4523. Kirby Savings Bank (Chicago, IL)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: private
Start Date: November 1, 1912
Location: Chicago, Illinois (41.850, -87.650)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: ed371897

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Description

Bank was taken into receivership after president William T. Kirby was adjudged insane and vaults found nearly empty. Deposit crowd/angry depositors indicate a run; receivers (Central Trust) appointed and bank remained defunct. Dates from newspapers in early November 1912; court record notes bank closed Nov 1, 1912.

Events (4)

1. November 1, 1912 Suspension

Cause: Government Action
Cause Details: Bank was taken into the hands of receivers (Central Trust Company later appointed receiver) after discovery president was insane and funds were found nearly exhausted.
Newspaper Excerpt: the Kirby Savings bank ... went into the hands of receivers after its president had been adjudged insane
Source: newspapers

2. November 4, 1912 Receivership

Newspaper Excerpt: Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank, which was taken charge of by receivers yesterday ... were found to contain but $852.12 when the funds were counted today. There is $852 in cash and notes, said S. H. Vowell to men and women depositors who besieged the Kirby Savings Bank at Chicago.
Source: newspapers

3. November 4, 1912 Run

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Deposit withdrawals/clamor triggered by discovery that president William T. Kirby had been adjudged insane and arrests/charges against cashier for operating a confidence scheme; vaults nearly empty.
Measures: Police summoned to disperse crowd; no specific liquidity measures reported by bank.
Newspaper Excerpt: A mob of several hundred persons, representing about $50,000 in deposits, waited outside the bank doors and shouted in rage
Source: newspapers

4. April 18, 1914 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: When the bank closed its doors Nov. 1, 1912, Dr. Kirby could not be found by depositors. Later it was learned he was in a sanitarium. Shortly after this, Federal Judge Landis appointed the Central Trust company receiver.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (16)

1. November 4, 1912 Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser Newark, NJ

Article from Newark Evening Star and Newark Advertiser, November 4, 1912

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BANK RUN BY INSANE PRESIDENT; JAIL CASHIER CHICAGO, Nov. 4.-That the business of the Kirby Savings Bank, a private institution, with assets and liabilities said to be about $150,000, had for a time been conducted by an insane man was learned here when federal officers took charge of the bank. William T. Kirby, president of the bank, was adjudged insane in the county court Friday and was placed in a sanitarium in Winnetka, Iil. The condition of the books and property of the institution will not be known until the bank examiners have reported. To avoid a panic among depositors of the bank the insanity hearing was conducted with secrecy. Later the cashier, D. J. Kirby, jr., was arrested on a municipal court warrant charging him with operating a confidence scheme.

2. November 5, 1912 The Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL

Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, November 5, 1912

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ANGRY DEPOSITORS CLAMOR FOR MONEY Chicago, November 4.-Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank, which was taken charge of by receivers yesterday on the discovery that William T. Kirby, prestdent of the institution, had been insano for some time, were today found to contain but $852. A mob of several hundred persons, representating about $50,000 in deposits, it is said, waited outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the information as to the amount of funds was given them. Police were summoned to disperse the crowd. Total liabilities of the bank are unknown. The trial of Daniel J. Kirby, Jr., nephew of W. T. Kirby, and cashier of the bank, charged with operating a confidence scheme, was put over to November 15.

3. November 5, 1912 New-York Tribune New York, NY

Article from New-York Tribune, November 5, 1912

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BANK PRESIDENT INSANE Receivers Find Only $852 in Savings Institution. Chicago, Nov. 4.-Vaults of the Kirby Savings Bank, which was taken charge of by receivers yesterday on the discovery that William T. Kirby, president of the institution, had been insane for some time, were found to-day to contain only $852. A mob of several hundred persons, representing about $50,000 in deposits, it is said, waited outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the amount of funds was announced. Police were summoned to disperse the crowd. The total liabilities of the bank are unknown. The $852 was made up partly of small change and stamps. The trial of Daniel J. Kirby, jr., nephew of W. T. Kirby and cashier of the bank, charged in the municipal court with operating a confidence scheme, was put over by Judge Newcomer to November 15.

4. November 5, 1912 Norwich Bulletin Norwich, CT

Article from Norwich Bulletin, November 5, 1912

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ONLY $852 FOUND IN VAULTS OF BANK. President Discovered to Have Been Insane for Some Time. Chicago, Nov. 4.-Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank, which was taken charge of by receivers yesterday on the discovery that William T. Kirby, presiden't of the institution, had been insanne for some time, were today found to contain but $852. A mob of several hundred persons, representing about $50,000 in deposits, it is said, waited outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the information as to the amount of funds was given them. Police were summoned to disperse the crowd. The total liabilities of the bank are unknown. The $852 was made up partly of small change and stamps.

5. November 5, 1912 The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, UT

Article from The Salt Lake Tribune, November 5, 1912

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BANK VAULTS FOUND TO BE NEARLY BARE CHICAGO, Nov. -Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank. which was taken charge of by receivers yesterday on the discovery that William T. Kirby, pres. ident of the institution, had been insane for some time. were found to contain but $852.12 when the funds were counted today. A mob of several hundred persons, representing about $50.000 in deposits, it is said, was jammed outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the information was given them. Police were summoned to disperse the crowd. The total liabilities of the bank are unknown. The $852.12 was made in part of change and stamps. The trial of Daniel J. Kirby, Jr., nephew of W. T. Kirby and cashier of the bank, charged in the municipal court with operating a confidence scheme, was put over to November 15.

6. November 5, 1912 The Evening Times Grand Forks, ND

Article from The Evening Times, November 5, 1912

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NO MONEY IN VAULTS. Chicago, Nov. 5.-Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank, which was taken charge of by receivers yesterdoy on the discovery that William T. Kirby, president of the institution, had been insane. were found to contain but $852.12 when the funds were counted today. A mob of several hundred persons representing about $50,000 in deposits, it is said, was jammed outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the information was given them. Police were summoned to disperse the crowd. The total liabilities of the bank are unknown.

7. November 7, 1912 Gilpin Observer Central City, CO

Article from Gilpin Observer, November 7, 1912

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CALIGHT FROM THE NETWORK OF WIRES ROUND ABOUT THE WORLD. DURING THE PAST WEEK RECORD OF IMPORTANT EVENTS CONDENSED FOR BUSY PEOPLE. Western Newspaper Union News Service. WESTERN. What is said to be the largest cros of walnuts ever known in southwest Missouri is being harvested this fall. Gustave Kostupulos, a Greek, alleged slayer of Mrs. Augusta Robinson in Denver on May 6, was arrested at Milwaukee. J. Beal Sneed, slayer of Al. Boyce, Jr., at Amarillo, Tex., was granted bail by the Court of Criminal Appeals under $20,000 bond. Burns Lyman Smith has begun the erection of a forty-two-story office building in Seattle. It will be the tallest and largest on the Pacific coast. Charles Kemp, a street car conductor, was killed and fifteen passengers in Sioux City, a lington car injured engine struck Ia., the when in Bur- the center. Rutherford B. Cook, assistant secretary of the Chicago Nationals, shot and killed one of two men in an auto who attempted to rob him on Washington boulevard in Chicago. After drugging a trusty, sawing through two iron barriers and scaling a jail yard wall, four former inmates of the Kern county, California, jail fled through the hills with two posses in pursuit. His Eminence John Cardinal Farley, bearer of a message of good will and kindliness to the Pacific coast from the head of the Roman Catholic church at the vatican, arrived in San Francisco. Mrs. G. Purdue, 35, wife of a railroad conductor, and her six-monthsold daughter, were burned to death in a shed in the rear of the Perdue home at Ossowatomie, Kan. A fiveyear-old son, who was burned, died. come to That Colonel Roosevelt beg local will courts Milwaukee and the to inflict a minimum sentence instead of the expected maximum of fifteen years is what John Schrank, who attempted to slay the former President, says he expects. "There is $852 in cash and notes," said S. H. Vowell to men and women depositors who besieged the Kirby Savings Bank at Chicago. The bank went into the hands of receivers after its president had been adjudged insane. Mrs. Louise Lindloff, spiritualist crystal was gazer, found guilty of murder at Chicago and her punishment was fixed at twenty-five years in the penitentiary. She was charged with poisoning her 15-year-old son, Arthur. After following tracks in the snow leading to the stronghold of Richardson, Burke and Baxtrum, escaped convicts from the state prison at Rawlins. Wyo., a sheriff's posse engaged in a gun fight with the men, killing Richardson and Baxtrum. Burke escaped. Governor Marshall was delayed nine hours on a trip across South Dakota by a freight wreck in which two trainmen were killed. During the delay the governor delivered an unscheduled speech to an audience made up mainly of passengers of trains blocked by the wreck. While he spoke Mrs. Marshall was busy seeking aid for the family of Brakeman Breting who was killed and left eleven children.

8. November 7, 1912 The Ward County Independent Minot, ND

Article from The Ward County Independent, November 7, 1912

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INSANE BANKER LEFT LITTLE Only $852.12 Found in Vaults of Chicago Institution. Chicago, Nov. 6.-Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank, which was taken charge of by receivers on the discovery that William T. Kirby, president of the institution, had been insane, were found to contain but $852.12 when the funds were counted. A mob of several hundred persons representing about $50,000 in deposits, It is said, was jammed outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the information was given them. PoMoe were summoned to disperse the srowd.

9. November 9, 1912 The Idaho Springs Siftings-News Idaho Springs, CO

Article from The Idaho Springs Siftings-News, November 9, 1912

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CAUGHT FROM THE NETWORK OF WIRES ROUND ABOUT THE WORLD. DURING THE PAST WEEK RECORD OF IMPORTANT EVENTS CONDENSED FOR BUSY PEOPLE. Western Newspaper Union News Service WESTERN. What is said to be the largest cron of walnuts ever known in southwest Missouri is being harvested this fall. Gustave Kostupulos, a Greek, alleged slayer of Mrs. Augusta Rebinson in Denver on May 6. was arrested at Milwaukee J. Beal Sneed, slayer of Al Boyse, Jr., at Amarillo, Tex., was granted bail by the Court of Criminal Appeals under $20,000 bond. Burns Lyman Smith has begun the erection of a forty-two-story office building in Seattle It will be the tallest and largest on the Pacific coast. Charles Kemp, a street car conductor, was killed and fifteen passengers injured in Sioux City, la., when a Burlington engine struck the car in the center Rutherford B. Cook, assistant secretary of the Chicago Nationals, shot and killed one of two men in an auto who attempted to rob him on Washington boulevard in Chicago. After drugging a trusty, sawing through two iron barriers and scaling a jail yard wall, four former inmates of the Kern county, California, jail fled through the hills with two posses in pursuit. His Eminence John Cardinal Farley, bearer of a message of good will and kindliness to the Pacific coast from the head of the Roman Catholic church at the vatican, arrived in San Francisco Mrs. G. Purdue, 35, wife of a railroad conductor, and her six-months old daughter, were burned to death in a shed in the rear of the Perdue home at Ossowatomie, Kan. A five year-old son, who was burned, died. That Colonel Roosevelt will come to Milwaukee and beg the local courts to inflict a minimum sentence instead of the expected maximum of fifteen years is what John Schrank who attempted to stay the former President, says he expects. "There is $852 in cash and notes," said S. H. Vowell to men and women depositors who besieged the Kirby Savings Bank at Chicago. The bank went into the hands of receivers after its president had been adjudged insane. Mrs. Louise Lindloff, spiritualist crystal gazer, was found guilty of murder at Chicago and her punish ment was fixed at twenty-five years in the penitentiary. She was charged with poisoning her 15-year-old son, Arthur. After following tracks in the snow leading to the stronghold of Richard son, Burke and Baxtrum, escaped con victs from the state prison at Rawlins Wyo., a sheriff's posse engaged in a gun fight with the men, killing Rich ardson and Baxtrum Burke escaped Governor Marshall was delayed nine hours on a trip across South Dakota by a freight wreck in which two trainmen were killed During the delay the governor delivered an unscheduled speech 10 an audience made up mainiy of passengers of trains blocked by the wreck While he spoke Mrs. Mar shall was busy seeking aid for the family of Brakeman Breting who was killed and left eleven children.

10. November 10, 1912 The Pensacola Journal Pensacola, FL

Article from The Pensacola Journal, November 10, 1912

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CHICAGO BANK HEAD IS INSANE AND INSTITUTION GOES INTO HANDS OF RECEIVER, BUT DEPOSITORS ARE OPTIMISTIC AND BELIEVE THEY'LL FIND BULK OF THEIR DEPOSITS INTACT. Chicago, Nov. 9.-The visible assets of the Kirby Savings Bank at 5019 South Ashland avenue, which went into the hands of a receiver after the president had been adjudged insane, are nearly $18,000. This figure was given out by Thomas B. Lantry, attorney for the conservator of the estate. An earlier report made by 8. H. Volwell, the receiver, had placed the amount at $825. Two hundred depositors are represented ingthe bank's deficit of $50,000! Confidence that they will finally recelve most, If not all, of their money is expressed by the majority of the depositors. Mrs. William T. Kirby, wife of the president, who is now in a Waukegan sanitarium, is reported to have sent word to all of the depositors that they will receive their money in full. It is said Mrs. Kirby will meet the deficit from her own resources If necessary. "Dr. Kirby has been known in this

11. November 13, 1912 The Abbeville Press and Banner Abbeville, SC

Article from The Abbeville Press and Banner, November 13, 1912

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INSANE MAN WRECKS BANK Only $852 Found in the Kirby Institution at Chicago. Chicago.-Vaults of the Kirby Savings bank, which was taken charge of by receivers on the discovery that William T. Kirby, president of the institution, had not been found for some time, were found to contain but $852. A mob of several hundred persons, representing about $50,000 in de. posits, it is said, waited outside the bank doors and shouted in rage when the information as to. the amount of funds was given them. Police were summoned to disperse the crowd. Total liabilities of the bank are unknown William T. Kirby, president of the bank, was adjudged insane in the county court and was placed in a sanitarium in Winnetaka, Ill.

12. November 15, 1912 The Ordway New Era Ordway, CO

Article from The Ordway New Era, November 15, 1912

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CONDENSED RECORD OF THE PROGRESS OF EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD FROM ALL SOURCES SAYINGS, DOINGS ACHIEVE. MENTS, SUFFERINGS, HOPES AND FEARS OF MANKIND. Western Newspaper Union News Service. WESTERN. Following a quarrel over the ownership of a litter of pups, William Zirnheld, twenty-six, shot and killed Fred Bauer, twenty-three, at Louisville, Ky. Tony Jannus started on an aeroplane flight from Omaha to New Orleans, carrying a message of greeting to the New Orleans mayor from Mayor Dahlman of Omaha. Edwin Goodwin, a 17-year-old boy, the death of admitted he Captain was responsible Harry C. for Young, whose body whis found near a small stream at Surry, Maine. Rutherford B. Cook, assistant secretary of the Chicago Nationals, shot and killed one of two men in an auto who attempted to rob him on Washington boulevard in Chicago. In the partition of a large part of the estate of the late Colonel Thomas H. Swope at Kansas City, Mrs. Frances H. Hyde, wife of Dr. B. Clark Hyde, received property valued at $118,000. Mrs. G. Purdue, 35, wife of a railroad conductor, and her six-monthsold daughter, were burned to death in a shed in the rear of the Perdue home at Ossowatomie, Kan. A fiveyear-old son, who was burned, died. "There is $852 in cash and notes," said S. H. Vowell to men and women depositors who besieged the Kirby Savings Bank at Chicago. The bank went into the hands of receivers after its president had been adjudged insanc. A warrant charging murder in the first degree was issued at Sedalia, Mo., for Mrs. Pansy Lesh, who confessd at Los Angeles to having poisoned Mrs. F. M. Quaintance of Greenridge, Mo., and Mrs. Eliza A. Cole of Sedalia. Mrs. Louise Lindloff, spiritualist crystal gazer, was found guilty of murder at Chicago and her punishment was fixed at twenty-five years in the penitentiary. She was charged with poisoning her 15-year-old son, Arthur. Martin Coggin, 522 Sibley street, a 621 a night South watchman, Halsted and street, Harry wounded cook, Thurston, each shot and probably fatally other in Chicago, following a quarrel over the arrest of a girl supposed to be Christine Miller, 16 years old. Frederick Vining Fisher, preacher, head of of lecturer, appointed the Panama-Pacific author and the traveler, Exposition lecture has bureau been and he is planning to send a corps of able speakers throughout this country and Europe to tell of the 1915 world's fair at San Francisco. A representative of a glove factory at Gloversville, N. Y., has found a practical use for prairie dogs. The hides from half a dozen were shipped to the factory, where they were made up. The result was a glove soft and pliable as kid, waterproof and never cracking or roughing up. According to statements made at Fort Worth by attorneys in her employ, Mrs. Frank W. Elkins, widow of the exiled son of the late senator from West Virginia, and half brother of Miss Katherine Elkins, contemplates suit to recover her husband's share in the great estate of the senator, who died a multi-millionaire. Just thirty minutes after pretty 14 year-old Mrs. Annie Scroggins was granted a divorce from her husband, William Scroggins, she entered the county clerk's office at Fort Worth, Texas, with C. E. Lacey, obtained a license, and married him one hour later. The girl is also suing for possession of her six-months-old baby. SPORT

13. November 15, 1912 Rocky Ford Enterprise Rocky Ford, CO

Article from Rocky Ford Enterprise, November 15, 1912

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CONDENSED RECORD OF THE PROGRESS OF EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD FROM ALL SOURCES SAYINGS, DOINGS, ACHIEVE. MENTS, SUFFERINGS, HOPES AND FEARS OF MANKIND. Western Newspaper Union News Service. WESTERN. Following a quarrel over the ownership of a litter of pups, William Zirnheld, twenty-six, shot and killed Fred Bauer, twenty-three, at Louisville, Ky. Tony Jannus started on an aerofrom to Ora leans, plane flight carrying message Omaha of New greeting to the New Orleans mayor from Mayor Dahlman of Omaha, Edwin Goodwin, a 17-year-old boy, admitted he was responsible for the death of Captain Harry C. Young, whose body was found near a small stream at Surry, Maine. Rutherford B. Cook, assistant secretary of the Chicago Nationals, shot two men auto to on Washand who killed attempted one of rob him in an ington boulevard in Chicago. In the partition of a large part of the estate of the late Colonel Thomas H. Swope at Kansas City, Mrs. Frances H. Hyde, wife of Dr. B. Clark Hyde, received property valued at $118,000. Mrs. G. Purdue, 35, wife of a railroad conductor, and her six-monthsold daughter, were burned to death in a shed in the rear of the Perdue home at Ossowatomie, Kan. A fiveyear-old son, who was burned, died. "There is $852 in cash and notes," said S. H. Vowell to men and women depositors who besieged the Kirby Savings Bank at Chicago. The bank went into the hands of receivers after its president had been adjudged insane. A warrant charging murder in the first degree was issued at Sedalia, Mo., for Mrs. Pansy Lesh, who confessd at Los Angeles to having poisoned Mrs. F. M. Quaintance of Greenridge, Mo., and Mrs. Eliza A. Cole of Sedalia. Mrs. Louise Lindloff, spiritualist crystal gazer, was found guilty of murder at Chicago and her punishment was fixed at twenty-five years in the penitentiary. She was charged with poisoning her 15-year-old son, Arthur. Martin Coggin, 522 Sibley street, a night watchman, and Harry Thurston, 621 South Halsted street, a cook, shot and probably fatally wounded each other in Chicago, following a quarrel over the arrest of a girl supposed to be Christine Miller, 16 years old. Frederick Vining Fisher, preacher, lecturer, author and traveler, has been appointed head of the lecture bureau of the Panama-Pacific Exposition and he is planning to send a corps of able speakers throughout this country and Europe to tell of the 1915 world's fair at San Francisco. A representative of a glove factory at Gloversville, N. Y., has found a practical use for prairie dogs. The hides from half a dozen were shipped to the factory. where they were made up. The result was a glove soft and pliable as kid, waterproof and never cracking or roughing up. According to statements made at Fort Worth by attorneys in her employ, Mrs. Frank W. Elkins, widow of the exiled son of the late senator from West Virginia, and half brother of Miss Katherine Elkins, contemplates suit to recover her husband's share in the great estate of the senator, who died a multi-millionaire. Just thirty minutes after pretty 14year-old Mrs. Annie Scroggins was granted a divorce from her husband, William Scroggins, she entered the county clerk's office at Fort Worth, Texas, with C. E. Lacey, obtained a license, and married him one hour later. The girl is also suing for possession of her six-months-old baby.

14. November 21, 1912 The Mathews Journal Mathews, VA

Article from The Mathews Journal, November 21, 1912

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# WOMAN FAILS TO # PRODUCE MONEY CHICAGO, ILL. Special. - Mrs. Margaret kirby, wife of Dr. William T. Kirby, owner of the failed Kirby Savings Bank, was cited to appear at noon today before Fed- eral Judge Landis to show cause why she should not be punished for contempt. Yesterday she was or- dered to produce in court $20,000 takne from the bank and which Judge Landis said he was convinced she had concealed. After the court's order the wo- man's husband asserted that the money had gone to wire tappers. Judge Landis was not convinced by the story, and attorneys for the receivers of the bank, who brought the matter into Federal Court, openly charged that the story was a "frame-up" to help Mrs. Kirby in her attempt to withhold the money. Today her husband's story of giving the money to wire-tappers will be formally told in court.

15. November 24, 1912 The Birmingham Age-Herald Birmingham, AL

Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, November 24, 1912

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Crazy Men as Bankers From the Chicago News. Illinois is about the only state in the union in which a crazy man is free to open a bank and advertise for deposits. A dishonest man, if possessed of any sense at all, would be moved by considerations of mere prudence to take better care of deposits intrusted to his custody than would a man bereft of reason. Banks run by bedlamites must be thought to show a refinement of irresponsibility that is sufficient to impress even the lighthearted opponents of a law requiring state supervision of private banks. Dr. William T. Kirby, head of the Kirby Savings bank. 5019 South Ashland avenue, which failed recently owing depositors about $30,000, with assets of less than $1000, has been adjudged insane in the county court. This finding has been questioned, some persons believing that there was method in the madness that looted the Kirby bank so effectually. Whether Kirby is insane or not his case serves to call attention to the fact that a man of unbalanced mind might, under existing conditions, hang out a sign as a banker and proceed to accept deposits without supervision or inspection by the public authorities. To many persons inexperienced in such matters all banks look alike. Though this community has strong and reliable national banks, subject to supervision by

16. April 24, 1914 The Mobridge News Mobridge, SD

Article from The Mobridge News, April 24, 1914

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To Examine Brain of Deceased. Chicago, April 18.-Dr. William T. Kirby, head of the defunct Kirby Sav. ings bank, died at a hospital here, a mental wreck. Circumstances following the failure of the Kirby bank have been aired in the federal court here for more than a year. When the bank closed its doors Nov. 1, 1912, Dr. Kir by could not be found by depositors. Later it was learned he was in a san itarium. Shortly after this, Federa! Judge Landis appointed the Central Trust company receiver.