Multiple newspapers (Jan 18–19, 1906) report unidentified persons telephoning depositors in Chicago and urging them to withdraw funds from several large banks; John J. (or John H.) Mitchell, president of the Illinois Trust & Savings Bank, publicly dismissed the warnings as malicious and said there was absolutely no occasion for alarm. No suspension, closure, or reopening is mentioned—only attempted runs via telephone (false alarms). OCR variations in middle initial (J./H.) and minor misspellings in some papers.
Events (1)
1.January 18, 1906Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Unidentified persons telephoning depositors and advising them to withdraw funds (malicious/false warnings).
Random Run
Yes
Random Run Snippet
Unidentified persons telephoned depositors urging withdrawals; called malicious/false.
Measures
Bank president publicly reassured depositors and bank officials attempted to trace the source of the telephone warnings.
Newspaper Excerpt
There is absolutely no occasion for alarm, and the persons telephoning or advising depositors to take their money out of the banks are either foolish or malicious.
Source
newspapers
Newspaper Articles (4)
1.January 18, 1906Evening StarWashington, DC
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Article Text
A MENACE TO BANKS. Chicago Financiers Trying to Ferret Unknown Alarmists. CHICAGO, January 18.-Complaint has been made at several banks that depositors are being called by telephone and advised by persons whose identity is not known to withdraw their deposits from the institutions. The depositor is told with much evidence of concern that he had better get his money out of the particular institution in which he happens to have it lodged. Depositors in three of the richest banks in the city have been given this unsolicited advice. John J. Mitchell, president of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, said yesterday: "This business is to me inexplicable. There is absolutely no occasion for alarm, and the persons telephoning or advising depositors to take their money out of the banks are either foolish or malicious. We have been trying to run down the source of these stories. "Three banks have had this experience with their depositors. There should be some way to put an end to these unwarranted efforts to frighten timid persons."
RUN ON THE BANK Depositors Warned by Telephone to Withdraw Funds From Chicago Bank. Chicago, Jan 18.-Complaint has been made at several banks that depositors are being called by telephone and advised by persons, whose identity is not known, to withdraw their deposits from the institution. The depositor is told with much evidence of concern that he had better bet his money out of the particular institution in which he happens to have it lodged. Depositors in three of the richest banks in the city have been given this unsolicited advice. John J. Mitchell, president of the Illinois Trust and Savings bank, said yesterday: "This business is to me inexplicable. There is absolutely no occasion for alarm and the persons telephoning or advising depositors to take their money out of the banks are either foolish or malicious. We have been trying to run down the source of these stories. "Three banks have had the experience with their depositors. There should be some way to put an end to these unwarranted efforts to frighten timid persons."
3.January 19, 1906Los Angeles HeraldLos Angeles, CA
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Article Text
TRY TO CAUSE BANK RUNS Unidentified Persons Telephone De. positors in Chicago, Warning Them to Withdraw Funds By Associated Press. CHICAGO, Jan. 3.-Complaint has been made at several banks that depositors are being called by telephone and advised by persons whose identity is not known to withdraw their deposits from the institution. The depositor is told with much evidence of concern that he had better get his money out of the particular institution in which he happens to have it lodged. Depositors in three of the richest banks in the city have been given this unsolicited advice. John H. Mitchell, president of the Illinois Trust & Savings bank, said yesterday: "This business is to me inexplicable. There is absolutely no occasion for alarm and the persons telephoning or advising depositors to take their money out of the banks are either foolish or malicious. We have been trying to run down the source of these stories. "Three banks have had the experience with their depositors. There should be some way to put an end to these unwarranted efforts to frighten timid persons."
4.January 19, 1906The Montgomery AdvertiserMontgomery, AL
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Article Text
EFFORT TO START RUNS. Complaist Made by Several Banks of Underhand Methods. Chicago, Jan, 18.-Complaint has been made at several banks which are being called by telephone and asked by persons whose names are not know.n to withdraw their deposits from the institution. The depositor is told with much evidence of concern that he had better get his money out of the particolar institution in which he happens to have it lodged. Depositors in three of the richest banks in the city have been given this unsolicited advice. John J. Mitchell, President of the Illinos Trust and Savings Bank, said yesterday: "This business is to me inexplicable. There is absolutely no occasion for alarm and the persons telephoning or advising depositors to take their money out of the banks are either foolish or malicious. We have been trying to run down the source of these stories. "Three banks have had the experience with their depositors. There should be some way to put an end to these unwarranted efforts to frighten timid persons."
