5913. Ritzinger's bank (Indianapolis, IN)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
private
Start Date
July 15, 1884
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana (39.768, -86.158)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
5ae2c112

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals

Description

Fletcher & Sharpe suspended on ~1884-07-15, which triggered runs on several Indianapolis banks including Ritzinger's. Ritzinger's met demands, paid out small deposits, and the runs had ceased by noon; no suspension or closure of Ritzinger's is reported.

Events (1)

1. July 15, 1884 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run was triggered by the suspension/failure of the nearby banking house Fletcher & Sharpe, which created excitement and withdrawals at other local banks including Ritzinger's.
Measures
Paid out deposits to customers; demands generally small; continued to meet demands and received more deposits than paid out (per reports).
Newspaper Excerpt
There was a large crowd at the counters of Ritzinger's bank during the day demanding and receiving money.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)

Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, July 16, 1884

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Article Text

OUR NEXT.] "FAILURE TO REALIZE." An Indianapolis Bank Compelled to Close Its Doors-Effect of the Failure. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., July 15.-The Banking house of Fletcher & Sharpe did not open theirs doors this morning. The following WES posted on the door: "To OUR DEPOBITORS:-Owing to inability to realize on securities, we regret to say, we ara compelled to suspend payments. Our property is ample to pay all depositors as BOON as it can be converted. FLETCHER & SHARPE." (Signed) A great deal of excitement was created by the announcement, and in a short time large crowd of depositors gathered on the side walks around the bank building. Admission to the bank was refused the depositors and reporters alike, and all kinda of absurd reports were current. The bank is the oldest financial institutionin the city, and the firm consists of Ingram Fletcher, Thos. Sharpe. Stoughton A. Fletcher, Jr., and Albert E. Fletcher. The last statement of the bank for the six months ending November 30, 1883, showed a capital of $200 000 with monthly average deposits of $1,700,500. During the forenoon, Measrs. Harrison, Milier and Elam, lawyere, appeared before Judge Taylor, and on the petition of F. .H. Fletcher, Jr., made an application for the appointment of a receiver for Fletcher & Sharpe. The court entertained the motion and appointed William Wallace and fixed his bond at $500,000. Wallace filed his bond and took poesession of the bank this afternoon. He is unable as yet to furnish a statement of the liabilities and assets, but he stated to an Associated Press reporter that a very cursory examination showed liabilities to be $1,800,000. with agests of $2,200,000. It will be several days before a detailed statement can be had. The individual wealth of the owners is estimated at $1,000,000, and it is stated they will make a personal assignment. There are many surmises as to the cause of the failure, Among others it is stated that during the panic of 1873 the firm was compelled to take possession of a large amount of real estate which it held as security and which since has shrunk in value. It is also said the firm made large advances to grain and provision dealers. The Indiana National Bank will protect checks drawn by the Farmers and Mercbants' Bank of Winchester, Indiana, on Fletcher & Sharp. It will also protect the drafts drawn by the First National Bank of Lebanon, Indiana, on Fletcher & Sharp, The effect of the suspension WAS the cause of a run on two or three other banks. The run, however, did not assume the nature of a panic. There was a large crowd at the counters of Ritzinger's bank during the day demanding and receiving money. The depositors of this bank are largely of the working classes, and the amounts paid were generally small. There WAB also a considerable run on Fletcher & Churchman, but all demands were promptly met. Both Ritzinger and Fletcher & Churchman received more money on deposit than was paid out. Ingram Fletcher, of the sus pended firm is seriously ill, and the other partners decline to talk. While there is is some anxiety as to the outcome the general feeling in financial circles is less panicky than during the bank suspensions last August.


Article from The Emporia Weekly News, July 17, 1884

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Article Text

345 Superior Street, Cleveland, Ohio. Closed Its Doors, INDIANOPOLIS, Ind., July 15.-The banking house of Fletcher & Sharpe, the oldest financial institution of the city, did not open its doors this morning but notice was posted on the door stating that the suspension was the of result to inabilty realize on securities, adding that the property when conveyed would be ampie to pay all depositors. Wm. Wallace was appointed assignee. The firm is composed of Ingram Fletcher, Thomas H. Sharpe and Albert E. Fletcher. The suspension caused a good deal of excitementeand runs are progressing on other banks, none of which are specially serious except that on Ritzinger's bank,an institution which has a large number of small depositors.


Article from The Rock Island Argus, July 17, 1884

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Article Text

An Indianapolis Failure. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 17.-The financiai situation is much improved. The runs on Ritzinger's bank and Fletcher & Churchman's bank continued in the morning, but the number of people demanding their money was smaller, and the runs had entirely ceased by noon. It was feared that the country banks might become alarmed and draw the balances held by the banks in the city, but all fears of danger from this source are now allayed. Letters have been received from the officers of several of the country banks having balances here, expressing the utmost confidence in the security of thescity banks, and stating that they will draw as lightly as possible on their balances. While the feeling is still very nervous, confidence is steadily growing, and from the present outlook there is nothing to warrant apprehensions of any further trouble with the city banks.


Article from Burlington Weekly Free Press, July 18, 1884

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Article Text

The Financial Situation at IndianapoHs. INDIANAPOLIS, July 16. --- The financial sitnation here is much improved. Runs on Ritzinger's and Fletcher & Churchman's banks continued this morning, but at noon had entirely ceased. It was feared the country banks might become alarmed and draw their balances in the banks here, but all fear of danger from that source has been allayed. While the feeling is still very nervous, confidence is steadily growing and from the present outl ook there is nothing to warrant apprehensions of auy further trouble withe the city banks.