440. Merchants & Farmers Bank (Lewisville, AR)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
January 22, 1909
Location
Lewisville, Arkansas (33.358, -93.578)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
a2995921

Response Measures

None

Description

Bank voluntarily closed/suspended Jan 22, 1909; receivers appointed and cashier J. O. Smith arrested on charges (accessory to arson, receiving funds while insolvent). Coverage reports receivers in charge and bank 'defunct' — indicates permanent closure/receivership rather than a temporary suspension. No explicit run described in the articles.

Events (2)

1. January 22, 1909 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Soon after the bank closed its doors yesterday it was announced that Judge C. W. Smith of Camden and R. L. Searcy of Lewisville were appointed receivers.
Source
newspapers
2. January 22, 1909 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Voluntary closing amid allegations of insolvency, indictment of cashier J. O. Smith (accessory to arson) and criminal charges; receivers appointed.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Merchants and Farmers' bank of this place suspended yesterday and receivers have been appointed.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (7)

Article from The Prescott Daily News, January 23, 1909

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Article Text

ARRESTS TO BE MADE. Lewisville, Jan. 22. - Excitement over the closing of the Merchants' and Farmers' bank Wednesday is still at fever heat and is being increased by the reports of an: arrest to be made in this connection within the next few hours. Nothing is being stated by the receivers of the deefunct institution further than that there is only $232 in cash in the bank $and that the liabilities are $52,000 with nominal assets of $70,000.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, January 23, 1909

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Article Text

ARKANSAS BANK BROKE. Lewisville, Ark., Jan. 22.-The Merchants and Farmers' bank of this place suspended yesterday and receivers have been appointed. No statement has been made of assets and liabilities.


Article from The Prescott Daily News, January 25, 1909

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Article Text

NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS. Lewisville, Jan. 24.-There have been no new developments today in the Merchant's and Farmers' bank situation. Cashier Smith after his arrest, was brought into the city and arraigned before Justice Atkinson yesterday. The amount of his bond was fixed and he immediately returned to a friend's house at old Lewisville. about two miles out of town. He will have his preliminary hearing next Wednesday. The other charges against. him will not come up for hearing until the regular term of court next summer. The receivers are still (busty with the books of the bank and are expected to have a full report of its condition by Monday noon They refuse to give out any statements until their examination is completed. Fears of personal violence to Smith seem to have quieted down but there is still much excitement and the feeling both for and against him is very high. Some threats have been made by a number of depositors who fear they will lose their money; but the friends of Smith are defending him with equal warmth. Yesterday and today have been two more balmy days, and many a nimrod feels the fishing fever in bis bones, and would make ready for a trip to the Takes, but for the fear that the predicted cold weather for this week would come on him all too suddenly for a good time.


Article from Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, January 26, 1909

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Article Text

CASHIER SMITH STILL IN OLD LEWISVILLE Receivers in Charge of Bank Will Probably Report on Condition Today-No New Developments. Lewisville, Jan. 25.-There have been no new developments today in the Merchants' and Farmers' bank situation. Cashier Smith, after his arrest. was brought into the city and arraigned before Justice Atkinson yesterday. The amount of his bond was fixed and he immediately re-


Article from Woodruff County News, January 28, 1909

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Article Text

BANK CLOSES AT LEWISVILLE. Merchants' and Farmers' of Which J. O. Smith Was Cashier in Receiver's Hands. Lewisville.-No event of recent years has attracted more comment here than the indictment recently returned by the grand jury against J. O. Smith on the charge of accessory to arson. The excitement was increased by the voluntary closing of the doors of the Merchants' and Farmers' bank of this place, of which Smith was formerly the cashier. There is much discussion of the rapidly multiplying events connected with the arrest and further reports that are said to be pregnant with possibilities of even greater sensations are awaited. The charge of arson made against Smith has been overshadowed by the appointment of receivers for the bank. Among the funds of the bank were between $5,000 and $6,000 belonging to Lafayette county, of which I. L. Nix is treasurer. This money is protected by a bond and none will be lost to the county in case the bank is not able to pay its depositors in full. Two negroes have been indicted for arson and Smith is indicted as their accessory.


Article from The Mena Weekly Star, January 28, 1909

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Article Text

LEWISVILLE BANK CLOSES Merchants and Farmers in Receiver's Hands-Report That Assets Are $20,000 and Equal Liabilities. Lewisville, Jan. 22.-No event of recent years has attracted more comment here than the indictment recently returned by the grand jury against J. O. Smith on the charge of accessory to arson. Yesterday the excitement was increased by the voluntary closing of the doors of the Merchants and Farmers Bank of this place, of which Smith was formerly the cashier. There IS much discussion of the rapidly multiplying events connected with the arrest, and further reports that are said to be pregnant with possibilities of even greater sensations are awaited. Soon affer the bank closed its doors yesterday it was announced that Judge C. W. Smith of Camden and R. L. Searcy of Lewisville were appointed receivers. The assets and liabilities of the institution are variously reported, some stating they are about equal at $20,000. Others claim that the assets are about $72,000 and the liabilities $52,000. One of the receivers is reported to have stated this morning that the bank had only $300 to $400 actual cash on hand at this time. Among the funds of the bank were between $5,000 and $6,000 belonging to Lafayette county, of which I. L. Nix is treasurer. This money is protected by a tond and none will be lost to the county in case the bank is not able to pay its depositors in full. Sbortly after the arrest of Smith, bond was made in the sum of $500 and he was released. He left Lewisville, but returned here yesterday and is now at home. Two negroes have been indicted for arson and Smith is indicted as their recessory.


Article from The Mena Weekly Star, January 28, 1909

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Article Text

CASHIER OF DEFUNCT BANK ARRESTED Physical Violence Threatens J. 0. Smith at Hands of Lewisville Depositors Following Release on Bond. Lewisviile, Jan. 23.-Cashier J.O.Smith of the Merchants' and Farmer's bank which closed its doors last Wednesday, was arrested about noon today on the charge of receiving funds after he knew the bank to be insolvent. Four warrants were sworn out against him. The decision to file charges against Cashier Smith was reached when about 40 depositers of the insolvent bank held a conference last night. It was determined to swear out several warrants against Smith in order to make the bond of formidable proportions. The warrants were sworn out immediatelv after the conference and when the officers could not find Smith aftera lengthy search, excitement ran high. He was finally located at C. T. Short's residence at Old Lewisville, two miles from this place, and was arrested about noon today by Deputy Sheriff J. E. Barham. He was soon after arraigned before Justice W. L. Atkinson and was released upon heavy bond in each case, which was signed by a number of persons, among whom was S. A. Johnson. Others May Be Involved. The excitement over the fai.ure of the bank grows with every hour and the streets were crowded with disappointed and threatening depositers throughout yesterday and today. It is now be lieved that the bank practically has been insolvent since January 1, although deposits were accepted until last Wednesday. It is said that hundreds of checks have been held up by the bank, which were thought to have been paid. The situation grows more serious as the investigation progresses and it IS feared that some other men prominent locally be involved. The most now conservative may believe that the bank has few assets of any value but the accountant for the receivers has not yet completed his work and no official statement is available. Fears For His Safety. The friends of Cashier Smith appear greatly concerned lest he receive bodily injury from the many excited and maddened depositors. He IS remaining with friends and is keeping indoors as much as possible.