Commercial National Bank (Muskogee, OK)

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Episode Information

Episode UID
523601514
Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
52360 national
Charter Number
5236
Start Date
February 10, 1926
Location
Muskogee, Oklahoma (35.748, -95.370)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
5ffe0366bdd9bd9a

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Fed/other loan, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected

Events (3)
1. December 13, 1899 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. February 10, 1926 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Malicious/false rumors circulated that the bank was failing, triggering heavy withdrawals.
Measures
Kansas City Federal Reserve sent $500,000; large deposits and pledged support from local businesses and civic groups; mass deposit inflows reversed withdrawals.
Newspaper Excerpt
Rumors, declared by officials of the bank as false and malicious, were circulated early yesterday against the bank and withdrawals of deposits began in the forenoon and reached a peak just before the closing hour.
Source
newspapers
3. April 2, 1926 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (12)
1. February 11, 1926 Springfield Evening Union Springfield, MA
Article from Springfield Evening Union, February 11, 1926

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Bank Prepared to Meet Withdrawals Muskogee (Ok.) Institution, Declared Sound, Faces Continued Run. Backed by more than half million dollars from outside resources Commercial National Bank says that it. is prepared to meet any emergency today that may grow out of a run started on the yesterday The Kansas City Federal Reserve has sent $500,000 aid the Musko. gee business firms and organizations promised to make additional deposits and help from other Oklahoma cities is Rumors declared by officials of the bank as false, circulated early against the bank and withdrawal of deposits began the fore. noon and reached peak just before the closing hour. The run was checked when D. N. Fink, president the bank for many years pleaded with the throng in the bank's lobby and near the bankers the city declared that the institution was tirely such statement was signed by the directors of the First National Bank The Commercial National Bank has total deposits of more than 000 and is the second largest bank in this

2. February 11, 1926 Evening Star Washington, DC
Article from Evening Star, February 11, 1926

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BANK GIVEN HELP TO SURVIVE "RUN" Federal Reserve Funds Sent to Relieve Oklahoma Institution. By the Associated Press. MUSKOGEE. Okla., February 11.Backed by more than a half million dollars from outside resources. the Commercial National Bank is prepared to meet any emergency today that may grow out of a run started yesterday. The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank has sent $500,000 to aid the institution, local business firms and organizations have promised to make additional deposits and financial help from other Oklahoma cities is reported coming. Rumors, declared by officials of the bank as false and malicious, were circulated early yesterday against the bank and withdrawals of deposits began in the forenoon and reached a peak just before the closing hour. The run was checked when D. N. Fink, president of the bank for many years, pleaded with the throng in the bank's lobby and near the doors. Other bankers of the city declared that the institution was entirely solvent. and such a statement was signed by the directors of the First National Bank. The Commercial National Bank has total deposits of more than $4,000,000 and is the second largest bank in this city.

3. February 11, 1926 St. Joseph News-Press St. Joseph, MO
Article from St. Joseph News-Press, February 11, 1926

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BANK READY TO MEET RUN. More Than $500,000 Sent to Muskogee, Okla., Institution to Prevent With. Feb. Backed by more than $500,000 from outside the Commercial National Bank is prepared to meet any emergency today that may grow of started on the bank yesterday. The Reserve Bank has $500,000 to aid the local bustfirms and organizations have make additional and financial help from other Oklahoma declared by officials of the bank as and malicious, were circulated early yesterday the and of deposits began the forenoon and reached peak just before the closing hour. The run was checked when D. N. Fink, president of the bank for many years, pleaded with the throng in the bank's lobby and near the doors. Other bankers of the city declared the institution was entirely and such statement was signed by the rectors of the First National Bank. The Commercial National Bank has total deposits of more than $4,000,000, and the second largest bank in this the activities of the male chorus of the This protege of trade unions, has cultivated the voices necessarily stilled during the quiet milk delivery hours, until the chorus of thirtythree members has more offers for local engagements than can fill. Drilled by Olaf Halten, bass viol player with the Minneapolis Symphony the singing milkmen attained unprecedented heights by appearing in concert at the hall retained by the symphony.

4. February 11, 1926 The Sedalia Democrat Sedalia, MO
Article from The Sedalia Democrat, February 11, 1926

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Chief of Police in Mexican Border Town Among Those Accused THOROUGH PROBE IN ATROCITIES BE MADE Family on Return Home Found Dead With One Exception By the Associated SAN DIEGO, Calif., Feb. Seven including Zenaido persons, Llanos, chief of police in Tijuana, have been arrested connection the abduction and attacking Audrey and Clyde Petee, American girls, the Mexican town. buried Northeastern United States The American girls had gone under two feet snow, took Tijuana, which across the borlives and held the section virtually der short from here, for hours. their parents for visit. the heavy snow fall Adding The two girls with their father late week which took 32 and mother, and Mrs. lives in the east. yesterday's Peteet, were found their home choked roads everywhere, delayed Saturday, all but one of them railroad traffic, particularly in and the other dying from burban districts, and heaped which had been turned drifts and 12 feet high in many parently suicidal intent. sections of New England. Miss Peteet the Clyde storm in Chicago took three only the family alive one visited the home, died police While the east struggled through the snow drifts, Colorado, Authorities believe the family and Wyoming basking termined upon this course when sunshine. Great Falls, Mont., returned and felt that shame usually stronghold of winter, had been visited upon them ported butterfly. Denver result of their visit the Mexican had temperatures ten degrees town. above normal for the first ten addition to who February. They plowing with complicity the charged Alberta, but forecasters crime, others under arrest turbance headed that Luis Amador, Tijuana The headed north who wanted the prietor, eastward the Atlantic Ocean, United States after jumping whipped huge and drove bail bond in Los Angeles after coastwise ships to shelter. his arrest for the alleged peddling Railroad traffic suffered heavily, narcotics. though energetic snow removal Refugio Alvarez, bar tender, who mastered the situation after believed have misused Audrey trains New England had after the girls had been Peteet, stuck in drifts. back from Tijuana Hot brought At Mass., public Springs were turned over to hundreds Francisco Gonzales, member persons unable to reach their the Tijuana police department. homes. Several towns Juan York Sang. Chinese from the outside world the Hotel Nacional, where the Audrey Petee found by In Rhode Island train of father Thursday morning. Narragansett Rier Railroad Salvador Espionza, taxicab driver, snowed under till only the tops took Petee fruitless the cars were visible. Its search for the girls Tijuana sengers walked three miles Springs. Kingston, Francisco Navarro, bar tender second million dollar Louis Amador. snow for New York City. The Rodiguez of the thus appropriated this District Lower California, winter probably will be wiped announced he will have thorough The street cleaning forces exceed investigation and that the men. will be punished. persons Deaths reported in the storm The work of the officials Gloucester, Mass., Philjuana last night continued adelphia, Boston New London late hour. During the day Conn., New Haven, Conn., and night several depositions Greenwich, Conn., Biddeford, from witnesses who had taken Maine, Trenton, gathered since Tuesday. York, Worcester Pawtuckett The officials said they have been instructions Gov. Rodrigiven The storm most make examples of those Southern England. Maine and proved have been Hampshire today feeling offenses against the Peteet the the New York, New Maryland While the investigation was Virginia also were affected. Frank Bohr, der way Tijuana, American vice consul at Mexicali, PREPARED TO preparing start the alleged atrocities MEET probe orders from the the Associated Press. department. into the deaths of the MUSKOGEE, Okla., Feb. An inquest family will be held tomor- Backed by more than half million Peteet dollars from outside the The of the Peteet girls Commercial National Bank story them days before pared meet today by any emergency was to the effect that that out of deaths, may grow run several spent seeing the bank The Kansas yesterday. the sights of Tijuana they City Federal Reserve Bank has sent plied with liquor and drugs $500,000 the institution, named Luis, introduced business firms and organizations the chief police and them promised to make additional others. financial help from taken by the "chief" Clyde Oklahoma cities reported coming. strange hotel and Audrey also Rumors, declared by officials misused according to their bank and malicious, the false count. Clyde was returned circulated early yesterday and jumped from the automojuana against the bank and withdrawal bile front her hotel, deposits began the forenoon and Diego. Audrey was found by reached peak just before the closfather and Tijuana the ing hour. was checked day Tijuana hotel Fink, president the police station. bank for many years pleaded

5. February 11, 1926 Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise Bartlesville, OK
Article from Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, February 11, 1926

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STREAM OF GOLD HALTS RUN ON MUSKOGEE BANK Patrons Throng Institution Awaiting Chance To Make Deposits lobby of the Commercial National Bank here. subjected to was again thronged and women 10 o'clock this morning, almost every one of them with pass book and large amounts of currency in their hands awaiting their opportunity to make deposits. Only straggling few stood before the paying tellers' windows. Fink, president of the bank. was repeatedly cheered and he received the scores who passed to shake his hand with tears streaming down his face. Jack Owens. general manager of the Oklahoma Gas and Electric company, who had hurried over from Oklahoma City, was among those in the receiving lines. His deposit was $50,000. Mr. Fink made public telegram from Joe and Scott Yeargain of Miami, "boys used to work with." which read: "We have in cash and hundred thousand in good curities. You can use it all if you need H. W. Gibson of the Kansas City, reserve bank declared the run had been effectively stopped. The reserve bank is behind the Commercial to the limit, he said. By ten o'clock deposits had reached total of $122,500. Many of the large business houses Lad not yet made their deposits. Lease 5.000 Acres of School Land Press) CITY. Feb. school land department late yesterday leased five thousand acres of land in Cimarron counto R. Phillips and H. Middleton. who have agreed drill an oil well on the land. A. Durant, secretary of the school land commission, announced day. Settles Beauvals Suit Out of Court (B) the THREE Quebec, Feb. suit broug by Beauvais, the Indian guide Grande Anse, Quebec, against Mrs. Annie U. Stillman, has settled out of court. Attorneys for Beauvais made this announcement yesterday. The case to have was been tried tomorrow.

6. February 11, 1926 Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat Muskogee, OK
Article from Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, February 11, 1926

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BANK RUN QUELLED WITH BIG DEPOSITS FLOODING IN TODAY City Rises to Emergency, Business and Professional Men Demonstrating Confidence WITHDRAWALS TAPER OFF AS CALMNESS RETURNING Veteran President in Dramatic Speech at Height of Excitement-Assails Scandal Monger for Vicious Lies WITH assurances of confidence and pledges of loyalty and support from chamber of commerce, the Retail Merchants' association. the Bar association. the First National bankits fellow institution-and scores of prominent business men of Muskogee. the Commercial National bank will open this morning after turbulent and bectic day stronger than at any other in its history. Anonymous tongues that flashed malicious word about town over the lephone wires morning upon the Institution run that, before the day's banking hours had had assumed menacing Last night the storm had passed. bad proved but squall which the good shf weathered on even keel only fluttering of the salls. City Rises to Emergency This morning the bank has the unleited and voluntary pledges of the men of Muskogee that not only will their deposits not be but that deposits than they have made will be Yeste day after o'clock, the end the banking day, had passed Muskogee triumphantly the emergency The of the city of their own initiative circulated and signed petition reciting their confidence the bank and Its officers plending their loyalty. The Retail Merchants' association, through the unanimous voice of its directors, assured the bank of its support. The chamber commerce gave word of loyalty and confidence through its Business Men Organize Last night Army association, holding scheduled meeting, adopted ringing resolutions by which the 150 commissioned officers present agreed to not only leave their individual deposits intact but to continue national guard funds in institution. It explained that this action the officers rendered themselves personally liable for the amounts but they declared themselves eager to thus make manifest their confidence. Last night, too. the business men of Muskogee to swamp the today with their deposits. Money going In to the Commercial bank fast tomorrow there won't be opportunity for anyone to take any out should anyone wish to do one merchant said. He has $15,000 to deposit. Others have sums even larger while some are to be the smaller in figures but in the expression of faith. Griffin. president of the chamber of commerce and head of the large wholesale grocery company that bears his name, told the Phoenix last night to say for him that not only did his firm's money stay in the bank but that he had deposited large amount yesterday and Intends to deposit larger amount today. Calhoun telegraphed his subordinates to "stay in there." and such merchants as Elmer Harbour, Bass. Jess M. McEntee, Paul May and B. Shouse took the lead in actual manifestations of ON PAGE THREE

7. February 11, 1926 Miami News-Record Miami, OK
Article from Miami News-Record, February 11, 1926

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Business Men's' Support and Federal Reserve Stave Off Crisis. SEA LASHED AGAIN CASH POURING IN Ships Atlantic Driven to Shoveling Trains NEW YORK Feb. 11. cold today followed on the heels the second blizzard in week that buried northeastern United States under two feet snow, took 16 lives and held the section virtually snowbound for 24 hours. Adding snowfall of last week, which took 32 lives the East, yesterday's storm choked roads everywhere, delayed railroad traffic, particularly in suburban districts, and heaped up drifts feet high in many sections, New England A storm in Chicago took three lives. Sunshine in Rockies While the East struggled through the snowdrifts. Colorado, Montana Wyoming basking in warm sunshine, fanned by Chinook winds from the Rockies, and noting creased flocks of robins. Great Falls Mont., usually stronghold of winreported butterfly. Denver ter, has had temperatures degrees above normal for the first 10 days February. They are plowing Alberta, but forecasters disturbance headed that way. While Laramie rancher catching box of grasshoppers an indication that winter over, inches of snow was falling in Philadelphia and Washington, C., with foot or more falling farther north. Ships Driven to Shelter The storm, now headed northwestin the Atlantic ocean, whipped huge seas and drove ships shelter. Railroad traffic suffered though energetic snow removal mastered the situation after some trains New England had been stuck Brockton, Mass, public buildturned over to hundreds to reach their homes. Several smaller towns were cut off from the outside world by the drifts. Train Snowed Under In Rhode Island train of the Narragansett Pier railroad was snowunder until only the tops of the were visible. Its 20 passengers walked three miles to Kingston, R. It was the second million dollar snow for New York City. The thus far appropriated this winter probably will be wiped out. The street cleaning forces exceed men. At Gloucester, Mass., one body has been recovered from the wreck of the fishing schooner Ralph Brown, which dashed to destruction the bleak coast off Briar Neck during the height of the storm, and efforts were being made to recover bodies of two other seamen. Of the boat the and few spars, which only had been washed ashore, remained. Miamians Offer Assistance in Undoing Results of Withdrawals Wednesday. MUSKOGEE Feb. The lobby of the Commercial National bank here, subjected to run yesterday. was again thronged with men women at 10 o'clock this merning, almost every one of them with passbook and large amounts in their hands awaiting their opportunity make deposits. Only straggling few stood before the paying tellers' windows. Fink, president of the bank, was repeatedly cheered and ceived the scores who passed to shake his hand with tears streaming down his face. Jack Owens, general manager the Oklahoma Gas and Electric pany, who had hurried over from Oklahoma City, was among those in the receiving lines. His deposit $50,000. Mr. Fink made public telegram from Joe and Scott Yeargain of Miami, "boys whom used to work which read: "We have $20,000 in cash and hundred thousand good securities. You use all need Gibson of the Kansas City Reserve bank declared the run had been stopped. The bank behind the Commercial to the limit, he said. By 10 o'clock deposits had reached total of $122,500. Many of the larger business houses had not yet made their deposits.

8. February 12, 1926 The Republican Springfield, MA
Article from The Republican, February 12, 1926

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Grave Run on Bank Ends in Flood Of Deposits and Floral Tributes Muskogee, Okl., Feb. 12-Muskogee today was celebrating with dollars and daisies the dramatic climax of a two-day run on the Commercial Na tional bank, a $5,000,000 institution. What had seemed tragedy. threat ening not only the destruction of the bank, but hundreds of business houses, today had become a joyous "depositing The run began Wednesday morn. mg when mechanic, loan having been refused him, circulated rumors that the was failing. By noon hundreds of depositors the bank and street frantically seek Ing their money At the closing hour $150,000 had been paid out. During the late afternoon and eve. ning virtually every civic and business organization in the city met and idopted resolutions of confidence in he bank, agreeing to leave their de- "Minute men" made speeches in all the theaters, centering their talks on the character and honor of D N Fink, venerable president of the bank. During the night the Kansas City Federal Reserve bank announced that its entire resources had been thrown behind the local institution and that half million dollars had been shipped by express. At yesterday morning the bank opened as usual. crowd pressed In But it was one of depositors and not frenzied Scores brought with their money great bouquets and baskets of flow. ers for President Fink, who stood dazed at the The half -million from the Reserve bank lay unopened as great piles of currency came flooding in. NEW STUDIO LIGHT Culver Citq Cal., Feb. The largest motion picture are light in the

9. February 12, 1926 Muskogee Daily News Muskogee, OK
Article from Muskogee Daily News, February 12, 1926

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DELAY COURT HOUSE PLANS Probable That Building ect Will Go Over Until Fall of the Year each of the men were returned and That the matter of voting bonds $50 was ordered paid their attorfor the erection of court house by the justice. for Muskogee county would be The county attorney's office has ferred by the county commission- for Ferrel on fall the sions but each time he has until was opinion appear. Instructions sent Ingram, today. each justice of the peace court The fact that persons in charge petition asking that the not accept from him until call election complaints had been okehed special March for the member of the county attorfor early purpose voting court house bond office. Ferrel had not been seen at the issue had succeeded in delivthe instruments in time court house since Tuesday. ering March The Webbers Falls men comthe commissioners to call for plained to County Commissioner election given the reason Hinson and City Manager postponement. Cecil Moore. The two officials the have promise immediate action. "Taxpayers of county lots of trouble here lately," Ingram in my opinwould be foolish for the county to even attempt voting in Brief bond issue. The bank failing early fall, coupled with the unfortunate run on the Commercial National has caused the people to Watts, Adair county, one of the more or less in an uncertain financommunities in the condition. Oklahoma associatoo, had fine cotton tion, has raised its quota of $50. last fall, but inclement crop weather picking time caused the Postal inspectors are making crop to deteriorate fully one-third their annual inspection of all the before could be marketed. departments and offices the post these things office here. The inspection would be foolhardy to even expect cludes an audit of all books. the citizens to ratify bond Ingram Powell Is Uncertain. The fact that Haskell, by making offer of not only free site but free courthouse well, has caused number of people to start the argument that the county commissioners asking too much money constructing building here. Muskogee looked to least free site by the rest of the county. James chairman the of commerce visory committee, declared that he did know at just what time petitions with the necessary signature could filed with the county clerk. He had expected hand the petitions to the commissioners Feb. and failing to this sure that could be done Feb. is the opinion of the commissioners that the court house proposition will not be taken up again official way until after the an fair next fall. Minnie Parker, Creek Indian Kansas City, filed suit in federal court against W. Pittman and Rosie Pittman, to regain possession of certain lands in Seminole county, which, according to the complainant's petition, defendants obtained by virtue of void deeds purported to have been executed by the complainant. R. B. Drake, United States probate attorney, attend to legal business in Sapulpa for the next four days. County Attorney Lattimore yesterday requested the warden of the state penitentiary at McAlester grant the Muskogee county sheriff the custody of two convicts will be used as material during trials scheduled for the criminal docket of distract court, which begins Feb. 15. total of $20 in bonds was forfeited in police court Thursday by four who failed to appear charges filed against them following their arrests Wednesday of being drunk, disturbing the and violating traffic orpeace dinances.

10. February 12, 1926 The Bridgeport Telegram Bridgeport, CT
Article from The Bridgeport Telegram, February 12, 1926

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MUSKOGEE RUMORS STARTED BANK RUN MUSKOGEE. Okla.. Feb. (AP) Backed by more than a half million dollars from outside resourcthe Commercial National bank that It is prepared to meet any emergency today that may grow out of a run started on the bank yesterday. The Kansas City federal serve sent $300.000 aid the and organizations promised to make additional deposits and financlal help from other Oklahoma is reported coming. Rumors declared by officials of were circulated the bank early yesterday against the bank and of deposits began in the withdrawal forenoon and reached peak just the closing hour The run before checked D. Fink. preswas of the bank for many years. with the throng the pleaded and near the doors bank's

11. February 12, 1926 Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat Muskogee, OK
Article from Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, February 12, 1926

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New York Demanded The Details of How Muskogee Met Run remarkable ac. complishment yesterday in changing run on the Commercial National bank into glorious bee" was described to positing the nation through Associated Press dispatches. Not content the details supplied by that organization, the New York Evening World wired the Daily Phoenix for account "of how the run was That Muskogee had performed rare financial feat, coupled with unique demonstration of faith in great institution, was story of sufficient importance and novelty to interest the greatest city in the world. cludes persons who have been convicted of or admit having committed felony or other crime or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. The bare fact of having been dlvorced does not give ground for exclusion. Immigration officials take no offiCONTINUED ON PAGE SIX

12. February 12, 1926 Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat Muskogee, OK
Article from Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, February 12, 1926

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Fink; Owe Debt' Commercial President, Showered With Dollars and Daisies, Tells of Chokingly 24 Hours Ending So Dramatically Triumphant By DOCIA KARELL completed in hours the cycle from through heaven, back to earth again, David veteran president the Commercial National bank, much shaken night. happy With and steady voice, related the high of the which formed hours, by confidence his Fink friends bear him, from catastrophe which threatened destroy not only him, but much of Muskogee, celebration that left the bank stronger than was when the run started. found him, after bank had closed of the biggest day's busihistory, seated in front of desk banked with and surrounded by friends who were still coming in to tell him of their confidence in him, and their trust in the The Impossible Happens Dave Fink was not the last man In town to hear of the propaganda that was insidiously spread against bank for several days preceding the run Wednesday; but knew secure condition of his bank. didn't worryEven Wednssday though stream of depositors had been taking their money all morning. he confident, with no thought of calamity. And then, suddenly, the impossible "The crowd suddenly became seething seemed to throng up out the center of the earth Itself, and to keep coming", Mr. Fink said. Follows His 'Hunch' The lobbles of the bank were overwith folks demanding their money, and Mr. Fink realized that, after lifetime hard work and integrity, he was facing disaster. went around behind the windows and looked into their faces", says. "and it seemed to me that they were hungry for some sort of message. had an intuition that should speak to them, and against the advice of two of my directors, did. "I'm sure no ever made more honest, straightforward talk than made to them then. didn't reassure them. told them frankly that they could break the bank they wanted told them exactly how much money we had, and what our assets were. told them that we didn't have the cash hand to pay off all the depositors, and that the safety of the bank was in their hands." Old Friends Into Breach The story of the community sponse to the bank's need hundreds of depositors coming to the bank from the hour opened yesterday bring in funds, that the day's deposits were many times greater than the withdrawals; men from all over Oklahoma and nearby states of confi-