5850. Indiana National Bank (Indianapolis, IN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
984
Charter Number
984
Start Date
July 26, 1893
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana (39.768, -86.158)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
8aab8983

Response Measures

Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Later criminal investigation and examiner found fraudulent paper and the bank was wound up; receiver/trial followed.

Description

Multiple papers from July 1893 report runs and several bank suspensions in Indianapolis. The Indiana National experienced a three-hour run but met all demands and the run ended by early afternoon (local reports). Some out-of-town dispatches listed three banks as 'closed' (naming Indiana National among them), but local reporting clarifies the Indiana National was able to meet withdrawals — the run appears to have been caused by confusion with the Indianapolis National and general nervousness. I therefore classify this episode as a run only (no suspension of Indiana National).

Events (1)

1. July 26, 1893 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Run apparently triggered by confusion between similarly named Indianapolis National (which suspended) and Indiana National, plus general monetary stringency and talk—depositors mistakenly withdrew funds.
Measures
Met all demands; paid withdrawing depositors during the three-hour run; no suspension invoked.
Newspaper Excerpt
The only other bank that experienced a run was the Indiana National, which lasted for three hours without affecting the bank. The similarity of the names-Indianapolis National and Indiana National-probably caused the run.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (13)

Article from The Evening World, July 25, 1893

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STILL THE BANKS GO. Two Close Their Doors To-Day in Indianapolis. Three More Suspensions Are Announced in Louisville. And the M iwaukee Marine and Fire Bank Goes to the Wall. INDIANAPOLIS. Ind., July 25-The Indianapolis National Bank failed to open Its doors this morning. The Bank of Commerce did not open this morning The Indianapolis National va. the dea ignated depository of the United States Its capital was $300,000. No statement has been made 11.4 to 110 condition. except that the faiture 1. to $1,201,000. For some days rumors have been CUT rent to the effect that the bank was : trouble, and those rumors have had ... . effect of starting a quiet non upon . which. quiet though it was. has tepleted the bank's funds, and finally made nec essary the action of to-day. The management 114 not sufficiently realize the extent of the talk concern ing the bank,and did not make timely preparation for the worst. The Bank of Commerce has not been one of large deposits. and its failure will not have much effect on the local money market. Its indebtedness is said to be only $150,000 The suspensions caused considerable excitement on the streets. and at this hour (10.30) a heavy run is being made on the Indiana National. LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 25.-This will prove a memorable day in the financial history of Louisville. As 10 o'clock this morning the Merchants' National Bank posted H notice of suspension. and half an hour later the failure of the Louisville Deposit Bank was announced. By this time half a dozen banks in the city were being run by depositors mostly small ones They all stood the pressure except one-the Fourth Nation al-which closed its doors in the Board of Trade Building at 10 o'clock. At that time the excitement was run ning high, and every one of half n dozer banks was crowded with depositors who were in line waiting their turr with the paying teller. The first failure of the present crisis was that of the Kentucky Nationa Bank, Saturday. Then came the Louis ville City National Bank Monday, after the intervention of P Sunday holiday


Article from Deseret Evening News, July 25, 1893

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dianapolis National Bank failed to open its doors this morning. AN INDIANAPOLIS BANK. INDIANAPOLIS, July 25.-The Bank of Commerce did not open its doors this morning. The statement of the Indianapolis national bank on July 14, showed resources, $2,318,154. Liabilities: Due depositors, $1,194,586; United States deposits, $193,100; (deposits of disbursing officers, $106,900; due other national banks, $146,503;due banks, $73,579; notes and bills rediscounted, $51,187; bills payable, $58,000. Capital stock, $300,000; surplus, $100,000; undivided profits, $44,448. The Indianapolis, National was considered one of the strongest banks in the city and was designated the depository of the United States. President Theodore Haughey, last night, consulted with other bankers, having previously secured $50,000 to tide him over yesterday. He said the failures at Louisville and New Albany had aggravated the local situation and it was thought best to suspend. The Bank of Commerce has not been one of large deposits, and the failure will not have much effect locally. Theindebtedness is said to be $150,000. At 11 o'clock a heavy run was being made on the Indiana National. The Louisville Deposit Bank has failed. A LOUISVILLE BANK. LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 25.-The Merchants' National bank has suspended. The Fourth National bank has sus. pended. AT MILWAUKEE. MILWAUKEE, July 25.-The Wis. consin Marine and Fire Insurance Company Bank closed its doors this morning. The bank was commonly known as the Mitchell bank. The notice on the door says it is closed on account of the monetary stringency. The statement


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, July 26, 1893

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INDIANAPOLIS BANKS FAIL. Two Institutions Suspend and Runs Made on Others-Excitement in the City. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 25.-After banking hours yesterday afternoon there was a rumorthat the Indianapolis National Bank would not open its doors this morning. President Haughey yesterday afternoon came to the conclusion that he should consult-some of the officials of the other banks. A meeting was held last night, Mr. Haughey prepared n statement in which he said that the Louisville and New Albany failures had aggravated the local situation. Fifty thousand dollars was borrowed from the other banks, but it failed to carry the bank further than yesterday's transactions. It was finally concluded that the tide that had set in was too strong to stem and it would be best for all concerned to suspend. While the crowd was clustered about the suspended Indianapolis National Bank, a few were watching the doors of the Bank of Commerce across the street. At 9 o'clock the curtains remained up and soon a paper was posted announcing that the bank would not open to-day. The stringency of the money market was the reason given for closing. The Bank of Commerce has not been one of large deposits, and its failure will not have much effect on the local money market. Its indebtedness is said to be only $150,000. The suspensions caused considerable excitement on the streets and at 10:30 a heavy run was begun on the Indiana National. While the Indianapolis National Bank was a United States depository, but $3,430.90 was tied up. Pension Agent Ensley said that he would of course cease to draw checks on the suspended national. August 4 will be pension day and the office will pay out nearly $3,000,000. "At the last payment we checked out nearly $200,000 from the Indianapolis National," said Mr. Ensley. Cashier Rexford anid that the bank statement at the close of business July 12 would afford the best information as to the status of debts and credits that could be given until the government officer who would take charge should make his report. Mr. Rexford was asked if the withdrawal of funds by country banks was not largely responsible for the difficultios. "The stringency of the times," he said, "has greatly reduced thoso baiances."


Article from Wheeling Register, July 26, 1893

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existing circumstances was only a question of time when suspension would inev itably come and therefore decided to close. We might possibly have got through to-day all right, but it was considered best for concerned not t open for business. This bank is not insolvent by any means and only time is needed to realize enough money to meet every liability It not only has ample assets, but Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Johnston are behind it. At the instance of Benjamin M. Weil, the bank con senting, Judge Johnson appointed Washington Becker receiver of the bank. His bond was fixed at $1,600,000 Within five minutes after the news of the Mitehell bank considerable crowds gathered at the Merchants Exchange, First National and Marshal banks, and more or less of a crowd at the Wisconsin National bank. Notwithstanding this fact and the renewed feeling of nncertainty, & number of old depositors were on hand at each of the institutions for the purpose of making deposits, and while considerable money was hastily withdrawn, even larger amounts were placed on the inside of the counters. NEW YORK, July 25 -The bank failures at Milwaukee and Indianapolis, but more particularly the suspension of the Wiscon sin Marine and Fire Insurance Bank, of Milwaukee, utterly demoralized holders of western stocks this afternoon and a gen eral rush to sell was witnessed at the Stock Exchange The Grangers stocks sold at the lowest point in years. Blocks and blocks of long stocks were thrown overboard and the question of price did not seem to enter into the operations As compared with last night's closing, the figures given show losses to 7 points Up to o'olock to-day arrangements had been made for the shipment to the interior of $1,500,000 in currency. Most of the money goes to the West. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 5.-After banking hours yesterday afternoon there was 8 rumor that the Indianapolis National Bank would not open its doors this morning. President Theodore Haughey yester day afternoon came to the conclusion that he should consult some of the officials of the other banks. A meeting was held last night. Mr. Haughey prepared a statement in which he said that the Louisville and New Albany failures had aggravated the local situation Fifty thousand dollars was borrowed from the other banks, but failed to carry the bank further than yesterday' transactions It was finally concluded that the tide that had set in was too strong to stem and it would be best for all concorned to suspend. While the crowd was clustered about the suspended Indianapa National Bank, few were watching the doors of the Bank of Commerce across the streeet. At9 o'clock the curtains remained up and soon a paper was posted announce ing that the bank would not open day The stringency of the money market is the reason given for closing. The Bank of Commerce has not been one of large deposits, and its failure will not much effect on the local money market Its idebted ness is said to be only $150,000. The suspensions caused considerable excitement on the streets, and at this hour (10:30) heavy run is being made on the Indiana National. The Indianapolis National was the designated depository of the United States. INDIANAPOLIS, IND. July 25. While the Indianapolis National Bank was a United States depository but $3,439.96 was tied up Pension Agent Ensley said that be would of course cease to draw checks on the suspended National August 4 will be pension day and the office will pay out nearly $8,000,000. At the last payment we check ed out nearly $200,000 from the Indian apolis National, said Mr Ensley. Cashier Rexford said the bank statement at the close of business Julv 12 would afford the best informution as to the status of debts and credits atcould be given until the government officer who would take charge should make his report. Mr. Rexford was asked if the withdrawal of funds by country banks was not largely responsible for the difficulties "The stringency of the times he said, "has greatly reduced those balances. CHICAGO, July 25 6.-Silver was again taken over the counter of the sub-treasury -day after a temporary stoppage, so that the big receipts could be gone through and counted. Local banks are sending in large quantities of dollars and lessor silver coins, which they exchange for currency. LIMA. O. July 95. The Farmers' National Bank, of Findlay O., closed its doors shortly after 12 o'clock, unable to withstand a run. It is feared that the other banks will be raided. & BronST. LOUIS, Mo. July 25 Ripley son, iron merchants and dealers in all kinds of iron, made an assignment this morning. Liabilities, $150,000 assets not given, but probably close to the amount of liabilities. Stringency in money is given as the cause WASHINGTON D. C., July 25 Much interest has been aroused among statisticians by the discovery that the figures of the balance of trade against this country for the fiscal year ending June 30 last, as shown by the records of the Bureau of Statistics in the Treasury Department, about $40,000,000 out of the way. Instead of an adverse balance of $93,000,000 the corrected returns will show only about $50,000,000. WASHINGTON, July 25 -As a result of counter offers the treasury purchased yesterday 107,500 onnees of silver at $0.6960 cents per ounce (including the 50,000 ounces announced in yesterday s despatches). The price of silver in London to-day shows a slight advance over yesterday. LOUISVILLE, Kr. July 6.-To-day was a memorable one in the financial situation of this city. The Merchants' National Bank closed its doors at 10 o'clock and was followed half an hour later by the suspension of the Louisville Deposit Bank Both failures were caused by the beavy demands from country banks, the local runs being comparatively insignificant. President Lindenburger, of the Merchants National, says depositors and stockholders will be paid in full. Two other banks followed in the wake and closed their doors also The banks are abundantly solvent, and there is no sort of doubt that they will pay in full. Weeding Out Treasury Clerks. W ASHINGTON, July 25. Secretary Carlisle intends to weed out clerks in the Treasury Department. He began operations yesterday by dropping six clerks from the rolls. Others will be dropped from time to time as they are, reported by the the division. Those vacancies


Article from The Madison Daily Leader, July 26, 1893

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Three at Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS, July 26.-Three bank failures have occurred here during the day and there are runs on several others. The Indiana National. Fletcher's and the Commercial are the banks that


Article from The Representative, July 26, 1893

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Three at Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS, July 26.-Three bank failures have occurred here during the day and there are runs on several others. The Indiana National, Fletcher's and the Commercial are the banks that have closed. The two last named were private banks but Fletcher's was considered very strong. It was established in 1834.


Article from The Sauk Centre Herald, July 27, 1893

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Three at Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS, July 26.-Three bank failures have occurred here during the day and there are runs on several others. The Indiana National, Fletcher's and the Commercial are the banks that have closed. The two last named were private banks but Fletcher's was considered very strong. It was established in 1834.


Article from The Stark County Democrat, July 27, 1893

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INDIANAPOLIS PANICKY, The Oldest Bank in the State Closed Its Doors Yesterday. INDIANAPOLIS, July 26.-For several days there has been a quiet run on the Indianapolis Bank, which culminated yesterday in the bank's suspension. In addition to these local runs there were calls from correspondents throughout the State. The bank was one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the State. While the bank was a United States depository, but $3,439.96 was tied up. Penr sion Agent Ensley said that he would, of course, cease to draw checks on the suspended bank. August 4 will be pension day and the office will pay out nearly $3,000,000. The doors of the Bank of Commerce failed to open Tuesday morning, but this was not altogether unexpected on account of the failure of C. W. Depauw, a heavy stockholder. Both the suspended banks were mems bers of the Clearing House Association. The only other bank that experienced a run was the Indiana National. which lasted for three hours without affecting the bank in the least. The similarity of the names-Indianapolis National and Indiana National-probably caused the run.


Article from The Mitchell Capital, July 28, 1893

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Three at Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS, July 26.-Three bank failures have occurred here during the day and there are runs on several others. The Indiana National. Fletcher's and the Commercial are the banks that have closed. The two last named were private banks but Fletcher's was considered very strong. It was established in 1834.


Article from Bismarck Weekly Tribune, July 28, 1893

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Three at Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS, July 26. -Three - bank failures have occurred here during the day and there are runs on several others. The Indiana National, Fletcher's and the Commercial are the banks that have closed. The two last named were private banks but Fletcher's was considered very strong. It was established in 1834.


Article from The Indiana State Sentinel, August 2, 1893

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INDIANAPOLIS NATIONAL CLOSES. The Causes Given and General Talk on the Situation. "Owing to the general financial stringency, the steady withdrawal of deposits and the difficulty of converting securities into cash, this bank is obliged to suspend." The above notice appeared on the doors of the Indianapolis national bank at the usual hour of opening Tuesday morning. It had been rumored on the streets early in the morning that the bank would not open and there was a crowd around the doors at 9 o'clock, most of whom were small depositors. Many were the expressions uttered as to the probability of the bank paying depositors in full. Most everybody seemed inclined to look at the matter in a philosophical way, deciding to make the most of the situation, and the crowd soon dispersed. There was a lack of the excitement that is usual in such a case, the depositors seeming to have confidence in the management of the bank. A number of small depositors were heard to express it as their opinion that they had been swindled and that their money was lost, but this sentiment was confined to a very few, and they were of that class who have not business sense enough to understand the situation. Owing to the similarity of the names of the Indianapolis national and the Indiana national banks, and the cries of the newsboys, there was for a while in the morning a pretty steady run of small depositors on the latter bank. That institution met all demands, however, and by 1 o'clock the run was practically over. President Malott stated that the bank had comprehended the conditions leading up to the present state of affairs and that while it had always kept itself strong, it has been doubly fortifying itself and is now prepared to meet any demands that may be made against it. This is practically the condition of the other Indianapolis banks. None of them, however, were drawn upon as heavily as the Indiana national. The run upon all was of short duration, being over in most cases before noon. Hundreds of depositors who had come with the determination to withdraw their deposits from the different banks, when they saw how quiet everything was went back to their homes satisfied to let their money remain. The Real Cause. The real cause of the suspension of the bank was the publication of the statement of the 15th inst. That showed a cash reserve of about 22 per cent. of deposits, which is 11 per cent. less than what is ordinarliy regarded by bankers as conservative. And in addition to this showing there appeared two other unfavorable items, namely: Notes and bills rediscounted amounting to $51,000 and bills payable to the extent of $58,000. This report was commented upon throughout the week and the general feeling was that the publication was somewhat weak. The result was that from Monday following the publication of the statement depositors began a steady drain upon the bank, which to the management of the bank, who did not recognize the fatality of the situation, seemed but the ordinary. It was not until Saturday, when the constant drain had almost depleted the cash, that President Haughey recognized the true situation and became aware that the depositors had lost confidence in the bank. It was then that a meeting of his fellow bankers was called at the residence of Allan Fletcher and the matter was laid before them. Even then Mr. Haughey did not seem to fully appreciate the situation, as he asked for only $30,000, believing that with that amount he could stem the tide; the bankers, however, gave him $50,000 at a meeting held on Sunday night. This amount was exhausted on Monday and by Monday night Mr. Haughey came to the conclusion that he could go no further and that there was no use to try. Accordingly, another meeting of the bank officials was called and Mr. Haughey explained his intentions to quit. He is the oldest bank president in the city and has the undivided respect and esteem of all his associates in business. The other bankers decided to leave the matter entirely with him, and if he had asked further assistance it would have been extended, but Mr. Haughey realized that the amount of cash that his bank would require to weather the storm was more than could be taken from the others without seriously affecting them, and he refused to accept such a sacrifice. BANK OF COMMERCE CLOSES.


Article from The Wichita Daily Eagle, April 15, 1894

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SLICK SCHEME. Branch Concerns Opened to Aid the Parent Fraud Rob Banks. IMDIANAPOLIS, April 14 -National Bank Examiner Young of Pittsburg, was placed on the stand in the criminal case against the wreckers of the Indiana National bank today. He stated that he discovered the condition of the bank after he reached here a few days after the failure in July, 1893, and had a lively interview with the defendant, Coffin. John Tuft and C. R. Clark of New York and Brooklyn were the other witnesses. Toft owned a cabinet shop in New York and sold out to the Indianapolis Cabinet company in 1892. It was then run under the name of the Indianapolis Office Furniture company with warerooms on Nassau street in New York. At the time it was but a branch of the cabinet company and was in existence merely for the purpose of enabling the cabinet company to draw drafts on it and place them in the banks as credits. They would be kept in the bank and never be sent forward for collection; when due would be renewed by others with the dates changed. The cabinet company bad ten of these subsidiary concerns and in this way by aid of the president of the bank, who has pleaded guilty, secured $376,000.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, May 15, 1894

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# THE BANK EXAMINER. # Mr. Jameson Tells What He Found Just Before the Failure. The first witness called in the afternoon session was John P. Frenzel, president of the Indiana Trust Company, receiver of the cabinet company. He said he had been in the banking business for twenty-seven years and was acquainted with the manufacturing establishments of the city, but knew nothing of the Indianapols Pow Company as an operated concern for the last three years. He said he only heard of the veneer and panel company, United State Office Furniture Company and the Indianapolis Desk Company since the trust company had been appointed receiver. He valued the assets of the cabinet company, exclusive of accounts, at $105,000 and the accounts were value at $9,000. By Mr. Kern-How much have you realized from the London branch? This question was objected to by the defense, but the court permitted (it to be answered, and he said the receiver had realized $9,000 on this property. On the New York and Boston branches nothing had been realized. The cross-examination was then taken up by Mr. Duncan, and in answer to questions propounded the witness said he was acquainted with the manufacturing establishments of the city, and thought he couli name the principal ones. He was acquainted with the value of real estate in the city. Since the trust company had been in charge as receiver, he said, he had given the business his personal supervision and was as weil acquainted with the value of desks and the business of making them as any manufacturer. He said he had ordered an appraisement and identified a copy of it, wnien he said was correct. Henry J. Smith, lumber dealer and stave manufacturer, of Seymour, Ind., was called. He had had dealings with the cabinet company for several years prior to the fa lure of the company. At the time of the fal-ure the company owed Lim an open account of $2,982.04, and upon notes $4,000, upon which it was entitled to a credit of $455.23. He was also liable as invorser upon a note of the cabinet company for $2517, which he arterwards was compelled to pay. The total amount of the indebt dness of the cabinet company to him was $9,042.93. He said he was in this city Aug. 7, ani had a talk with A. S. Reed about their accounts. He told Reed the bank at Seymour did not think the company's paper was worth 100 cents on the dollar and he wanted additional security. Reed said the security would be given, and the same day the cabinet company sent him notes of the American Disk and Seating Company aggregating $5,508.98. All of this paper was indorsed by the cabinet company to the witness, except one piece given to the Wooten company, which was indorsed by that company to him. He also received some of the Clark notes given in purchase of the New York branch, aggregating $2,888.01. He sold these notes to A. H. Byrd for 5 cents on the dollar. He said that at the time he received tae Clark notes ne received through the mail an inventory of the stock in the New York branch without anything to explain who sent it. Upon this was the date "Jan. 26, 1894," and at the soot of the inventory were the words, "Cash value, net, about $4,500." The witness said a part of the notes received at the time the Clark and desk and seating company's notes were received were the purchase notes of Thonas L. Piece for the Boston bronh, aggrezating $1,249.99. At the time of the falne f the bank he had a conversation with F. A. Coffin, in which the latter told the witness the cabinet company owed the bank about $30,000. He also admitted that it owel the bank on some bonas, but hal nine years in which to pay the brigation. As the witness was leaving Coffin sail to him: "We will always take care of you, Henry. On cross-examination by Mr. Wiatr he said the debt to him was for logs and lu-ber sent to the cabinet company. Volney T. maioct, president of the Indiana National Bank, was then called. He said he had known T. P. Haughey for forty years. He was acquainted with the details of the management of his bank in reference to the character of the paper that passed through it. The same questions that had been propounded to Mr. Frenzel concerning rning the various companies of the Coffins were then put to Mr. Malott, and he answered that he knew nothing of the companies. On cross-examination. by Mr. Duncan he was asked if he knew the number of corporation in the city, and said he did not. He did not know that either of the Coffins' side issue corporations had ever been organized. Louis Robinson was then called, and testified that the writing upon the inventory received by Mr. Smith was in the hand of F. A. Coffin. # THE BANK EXAMINER. Charles T. Jameson, national bank examiner for the central district of Ohio, was then called. He testified to the examination of the defunct bank on July 17 and 18, 1893. At this time the bank held paper of F. A. Coffin to the amount of $21,927.99, and of P. B. Coffin to the amount of $27,196.78. It also held acceptances of the Indiana Cabinet Company amounting to $27,041.92, and there were two pieces of this kind of paper in the bank at the time that were not there at the time of the failure. He then gave the amounts of paper of the various concerns connected with the cabinet company which he found in the bank. The total of the cabinet company's acceptances was $29,402.17; of the London branch, $31,840.27; New York branch, $39,808.59; United States Office Furniture Company, $25,997.08; plow company, $30,240.25; veneer and panel company, $32,387.83; Wooten company, $45,144.27. He testified that there were several pieces of paper in the bank at the time of the failure that were not there at the time of the examination. The witness said be discussed this paper with Haughey, and the latter told him that it was all commercial paper. While taking down the list of direct pa-Der Haughey said: "I suppose you are look-