Click image to open full size in new tab
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.