5883. Jf Wild & Company Bank (Indianapolis, IN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
private
Start Date
July 30, 1927
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana (39.768, -86.158)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
c6d60d95

Response Measures

None

Description

The bank closed July 30 (1927) and a receiver was subsequently appointed (Aug 1927). No contemporaneous article describes a depositor run; later articles document receivership, embezzlement indictments (1928) and litigation over receivers — consistent with a suspension that led to permanent closure/receivership. I infer the closure was due to bank-specific problems (embezzlement/mismanagement) based on indictments and receiver litigation.

Events (4)
1. July 30, 1927 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank closed (July 30, 1927) amid later allegations of embezzlement and mismanagement; subsequent receivership appointed and criminal indictments for embezzlement followed, indicating bank-specific insolvency/irregularities.
Newspaper Excerpt
president of the bank before its closing last July 30 and subsequent receivership
Source
newspapers
2. August 2, 1927 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Decision that the State shall continue its audit of the closed J. F. Wild & Co. Bank ... Iglehart ... was named receiver by Probate Judge Mahlon E. Bash late Monday on petition of Symons.
Source
newspapers
3. April 21, 1928 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Officials of Wild Institution Are Released From Jail. John F. Wild and three other officials of the defunct J. F. Wild & Co. bank were free today on $1,000 bonds set by Criminal Judge ... on indictments returned Friday for bank embezzlement.
Source
newspapers
4. February 27, 1929 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
OPEN HEARING IN WILD BANK RECEIVER CASE ... Hearing on making permanent appointment of Robert L. Adams as receiver for the J. F. Wild Realty Company was started today ... Lowther, serving as receiver ... for both the realty company and the J. F. Wild & Co. Bank ... charged with handling affairs for benefit of the bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (7)
1. August 2, 1927 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, August 2, 1927

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Article Text

# AUDITING WILD BANK State Goes on With Receiver's Representatives. Decision that the State shall continue its audit of the closed J. F. Wild & Co. Bank with representatives of Receiver E. H. Iglehart present was reached today at a conference of Iglehart, State Bank Commissioner Luther Symons and Thomas D. Barr, assistant commissioner. Iglehart, an attorney with offices in the Fletcher Savings and Trust Bldg., will determine further steps in liquidation of the bank assets when the audit has been completed. He was named receiver by Probate Judge Mahlon E. Bash late Monday on petition of Symons. He named Walter Myers and Donald F. Smith to act as receiver's attorney.

2. January 16, 1928 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, January 16, 1928

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Article Text

# Shock of Seeing Escort Killed Leads to Death Woman Never Recovered From Nervous Strain After Haag Murder. Shock, resulting from witnessing the murder of Wilkins Haag, Indianapolis capitalist, with whom she was lunching, Sept. 17, 1926, was the chief cause of the death of Miss Jessie Murphy, 30, of 1117 E. Market St., relatives said today. Miss Murphy died Sunday at St. Vincent's Hospital after a long illness. She never had recovered from the nervous strain of having seen two bandits shoot down her escort in cold blood in an attempt to steal his $3,000 diamond ring at the Green Mill Barbecue in E. Thirty-Eighth St. Funeral services will be held at 8:30 a. m. from the home followed by rites at 9 a. m. at St. Joseph's Church. Miss Murphy was born in Indianapolis and had lived here all her life. She was graduated from Holy Cross grade school and St. John's academy. She was a member of St. Joseph's church. She was employed as an accountant and bookkeeper by the J. F. Wild & Co. bank receivers. Surviving her are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank M. Murphy, and two brothers, Joseph E. Murphy, Indianapolis, and Raymond F. Murphy, Cincinnati, Ohio. Two men sought in the murder case have evaded arrest by Marion County authorities so far. They were held on other charges by Chicago officials and extradition to Indiana was blocked. Second extradition papers were obtained about three weeks ago, but it was found that one of the men had jumped his Chicago bond and the other was being held on a theft charge. Miss Jessie Murphy Baby Show Planned By Times Special MARION, Ind., Jan. 16.-A baby show will be one of the features of the Home Complete Exposition to be held here Feb. 1-4 under auspices of the Marion American Legion.

3. April 21, 1928 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, April 21, 1928

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Article Text

BANKERS GIVE BONDS Officials of Wild Institution Are Released From Jail. John F. Wild and three other officials of the defunct J. F. Wild & Co. bank were free today on $1,000 bonds set by Criminal Judge James A. Collins on indictments returned Friday for bank embezzlement. Bond of Wild, pesident of the bank before its closing last July 30 and subsequent receivership, was signed by the Union Trust Company. J. D. Eastman signed bond for Otto P. Kern, cashier, while Charles Remster signed for John Craig Fisher and William F. McNairy, vice presidents,

4. February 27, 1929 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, February 27, 1929

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Article Text

OPEN HEARING IN WILD BANK RECEIVER CASE Mismanagement Complaint Against R. L. Lowther Sifted. Hearing on making permanent appointment of Robert L. Adams as receiver for the J. F. Wild Realty Company was started today before Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell. Adams was made temporary receiver several days ago on complaint of Mrs. Frieda P. Harrington, Evanston, Ill., a preferred stockholder, that Richard L. Lowther, serving as receiver, under Marion probate court, for both the realty company and the J. F. Wild & Co. Bank, of which the realty company was a subsidiary, was handling the realty company affairs for benefit of the bank instead of for the realty company. Offer of W. H. Thompson, Lowther's attorney, to have Charles Martindale, attorney for Mrs. Harrington, named attorney for Lowther as receiver, or for the present three directors to resign in favor of three disinterested directors, was rejected by Martindale. Two witnesses were called this morning before court recessed until 2 p. m., Dwight Posten, Attica, Ind., and James M. Waugh, Crawfordsville, both stockholders. Waugh testified Lowther told him the realty company was indebted to the bank in the sum of $181,000, representing an advance made by the bank, and suggested that preferred stockholders permit all stock to be made common stock SO they might all have a voice in operation of the company. It was testified Lowther, as bank receiver, holds all present common stock in the realty company. The realty company was formed by the bank to finance construction and operation of the bank building, the bank contracting to pay all interest and other costs, and to retire the realty company's preferred stock.

5. March 1, 1929 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, March 1, 1929

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Article Text

WILD RECEIVER HEARING HELD Expect Ruling Soon From Judge Baltzell. Oral arguments in the complaint of Mrs. Frieda P. Harrington, Evanston, Ill., for removal of Richard L. Lowther as probate court receiver for the J. F. Wild Realty Company appointment of a permanent federal court receiver, today were heard by Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell. Robert L. Adams, attorney, was named temporary federal court receievr several days ago, and the arguments today on the question of making him permanent receiver. The complaint charged Lowther, who also is court receiver for the J. F. Wild & Co. Bank, was handling realty affairs for benefit of the bank to detriment of realty stockholders. Charles Martindale. for Mrs. asserted Lowther as for the realty company. could not consistently sue himself as bank receiver, in pushing the realty company's against the bank in connection with lease to the bank of the Wild Bank building. He also Held that the realty company directors have no legal status because no consideration was given for common stock shares issued in their Will H. Thompson, Lowther's attorney, argued that the federal court order Adams and empowering him to take possession realty company assets invaded jurisdiction the probate court. A ruling in the case is expected soon. Death Notices BROMSTRUP ARTHUR -Beloved evening. Funeral Burial cemetery. EWING. WILLIAM The Wednesday Feb Funeral Edinburg Age away Feb. March 978 Burial Park information may Funeral Geo. Mrs. Clarence Funeral at Burial please SANDERS, CHARLES FREDERICK late and Mrs Henry and Fred passed Gadd Friends invited. Friends call at parlor Friday Card of Thanks CARD OF THANKS- h to express sincere for the death our thank doctors funeral LEONARD MACE AND FAMILY CLINTON HOTEL-29 Ave.: clean warm 617-19 warm HOOSIER Mass., steam ARNOLDA new elec., gas, Marion AVE rms., $20; 520 poren $12. garage He. 2526 break gas, elec, inside bus. Ta. DRIER Brookside water; Riverside FRIDAY CO., Bldg. 8760

6. March 2, 1929 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, March 2, 1929

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Article Text

# WILD RECEIVER # HEARING HELD Expect Ruling Soon From Judge Baltzell. Oral arguments in the complaint of Mrs. Frieda P. Harrington, Evanston, Ill., for removal of Richard L. Lowther as probate court receiver for the J. F. Wild Realty Company and appointment of a permanent federal court receiver, Friday were heard by Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell. Robert L. Adams, attorney, was named temporary federal court receiver several days ago, and the arguments today were on the question of making him permanent receiver. The complaint charged Lowther, who also is probate court receiver for the J. F. Wild & Co. Bank, was handling realty company affairs for benefit of the bank to detriment of realty company stockholders. Charles Martindale, attorney for Mrs. Harrington, asserted Lowther as receiver for the realty company, could not consistently sue himself as bank receiver, in pushing the realty company's claims against the bank in connection with lease to the bank of the Wild Bank building. He also held that the realty company directors have no legal status because no consideration was given for common stock shares issued in their names. Will H. Thompson, Lowther's attorney, argued that the federal court order naming Adams and empowering him to take possession of realty company assets invaded jurisdiction of the probate court. A ruling in the case is expected soon.

7. March 2, 1929 The Indianapolis Times Indianapolis, IN
Article from The Indianapolis Times, March 2, 1929

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Article Text

WILD RECEIVER HEARING HELD Expect Ruling Soon From Judge Baltzell. Oral arguments in the complaint of Mrs. Frieda P. Harrington, Evanston. Ill. for removal of Richard L. Lowther as probate court receiver for the J. F. Wild Realty Company and appointment of permanent federal court receiver, Friday were heard by Federal Judge Robert Baltzell Robert L. Adams, attorney, was named temporary federal court receievr several days ago, and the arguments today were on the question of making him permanent receiver. The complaint charged Lowther, who also probate court receiver for the J. F. Wild & Co. Bank, was handling realty company affairs for benefit of the bank to detriment of realty company stockholders Charles Martindale attorney for Mrs. Harrington, asserted Lowther as receiver for the realty company. could not consistently sue himself as bank receiver, in pushing the realty company's claims against the bank in connection with lease to the bank of the Wild Bank buildHe also held that the realty company directors have no legal status because no consideration was given for common stock shares issued in their names. Will H. Thompson, Lowther's attorney, argued that the federal court order naming Adams and empowering him to take possession of realty company assets invaded jurisdiction of the probate court. A ruling in the case is expected soon.