First National Bank - Pocatello, ID

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: national
Bank ID: 4023
Charter Number: 4023
Start Date: October 8, 1921
Location: Pocatello, Idaho (42.871, -112.446)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 6fc3bf65

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals

Description

Article (Idaho Republican, 1921-10-13) reports a run on the First National Bank caused by a deliberate plot/false rumors (phone warnings). Business was normal by Monday and bank remained open. Date of run inferred as Saturday before publication (1921-10-08).

Events (3)

1. May 3, 1889 Chartered

Source: historical_nic

2. October 8, 1921 Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: False rumors/plot by persons calling depositors and warning them to withdraw funds; Pinkerton detective and secret service believed rumors were fabricated to prompt withdrawals.
Random Run: Yes
Random Run Snippet: Depositors called and warned to withdraw; rumors believed to be plot
Measures: Bank received large sums from outside the city late Saturday and Sunday to meet any emergency; business normal by Monday.
Newspaper Excerpt: RUN ON BANK IS CAUSED BY PLOT...The run on the First National Bank Saturday was the result of a plot...It has been reported that in a number of instances, depositors were called up and warned that if they had money in the bank they had better withdraw it
Source: newspapers

3. July 7, 1928 Voluntary Liquidation

Source: historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. October 13, 1921 The Idaho Republican Blackfoot, ID

Article from The Idaho Republican, October 13, 1921

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Article Text

RUN ON BANK IS CAUSED BY PLOT Detectives and Bank Officials Express Opinions POCATELLO, Idaho.-The run on the First National Bank Saturday was the result of a plot formed by a band of robbers intent on making a rich haul from depositors who withdrew their money, is the theory advanced by E. E. Byer, vice-president of the bank as being partly if not wholly the cause of the false rumor regarding the condition of the banking establishment. Mr. Byer said that this explanation was advanced by the head of the Pinkerton detective agency who is in the city from Salt Lake. It has been reported that in a number of instances, depositors were called up and warned that if they had money in the bank they had better withdraw it, refusing to divulge their identity other than to say it was a friend. A secret service man from Butte was in the city on business and he also is of the opinion that the rumors were originated by a band of clever thieves who expected to make a rich haul. A similar stunt was worked a short time ago in Seattle with a great deal of success. Business was normal at the bank at closing time Monday and the day's deposits running well over $50,000. Large sums of money were received from outside of the city late Saturday and Sunday to meet any emergency that might arise.-Exchange.