Berkshire Trust Company (Pittsfield, MA)

Episode Information

Episode UID
53023171585
Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Reopening
Bank Type
state
Bank ID
5302317 routing
Routing Number
53-0231
Start Date
January 13, 1932
Location
Pittsfield, Massachusetts (42.450, -73.245)

Metadata

Model
gemini-3-flash-preview (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
f24e089aed4c2105

Response Measures

None

Description

The bank experienced a run in Jan 1932 following the treasurer's suicide but remained open; it later suspended during the March 1933 banking holiday and reopened shortly after.

Events (3)
1. January 13, 1932 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
The bank treasurer, Manson R. White, committed suicide in the bank basement, causing nervousness among depositors.
Measures
Other local banks pledged $300,000 in assistance and issued a public statement of confidence.
Newspaper Excerpt
There was slight run on the bank at the time the bank closed for the day About $1000 was withdraw by depositors.
Source
newspapers
2. March 4, 1933 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
National banking holiday and subsequent state-level restrictions on reopening.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Berkshire Trust company has been operating under restrictions... plans for reorganization
Source
newspapers
3. March 21, 1933 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
Commissioner Arthur Guy tonight gave authorization for the Berkshire Trust company of Pittsfield to open for normal business morning... believed that bank will be reopened Tuesday morning [March 21].
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (6)
1. January 14, 1932 The Springfield Daily Republican Springfield, MA
Article from The Springfield Daily Republican, January 14, 1932

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Article Text

THE WEATHER Forecast for New England The weather bureau report indicates Eastern New York, fair with tinued mild temperature today, morrow, cloudy and colder, probably rain southern rain or snow in northern parts. Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, fair with continued mild temperature today, tomorrow cloudy and colder, probably Island temperature tomorrow cloudy and colder, probably General Conditions and Forecast The decreased greatly center over the southern plateau region, while other moved Quebec This disturbance half the United States Rocky northern Plain states Another dis. turbance and the district abnormal high the moving Hudson and remains high from the lower eastward beyond Bermuda. The temperature tinued and stations from Georgia reporting the highest record for Howoverspread Plain Missouri valley Minnesota, Colorado below tonight south northwest Mostly prevail followed rain tonight much above normal today but colder Ohio and and Atlantic and North Atlantic states Winds: North of Sandy Hook and Sandy Hook Hatteras, moderate fresh southwest The Weather at Springfield The Tuesday armory partly cloudy wind, 60 and The Republican's weather bureau, extremes temperature hour period ending night 59 and the The today sets Automobiles should be lighted other directors were with him part time. Most of positors the smaller the bank who had accounts in the savings The report of the within the Genovese Does Good Work nerves his Berkshire building this afterand helped an effort confidence Police Daniel detective William Keegan Richard police officers, were at the bank during the William assist the department the bank this went room the noticed Mr White before Mr spots the treasurer William, was the reply. thought nothing the he Hastening basefound unnorthwest corner beside him. let having been White apparently walked the of the second shot. The bullet entered right Bump, note teller and Leon Shallies, heard the shots and with Retallick Mr He taken once to the hospital Annual Meeting Tuesda The annual bank M: White tellwas that the was highly state. Dr Albert England, the family called see last night home and White not this Hibbard had Mr weeks to take The felt duty to be his that during times. Mr White took to the stories which came During the day Judge Hibbard nothing the Mr White that affects the financial of the bank. great shock the far the bank funds concerned there wrong the the instituMr White straight forward and honest and he never committed bank question his honesty and ability any accounts perfect but health brought the state mind his Son of Retired Chief Mr White William chief son born had spent his life here. He attended the high school but He bank errand Berkshire Trust the Berkshire Trust company clerk in April, 1896. He worked to position treasurer, which had held for five years. He and past master Mystic and board of the First Methodist church. He treasurer the Salvation Army advisory board. He' alderman the city council ward having on the White the former BesStreeter He also one Ralph who with the Insurance Hartford, Ct. and one brother, Frank D. White of the Berkshire Trust company as yesterday follow President, Charles Hibbard: M. England Manson White; trust officer, Ernest Waterman: assistJohn Hainsworth and Retallick. Directors, William Bagg, Robert Barbour. Brugger, Burns, William Butler Eaton, Benjamin Eng land, Daniel F. Farrell, William Foss, Fred Francis, Charles Hibbard, Sawyer, Manson R. White and liam Statement Issued The statement was issued meeting morning meeting held this banking institutions Pittsfield have signified their fidence sound the Berkshire Trust company by pledging substantial assistance this institution arise. currence morning, but have confidence that Pitts field attempt embarrass financial by unnecesfeel banking situation Pittsfield Berkshire county built upon safe principles therefore, that the people Berkshire county continue the confidence have always shown National Bank of Pittsfield. By Laurence R. president National Bank Trust company. By Malcolm W. Lehvice-president County Savings bank. By William Savings bank. By Clifford Martin, Cooperative bank. By E. treasurer. "Pittsfield Cooperative bank. By Richard H. Gamwell, president.'

2. January 14, 1932 The Springfield Daily Republican Springfield, MA
Article from The Springfield Daily Republican, January 14, 1932

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Article Text

NONVOTERS STIR HUB MAYOR'S Curley Admits Agitators, Then Looks Up Records and Tells Them to "Go Back to Russia" Boston, mayor, James M. Curley, is an easy man to see but if you have any suggestions to how to run aid unemployed sure your name on the voting The mayor busy figuring out finances today when group of demonstrators said they were members the "Boston Council demonstration outside the Their two of their number and John King, 30, were arrested by the police. group of 15 demanded admittance office. sent word that busy the come back Five the returned at the mayor asked their as introduced themselves, and also their addresses. Just matter getting he explained. He begged pardon for moment and wrote note to secreAnd the want the open the and kitchens installed. The returned, handed the and his honor drew himself up his almost six feet and department reports of on the voting am not to not the voting list Get One the group, woman, atthe ped on. Get out. Go back to RusOut they went. And the mayor sumed his study financial matters. called to him last night his home and not this morning. Hibbard said that he had Mr White weeks take The however, felt that his duty to be at his Mr White deeply took heart the of nancial misfortunes which came During the day Judge Hibbard the Mr the bank. shock all and the tragedy but the bank funds nothing in instituMr White forward and bank his honesty and ability accounts perfect but health about the state mind Son of Retired Chief Mr White William of police of had life He attended the high did He first Pittsfield bank errand entered Berk shire Trust company, formerly the clerk 1896. He worked which he had held for five years. He director. He past master lodge Masons and board First He Army board. He served councilman alderman city council ward been elected the ticket. the former BesHe also and one brother, Frank D. White of The officers of the Berkshire Trust company yesterday follow Hibbard: Benjamin M. England officer, Ernest Waterman: assistant John and F. Retallick. Directors, William Bagg. Robert Franz WilBurns, Butler Eaton, Benjamin land, Daniel Farrell, William Foss, Fred Charles Hibbard, Charles Allen Manson R. White and WilWhittlesey. Statement Issued The statement issued was after morning: was held banking institutions have signified their fidence condition of the Trust company, by pledging substantial this institution should the regret the currence morning, but have confidence that not attempt by unnecesfeel that banking situation Berkshire principles and that the people county continue the confidence have always in our National Bank of Pittsfield, By R. National Bank Malcolm W. LehSavings bank. By Savings bank. By Clifford Martin, Cooperative bank. By E. Huntress, treasurer. Cooperative bank. By Richard H. Gamwell, president."

3. January 14, 1932 The Springfield Daily Republican Springfield, MA
Article from The Springfield Daily Republican, January 14, 1932

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Article Text

PITTSFIELD BANKER COMMITS SUICIDE; HEALTH IS BLAMED (Continued from First Page) possible was done by bank officials take their Albert England, Mr White's his medical examiner, tonight that the bullet caused Mr White's of the and The body taken Newton that during the this more withdrawn. Bank Examiners Day and Baker tonight. Bankers Hold Meeting meeting the commercial and was held the dell hotel the substantial piedged for use the Trust in case needed was that all of the Berk shire dition ready trust They have in Messrs and Baker, bank once the of the trust expected to all Shortly they told local that far had was first R. Connor, of bank Pittsfield, presided at tonight's ference besides Pittsfield North ings banks North Adams, Nationals and South Adams Savings bank Adams, the National bank banks at Great Barrington. Others Offer During other PittsBank and the fered the pany in cash and as much needed. All the other banks confidence the stability the Berkshire Trust company poration aid banker that least cash be to meet all said that the day with slight As learned Mr White bed hastened the bank where during the business part of the Benjamin England time. the who had the savings The official report the bank published within shows of and the are Does Good Work Genovese, Italian Trust this afterand greatly in effort confidence Police Sullivan, Inspector Daniel the bureau, William Richard officers, at the bank during the When William Retallick, assisttreasurer charge department bank the White little before him, the small Mr Retallick small spots blood the William, the reply. and went the bank when heard fired. Hastening again to basement found Mr lying unhim. having Mr White apparently walked the length of the basement before fired second shot. bullet entered right went Leon teller, also the Mr White. He was taken once the hospital ambulance. Annual Meeting Tuesday The annual meeting of the bank White with Root acted tellfor the obthat the Dr Albert England, the family physician, was

4. January 14, 1932 The Berkshire Eagle Pittsfield, MA
Article from The Berkshire Eagle, January 14, 1932

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Article Text

All the Banks Best Way to Help LEAVE THE MONEY ALONE! The strongest bank in the world could not and heavy its The National Bank of New York, all its wanted their mononce, would be forced to close its doors. Such the of the would not be surprising if the United States Treasury would shut up every piece of paper were tendered for its equivalent in gold during foolish appear few the depositors the Berkshire Trust Company their because official, overworked temporarily deranged and shot himThe statement Commissioner Guy the bank entirely solvent should enough assurance most persons fact that sister banks of the city pledged aid to the Berkshire Trust, such needed, ought all fears. Banks are not just places of deposit. If they were they could not or per cent on accounts. In order pay on deposits they must have some source revenue. This revenue comes from loans perhaps on haps on bonds on The mandatory that 30 per cent savings deposits shall be kept so that moment's amount paid On the other hand, 50 per cent of the depostheir money, logical that the bank could not pay immediately. Bearing these facts in mind be well for Pittsfield citizens refrain withdrawing monfrom bank any other The service they can render community leave their coin where One reminded trying experience one instituLion had several years There was confusion of reports, man didn't the language well took into his head withdraw his savings, others lowed suit almost before could say Robinson the was for no reason Let manifest practical faith and confidence in our banking They are sound core MANSON ROY WHITE Manson White, whose busy. life comes to tragic close made for himself place the community. It the memory that he square brick in those formative days-fond of the outwith its averse rough and tumble at recessbut as reliable the law just was He grew to manhood in his quiet, unassuming high-spirited collar, having no fear except the fear of ing wrong. His sensitive New Enghis daily sultant. He competent, dependable, likable-wise and as neighbor unsurpassHe was companionable and he kind. We shall all miss him. His health had failed-he not his old noticed in many ways, but Manson of his best esconsiderate friend and remembered by all those whose path crossed his. dozen persons the last 24 from the remote paths-have told The Eagle of their. pleasant experiences with the the recollection tinged with sincere regret he has With fidelity he served this little world of ours here in unforgotten Into the stream of our interests he poured the best he had. What what citizen-could do more? BIENNIAL SESSIONS The State Grange goes on record being in favor of biennial sessions of the Legislature, position that far radical it known that there are only five States out 48 whose assemthere argument ground that biennial sessions are not practical Such change in this monwealth first would be quite shock our legislators somemanage keep pretty busy around five months each year. is that after short time the State Government would function well as assembled only once in two years. Moreover always is possible call special sessions should Biennials ought to considerable of money. Salaries would cut in half easily saving could be added the expense pages, clerks, mileage and incidental expenses attend present The Grangers may be somewhat ahead the times, it will not be many years before Massachusetts will follow the example by most of the other States.

5. January 14, 1932 Greenfield Daily Recorder Greenfield, MA
Article from Greenfield Daily Recorder, January 14, 1932

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Article Text

PITTSFIELD BANKER DIES OF WOUNDS PITTSFIELD Jan. 14-Manson R. White. 54, of 48 ayenue. treasurer of the Berkshire Trust Company, Wednesday night in House of Mercy Hospital of gunshot wound. self inflicted Mr White did not regain consciousness. He shot himself twice with one of the bank's 22 caliber revolvers Wednesday morning at the There was slight run on the bank at the time the bank closed for the day About $1000 was withdraw by depositors. but this not considered alarming by the bank people Pittsfield banks pledged $300,000 for the assistance of the institution

6. March 20, 1933 The Springfield Daily Republican Springfield, MA
Article from The Springfield Daily Republican, March 20, 1933

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BERKSHIRE AUTHORITY Commissioner Pittsfield Institution Resume Operation Upon Normal Basis Boston, March Commissioner Arthur Guy tonight gave authorization for the Berkshire Trust company of Pittsfield to open for normal business morning. Pittsfield, March of group Pittsfield and Dalton at the directors' room National bank tonight discussed at length plans reorganization the Berkshire which company is lieved that bank will be reopened Tuesday morning. president and new board of directors probably elected While no official be secured tonight the old board the on They Benjamin England, William Whittlesey and Daniel Farrell. names of others have been to report, the number whom attended meeting are Winthrop M. Crane Crane Dalton, Chesney, Gamwell, Coogan and Carey Kinney. associated with other Pittsfield Crane being of the board Agricultural bank which Mr are Gamwell presiPittsfield president Marshall Mr Kinney, Pittsfield Third National Bank and Trust company. Official Statement Issued William Whittlesey late tonight and Evening issued formal stateOver ment: directors of Berkshire Trust company received 135,000 definite Bank Alfred outlined technical be fulfilled bethe bank opened Situations Advertisements Line per Day readily complied with during MonSunday Rate 16c per Line day and believed all will be opened on Tues- Contract Upon Request day Count understood that group of about $500,000 deposit bank CLOSING TIME: agreed let Morning main intact" period Evening six months. Accepted ganizers mind strong all friends 14 FORT ST. the bank the fidence Trust 12 HARRISON AVE. company large STATE BLDG. LOBBY since organ in 1895 leading Publishers responother are their pression hope that proposed go through typographical other error Harry be retained as Waterman, officer, John Hainsworth and William Retallick, assistant Want Ads treasurers. Mr England, who now has the board directors since the Here Start organized. Judge Hibbard has been dihas ANNOUNCEMENTS the when office his father, Charles Hibbard, Florists mayor Pittsfield. bank has 139 stockholders. understood CUT FLOWERS and floral Florists, invested mortgages on its instituLost and Found 10 tion of large city. During black has Reward. followed effort evolve plan that AUTOMOBILES would that the same time continuance operations Automobiles For Sale 11 reopened. As the banks the the which hoped carried 1456 today Laurence Connor, president the Sedan good Bridge Agricultural tonight ported in person the group men the directors' room. The Berkshire Trust company has TEL. 6-3656, 648 STATE Open for its home the North FORD the finest marble for MOTOR September 1923. 104 Memorial The board officers of the bank follow: Charles Oldest New Hibbard; Benjamin England; treasurer, Harry Wattrust officer, Ernest John Retallick; evenings. directors, Bagg, Robert BEST BARGAINS AT Barbour, Franz Brugger, Judge William Burns, William Butler, Ford Benjamin Eng- Hudson Arthur Essex land, Daniel Farrell, William Foss, Fred Francis, Judge Charles TEL. 3-0212. Hibbard, Charles gressman Allen Treadway and WilSedan bank been operating under commercial, PRICES trust.