Union National Bank (Denver, CO)

Episode Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Start Date
July 18, 1893
Location
Denver, Colorado (39.739, -104.985)
Bank Type
national
Charter Number
4382

Metadata

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Clearinghouse involved: Yes (loan, examination, or other measures)

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
100.0%
Date receivership started
1895-08-02
Date receivership terminated
1902-09-30
OCC cause of failure
Losses
Share of assets assessed as good
34.5%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
53.8%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
11.7%

Events (5)

1. July 30, 1890 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. July 18, 1893 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run and panic spreading among Denver banks after rumors and other local bank failures; heavy withdrawals by depositors
Measures
Posted notice that doors would not open; demanded time certificates remain until expiration; bank examiner later took charge of several banks
Newspaper Excerpt
There were rumors of the failure of the Union National Bank of Denver... a run was being made on all of the banks
Source
newspapers
3. July 18, 1893 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Closed at opening due to heavy demands of depositors and the city-wide banking panic
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union National bank failed to open its doors yesterday.
Source
newspapers
4. August 21, 1893 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
The Union and Peoples National banks... opened their doors for business this morning, they having complied with all the requirements of the comptroller of the currency.
Source
newspapers
5. August 2, 1895 Receivership
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (22)

Article from The Providence News, July 18, 1893

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New York Market. SPECIAL TO THE NEWS. NEW YORK, July 18.-This is a market demoralized by ignorance and suspicion, and the depth of those feelings can not be calculated. There is no sign of improving conditions such as may form a foundation for any advance. The belief that easy money only was needed to cause a boom has given way in the face of facts. There is an abundance of money in certain hands, but the desire of its holders to part with it seems to decrease as the market declines. The news of the day was the report of St. Paul's earnings, which show a decrease of $67,700. There were rumors of the failure of the Union National Bank of Denver (capital $1,000,000), but the truth of the telegram was doubted by President Porter of the Chase National in New York. The Close National is the eastern correspondent of the Union and the president of the latter is reported as a very conservative banker and could easily secure assistance had he needed it. Six more private banks in Kansas have gone the way of their predecessors. It was agreeable to note that of the $667,000 owed the clearing house by the sub treasury and paid today, $600,000 was paid in gold. London was not a buyer. What orders there were were to sell. The closing of the Anuskeg mills during August will throw 8,000 men out of employment and deprive 30,000 people of food to eat. This was not railroad stock, out its effect was felt in declining prices. Shortly before 3 o'clock the report of the failure of the Capital Bank of Denver burst upon the market. Its effect was instantaneous. The bank is a large and important one, with deposite from all over the States. Stocks became more demoralized than ever, and had it not been for the closing gong a panic might have ensued. Crews, Lichenstadst & Co of London were reported in trouble. and other disheartening news added to the burden. Stocks averaged a decline of nearly 3 points for the day.


Article from Deseret Evening News, July 18, 1893

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The failure of two banks at Denver today was raised by rumor in this city to the collapse of eleven, or all the clearing house banks. The latter report doubtless arone from the fact that a run was being made on all of the banks, but with the exceptions noted they stood the pressure.


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, July 19, 1893

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of the The failure the masses, vesterday located clearing of were each four other blocks within the the far and into streets surrounded, and until speofficers crowd gathered to the out were clear called police the for way Union truffic. 10o'clock a of with 000,000, capital National, not that they would notico posted the This their doors. startod the and Comno quickly National follow posted.ru of the Bank inercial then National and "Where asked: people on all started other Peoples run was banks, immediately thouNational to no groat The dest of of the extent National upon the having over appear to be with 60 per a private cent draw upon. First they on handdition close their doors. their all, deposits $1,500,000 impossible in National as others The mob fund of making The it Colorado are in are thdrawing equally their money deposit let being all small satisfied to in their holdor main banks. Accounts all ox. are The banks paying demandand time they rtificates, demand. the ing these until ing that expira remain As bank every crowded is no as rendering combeing tion clearing time. Institution the meeting it was sistance, stand each alone. house last and night gome pelled of the clearing to help banks, of which decided of them not went National Bank, quite a run is men Altho Stato is for of their in progrous a in large line waiting can get their ap. pear and women are 80 they of the bank and come officers of humor are say they storm. o'clock money. turn to to Confident The the best they can weather was overything National. of the "This bank of is board directors, to the at every entrance National the quiet Up at the 12 Colorado is closed by notice order posted Bank of of which Governor Commerce, is The offiCooper president. of but no amount been sufficers Job A. are indentraty or has to gain admis- is not pounding cient for newspaper condition men of public, as this bank vester offiThe the general statement of the banks cere day, was done City sion. known did to not print by a almost all National to other John R Hanna, they of felt the the any body. as selves $40,000 east Bank said good that condition borrowed in gold The be in bank as recently and is paying from this morning. the the deposite such and Several of deposits this putting can made large of bank the have at are hand and runs ac- on the bank spare. sums friends Those they are those who are who making have small posted had a counts Union National that Bank the bank 000 to notice approxime few The explaining mately $1,000, weeks. The had on realized it but paid out in the stated last that the rapidly bank as that notice depositor further its securities was not as fast enough in to suit possible, depositors. and owes that the bank securities It is thought upon been its socur paid in $500,000. will be able depositors realize have to realize. again Commercial when all The bank BOOD expects as can bank post- for notice: for full. business as National "Closed of diboard ed The the following by order of the in bad shape. only liquidation The bank $250,000 was and had jcan rectors. It has cash in of the rushed bank to the Amer and $2,000 in depositors bank this morning The has than Small National out their deposits. less sidall depositors capital. as city, began American to draw National any bank other of its dealing handled The $1,000,000. in the with who ot the who have been largely vico president and had to the big money. said that those thoso who paid The grocera depositors draw butchers money are with checks bank in person to in private a with noon. money Mercantile capital Bank, stock a of The $100,- fail. of the stitution, its doors at failure which 000, closed caused by Bank, the through audi F. ure was Union National O.C. Girda, Robinson the clip Pub- fortor.is cleared. president of W. the Republican oldest and been merly tishing treasurer Company, dividuals one of the in the state, and exeitement upon the respected made the assignee demands banks after una money continued it about al when o'clock all the banks the bated entirely until subsided State National line and of deseemed to increaso is bank National, Utah where the instead of to underato from way City reach here early special This bearing train on $400.000 the and that ved First little National after closing Bank 1 o'clock hour. recei This and money Moffatt President New nt the York. for Icua, bullion he the before the of close, failure Savings with Bank, Its $100,000, the hour dozen people hardly half the institutions except First president of the


Article from Pawtucket Tribune, July 19, 1893

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Financial Panic at Denver. DENVER, July 19.-The Union National bank failed to open its doors yesterday. The capital is $1,000,000. A run is now being made on the City National, German National, First National and Colonial and even the clearing house banks. There is a panic in financial circles. The National Bank of Commerce and the Commercial National bank have closed their doors.


Article from Echo De L'ouest, July 20, 1893

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Faillites de Banques et antres depuis quelques jours -Le Schleisinger Syndicate de Nigaumee, Mich, representant des millions de dollars de capital allemand a fait faillite. Les pertes des créanciers seront énormes. W.H. Rush et H, M. Tabor de Denver, Col., ont deposé leur bilan. Passif 650000 dollare. La Bank of Springfield, Mo, a fermée ses portes. C'est la premiè re fois qu'une banque fait faillite dans la ville. Passif 256,000 dollare. Fermée est la Bank of Garnet, Kan. Les déposants perdront énormé ment et le comté 23,000 dollare que le tréforier y avait déposés. Trois faillites de banques de New-York, celles de MM. C. H. Bunell, celle de M. H. S. Tober et enfin celle de M. W. Barrow. La Philadelphia Mutual Life Insurance Company de Harris burg, Pa., et la Keyatone Benefit Association de Beaver Falls, Pa., sont insolvables. O. E. Nettleton banquier de Deeham, Mass., a dépost son bilan. Le "Universal Order of Coope ration" de Philad-lphie va être mis entre les mains d'nn syndic. Harris Bros de New York ont suspendu leurs paiements. Passif 100,000 dollars. La N W Jersey Sheep & Wool Company de Trenton N. Y. a fermé ses portes. En faillite auesi dans le Kansas La "Bank of Balter and Double Bay de Columbus" la "City Bank" de Johnson City, et la "Book of Weir City" La Peoples Savings Bank de Denver, Col., a ferme see portee. Passif 350,000 dollare. La Rocky Mountain Dime et Dollar Bank de la même ville a suspendu ees paiements. Il en est de même de la Colorado Savings Bank. La Missouri National Bank et la Grande Avenue Bank de Kan888 City ont fait faillite. Passif 250,000 dollars. Et la liste eat loin d'être épuisée. Enfin les banques "Union National," "Commercial National," "National Bank of Commerce" et "Mercautiie Bank" de Denver, Col., ont aussi sombré. Il en est de même de la "Citizen's Bank" de Kansas City, de la "Bank of Richmond" et de la "Farmers et Merchants Bank" de Oaawatomie, Kan., ainsi que de la "First National Bank" de Fort Scott et de la "Armourdale CitiZons Bind," Kansas. On va bien sous le régime démocratique.


Article from The Morning News, July 20, 1893

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DENVER'S CRAZY PANIC. Banks Worth Three Times What They Owe Forced to Close. Denver, July 19.-The panic was on in this city to-day with renewed vigor and as a result the old German National, with a reputation for stability of 20 years standing, and the equally reputable State National failed to open their doors for business this morning. Later the People's National failed. All night long depositors stood in the line in front of the German, and by 9 o'clock there was one long sea of faces stretching down the street. On the opposite corner, where the State Bank has so long done business, there was also quite a crowd of anxious depositors waiting for the opening of the doors. Here the people were relieved of their agony at a few minutes after 9 o'clock. when notice was posted to the offect that the bank would not open, owing to a lack of ready cash, and the crowd moved away. THE GEPMAN FAILS TO OPEN. At the German there was evidently a determination to go ahead with business up to almost the last moment, when a slip of paper was pasted on a window stating that the doors would remain closed temporarily. Then the scene became distressing. Men and women down the long line broke out in tears and wailing. By this time there was a run on every bank in the city, and soon came the announcement that the People's National bank had closed its doors. A notice on its doors read: "This bank is closed by order of the board of directors. The assets are $1,100,000, and the liabilities $310,000. THE OTHER BANKS CLSO SOLID. The assets and liabilities of the other two failed banks bear about the same proportion as the People's bank. Their failure is chargeable to a long continued drain by depositors and inability to raise ready cash. All expect to resume shortly. Frank Adams, bank examiner, to-day took charge of the Union National, Commercial National, National Bank of Commerco, State National and German National. This afternoon the run at the Denver National, was over, with an enormous amount of money still in sight. The same is true at the City and all the other banks and business men are beginning to breathe freer. There has been a considerable number of failures among business houses of all kinds within the last few days, caused by attachments taken out by banks who foresaw their suspension. Five national banks are still open. OTHER FAILURES. Among the failures that almost escaped notice was that of the Bank of North Denver yesterday afternoon. The business firms whose embarrassments became known range from liquor saloons to street railroads. There are in the list drug stores, lumber companies, gentlemen's furnishers, milliners, coal companies, dry goods houses, jewelers, ready-made clothing dealers, tailors and grocers. Two bank failues are reported at Aspen and one at Loveland. Commercial failures are also reported from many points in the state outside of Denver, due principally to the fact that the sufferers deposited in the Denver banks which have suspended. TWO CLOSE AT GREELEY. Greeley, Col., July 19.-The Union Bank closed its doors at p. m. to-day and a half hour later the Greeley National pulled down its blinds and turned the key in its door. The Union's statement says that owing to the suspension of certain Denver national banks which had on deposit several thousand dollars of its money, and the steady withdrawal of deposits, amounting to about $80,000 in the past ninety days, they were compelled to suspend business. They say their liabilities are about $100,000, with assets and paid up capital at $300,000. As soon as the fact of the suspension of these banks became known a steady run was made on the First National, but it continued to honor all checks and drafts, and even after the regular closing hour cashed two checks presented.


Article from Burlington Weekly Free Press, July 20, 1893

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BANK DOORS CLOSED. WILD RUN ON LEADING DENVER INSTITUTIONS. 10 Ball The Union National Bank Ope diately by Closing Its Doors, and It anicky the Streets are Througed WI Have Depositors- Banks All Sale Am ple Security.


Article from The Old Abe Eagle, July 20, 1893

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A GREAT CRASH. The Union National, the National Bank of Commerce, and the Commercial National bank of Denver failed to open their doors on Tuesday morning. This has created great consternation and a run is now in progress on every bank in the city. The great McNamara Dry Goods Co. has failed and several smaller firms have also made assignments. Intense excitement prevails.


Article from The Daily Morning Astorian, July 20, 1893

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CURRENT CURRENCY COMMENT A Regular Monkey and Parrot Time in Denver. SENATOR TELLER'S LATEST TALK A Nephew of Leland Stanford Turns up in Idaho-Married to Suit Himself. Associated Press. Denver, July 19.-The panic in this city was resumed this morning with renewed vigor, and as a result the Old German National bank, with a reputation for stability of twenty years' standing, the equally reputable State National, and extremely strong Peoples' National, failed this morning. All night depositors stood in line in front of the German National, and by 9 o'clock there was a long sea of faces stretching down the street. At the opposite corner, where the State National has so long done business, was also a crowd of anxious depositors, Here people were relieved of doubts, when at 9 o'clock a notice was posted on the doors that the bank would not open, owing to the lack of ready cash At the German National, just before opening time, a notice was posted on the (window stating that the doors would be closed temporarily. This notice caused a distressing scene. Men and women down the long line, broke out in tears and wailing. A run on all the remaining banks in the city was renewed. Reliable people, however, say there will be no more suspensions. Bank Examiner Adams this morning took charge of the Union National, Commercial National, National Bank of Commerce, State National andGerman National banks. A number of minor commercial concerns went under today, The run on the Denver National is over, with plenty of money still in sight. The same is true of the City and all the other unfailed banks. Business men are beginning to breath more freely. Washington, July 19.-The comptroller of Currency has been advised that the Hutchinson National Bank of Hutchinson, Kan., has failed. Topeka, Kan, July 19.-The state bank commissioner has been informed of the failure of the State Bank of Parker, and Woodson's State Bank, of Yates Center. Both were small concerns. Washington, July 19.-The comptroller of currency is informed of the failure of the Bozeman National Bank, of Bozeman, Mont. Brooklyn, July 19.-The large carpet house of Hardenburg & Co. has assigned.


Article from Oakes Weekly Republican, July 21, 1893

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BUSTED BANKS Seven Bad Fallares III Two Days at Denver. DENVER. July 18. --Commercial - circles are greatly excited over the failure of three banks in this city during the day. The banks constituting the triple failure are the Colorado Savings bank; the People's Savings bank and the Rocky Mountain Dime and Dollar Savings bank. An estimate of the total assets are $1,500,000 and liabilities are placed at nearly that amount. Charles H. Blakeney was made assignee of the Rocky Mountain Dime and Dollar Savings bank. DENVER, July 19.--Three national banks, the Union National. the Coinmercial National and the National Bank of Commerce, closed their doors during the morning, owing to the heavy demands of excited depositors. The Mercantile bank, a small institution doing business in the Mining Exchange building, also suspended, owing to to the close of the Union Bank, through which its clearances were made. Mercantile vallures. In addition to the bank failures the following firms went to the wall during the day: McNamara Dry Goods company; M. S. Noah. installment furniture dealer: Albert Nelson, restaurant; John Mouatt Lumber company; Luther J. Wygant, tiles and grates; Evans-Littlefield Confectionary company; "The Hub," general merchandise; Hyman & Cohen, shoe dealors, and McHiver & Drip, mantels and tiles.


Article from Vermont Phœnix, July 21, 1893

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The Week in Business Circles. The commercial agencies report improvement in the business situation, but there are many indications that the storm is not over. The Amoskeag mills at Manchester, N. H., will be shut down during August on account of the congested condition of the market, and 8000 hands will be thrown out of employment. The iron mill operatives and representatives of the amalgamated association have failed to reach an agreement in Pittsburg, Pa., and in the meantime 40,000 workmen in Pennsylvania and Ohio are idle. The property of the Schleisinger syndicate, controlling a dozen large mines in northern Michigan and Wisconsin has been attached. The suspension of the Kansas City national bank of Kansas City, Mo., which had a capital of $1,000,000, caused a dozen other banks in Kansas City and in other places in Kansas to go to the wall. Six large building and loan associations of St. Louis transferred their property Monday. The greatest excitement has been at Denver, Col., where eight banks closed their doors. The People's savings bank, the Rocky Mountain Dime and Dollar and the Colorado savings banks went down Monday. The National bank of Commerce, Commercial national and Union national were unable to meet the demands of depositors Tuesday, and Wednesday the People's national and the German national were also obliged to cease business. The streets of Denver were filled with excited throngs, and special policemen had to be called out for service in the vicinity of the banks. Great indignation was expressed against Gov. Waite, the Populist, it being alleged that his unguarded remarks at the silver convention were the indirect cause of the failures. If the financial situation in other parts of the country brightens, it is hoped that the Denver banks will be able to resume business.


Article from The Superior Times, July 22, 1893

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-Last Monday was a wild day in all Colorado banks, but especially SO at Denver. Tuesday followed with no abatement of the excitement and the runs on the banks began early and lasted all day, and one after the other in rapid succession the National Bank of Commerce, the Union National Bank and the Commercial National Bank went down. A big dry goods establishment also went down with $260,000 liabilities. Confidence in a Democratic administration is not growing to any alarming extent.


Article from The Hood River Glacier, July 22, 1893

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Denver has had a panic its banks being besieged by clamorous depositors. Asa result the Union National with a capital of a million dollars went down, quicklv followed by five others. Over 8,000,000 had been withdrawn from these banks in the past eight months, and they were in poor condition to stand a run.


Article from Mineral Point Tribune, July 22, 1893

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DENVER IS DONE FOR GENERAL PANIC IN THE COLORADO CITY, SEVERAL BANKS CLOSED THEIR DOORS YESTERDAY. Withdrawals by Scared Depositors the Cause-Union National, With $1,000,000 Capital, Goes Under-MeNamara Dry Goods Company Fails-Nervous People the Authors of Much Ruin.


Article from Mineral Point Tribune, July 22, 1893

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Denver, July 18.-The Union National bank has failed. It has a capital of $1,000,000. No statement is yet made. A run was made on the City National, German National, First National, Colorado National, and all the clearing house banks today. A general panic is on. The Commercial National has closed its doors. The National Bank of Commerce has also closed its doors. Ex-Governor J. A. Cooper is president of the bank. The McNamara Dry Goods company, one of the largtst houses in the world, was closed by attachment this morning. Liabilities a. $250,000; assets unknown. President J. A. Thatcher, of the clearing house says: "I am confident today will see the worst of this and the people will come to their senses." At the State National bank quite a run progressed. The officers appeared in the best of humor, and say they are confident they can weather the storm. The Commercial National closed its doors when it became evident a run would be inaugurated, and a notice was posted: "Closed for liquidation, by order of board of directors." It has a capital stock of $250,000 and only $2,000 cash on hand. At the American National small depositors, who are not numerous, made the run. The bank has $1,000,000 capital, and deals largely with men who handle big sums of money. The Mercantile bank, a private institution, with a capital of $100,000, failed at noon. The failure was caused by that of the Union National. Hyman & Company proprietors of the Beehive store, and McWhirter & Dipps, dealers in mantels and tiles, and Eagle & Harris, dry goods, have assigned. The excitement and demand upon ne banks continued unabated until about 2 o'clock when it subsided at all the banks except the Utah State National and the German National where the depositors seemed to increase instead of diminishing. Just before the close the failure of the Mercantile Savings bank with a capital of $100,000 was announced. Its assets are sufficient to pay all liabilities in time. The constant drain on banks by scared depositors brought about a crisis. It is stated by bankers that no less than $8,000,000 has been drawn from banks in the last three months. Of this at least $5,000,000 is locked up in this city. Late this afternoon two more savings banks assigned. The North Denver Savings bank and the private bank of Stephens & Hanchett, known as the Capital Savings bank.


Article from Idaho County Free Press, July 28, 1893

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A PANIC IN DENVER. A Run on All the Banks, Over Half of Which Close. Denver, July 18.-The Union National Bank failed this morning. It has a capital of a million dollars. No statement is yet made. A run is being made on the City National, German National, First National, Colorado National and all the eleven clearing house banks. A panic is on. The Commercial National closed its doors at 11 o'clock, and the National bank of Commerce closed its doors at noon. The Mercantile Bank, a private institution, with a capital of $100,000, failed at noon. The failure was caused by that of the Union National, through which it cleared. No scene was ever witnessed here before like that of this morning, shortly after the hour when the banks opened for business. The failure of three savings banks yesterday had excited the masses and at the hour of opening the streets were crowded with anxious depositors. Eleven clearing house banks located within four blocks of each other were surrounded and far into the streets the crowd gathered until the police were called to clear the way for traffic. At ten o'clock the Union National, with a capital of $1,000,000, posted a notice that they would not open their doors. This started the panic, and following quickly, the Commercial National posted a similar notice. Then the National Bank of Commerce followed. A run immediately started on all the other banks, although to no great extent upon the People's National. The First National appears in unexceptional condition, having over sixty per cent of its deposits on hand, with a private fund of a million and a half in addition to draw upon, making it impossible to close their doors. The Colorado National and several others are equally as good. The mob that is withdrawing money are all small depositors, and the banks are paying all demands except on time certificates, demanding that these remain until the expiration of their time. President J. A. Thatcher of the clearing house says, "I am confident today will see the worst of this and people will come to their senses."


Article from Martinsburg Herald, July 29, 1893

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# The Cloud in the East. "The threatened closing of the mills in the East I regard as a much more serious feaure of the present situation than the closing of the Denver banks," says a New York banker. So it is beyond question. The Denver banks were forced to close by the run resulting from the insane ravings of the Governor of Colorado and his hoodlum convention. The trouble with the mills in the East is of a different nature. They are confronted by the free trade policy of the party in power. The market will not take their product and they cannot afford to tie up money in goods that may be depreciated by an act of Congress before they can be marketed. Some of them can suspend operations and live. Others must run or go under, and since they cannot sell they must do the other thing. If there was no fear of a radical change in the tariff policy there mills would go on as before. It is easy to fix the blame without going far. Wheeling Intelligencer.


Article from The Madison Daily Leader, August 22, 1893

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More Denver Banks Resume. DENVER, Aug. 22. -The Union and Peoples National bank which suspended on June 18 and 19 respectively, opened their doors for business at the regular hour. they having complied with all the requirements of the comptroller of the currency.


Article from Fort Worth Gazette, August 22, 1893

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BANKS RE-OPEN. DENVER, Col., Aug. 21.—The People's National and Union National banks, two more of the suspended banks, opened their doors for business this morning.


Article from New Ulm Review, August 23, 1893

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More Denver Banks Resume. DENVER, Aug. 22. -The Union and Peoples National bank which suspended on June 18 and 19 respectively, opened their doors for business at the regular hour, they having complied with all the requirements of the comptroller of the currency.


Article from The Sun, August 24, 1893

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BANKS REOPEN. Denver, Aug. 22.-The - Union and People's National banks which suspended on July 18 and 19, respectively, opened their dcors for business at the regular hour this morning, they having complied with all the requirements of the controller of the currency.


Article from The Austin Weekly Statesman, August 24, 1893

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Denver Banks Reopen. DENVER. Aug. 21.-The Peoples National and the Union National banks, two more of the suspended banks, opened their doors this morning.