14.-The comptroller of the currency has appointed J. B. Atwater of Minneapolis receiver of the Columbia National bank of Minneapolis. TOBACCO FAILURE. Cleveland, O., Jan. 14.-Robert Lindmuller, a wholesale tobacco dealer doing business at 14 South Water street, assigned today to George J. Bowden. Assets are placed at $25,000 and liabilities at $40,000.

2. January 14, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, January 14, 1897

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CLOSED THE DOORS. THE MERCHANTS' NATIONAL BANK OF THIS CITY SUCCUMBS TO THE FINANCIAL DEPRESSION. Our city was thrown into a state of great excitement this morning when it became known that the directors of the Merchants' National bank had decided not to open the doors. Soon after 8 o'clock the news began to spread and in a few minutes a large crowd had congregated in front of the bank discussing the situation and waiting anxiously for the usual opening hour. A few minutes before 9 o'clock a notice was placed on the door which read as follows: "Bank closed by order of directors, comptroller has been notified." This told the tale and the creditors knew that their worst fears had been realized. For some weeks it had been quietly rumored that the institution was in a very shaky condition and those who received the "tip" quietly withdrew their deposits. This has occasioned a steady run on the bank for the past three weeks. Yesterday a climax was reached. All day a steady rub was made and at night the withdrawals by local depositors during the day footel up over $12,000. This, together with the large amounts that had been drawn out, to use a plain expression, "busted the bank." The amount of deposits remaining in the bank is thought to be comparitively small, but nevertheless the blow i3 a severe one, The people of this community are not able to lose a cent in this way, and coming as it does, before we have recovered from the fearful crash of two years ago, the blow is doubly severe. What caused the failure at this time is a mystery. President McConnell is in New York trying to obtain assistance and his failure to get it is said to have forced the run yesterday. It is hoped the losses are not even as great as reported.

3. January 14, 1897 San Antonio Daily Light San Antonio, TX
Article from San Antonio Daily Light, January 14, 1897

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ANOTHER BANK LOST. Washington, Jan. 14.-Mr. Coffin, acting comptroller of the currency, has received a telegram stating that the Merchants' National bank, Ocala, Fla., has suspended today. The bank has a capital of $100,000 and at the date of its last report it owed other banks $8,000; its individual deposits were $108,000 and its bills payable $38,000. Bank Examiner Shubrick was placed in charge. It is stated that the bank has not beeen well managed for some time.

4. January 15, 1897 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, January 15, 1897

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FLORIDA HAS THREE FAILURES. BANKS CLOSE AT OCALA, ORANGE CITY AND BROOKSVILLE. The Merchants National the One Involved at Ocala and Its Liabilities $154,000-The Orange City Bank a Private Concern Run by the Stillman Brothers-The Failure at Brooksville Brought on by the Assignment at Ocala. Ocala, Fla., Jan. 14.-The Merchants' National Bank closed its doors this morning. To many it was not a surprise, but to the public at large it was, as it was thought it had passed through its worst trials. President McConnell was absent in New York, trying to arrange with its correspondent there to get help. From statements made to the Morning News correspondent by persons, who ought to know what they are talking about, the story runs about in this way: For several weeks there has been a stealy withdrawal of deposits, amounting to about $50,000. Yesterday the climax was reached, about $12,000 being withdrawn, carrying the cash on hand down to $1,500. The directors held a meeting last night, and knowing big demands would be made this morning, decided to close the bank's doors. Long before 9 o'clock this morning a crowd began to gather, many in the hope that the bank would open, ready to demand their deposits. By 9 o'clock several hundred people were around the corner, and when the notice was posted "closed by order of the directors," the excitement became intense. Men wept in disappointment, others gesticulated wildly, and the air was lurid with hot speech, It is a sad and sore blow to Ocala. The people were just beginning to recover from the effects of the freeze, and the failure of the First National Bank, when this new calamity sends them reeling. On Monday of last week the bank examiner was here, went through the bank's accounts and pronounced it all right, at least so the public print expressed. A director said this morning the deposits ran down for the month from $120,000 to $70,000 at its close. It is also learned that a deed executed last August for $13,000 on the bank building to J. N. C. Stockton, a Jacksonville banker, was filed for record this morning before 8 o'clock. It is also stated that President McConnell's property is mortgaged. Business men say it has been next to impossible for the past six months to get any accommodation. The failure hits the Ocala newspaper men for a $1,000, notably F. E. Harris for nearly $800. A winter visitor placed $200 in the bank several weeks ago for his use and others who came to enjoy the climate small sums. While some of the Ocala people are hopeful others are the reverse. Many are finding fault at President McConnell's absence and others that the directors were not better advised regarding the condition of the bank. Washington, Jan. 14.-The controller of the currency was advised this morning by the directors of the Merchants' National Bank of Ocala, Fla., that the bank had closed its doors. The bank had a capital of $100,000. Its liabilities are $154,000, as follows: $108,000 Due depositors 38,000 Borrowed money 8,000 Due to banks Bank Examiner Shubrick has been placed in charge of the bank. Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 14.-The Orange City Bank, a private institution of which John E. Stillman, chairman of the republican executive committee of this state, is president, has closed its doors, and R. S. Leavitt of Orange City, the assignee, is now in charge. The cashier of the bank was Arthur Stillman, a brother of the president. The Stillman brothers were the principal owners of the bank, and they have assigned all of their property to R. S. Leavitt for the benefit of their creditors. There was no warning of the failure, and within the past few weeks several northern people, who have winter homes in the vicinity of Orange City, have deNo posited various sums in the bank. statement of the assets or liabilities of the bank has yet been announced Brooksville, Fla., Jan. 14.-The Brooksville State Bank has closed its doors tem. porarily on account of the suspension f the Merchants National Bank of Ocala this morning. The losses are pretty general. Confidence, however, remains in the honesty of the officials of this bank.

5. January 15, 1897 The Roanoke Daily Times Roanoke, VA
Article from The Roanoke Daily Times, January 15, 1897

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FLORIDA BANK FAILURE. Washington, Jan. 14.-Mr. Coffin, the acting comptroller of the currency, has received a telegram stating that the Merchants' National Bank, :of Ocala, Fla., suspended to-day by resolution™ of the board of directors. The bank has a capital of $100,000. Its individual deposits amounted to $108,000, and its bills pay. able to $38,000. Bank Examiner: Shubrick has been placed in charge. It is stated that the bank has not been well managed for some time.

6. January 16, 1897 The Guthrie Daily Leader Guthrie, OK
Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, January 16, 1897

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An Ocala, Fla., Bank Suspends. W ASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-Mr. Coffin, the acting comptroller of the currency, has received a telegram stating that the Merchants' National bank of Ocala, Fla., suspended to-day. Assets and liabilities unknown.

7. January 21, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, January 21, 1897

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five ballots and was declared elected. A communication was read from C. E Eichner tendering his services to the city for the present year free of charge. Davis offered a resolution favoring the appointment of Z. C. Chambliss as receiver of the Merchants' National bank. It WSS unanimously adopted. On motion of Smith, the investigation of the trouble between tax collector Livingston and city treasurer Moody, was proceeded with. On motion of Green all witnesses not testifying were exclud ed from the room. J. H Livingston, jr., was first called and after being sworn by Mayor Bullock, related his side of the transaction. His statement revealed the fact that during the year of 1856, from Mch. 3 to Dec. 3%, he has been depositing the city funds with R. B. McConnel at the Merchants' National cank. At irregular intervals he has been turning same over to Treasurer Moody, At the close of the year McConnell owed him a balance of $2,600. The latter made him a check on the bank for the amount and which, with other checks, amounting in all to $4,000, he turned over to Moody, who gave him a receipt for the amount, but afterwards get possession of the $2,600 receipt and failed to credit it, claiming that the check was made out by McConnel in an irregular way. Mr. Moody was then called and sworn. He testified to having seen McConnell on January 11th in regard to turning over the city fundsin his possession. McConnell said the city script was in New York. He had sent it away for the purpose of entering suit and getting first judgment against the city. When told that a settlement would have to be made at once, he said that if he could not get script in time he would give cash and would issue a check to Livingston so that he could endorse it over to Moody. Two days later when he received the check, it was made out directly to Moody and he refused it on the grounds that it relieved Livingston of all responsibility and was not the kind of a check that McConnell had agreed to give him. He gave Livingston a receipt before examining the check, but afterwards got possession of the receipt and then refused to give Livingston credit until McConnel rectified the mistake. That gentleman was in New York on important business connected with the bank, and meanwhile the bank busted with over $9000 of the city's money and the band started in on another tune. Mr. Bird the special examiner and clerk Blake then gave testimony in regard to the disputed reccipt; how it was secured by Livingston, and how it was afterwards secured by the treasurer. Before any more witnesses were heard the council adjourned until next Tuesday evening when the trial will be countinued. In the , meantime the bank will hold what i money we have, and McConnell will doubtless secure a judgment I agaiest the city, and will collect the principle and interest on our own scrip.

8. January 21, 1897 The Worthington Advance Worthington, MN
Article from The Worthington Advance, January 21, 1897

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Escaping gas from a coal stove in Chicago killed Charles Poole and his mother Mrs. Esther Poole. The Wisconsin legislature convened at Madison. L. W. Thay of Ripon, was chosen president pro tem. of the senate and George W. Buckstaff, of Oshkosh, speaker of the assembly. The City national bank of Streator, III., has voluntarily retired from business. Thomas J. Brown, president of the National Association of Letter Carriers, died in Chicago, aged 41 years. Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone and a resident of Washington, has renounced allegiance to the queen of England and become a citizen of the United States. Gov. Scofield, of Wisconsin, in his message to the legislature recommends a board of pardons, revision of the state banking law and the erection of a reformatory for juvenile culprits. John D. Rockefeller, the multimillionaire, has been reelected superintendent of the Sunday school of the Euclid Avenue Baptist church in Cleveland. William Ferguson, corresponding secretary of Typographical union No. 6, and Jacob McKenna were suffocated by gas in a New York hotel. Thomas Lowe, aged 26, of Denison, Tex., confessed to having 16 wives, all living. The grand lodge of masons of Minnesota adopted a resolution barring all those who sell intoxicants from becoming masons in its jurisdiction. The steamship Eva, with a party of six aboard, was lost off the New Orleans coast. The exports of domestic merchandise during December amounted to $116,128,334, and for the year $986,871,256. The imports during December aggregated $57,956,009, and for the year $680,556,223. Five persons were seriously injured and about 30 others more or less cut and bruised by an accident on a street car line in Pittsburgh, Pa. The exports of gold during December amounted to $405,856 and the imports to $2,572,271. For the year the exports aggregated $56,742,844 and the imports $102,766,438. The silver exports during December amounted to $6,819,545 and the imports to $1,279,801. Duriug the year the exports amounted to $63,029,336 and the imports to $12,504,577. The Merchants' national bank of Ocala, Fla., suspended with liabilities of $145,000. Leland castle, owned by Adrian Iselin, Jr., and occupied by the Morse school, was burned at New Rochelle, N. Y., the loss being $100,000. At Narberth, Pa., fire destroyed the famous old stone barn opposite the Gen. Wayne hotel, which has been a familiar landmark for more than a century. Benjamin Gandy, aged 55 years, and Seabright Berry, aged 45 years, both of Gloucester, N. J., were instantly killed by the cars in Philadelphia. There were 455 business failures in the United States in the seven days ended on the 15th, against 488 the week previous and 395 in the corresponding period of 1896. The exchanges at the leading clearing houses in the United States during the week ended on the 15th aggregated $1,047,860,662, against $1,144,639,080 the previous week. The decrease compared with the corresponding week of 1896 was 1.6. Fire destroyed the plant of the Fox Faper company at Crescentville, O., the loss being $150,000. Jennie Browning, with her baby in her arms, jumped into the Kentucky river near Monterey,Ky. and both were drowned. As a result of a family feud two farmers, Jonas Hackensmith and Punch Evans, living near Dover, Mo., shot each other fatally. The United States treasury deficit for the first half of January is $6,860,963, and for the fiscal year to date $44,763,360. Deputy United States Marshal W. A. Bird was shot dead in Breathitt county, Ky., by Jacob Neace, a moonshiner. The Citizens' state bank of Fullerton, Neb., closed its doors. A portion of the Buckners orphan home in the suburbs of Dallas, Tex., was burned and five boys perished and a number of others were injured. The business portion of Milan, Mo., was destroyed by fire. The semi-centennial plan of celebrating in 1898 the fiftieth anniversary of Wisconsin has been abandoned. Dun & Co. in their review of trade say that gradual and steady improvement has been in progress throughout the country for two months. Later advices say that 15 children perished in the fire that destroyed the Buckner orphan home in Dallas, Tex. Mrs. Frank Villier. living near Port Leyden, N. Y., cut her child's throat and then her own. No cause is known

9. January 21, 1897 Eagle River Review Eagle River, WI
Article from Eagle River Review, January 21, 1897

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Florida Bank Suspends. The Merchants' National Bank of Ocala, Fla., has suspended. The bank has a capital of $100,000, and at the date of its last report it owed other banks $8,000. Its individual deposits amounted to $108,000, and its bills payable to $38,000.

10. January 22, 1897 The Ocala Banner Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Banner, January 22, 1897

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GOOD NEWS TO DEPOSITORS. A Telegram from Senator Call says the Merchants may Resume. The following telegram has been received by the editor of this paper which will be good news to all our people and especially to bank depositors. Washington, D. C., Jan. 21st, 1897. To F. E. Harris, Oeala. Comptroller will authorize the bank to resume as now advised and not appoint a receiver. WILKINSON CALL.

11. January 22, 1897 The Ocala Banner Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Banner, January 22, 1897

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Wreckage-Bank Items. The Merchants bank failed to open Thursday morning. Friday evening J. A. Rowell and S. R. Birdsey & Co. made assignments, the result of the bank closing its doors Jesse M. Neely is assignee of the first named party, whose assets are $6,562 and liabilities $21,000, of which amount Mr. Rowell owes the Merchants bank, of which he was vicepresident and a director and a member of the credit committee, $7,500, R. B. McConnell, president of the bank, $1,543 and the Park City bank, New York, $4,500. Mr. Samuel R. Birdsey Jr., is assignee of the firm of Birdsey & Co., whose assets are something over $6000 and liabilities $9,198.24; due the Merchants bank, $2,800 and $1000 due President McConnell. The liabilities of the bank are reputed at $154,000 and its assets $170,000. Mr. Shubrick, national bank examiner, who was in Ocala scarcely two weeks ago and then examined the bank is now in charge of the institution awaiting the appointment of a receiver. It has caught a great many people with their all of home folks, while from the outside many were equally unfortunate. So far nothing new has developed. The county and city are large losers by the failure.

12. January 23, 1897 The Greenville Times Greenville, MS
Article from The Greenville Times, January 23, 1897

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A Florida Bank Suspends. The Merchants' national bank of Ocala, Fla., with a capital of $100,000, has suspended. It is stated that the bank has not been well managed.

13. February 17, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, February 17, 1897

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ONE FOR JACKSONVILLE. THE MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK OF THAT CITY CLOSED ITS DOORS YESTERDAY. The Merchants' National Bank of Jacksonville was forced to suspend yesterday. About n on tha same cld notice was found tacked to the door which read as follows: This bank closed by order of the directors. The comproller has been notified." The Metropolis, of that city, in speaking ot the affair, says: "The news quickly spread that the 'Merchants National Bank had closed," and soon quite a crowd gathered in front of the doors, but there was really very little excitement, for the failure was not unexpected, as it had been known ever since the publication of the last bank statement on December 17th, that the deposits in the bank were not as large as they ought to have been One of the principal causes, tco, of this weakness was the failure ot the Merchants' National Bank of Ocale, and many people confounded the two banks, causing many timorous people to withdraw their deposits from the Merchants' National Bank in this city. The bankers of this city were apprised of the serious situation of the bank last Sunday and held a conference and appointed a committee, consisting of Messrs. H. G. Aird, R. C. Cooley, T. P. Denham and B. H. Barnett, to investi gate the bank's accounts. These gentlemen made a thorough examination, and Mr. Cooley, who was authorized as spokesman for the committee, said that it was the belief of the committee, after examining the securities, that depositors would be paid in full, but that it would take some little time. One thing the committee emphasized and that was the failure was not brought about by anything dishonorable. The failure came because the depositors drew out their money faster than the bank could realize on its securities.

14. March 11, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, March 11, 1897

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The inquiries that are being received by G. C. Stapylton, receiver of the Merchants' National bank, indicate an early settlement of the question in favor of a new bank for this city.

15. April 30, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, April 30, 1897

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Florida never had a more faithful representative than Senator Pasco. Through his influence an order has been issued to allow the receiver of the Merchants' National bank of Ocala to furnish the legislative investigating committee with all information relating to the connection of State Treasurer Collins with that bank. Senator Pasco is to be commended for what he has done. Only what is right should be done, and we believe that Senator Pasco wants to know the right. We also believe that the investigation will show that Treasurer Collins should be exonerated from all blame.Gainesville Sun.

16. June 5, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, June 5, 1897

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R. B. McConnell, the Defaulting Bank President ENDS HIS UNHAPPY LIFE. The Terrible Deed Committed About Two O'clock This Afternoon at The Home of His Brother-inLaw, W. K. McDonald.Tragic Ending of an Eventful Career. "McConnell has killed himself" was the news that spread like wild fire through the streets of our city this afternoon. When the excitement had subsided, the facts in the terrible tragedy became known. R. B. McConnell, the Merchant's National bank president, committed suicide by sending a ball through his brain. The particulars as near as could be learned are as follows: G. C. Stapylton, receiver of the bank, made affidavit to some additional charges against him and placed them in the hands of U.S. Commissioner D. S. Williams, who swore out a warrant and placed it in the hands of U. S. Marshal James Clark, who went to the home of W. K. McDonald, where McConnell was taking dinner. When he read the warrant McConnell asked to go up stairs for his coat. While he was up stairs a pistol shot rang out loud and clear. The officer rushed up only to find the unfortunate man a corpse on the floor with a bullet hole in his temple and a revolver still smoking in his hand. It was a sad sight. The aged mother was overwhelmed with grief. Medical aid was summoned but death preceded them. They found him a corpse. The affair caused the greatest excitement in town. Everywhere groups of men were seen discussing the terrible deed. It came like a thunderbolt but not entirely unexpected by some who were intimate with all the circumstances. The heartbroken mother and sorrow stricken friends have the sympathy of all. Whatever may have been the man's shortcomings, let us draw the mantle of charity, and pity those who suffer by the rash deed.

17. June 5, 1897 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, June 5, 1897

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taxes, F. Vidal Cruz; councilmen, for two years, Frank Murilo, Fernando Figuera-do, Philip H. Collins; councilman for one year, Jacinto Chile. ### Col. T. M. Atkins Died Col. T. M. Atkins died at Orange Home of bronchitis a few days ago. He served a term as representative from Sumter county in the lower house of the Florida legislature, and also a term as doorkeeper of the House. He was a first cousin of ex-Congressman J. C. Atkins of Tennessee, who was Cleveland's commissioner of Indian affairs during his first term. R. B. McConnell, president of the suspended Merchants National Bank, of Ocala, who has been mysteriously missing for the past two months, turned up very unexpectedly Thursday. He left about the time the legislature took up the charges against State Treasurer Collins, and the rumor gained circulation that he was hiding from the investigating committee. At a meeting of the city council at Gainesville Tuesday night the full amount of the shortage of ex-Clerk and Treasurer Sigsbee, as claimed by the special committee, which has examined the books and accounts, was made known. The amount is $3,300 in round figures, with several hundred more in doubt. Mr. Sigsbee admitted a shortage of $2,400, disputing only the minor items of the bill. There is an important book missing, which may alter the situation if it comes to light. W. E. Hutchinson and wife, who live upon one of Capt. C. F. Cane's farms, three and a half miles from White Springs, disappeared very suddenly on May 15. They were last seen on their way home from White Springs. Last Saturday evening news was carried to White Springs that the place was deserted, the house open and their horse in the lot almost starved to death. A thorough search of the surrounding country is to be made. The Hutchinsons came from Georgia. Daytona News-Gazette: A fight to the death between two snakes was witnessed near Daytona last week. A black snake, commonly called a gopher snake, five feet long, had caught a king snake by the neck and twisting its black body about the squirming victim was choking it to death. After the king snake had given up the struggle and its life, the victor proceeded to swallow the vanquished in the approved style. The dead snake was only six inches shorter than the victor, but that did not keep it on the outside, for the gopher snake soon had it down, even to the last tip of the wriggling tail. "On a little coral island some hundred miles south of Florida, a townsman of mine, Capt. Minor, lately captured twenty-four head of seals belonging to a species that were thought to be extinct," said Sewall C. Cobb of Pensacola, Fla., to a Washington Post man Friday. "They are known as the monarch of the tropics, and differ considerably from their brethren found in northern waters. One striking feature is their docility; they make no effort to escape capture, and appear to like to be petted. I have just disposed of a few of them in New York and Philadelphia, and the Smithsonian Institute here has contracted for four. "The capture of these seals was a big surprise to scientific men, who supposed that this species had been exterminated. They are of no commercial value worth mentioning."

18. June 6, 1897 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA
Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 6, 1897

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Banker Kills Himself. OCALA, Fla., June 5.-R. B. McConnell, the defaulting president of the defunct Merchants' National bank, committed suicide this evening by shooting himself when an officer appeared at his home to arrest him on a warrant sworn out by the receivers of the bank.

19. June 19, 1897 The L'anse Sentinel L'anse, MI
Article from The L'anse Sentinel, June 19, 1897

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DOMESTIC. Five men were killed and several badly injured in a collision between a freight train and work train near Hudson, Wis. At Ardmore, I. T., James Williams, editor of the Daily Chronicle, was shot through the heart by Clarence Douglass, a politician. William J. Calhoun, who was sent to Cuba as a special commissioner to investigate the circumstances of the death in prison of Dr. Ruiz, an American citizen. arrived in New York. In an interview Mr. Calhoun said Cuba was rapidly being devastated by a relentless, cruel and bitter civil war. so that in a short time it would not be worth anything to anyone. The fire loss of the United States and Canada for May amounts to $10,193,600, against $10,618,000 in May, 1896. The total loss since January 1 amounts to $52,250,000, against $58,283,300 in the first five months of 1896. At Columbus, O., John C. Short, late receiver of the Lancaster & Hamden railroad was charged with being $71,195 short in his accounts. A hailstorm completely destroyed crops of all kinds north of Rogers, Tex., great damage was done to houses and two persons were killed. Emma Techannan, five years old, was killed by the cars at Defiance, O. She was the third member of the family killed on the railroad within a year. The Wilcox & White Organ company, one of the largest manufacturers of organs in the United States, failed at Meriden, Conn., for $100,000. In referring to the recent fatal riot in Urbana, O., Gov. Bushnell said the members of the national guard only did their duty and were entitled to the support of the state. In a riot at a coal mine in Minonk, III., Andrew Morgan and John Veloski were killed. Rev. Berry Lawson, a Methodist minister near Barbourville, Ky., was shot and killed by his 15-year-old son. The lad was angry because his father had punished him. Jerome Smeathers and his wife and seven children were poisoned at Yedvington, Ky., with paris green. One child was dead, two were dying and possibly none would recover. Joseph Richardson, an eccentric man worth $20,000,000, died in New York, aged 84 years An explosion of fireworks wrecked a building in Chicago, caused the death of Mrs. Maggie Kenney, the injury of nearly 100 persons and a damage of $50,000 to property. Florence Williams killed her lover in McDowell county, W. Va., after a quarrel, and escaped. Both are members of prominent families. W. J. Calhoun, of Danville, Ill., the special commissioner to Cuba, returned to Washington and made his report to the president. The Pennsylvania legislature has passed a bill taxing each unnaturalized adult male employed in the state two cents a day. The reports as to the condition of the crops throughout the country show that cold weather and frosts did damage in many states. R. B. McConnell, the defaulting president of the defunct Merchants national bank at Ocala, Fla., committed suicide. Rear Admiral Samuel Phillips Lee, U. S. N., retired, the last of the commanders of great squadrons during the civil war, died at his home at Silver Springs, near Washington. During the past week wolves and coyotes have slain hundreds of head of calves and sheep in southwstern Kansas and Oklahoma. The exchanges at the leading clearing houses in the United States during the week ended on the 4th aggregated $886,971,775, against $917,628,059 the previous week. The decrease compared with the corresponding week of 1896 was 8.6.

20. July 7, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, July 7, 1897

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OUR CITY FATHERS Held a Long and Important Meeting Last Night-A New Policeman Elected-City in Splendid Sanitary Condition. The city council met in regular Present: session last night. President Livingston, Davis, Green, Waterman, Carmichael, Benjamin and Weathers. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. Moody asked for and was granted till next meeting to complete his bond as city treasurer in an indemnity company. Green moved that City Treasbe receiver's cure urer Moody a authorized certificate to of pro- the for $3,500 from the receiver Merchants' National bank in lieu of certificate of deposit. Carried. L. Communication read from S. Black, asking to run a lunch counter on the streets on the 8th. Refused. Communication read from city council in reference to health ordinance. Archie Jacobs asked that he Re- be allowed to work out taxes. ferred to street committee. Petition asking for rebate on taxes on property for which W. L. Jewett is agent. Referred to finance committee. Petition from General Electric Co., asking to move Eichelberger arc light to North Main street. Referred to light committee. Communication read from Dr. Torrey asking for rebate on his property. Upon motion referred to finance committee. A communication read from J. A. Harris, Panasoffkee, in regard to a scheme to destroy the white fly, the orange pest, in our city. Referred to the Star for publication. An ordinance introduced by Benjamin read to prohibit firing to of fire-works on streets or build bon-fires during holidays without permit from mayor and fire committee. Referred to judiciary committee. An ordinance introduced by Da- of vis to prevent the placing signs, advertisements or bills or upon telegraph, telephone electric light poles. Referred to judiciary committee. The following bills were read and ordered paid: monthly pay roll, $480; Electric Light Co., $235.90; Mrs. Moring, feeding paupers, $9; Ocala Water Co., $1,023.75; election, expense, Even- $5; F.P. Gaffney, $2.75; Ocala ing Star, $1.20; J. D. Williams, $10.35; G. A. Nash, $2.50; Ocala Lime Co., $21.90; G. R. Smith, J. $2; McIver & McKay, $6.20; W. Smoak, $7.50; J. A. Giles, G. $23; S.T. Sistrunk, $4; R. Blake, $2.30; John McCarthy, H. $23.68; A. E. Handley, $1.80; B. Masters, 25c; Hubbard & McDuff, $1.52; G. S. Scott, insurance on market, $45; W. Hunter, $2.50. Report of city officers read and approved. An ably written opinion from the city ottorney was read, bearon the matter of the city's deposited in the ing funds collateral defunct Merchants' bank and as of with the National City bank New York. The report was concise and complete and ordered of filed for reference and thanks tho council was tendered him. Report of city sanitary inspector read showing city in good condition from a sanitary point of view. Resolution by Carmichael asking that cow ordinance be suspended for two months. Ruled out of order. Several reports from the finance committe ordered adopted.

21. July 18, 1897 The Morning News Savannah, GA
Article from The Morning News, July 18, 1897

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which the young ladies met and ( who should have the prize for bei best love-maker. They decided una on Q. B. Staten as the best, a Luther as the poorest. The oth had to acquiesce, though it dide hardly fair that they should into competition with Mr. State has had so much more experier they. a dog may best an alligator a by the experience of the Hon. of Victoria. His dog was swi in a lake there, when Mr. Stua an alligator coming, called to t to come ashore. The dog started, I alligator was gaining when the d and seized it. Both went dow the dog came up unharmed and t with a lacerated lower jaw. writer in the Georgia Eclectjc Jou describes a case of diptheria in whi pineapple was procured and t expressed and given in teaspoon slowly. It seemed to clear t swallowing was easier, and in hours the child was sleeping. Rece followed. The pineapple was used imber of cases subsequently with su in the same neighborhood, and 1 think it better than medicine. Bronson Times-Democrat of a 1 date gives the following expe of some alligator hunters: They ki caught fifty that measured fro feet down to a few inches in leng also killed forty-five moccasins, o which measured six feet in length a inches around the body. The mo weighed between forty and fit and measured two inches betwe eyes. They also found a family of in one pond, the largest of whi have weighed ten pounds. accident that might have had a me ending occurred at the office Daytonia Daytonian Thursday night that had been filled with gasolit mistake, took fire. Mr. Chapman se and started to carry it out into t but it exploded in his hands, a burning contents were scattered ov floor, where lay a pile of loose & Fortunately the lodge was and the cry of "fire" broug members down stairs on the run, a flames were soon tramped out. N was somewhat burned, not however, as to prevent him fro at his place the next morning. inesville Sun: C. V. McQueen of Le lost a fine hound a few weeks at supposed he had been bitten by Just twenty-four days after the dog a colored man inform that he heard a dog barking in well a few miles from his pla McQueen immediately went to t well, and found his hound at 1 om thereof, a depth of forty feet. supposed that the dog chased a f the well and could not get out. been confined in the well for twent days without a morsel of food, 1: able to follow his master home, a d of a mile and a half. There W of water in the well, which t had free access to, and this, no dou for the animal living so long C. Stapylton, receiver of the M National Bank of Ocala, annou that a dividend of 12½ per cent. wou leclared as soon as the checks whi already drawn can be sent on shington, signed by the controller, a to him. The dividend will dist about $15,000 among the credito of the claims, among them that state, have not yet been proven. T were about $80,000, and the 1 twice that amount. Within t after the failure, Mr. Stapylton, a by C. D. Massey, had a complete ready for the controller, who imn made an assessment of 100 per ce the capital stock. R. B. McConnell, I president of the bank, owned h this stock, and the balance was se over several states. Perry Herald relates a roman about Mr. and Mrs. Thomas De who were recently re-married : a judicial separation. About t ago, says the Herald, the you took the marriage vows-Mrs. De then being Miss Parker-and a y happily by. Differences then aro a separation followed. About a y divorce proceedings were begun, a sequently the marriage ties were d the records having been complet weeks ago, But the smouldering e of love so rudely neglected ca with its lucid awakenings, and 1 forbearance of the once hap succumbed to the inevitable. J Kimbrew performed the last ce and with a daughter about I old to harmonize all difference young couple have begun life anew eye-witness thus describes in : Star the recent phenomenon t)

22. September 15, 1897 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, September 15, 1897

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That part of the new road south of the S. S. O. & G. in the edge of the county should be fixed at once, or else it will be as bad as the sand roads... Let the commissioners see to it at once and have it fixed up. -Terkeeween-roach, bed bug and ant destroyer-the best on earth. Our own preparation. Tydings & Co. -Rheinauer asks the ladies to wait for his elegant line of fall and winter dress goods. He will send them from New York. -Perfumed Talcum powder, will prevent chaffing and prickly heat. Terkeeween pills the best liver and kidney pills known, 10c a dozen at Tydings & Co's. -Compound Celery Cordial, "C. C. C." will strengthen and restore nerves and lost appetite. A large bottle 75 cents at Tydings & Co's. Fresh drugs and seeds, Your choice 1c. - 12 wood clothes pins, school tablet, 10 slate pencils, best lead pencil, 4 shoe strings, 30 hair pins, paper needles, pockt mirror, 2 hat pins. -The Racket. A præcipe for summons in a suit brought by G. C. Stapylton, receiver of the Merchants' National bank of Ocala, against W. H. DeLong, in the sum of $1,000, was filed in the clerk's office of the United States court this morning. -All public conveyances should be painted anew for the carnival. W. B. Merck has just received a lot of the finest paints and varnishes ever shipped to this city, and he will compete in workmanship with the world. J. A. Mellon left today for Jacksonville to meet his family who will return tomorrow from a two months' visit to their former home in Pennsylvania. -R. A. Hall, the practical painter, paper hanger, kalsominer and glazier, will be glad to do your work. Low estimates made. Address Box 296, city.

23. January 13, 1898 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, January 13, 1898

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Bank Building Sold. The sale of the Merchants National Bank building, vaults and fixtures took place yesterday by Receiver Stapylton upon an order from the court, and Messrs. Munroe & Chambliss were the purchasers and the price paid was $10,000. The only other bona fide bid was $9,000 from a Tampa man, Mr. Liddon, by his friend, Mr. Trice. There were some other conditional bids. One by a capitalist for $9,500 and one from a Kentucky firm for $10,000, but conditional on the people of this city-raising $10,000 of the capital stock, which they did not do. Mr. Stapylton has accepted the best bid and sold the property to the best of his ability, but it is very cheap. The vaults and fixtures alone cost the price paid. Messrs. Munroe & Chambliss will open a state bank just as soon as they can organize, and until that time will continue in their present satisfactory and profitable business. The building has fallen into good hands.

24. June 5, 1899 The Ocala Evening Star Ocala, FL
Article from The Ocala Evening Star, June 5, 1899

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NOTICE Receiver's Sale Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to an order made on the 17th day of April, A. D. 1899, by the Honorable James W. Locke, Judge of the UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT for the Southern District of Florida, I will sell for cash, to the highest bidder, at public auction, in front of the Court House at Ocala. Florida, MONDAY, THE 12th DAY OF JUNE, A.D., 1899. at 10 o'clock a. m., the remaining assets of the MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK of OCALA, FLORIDA, excepting only such as are involved in litigation now pending. G. C. STAPYLTON, Receiver of the Merchants' National Bank of Ocala. Florida.