4687. State Savings Institution (Chicago, IL)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
July 18, 1877
Location
Chicago, Illinois (41.850, -87.650)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
66b0e989

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Partial suspension

Other: Bank closed and placed in receivership; evidence of embezzlement/falsified accounts led to permanent failure.

Description

A mild run began in mid-July 1877 (linked to St. Louis bank troubles), bank invoked 30/60 day rule. By Aug 28–29 the State Savings Institution closed; evidence of falsified accounts and embezzlement; receiver appointed and bank remained in receivership (permanent failure).

Events (3)

1. July 18, 1877 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run was triggered by uneasiness stemming from recent St. Louis bank troubles that produced withdrawals from Chicago savings banks
Measures
Bank officers posted notices invoking the thirty and sixty days rule; small accounts settled on demand.
Newspaper Excerpt
There has been a small run to-day on the State Savings bank
Source
newspapers
2. August 28, 1877 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Following the run, bank condition worsened; falsified accounts and alleged embezzlement by officers made institution insolvent, forcing closure and appointment of a receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
The State Savings Institution of Chicago will close its doors to-morrow morning...appointed Colonel Abner Taylor receiver
Source
newspapers
3. September 18, 1877 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Judge Williams this morning appointed Judge Otis receiver, an appointment which meets with universal approval.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (23)

Article from The Cheyenne Daily Leader, July 19, 1877

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ILLINOIS. Banking Troubles in Chigago. Chicago, July 18.-The St. Louis bank troubles produced scarcely a perceptible impression on banking institutions here. There has been a small run to-day on the State Savings bank, but there is often a like rush, and bank officers say they frequently pay out in a forenoon in the ordinary course of business more than they have up to 1 o'clock to-day.


Article from The Daily Gazette, July 20, 1877

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THE RUN ON SAVINGS BANKS. The run on the Paterson Savings In stitution, at Paterson, N. J., continued yesterday, and $37,000 was withdrawn from it, mostly by small depositors. In the afternoon the excitement was subsiding. There was no run on the Passa1c County Savings Bank yesterday. Investigation shows that the capital of the Paterson Fire Insurance Company was impaired $30,000 last December, when the sworn statement of its ficers asserted that the company had a reinsurance fund of $167,000 and a surplus of $17,000. There is talk of bringing the matter before the Grand Jury. The run on the Savings Banks in Chicago was renewed yesterday, and was liveliest on the State Savings Bank. It was checked speedily by the posting of notices in all the Savings institutions, declaring that the thirty days' rule would be enforced. The general opinion is, that the excitement will subside in a few days.


Article from The New York Herald, July 20, 1877

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DISTRUSTFUL DEPOSITORS. A MILD RUN ON CHICAGO SAVINGS BANKS. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 CHICAGO, July 19, 1877. The uneasiness which developed itself here yesterday among the depositors of the local savings banks regarding the security of their deposits, and which had the effect to develop a run on the State Savings Institution, was by no means allayed to-day. Yester. day the above named bank was the only one of which extra demands were made; but to-day the Fidelity and the Farmers and Mechanics' banks experienend somewhat ot a run. On the opening of the State Savings Bank matters had a panicky outlook, so great was the crowd and so clamorous for their deposits. The bank officers finally actermined 10 take advantage of the thirty and sixty days rule of limitation governing demands for deposits, and posted notices to this effect. Small accounts were settled on demand. At the other savings bank there was a similar policy pursued, and with good effect.


Article from The New York Herald, August 29, 1877

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Another Savings Bank Gone. Chicago is experiencing this morning one of those financial shocks that tend to break down all confidence in what are often falsely termed savings banks. After the usual course of cooking the accounts of the State Savings Bank, so as to make it appear to the public eye a solvent institution and to encourage unsuspecting depositors up to the last moment to cast their savings into its bottomless coffers, it is decided that the bank shall be closed this morning. Our special despatches from Chicago give the details of what must prove to be one of the most raseally pieces of plundering that has been recorded for many years. From the statement of the receiver, Colonel Taylor, a complete falsification of the accounts of the bank has assisted the guilty officials in their wholesale robbery. The president, Spencer, has fled to New York, and, as it is stated, probably with the object of gathering all the available funds he can lay his hands on and escaping from the country. It is reported that he has securities on deposit in the Chemical National Bank of this city, and intends, if he has not already done so, to convert them into money and decamp. The gravest danger that threatens just now is that the fraudulent failure of the State Savings Bank will pull down all the other savings banksin Chicago and spread wide the disaster among those poor people who innocently imagined that a "bank" was a place of safe deposit for their money. It is positively sickening to contemplate the amount of misery that can be. caused by the machinations of a few scoundrels who manage to deceive the public by assuming the "sheep's clothing" of respectability and financial integrity, but who are in reality human hyenas that prey on the community.


Article from The New York Herald, August 29, 1877

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INTERV EW WITH THE CASHIER OF THE CHE MICAL NATIONAL BANK, NEW YORK. A HEHALD reporter called late last night at the house of Mr. George G. Williams, cashier of the Chemical Nationa I Bank of this city, to ascertain what he might have 10, say relative to the reported failure of the State Stavings Institution, of Chicago. The reporter asked Mr. Williams whether the institution had kept any securities at the Chemical Bank. Mr. WILLIAMS-Yes, until the beginning of the recent run on them they had a very large amount of government bonds on deposit with us, but since that time the whole amount has been withdrawn. We have sold Lbe bonds and the money has been either drawn for Vaem or sent to Chicago to the institution. RE:PORTER-Have you recently held any conversation with Mr. D. D. Spencer, the president of the State institution, in reference to its solvency ? Mr. WILLIAMS-Yes, he lives in Chicago, but he) was in New York about ten days ago on private business. I saw ham. He said that be thought the bank would be able to get through its difficulties all right, if the run di d not last too long. REPORTER-Then he apprehended danger? Mr. WILLIAMS-Yes; for a large part of the assets of the b ank consists of mortgages on real estate in Cbtcago, and it would be very bard to realize their value at pr esent. RIPORTER-What was your own opinion on the condition of this bank?" Yur. WILLIAMS--I thought it perfectly solvent, but I


Article from The New York Herald, August 29, 1877

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HEAVY BANK FAILURE. The State Savings Institution of Chicago to Close To-Day. FLIGHT OF ITS PRESIDENT. Six Other Banks Expected To Be Involved in Its Ruin. ASSETS AND LIABILITIES. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.] CHICAGO, III.. August 28, 1877. The State Savings Institution of Chicago will close its doors to-morrow morning. It will be remembered that the recent bank troubles in St. Louis caused a heavy run upon the savings banks of Chicago. and that after two days of constant drain upon the available funds of the institution they were compelled to take advantage of the "thirty day rule," which requires that depositors shall give thirty days' notice of intention to draw out The president of the State Savings Institution at that time stated that the bank had in ready cash $900,000 and could within a reasonable time convert its paper into available funds, so that it would be ready for any emergency. The depositors took the advice of the newspapers and decided to give the bank a fair chance to straighten up its affairs. The run was checked and people began to think that there was no ground for uneasiness. In the meantime the bank has been going from bad to worse. It is estimated that within the last three months over $1,000,000 has been paid out. while within the past six weeks deposits have steadily fallen off. It became evident to the directors some time ago that this could not last much longer, and several efforts were made to raise money in this city and in New York, without avail. DEPOSITS RECEIVED UP TO THE LAST MOMENT. Notwithstanding the fact that the directors were satisfied the bank would collapse within a short time deposits were received up to last Saturday, when a meeting was held to decide upon the future. It was then agreed that all deposits coming in from that time until the suspension was made public should be turned over to Dr. Grant, a private citizen, and by him held for the benefit of the depositors. Deposits were received up to three o'clock this afternoon, so as not to excite suspicion, but they were turned over to Dr. Grant, as decided by the directors. This afternoon a final meeting of the directors was held and it was decided to turn over books and other property of the institution to Colonel Abner Taylor, whom they appointed receiver. DEPOSITS AND DEPOSITORS. From Colonel Taylor the HERALD corresponden procured the following information:-The number of persons depositors in the bank is upward of sixteen thousand, and the amount of deposits foot up $4,000,000. or this sum about $2,000,000 is secured by mortgages, bonds, &c.; but these If disposed of now will have to be sacrificed. Last Saturday morning President Spencer left Chicago for New York, ostensibly for the purpose of raising some money, but it is believed with a view to his personal safety. His mission if after money was a fruitless one. He had been connected with several loosely managed banking houses before he became president of the State Savings, and but little confidence was placed in his integrity by the business community. He has deceived the public as to the true condition of the bank, and the last quarterly statement made in July is a gross falsification of the assets. LIABILITIES AND ASSETS. Colonel Taylor had the following summary of the bank's condition drawn up for the HERALD correspondent:LIABILITIES.


Article from The Daily Gazette, August 30, 1877

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MONEY AFFAIRS IN CHICAGO. By Telegraph to the Gazette. CHIC AGO, 11 As yet no bank has closed except the State Savings Bank, Tho savings banks are being freely run upon by depositors but the commercial banks are as quiet as usual.


Article from The Rutland Daily Globe, August 30, 1877

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A Savings Bank Panic. CHICAGO. Aug. 29. It is feared the failure of the state savings bank will cause a general run ( n savings banks, and that fully six more suspenei na will occur this week. An Elkhorn, Wis., dispatch charges that President Spencer of the state savings institution was cashier of the Elkhorn bank when it failed, and embezz ed its funds, and was sub equently id ntified with the Cook county national bank of Chicago, which failed disastrously a few years ago. The assets of the state savings institution are now placed at $3 050 947.


Article from The Sun, August 30, 1877

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The savings bank panic in Chicago yesterday was serious. The frauds which have brought the State Savings Bank to ruin have at the same time brought a multitude of poor depositors to grief, and the scenes witnessed around its doors yesterday are such as have been only too common in the history of American savings banks. There was a heavy run upon three of the other savings banks of Chicago, and there is evidently a widespread feeling of insecurity among depositors. It is absurd to ask people to retain confidence in such an institution as the State Savings Bank. after the revolutions that have been made of its management, and the character and career of its President, D. D. SPENCER


Article from Daily Kennebec Journal, August 30, 1877

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ILLINOIS. Murder. CHICAGO, August 29. Levi Tosselman, a wealthy retired merchant, formerly of Baltimore and Chicago, was murdered at Wischita, Kansas, recently. He left here three weeks ago to inspect his western property. Riot. Philadelphia merchants who lost freight by the strikers riot at Pittsburg, have decided to bring suit against the Pennsylvania railroad. Failures. It is feared the failure of the State Savings Institution will cause a general run on savings banks, and that fully six more suspensions will occur this week. An Elkhorn, Wis., despatch charges that President Spencer of the State Savings Institution, was cashier of the Elkhorn bank when it failed, and embezzled its funds, and was subsequently identified with the Cook Co. National Bank of Chicago, which failed disastrosuly a few years ago. Indian Matters. Gen. Terry left for Washington yesterday. He has advices from Gen. Miles, Aug. 19th, stating Sitting Bull with 1300 warriors had been met south of the British line. It is understood he left British territory because of difficulty with the authorities. His band is in good condition. If Sitting Bull is found on this side of the line he will be relentlessly pursued. Terry thinks his commission requirers a larger escort for its safety than can be provided.


Article from The New York Herald, September 2, 1877

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CHICAGO'S BROKEN BANK. AN IMMENSE GATHERING OF IRATE DEPOSITORS IN THE TABERNACLE-A FUND TO BRING SPENCER BACK FROM EUROPE. [BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. 1 CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 1877. The creditors of the State Savings Institution held a mass meeting at the Tabernacle this evening. The gathering was a very large one, numbering not less than SIX thousand persous. Only those were admitted by the doors who exhibited depositors' books. Mr. M. J. Wentworth read a despatch just received from New York confirming the report that Spencer had left for Europe and had a large amount of money` deposited at a London bank. The announcement was received with groans and curses and cries of "Hang him 1" In the course of his remarks be said that the law did not provide for the public inspection of savings banks. A bill 10 that effect was deleated at the last term of the Legislature. A voice asked, "Who defeated it?" A hundred voices replied, "John C. Haines, President of the Fidelity." Colonel Taylor, the receiver, reported the amount of assets found on the books and their estimated value The assets looted up $2,337,496 73. Estimated value, $869,000. The habilities footed up $3,050,017 17, nearly all due depositors. He announced that he had learned the whereabouts of the South Park bonds. They were at the American Exchange Bank in New York, and he had not learned yet bow they were held, except that It was by an agree. ment between D. D. Spencer and Robert Phair. That agreement was in New York, and be was ignorant of its conditions. The statement of the committee's accounts showed that the bank had only paid out about $225,000 to depositors since the late run instead of $1,000,000, as the officors had announced to the public. All the cash that could be found was $24,000. A FUND TO BRING BACK SPENCER. A resolution was presented amid denfening choors providing that every depositor subscribe City cents 10 create a fund to have Spencer brought back from Europe. For some minutes the building fairly trembled with the mingled cries 01 "Hang him! "Bring him back!" A member of the committee said they had already taken the necessary steps for Spencer's arrest, as a private individual had placed $10,000 for that very purpose. It was proposed to instruct the committee to cable instructions to the police authorities at Liverpool to-night to arrest Spencer as soon as the steamer arrived. The proposition was greeted with yells of approval. "Long John" Wentworth announced that the message had already been started for Europe. He also recommended that no as signee be appointed, but that Colonel Taylor remain in his present position to assist the creditors' committee; and further, that the institution be not thrown into bankruptcy ou account of the expense of the operation. The meeting then adjourned for one week.


Article from The Wheeling Daily Register, September 5, 1877

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THE story of the State Savings Bank in Chicago is fearful. SPENCER, the President of the institution, cannot be found. The Times briefs the swindle in this way: Fifteen thousand persons lent to Spencer & Co. $3,000,000. for safe keeping and investment. Spencer & Co. lent it to Spencer & Co. upon whatever securities Spencer & Co. thought fit to give and accept. The trusting depositors hold Spencer & Co.'s bank books secured by Spencer & Co.'s liabilities as debtors to Spencer & Co. In other words the available assets won't pay a dollar each to the fifteen thousand depositors of three million of dollsts. There is a faint hope*that from tifteen to twenty per cent. may be saved from the ruins, by coddling the collateras.


Article from The Donaldsonville Chief, September 8, 1877

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Domestic. Ex-Governor Wilson Shannon of Kausas is dead. Village of Ashland, Ills., almost entirely burned. Decrease of the national debt in August $3,869,538. Adams, founder of Adams Express, died at Boston, aged 73. Avaring mille, litte, Illa., with 25,000 bushels of wheat, burned. Louisville business men will petition Congress to repeal the bankrupt law. The State Savings Bank of Chicago has failed and the officers have left the city. Ten blocks, composing nearly the entire business portion of Paris, Texas, burned. A.B. Haynes. grand master of the State Grange and n leading farmer of Mississippi, is dead. John King, and extensive St. Louis lard and oil dealer, has gone into voluntary bankruptcy. Hamburg distillery, Pekin, Ills., was destroyed by fire. A blacksmith perished in the flames. A convention of bankers will be held at New York ou the 12th. The attendance will be large. The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar adjourned at Cleveland to meet in Chicago next year. The State department has advices of the death of United States Vice Consul Harrison at Gnayas. Robert Leich, a Scotchman, just arrived from Florida, died in New York Hospital, of yellow fever. A locomotive ran into a group of five persons at Salem, Mass., killing three and wounding the others. The Lehigh Valley railroad refuses to transport coal for minioing companies that yielded to the strikers. Hon. A. G. Lawrence of Rhode Island has accepted the civilian's position on the Sitting Bull commission. Dr. S. M. Stein, a New York physician, committed suicide by jumping from the Niagara suspension bridge. Theopholus Gaines, recently appointed attorney for Montana, has complied with the request to resign. Gen. Wesley Merritt will command ten companies of cavalry to be sent in pursuit of the hostile Nez Perces. Mrs. Catherine Berry of New Orleans ventured beyond her deptii while bathing at Grand Isle, and was drowned. ) During a heavy shower the wall of I the building of the Woreester Wire Company was blown down, killing i two persons. e A house of ill fame at Cincinnati e fell while workmen were making an excavation under the walls. Several y persons were injured. t The sixth regiment Maryland miliS tia, Col. Peters. which took a promit nent part in quelling the strike riots r at Baltimore, has disbanded. n S. S. Burdett, a commissioner of p e the general land-office, who it was II supposed committed suicide, has turned up at Sedalia, Mo., insane. y g Simeon Garnett, a negro who comil mitted an assault on Mrs. Perry Kingrey. near Oxford, O., was taken out of jail and shot dead by the people.


Article from The Redwood Gazette, September 13, 1877

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signally defeated. Though sadly crippled since the fire, it was hoped by the management that the Institution would worry through, but the series of sudden failures in St. Louis brought a run upon the quivering bank, which, in an effort to save itself, paid out from $300,000 to $400,000 of its cash means without securing the object sought-the allayingof the excitement. It was finally forced to fall back upon the sixty-day rule, though it has constantly paid out money to needy depositors. This drain, the payment of the half-yearly interest of 3 per cent on $4,000,000 of de posits, and the slow receipts of deposits, conspired to still further weaken the Institution, which, up to July 1, had paid $800,000 over its receipts, and thus parted with the bulk of itecash means. Its assets were of an unfortunate nature. Masses of real estate, which could not be turned owing to the general depression of the market, crippled paper secured by lots whose buildings had been destroyed by the fire, and an enormous amount of unimproved property, taken for debt, and valuable only as it represented a dead loss in the taxes that must be paid, made up the list. The $500,000 capital had been wiped away and the interest of the stockholders extinguished by the hard times that had eaten sadly into the prosperity of the bank, and shrunk it from a live and healthy institution to a pitiful monument of the banking system. It is estimated that nearly one-third of its loans were to mechanics and the salaried class, who borrowed to build homes, and whom the Institution endeavored by every means to assist when the hour of payment found them unable to respond. All this time it preserved its high rate of interest on deposits, notwithstanding the fact that much of its money was idle and its expenses heavy. Perhaps this outline of its affairs will remove any doubt that may exist as to the propriety of the explosion. It is certain that Mr. Spencer did not fully enjoy the confidence of the financial community. His unfortunate experience in the Cook County National, which subsequently landed high and dry, militated against him seriously, and through him against the State Savings. But he managed to stem even this tide until the troubles in St. Louis precipitated the disaster he had hoped to avert. But little could be learned of the condition of the bank for some time before the failure, and this fact, connected with surmises that Mr. Spencer had reasons for suppressing all information, did not tend to the establishment of the confidence he coveted. When the necessity for raising money became absolute, Mr. Spencer went among bankers and said he had $1,000,000 in paper good for its face, $1,000,000 in slow paper, and $1,000,000 in miscellaneous securities. Per contra, his obligations were $3,000,000, and on this showing he wanted $300,000 on such securities as he could afford to part with, claiming that this would enable him to raise from $300,000 to $500,000 in New York, with which he could restore credit. It was readily seen that he would have no first-class securities left, and that the bank must go under by the 1st of January, and bankers concluded that there would be less disappointment if it should fall now than in the winter, when less could be realized on the securities than when the corn was waving, the crops moving, and business generally more brisk. As to the dividends for depositors, Mr. Spencer has claimed that they will reach 75 or 80 per cent., or, under first-class management, 90 per cent., if the paper were sold wisely and slowly, while bad management will reduce them to 60 or 70 per cent. How much really will be realized depends upon the manner in which the vast mass of real estate can be utilized. The question whether the affairs of the bank have been managed dishonestly, or merely imprudently, is asked, and an investigation is awaited anxiously. Mr. Spencer has always been secretive, and has kept the details of his administration to himself. In how far this has been a wise course is left for time to determine. The depositors feel desirous of understanding the matter, even if they receive no other equivalent for their money. From these facts it is manifest that the State Savings Institution was doomed. No general pressure exists upon banking interests, and none was needed to cripple the foundation of this one institution. Flush times might have saved it, but flush times were necessary, and a little pinching. which has not yet affected, and will not affect, the rest, has raised the tombstone of the bank whose vitality has been sadly impaired since the fire.-Chicago Tribune, Aug. 29.


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, September 13, 1877

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# ABNER TAYLOR maded on British oil Moralay mornfuz. Mr. 27. and from that time to the present he has been under the protection of the Englich laws. I have ron-nitrd several eminent lawyere, and they all agree that he has committed no crime cor. erol by any extradition treaty with England, Therefore, if he was found on English coil, he could not be brought back. I therefore did not food authorized to waste the money ney of the State Savinge Institution in an al- tempt to bring him back when I was satisfied it cunlil not be done, If there in any person who believes he can bring him back. I hereby offer to pay $1,188) ont of my own money to any person who will produce the body of D. D. Spencer in Chicago. # ANOTHER FIND. Mr. Isaac G. Ogden's prediction that those six lots in Mason & McKichan's Subsilviston would be found to belong to the bank was verified yesterday. IHe went over to the Recorder's office, and found recorded on Page 7 of Book 663 the conveyance of Lots 45 to 50, Inclusive, in Block 6, Mason & McKichan's Subdivision, Sec. 14, T. 39, N. R. 11 E., to Hatfield, the employe down in the Safety-Deposit vaulte, upon whom the bank was in the habit of unloading the surplus real estate which it did not wish its depositors to know it was carrving. The probability is that the clerk in the Recorder's uffice who made up the abstract furnished Cot. Taylor a day or two ago inadvertently skipped this portion of the record. As stated yesterday, there were sixteen lots which Mr. Ogden, acting for a third party, conveyed to the bank in ret- Llement of a trade between that third party and the bank. Ten of the lota were traced up and reported to Col. Tavlor as in the name of Hat- flykl, but the six were not, or rather they dilo't appear, until Mr. Ogden turned them up. They are said to he worth altogether about 1,000. # THE DEPOSITORS' COMMITTER did not get together until late yesterday afternoon. An effort was made to get them all together during the morning in order to deter- mine upon some naine to recommend to the Court for the Receivership. The attempl was wholly unsuccessful, Mr. Aldrich being In one part of the city and Mr. Wentworth, at the hour he was wanted, being in the very act of taking an oninibus ride to the depot, where he took the train for his corn-fields. He did, however, the best he could-promised to returu and meet the other members at 4 o'clock. The other members were on tiine, but it was nearly 5 o'clock when Lang John stooped to get through the low doors in the rear of the bank, and found his way to the Indies' parlor, where the Committee met. The subject of the Receiv ership was talked over and viewed in all its ns- pects, the several names mentioned carefully canvassed, and the Committee finally arrived at. the conclusion that they would draw up a docu- ment stating to the Court that either D. A. Strong or Col. Taylor would sunt them. Three of the members-Messrs. Aldrich. Bishop, and Keeley-were in favor of Strong for first cholce, while Long John and Mr. Decker stood out for Col. Taylor. As it seemed impossible to get the whole Committee to consent on one man, the matter was finally compromised by their agreeing to name both men. It was also learned yesterday that the other side will nominate Judge Henry Strong, In ad- dition to Judge Otis. Somo quser facts are coming out in regard to the deposits of the persons who brought the motion for the appointment of a Receiver for he "bustel" bank. Mr. Eaines' $10.77 hal- anee, and the back-door facilities he enjoyed with Gould which enabled him to cut down his 85.000 balance to that insigullicant figure, were brought to light by Mr. Sidney Smith in his ar- gument before Judge Williams on Tuesday. It now turns out that the child of one of the at- torneys in the case had an account with the bank subject to the parent'sorder. This account amounted to 25. On Saturday, Aug. 25, the man learned in the law hied hinself over to the bank, interviewed one of the clerks, and told him he wanted that money. The afore- sald clerk looked up the account, sald it was all right, and paid over the money. He did more than that. In his hurry he had figured up the lawyer's child's balance at $23.77. Instead, therefore, of the disciple of Blackstone appear- ing in the role of attorney for the creditors, he will now have a chance to take his stand among the debtors to the institution, and turn in that little nsact of $1.77.


Article from The New York Herald, September 19, 1877

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A NEW RECEIVER. CHICAGO, Ili., Sep:. 18, 1877. Mr. Strong having been unable to secure the $2,000,000 bond requisite to enable him to take charge of the State Savings Bank as receiver, Judge Williams this morning appointed Judge Otis receiver, an appointment which meets with universal approval.


Article from The Stark County Democrat, September 20, 1877

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# POSTAL SAVINGS BANKS. The run upon and failure of some of the St. Louis savings banks, the explosion of the Franklin Bank and State Savings Institution at Chicago, and such scandals as those that attended upon the downfall of Mr. Darling's Third Avenue Bank, have brought into very general notice the postal savings bank system introduced into England in 1861, and since then adopted with some slight modifications in Canada. In England on the 1st of January, 1876, there were over five thousand of these banks, which held £26.127.967 to the credit of their depositors, the average amount deposited by each person being nearly $71 and the business of the year 1875 including 3,132,433 deposits, amounting to £8783,852. The deposits must be made in round pounds and shillings, and not exceeding £30 in one year, £150 in all, or £200 including interest, is received from a single depositor. Depositors are allowed 2½ per cent. interent on sums exceeding £1, the money being invested in the public funds. In Canada the system is somewhat different. Deposits must be in round dollars, 4 per cent. interest is paid, and when the deposit becomes considerable the Receiver-General buys 5 per cent. Dominion bonds and holds them in trust for the depositor. Deposits are exempt from seizure, and are payable anywhere where there is au office. Thus a man may make his deposits at Gaspe and draw them out at Fort Garry, the only delay in the process being the time occupied in sending an application for withdrawal from the local office to Ottawa, where all the accounts are kept, and receiving back the Postmaster-General's check. There is no expense whatever to the depositor. The postal savings bank system went into effect in Canada in April, 1868, when 81 offices were designated for the receival of deposits. There are now 278 such offices-232 in Ontario, 45 in Quebec and one in Manitoba-with, on the 1st of January last, 24,389 depositors. These have at their credit $2.727.910,77, including interest. During the eight years and nine months then ending 307,290 deposits have been made, amounting to $15 741.621, and there have been 153,394 withdrawals, aggregating $12.208.189,20, while further 6,786 investments have been made in Dominion 5 per cents to the amount of $1.617.300. There have been opened 85.971 accounts and closed 61,582, and interest amounting to $811.778,87 has been allowed to depositors. The average to the credit of each depositor is $111,85. The following figures show the progress of the business:


Article from The New York Herald, September 25, 1877

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CHICAGO'S SAVINGS BANKS. moha CHICAGO, Sept. 24, 1877. The Fidelity Savings Bank, of this city, closed its doors this morning. A notice is posted that an injunction having been served a receiver will be applied for before Judge Moore, of the Superior Court, and the bank will be closed to await the action ot said Court. The petition received alleges that the officers have been sacrificing valuable securities in order to realize cash and that the back 18 already insolvent. It is believed that the assets will be much larger in proportion than those 01 the State Savings Bank. The last quarterly statement gives as resources:$341,222 Cash and exchange Government bonds. 279,432 Other bonds 50,061 234,818 Demand loan, secured by collaterals 438,749 Time loans, secured First mortgage loans on real estate. 606,342 85,878 Bank and depository building. Real estate 102,000 Property account. 18,454 Safe depository vaults 121,520 Other small items make a total of resources $2,230,511 Liabilities were:Capital $200,000 Surplus 100,000 Pront and loss 3,447 Due depositors. 1,977,064 Total $2,280,511 OFFICIALS INDICTED. The Grand Jury has indicted Spencer, Guild and Bulkley, officers of the State Savings Bank, for the embezziement of $700,000. None of them are in the city, nor is their present whereabouts known.


Article from The Donaldsonville Chief, September 29, 1877

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Domestic. 03 Senator Morton is better. Thirty-one buildings burned at Lowell, Ills. Fidelity Savings Bank of Chicago has suspended. The post-office at Catskill, N.Y., was burglarized. Secretary Schurz is entertaining a delegation of Sioux chiefs. John Rhodes, convicted of murder, was hanged at Newcastle, Del. Gen Sherman and his staff were at Portland, Oregon, on the 23rd. Gov. Rice has been renominated by the Massachusetts Republicans. A furious snow storm occurred at Mount Washington on the 21st. A fire at Keyport, N.J., destroyed all the business portion of the town. Mrs. Gustave Donafort committed suicide by drowning herself at New Orleans. The Chinese quarter of Grass Valley Cal., was destroyed by au incendiary fire. John Ohern, aged 18 months, was run over and killed by a New Orleans street car. Twelve persons were poisoned seriously from eating ice cream at Macon, Ga. Francois Senac, a New Orleans butcher, committed suicide by hanging himself. Gen. Geo. B. McClellan accepts the Democratic nomination for Governor of New Jersey. The Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows adjourned at Baltimore to meet at Austin in 1878. Three floors of a large linseed oil factory at Cincinnati fell, with 15,000 bnshels flaxseed. Col. Rogers, the president's private secretary, dislocated his elbows by falling down stairs. Two North Carolinians were avrested at Baltimore with counterfeit money in their possession. Goodwin & Behre, extensive St. Louis soap and candle makers, filed a voluntary petition in bankiuptcy. The schooner Ocean Wave, with a crew of seven or eight souls, was lost off Galveston during the recentstorm. The officers of the defunct State Savings Bank of Chicago have been indicted for embezzlement of $700,000. A lady and her two daughters were poisoned at Clevelaud by eating toadstools, which they mistook for mushroons. Two iron foundries, employing 3200 men, have resumed work at Pittsburg. Striking coopers in the same city have gone to work, A package containing government bonds and other securities valued at $200,000 was stolen from the First National Bank at Cortland, N.Y The Black Warrior river, Alabama, rose suddenly sixty-three feet, entirely sweeping away the crops of cotton and fodder along its course.


Article from The Cheyenne Daily Leader, October 14, 1877

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BANK ROBBERS. Alleged Interview With Chicago Specimens. Chicago, Oct. 13.-The Times special reporter says he had an interview at Windsor, Canada, with Guild and Bulkley, of the defunct State Savings bank. These gentlemen give a complete history of the bank under Spencer's management. They say that Spencer perhaps mismanaged, but certainly never misappropriated the money entrusted to the bank; that he took nothing away, and is to-day a poor man. They agree that the bank has been made to pay the exorbitant price paid by Spencer for the stock which made him its president, and that he carried matters with a high hand, refusing to close at the beginning of the run, and converting property into money at ruinous sacrifice. They have heard nothing from Spencer since he left for New York to raise money; have no idea of his whereabouts. They intend to return to Chicago this week, as the excitement has died down, and they are willing to render any aid they can to the receiver.


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, October 18, 1877

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THE BROKEN BANKS. Formal Transfer of the Assets of the State to Judge Otis. Thr Other Receivers Pegging Away at Their Reports. Matters and things In relation to the triumvirate of broken banks have 50 long been dull that anything like a more on the part of any one of the Assigners or Receivers will appear ns real news. The public have come to the conclusion that somewhere In the dim vista of the future there existed a possibility of progress, but in what way no man could tell. Yesterday, however, & few Items of interest did develop, and It appears probable that before the close of this week the actual standing of all the defunct concerns will be made manifest by means of the Receivers' reports as presented to the Courts. At the State Savings Institution yesterday forenoon there was a meeting of the old Board of Trustees, the outcome of which cagnot fall to result profitably for the depositors. Dr. D. S. Smith, D. Goodwin, Jr., and the returned fugifive Guild and Bulkley. were on hand, forming a majority of the Board. Judge L. B. Otis and his attorneys conferred with the Board, and the result was that a voluminous deed, conveying to Lucien B. Otis, as Receiver, over 300 pieces of real estate, was executed. The deed was at once placed on record, and the depositors may be congratulated on the amicable settlement of the question. Judge Otis, in reply to the question of a TRIBUNE reporter. said that he considered the action taken OR being of considerable Interest to the depositors. They held, or claimed, a title to the property In question under the Spencer assignment to Abner Taylor, which was transferred to him on Mr. Taylor's retirement. But it was of great importance to obtain a DIRECT DEED FROM THE TRUSTEES, as It simplified matters generally. and tended to the avoidance of litigation. The original deed was general In its character; this one is specific, and contains a description of all the property. As to the probable value of the assets thus brought under his control Judge Qtis was, in the absence of statistics, utterly unable to furnish all opinion. The reporter asked what came next on the programme. Judge Otis answered that lie expected within a few days to ask the Court for leave to solicit proposals for the purchase of the bank building, vaults. safes, furniture, and effects. There had been a good many stories circulated as to the return of Guild and Bulkley, but the plain fact was that they had come back without, BO far as he knew, any promise of Immunity or safe conduct. lle had no power to grant Immunity, anyhow; that was a matter within the control of the State's Attorney. He had signtfled to certain friends of the Canadian excursionists that their presence was destred and they had come back accordingly. In order to obtain the signature of a majority of the Board to the deed of transfer they had to be called upon. And as to anything else of Interest to the American public, Judge Otis' mind Wus a dreary blank. THE BEE-HIVE. Then as to the M., F. & M., the hive where the greenback bee no longer stores up honey, the ex-king bee did not show up yesterday. It is reported that he caught cold while attemptIng to smoke In bed with one of the windows open, and that he has been ordered to diet himself for the time being. But Mr. Ward was on hand. He didn't know anything. Model of Receivers: whose duty it is to receive everything and part with nothing. In a casual wav Mr. Ward mentioned that his report was very nearly ready, and would be presented to the Court this week, probably on Friday. But he had no news. and ne didn't know anything about what the report would show. At the Fidelity Mr. McAuley, the whilom paying-teller, was discovered reading the papers. Curiously enough his report was nearly ready also, and would be presented about Friday. Dr. Turpin had gone round the block on business, but, as he didn't know anything, this fact was a matter of indifference. The only obstacle in the wayof concluding his report was that the appraisers had not yet set a valuation upon certain outside property. Owing to the bad weather they had been unable to visit it, and being extremely conscientious they could not bring themselves to place A valuation on neres and lots on which they had never gazed. But by Saturday at Intest the report would probably be filed. As to news, there wasn't any. In the case of V.A. Turpin, Receiver of the Fidelity Savings Bank, vs. J. C. Haines and the other stockholders, a bill to prevent suite against the stockholders, the Receiver yesterday, by permission of the Court, amended his bill so as to charge that suits had been also begun in Justices' Courts against the stock-


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, December 9, 1877

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ness, in which she was engaged as his agent. She assigned the account to him, and he went down the day the bank closed to draw the money, but found the doors shut. He owes the bank $2,000 secured by collaterals, and he prays that this balance to his wife's credit, but assigned to him, may be set off as far as it will go against his note. Martha P. Sedgwick relates that in June last her husband, since deceased, had a deposit of $1,025.62 in the ill-fated bank. She employed one Stephen Sibley to close up her husband's estate, and in pursuance of his duties he called on the bank to draw this balance. The officers refused to pay it, but offered to apply it on a note for a larger sum owing by Sedgwick to it, and which was nearly due. They also offered to and did transfer this bank account to Sibley's name, in order to facilitate matters. After the failure of the institution, the Receiver declined to set this note and account off against each other, they being in different names, and Mrs. Sedgwick, under the circumstances, thinks that it should be done, and asks that the Receiver be directed to credit the deposit account on the note. Christopher McJohn, in his petition, represents that in August, 1875, he borrowed $350 of the bank, giving a note and a trust-deed executed by his father on the latter's land. Petitioner had an account of $355 in the bank when it closed, and he asks that it may be set off against the note and trust-deed, on the ground that the securities were given by his father solely on his account. Lastly, Thomas S. McClelland filed a petition stating that in December, 1876, Sydney Myers bought in at a trustee's sale Lot 1, Block 1, of E. Smith's Resubdivision of B. F. Johnson's Subdivision of part of the W. ½ of the S. W. ¼ of Sec. 34, 39, 14. This purchase was made solely in trust for petitioner who was to resell the land and out of the proceeds pay the purchase money. Subsequently, and without consideration, Myers conveyed the lot to A. D. Guild, Cashier of the State Savings Institution, and Guild turned it over to the bank for $10. McClelland claims these conveyances were fraudulent, and asks that Judge Otis may be compelled to pay him $149, that being his interest in the lot, or that in default thereof the lot may be sold. Judge Williams was engaged in hearing evidence on these claims, but no order was made beyond dismissing a petition of Jacob S. Matthews for a set-off of an account against his note. No further steps were taken toward making out the order for the sale of the bank building, though yesterday was fixed as the time when the notice of publication should be made out.


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, December 12, 1877

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Receiver three days after. He has authority, on the order of Court, among other things, to com- pound doubtful debts, and he asks for the direc- tion of the Court as to the disposition to make of the following securities: Nov. 21 J. H. Clough deposited in the bank a check for $5,000, payable out of the Union National Bank. He received credit therefor, and the check was refused at the Union National on account of want of funds, and it was charged back to him. Similar accidents happened on all the following checks: Babcock Bros., check for $100; R. B. Cuson, Special Agent, check for $56.43; A. Knisely & Co., $225; Holly, Easton & Allen, $323; Fisher Bros., $221.25; Holly, Easton & Allen, $1,000; McDonald & Stimpson, $100; and Nation- al Cigar Company, two checks for $130 each. These checks have all been charged back to the parties making or presenting them, and they have asked to have them given back to them. All the parties also have balances at the bank to their credit, and none of them are in debt to the bank, except A. Knisely & Co., so that no damage or loss can re- sult to the bank. An order was therefore entered allowing the Receiver to surrender the checks as asked. # THE DEAD SAVINGS-BANKS yield little or nothing to the newsgatherer. Judge Otis wants to sell the State Savings Institution, but neither he nor any depositor is willing to have it sold at too great a sacrifice. The proposed sale has accordingly been abandoned for the present, and the Judge will wait for better days, when peo- ple are more settled on the money question, busi- ness improves, and real estate takes a rise. In the State Savings-Hans case Judge Williams yesterday entered an order allowing the Receiver to sell to James F. Joy, President of the Michigan Central Railroad Company, an undivided 7-24 in- terest in 60.383 acres, being parts of secs. 22 and 27, Township 37, Range 14, owned by the bank. The sale is at the rate of $312.50 an acre, one-quarter cash, and the balance in one, two, and three years, with interest at 5 per cent. The Receiver is also authorized to lease certain strips of land near the above property to the railroad to enable it to get water from Calumet Lake. The petition for the purpose was filed several days ago, and several witnesses were examined to ascertain whether the proposed sale and lease was advantageous. The Fidelity is still paying out that 10 per cent dividend. Something near $100 was doled out yesterday. The big fish have come and get their wealth, but the little ones who had deposits from $1 up to $20 do not press forward with any noticeable amount of anxiety to draw the moiety coming to them. The approach of the Christmas holidays will no doubt suggest to some of them that even a small amount will go a little towards buying presents. What is left after the paying-out falls off to noth- ing will be set apart as a first dividend fund, and kept for those who do not want their money now, but prefer to let it accumulate. The deadest of all the banks, savings or Nation- al, is the Beehive. The voice of the mourners isn't exactly heard in its midst, for "merrier men, within the limits of becoming mirth," than those same clerks and the jolly Receiver, one "never spent an hour's talk withal." But, for all that, there is no news.