6603. Two States Bank (Stephensport, KY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
March 13, 1911
Location
Stephensport, Kentucky (37.913, -86.527)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
8743e12d2be28a2e

Response Measures

None

Description

The Two States Bank at Stephensport, KY was suspended in March 1911 by order of the Kentucky Secretary of State after the cashier John S. Adair disappeared and investigations revealed large shortages/embezzlement (~$80,000). There is no mention of a depositor run; the bank was later placed in the hands of an assignee (Bank of Hardinsburg & Trust Company) and property was advertised for sale in mid-1912, indicating permanent closure and winding up. Dates are taken from the newspaper items (suspension reported Mar 13-15, 1911; assignee notices Jul–Aug 1912).

Events (3)

1. March 13, 1911 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Suspended by order of Kentucky Secretary of State Bruner after discovery that cashier John S. Adair disappeared and the bank was looted/embezzled of over $80,000.
Newspaper Excerpt
Following the suspension of the Two States bank here Cashier John Adair has disappeared. An investigation of the condition of the institution shows the bank has been looted of more than $80,000.
Source
newspapers
2. July 24, 1912 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Said property is sold for the purpose of winding up and settling the affairs of the said Two States Bank. THE BANK OF HARDINSBURG & TRUST COMPANY, ASSIGNEE OF THE TWO STATES BANK.
Source
newspapers
3. August 17, 1912 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
will ... expose and sell to the highest and best bidder ... property formerly occupied by the Two States Bank ... for the purpose of winding up and settling the affairs of the said Two States Bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (10)

Article from The Daytona Daily News, March 13, 1911

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Article Text

BANK CASHIER DISAPPEARS; MORE THAN $80,000 IS GONE. KENTUCKY BANK COMPELLED TO SUSPEND AND INVESTIGATION REVEALS A VERY LARGE SHORTAGE. STEPHENSPORT, Ky., March 13 Following the suspension of the Two States bank here Cashier John Adair has disappeared. An investigation of the condition of the institution shows the bank has been looted of more than $80. will


Article from Perth Amboy Evening News, March 14, 1911

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Article Text

BANK LOOTED BY CASHIER. John 8. Adair Disappears With Over $80,000 In Deposits. Frankfort, Ky., March 14.-Follow ing the suspension of the Two State bank at Stephensport, Ky., on the or der of Secretary of State Bruner. Cash ter John S. Adair has disappeared. An Investigation of the bank's books according to Orlando Smith, the chie stockholder, shows that the bank hac been looted of over $80,000.


Article from The Hartford Herald, March 15, 1911

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Article Text

Had Charge of Suspended Stephensport Bank. MOST GLARING CASE OF LOOT Bank's Attorney Found the Holdings of Fleeing Cashier a Myth. DEPOSITORS VERY HARD HIT Stephensport, Ky., March 11.Developments here since the closing of the Two States bank on Tuesday of this week and the departure or disappearance of Cashier John S. Adair show that the bank was completely looted before it was closed. There was practically nothing left in it, and even the young lady, Miss Payne, who was assistant cashier, as well as her mother, had all their savings in the bank, and the probability is that they will lose it all. One of the surprising things is that she did not know of the bank being impoverished, though she was in charge of the bank often alone while Adair was absent on other enterprises, or away at Hawesville or Owensboro, to both of which places he often went. This fact is also deeply humiliating to Miss Payne. Orlando Smith, who was the heaviest stockholder in the bank after Cashier Adair, is frank in saying that the bank is ruined and also gives out the fact that several of the stockholders are utterly insolvent and good for no amount, much less for the double liability. The probability is now that the $27,000 at first given out as the amount of indebtedness contracted by Adair through others, but practically all of which is supposed to have gone to his purpose,may be trebled when all revelations are made. It is now known here that the directors were averse to Adair spending so much of his time away from Stephensport, and protested more than once, but Adair always explained things so well that no action was ever taken. Attorney John P. Haswell. who has been employed by the directors to look after the interests of the bank, and Mr. Smith were at Hawesville this morning for the purpose of seeing what they could get there belonging to Adair, and though they found there the places in which he maintained a winter and a summer home, they found no property of his, nor any information as to his whereabouts. He and his wife left Hawes: 'ville for OWensboro on the night before the closing of the bank was announced. One rumor has it that they are in Mississippi, where a daughter of Mrs. Adair resides.


Article from The Free Lance, March 16, 1911

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Article Text

CASHIER DISAPPEARS Kentucky Bank Is Looted of Over $80,000. Frankfort, Ky., March 14.-Following the suspension of the Two States bank, at Stephensport, Ky., on order of Secretary of State Bruner, Cashier John S. Adair has disappeared. An investigation of the bank's books, according to Orlando Smith, the chief stockholder, shows that the bank has been looted of over $80,000.


Article from The Mathews Journal, March 23, 1911

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Article Text

BANK SUSPENDS CASHIER FLIES Following Suspension at Stephens port, Ky., Cashier Adair Disappears. FRANKFORT, KY.-Special.Following the suspension of the Two States Bank at Stephensport, Ky., on order of Secretary of State Bruner. Cashier John S. Adair has disappeared. An investigation of the bank's books, according to Orlando Smith, the chief stockholder, bank has been loot


Article from The Breckenridge News, April 12, 1911

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Article Text

An Erroneous Publication Hardinsburg, Ky., April 5, 1911; The Breckenridge News, Cloverport. Ky. Dear sir:-The Louisville Evening Post printed an article in its issue of the 4th sent from Hawesville, saying that the Bank of Hardinsburg & Trust Company was one of the creditors of the Postal Store Company of that place which recently made an assignment. This is an error, and probably arose from the fact that The Bank of Hardinsburg & Trust Company is in charge of the assigned Two States Bank at Stephensport, and the Two States Bank is a creditor of the Postal Store Company. We never had a transaction of any nature with the Postal Store Company, and never heard of it till we took charge of The Two States Bank. I wi thank you to print this correction, ver respectfully, M. H. Beard, Cashier,


Article from The Breckenridge News, July 24, 1912

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Article Text

NOTICE! The undersigned, Assignee of the Two States Bank of Stephensport, Kentucky, under order of court, will, on Saturday the 17th day of August, 1912, at one o'clock P. M., on said day. expose and sell to the highest and best bidder, at public outcry, in front of the building, formerly occupied by the Two States Bank, at Stephensport, Kentucky, the following described property, to-wit: A certain lot or parcel of land on the West side of First Street in Stephensport, Kentucky, and beginning at the southeast corner of the Mrs R A. Shellman's lot on First Street; thence with the South line of Mrs R. A. Smith's lot in a westerly direction 1071/2 feet to Mrs E. A. Blaine; thence in a Southerly direction with said line 25 feet to R. A. Shellman's Northwest corner; thence with Shellman's North line in an Easterly direction 107 feet to First Street; thence in a Northerly direction with the West line of First Street 25 feet to the beginning, being parts of lots Nos 108 and 109 as designated in the plat or plan of said town. In addition to the above lot, on which is loca ed the banking house formerly used by said assigned bank, there will be sold a Mosler Safe, time lock, furniture and fixtures, which were used in the conduct of said banking business. Said property will be first sold separately, that is the real estate and personal property will be sold separately, and then as a whole and in which manner the larger sum is realized, the sale will be made. The purchaser, or purchasers, will be required to execute bond for the purchase price or prices, with approved security, due and payable in six months from the date of sale, bearing interest from date till paid at the rale of S X per cent. per annum. BUT THE PRIVILEGE OF PAYING CASH WILL BE ACCORDED THE PUR CHASER OR PURCHASERS. Said property is sold for the purpose of winding up and settling the affairs of the said Two States Bank. THE BANK OF HARDINSBURG & TRUST COMPANY, ASSIGNEE OF THE TWO STATES BANK.


Article from The Breckenridge News, July 31, 1912

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Article Text

NOTICE! The undersigned, Assignee of the Two States Bank of Stephensport, Kentucky, under order of court, will, on Saturday the 17th day of August, 1912, at one o'clock P. M., on said day. expose and sell to the highest and best bidder, at public outcry, in front of the building, formerly occupied by the Two States Bank, at Stephensport, Kentucky, the following described property, to-wit: A certain lot or parcel of land on the West side of First Street in Stephensport, Kentucky, and beginning at the southeast corner of the Mrs R A. Shellman's lot on First Street; thence with the South line of Mrs R. A. Smith's lot in a westerly direction 1071/2 feet to Mrs. E. A. Biaine; thence in a Southerly direction with said line 25 feet to R. A. Shellman's Northwest corner; thence with Shellman's North line in an Easterly direction 107½ feet to First Street; thence in a Nortnerly direction with the West line of First Street 25 feet to the beginning, being parts of lots Nos. 108 and 109 as designated in the plat or plan of said town. In addition to the above lot, on which is loca ed the banking house formerly used by said assigned bank, there will be sold a Mosler Safe, time lock, furniture and fixtures, which were used in the conduct of said banking business. Said property will be first sold separately, that is the real estate and personal property will be sold separately, and then as a whole and in which manner the larger sum is realized, the sale will be made. The purchaser, or purchasers, will be required to execute bond for the purchase price or prices, with approved security, due and payable in six months from the date of sale, bearing interest from date till paid at the rate of SIX per cent. per annum. BUT THE PRIVILEGE OF PAYING CASH WILL BE ACCORDED THE PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS. Said property is sold for the purpose of winding up and settling the affairs of the said Two States Bank. THE BANK OF HARDINSBURG & TRUST COMPANY, ASSIGNEE OF THE TWO STATES BANK.


Article from The Breckenridge News, August 7, 1912

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Article Text

NOTICE! The undersigned, Assignee of the Two States Bank of Stephensport, Kentucky, under order of court, will, on Saturday the 17th day of August, 1912, at one o'clock P. M., on said day. expose and sell to the highest and best bidder, at public outcry, in front of the building, formerly occupied by the Two States Bank, at Stephensport, Kentucky, the following described property, to-wit: A certain lot or parcel of land on the West side of First Street in Stephensport, Kentucky, and beginning at the southeast corner of the Mrs R A. Shellman's lot on First Street; thence with the South line of Mrs R. A Smith's lot in a westerly direction 1071/2 feet to Mrs. E. A. Blaine; thence in a Southerly direction with said line 25 feet to R. A. Shellman's Northwest corner; thence with Shellman's North line in an Easterly direction 107 1/2 feet to First Street; thence in a Northerly direction with the West line of First Street 25 feet to the beginning, being parts of lots Nos 108 and 109 as designated in the plat or plan of said town. In addition to the above lot, on which is loca ed the banking house formerly used by said assigned bank, there will be sold a Mosler Safe, time lock, furniture and fixtures, which were used in the conduct of said banking business. Said property will be first sold separately, that is the real estate and personal property will be sold separately, and then as a whole and in which manner the larger sum is realized, the sale will be made. The purchaser, or purchasers, will be required to execute bond for the purchase price or prices, with approved security, due and payable in six months from the date of sale, bearing interest from date till paid at the rate of SX per cent. per annum. BUT THE PRIVILEGE OF PAYING CASH WILL BE ACCORDED THE PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS. Said property is sold for the purpose of winding up and settling the affairs of the said Two States Bank. THE BANK OF HARDINSBURG & TRUST COMPANY. ASSIGNEE OF THE TWO STATES BANK.


Article from The Breckenridge News, August 14, 1912

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Article Text

NOTICE! The undersigned, Assignee of the Two States Bank of Stephensport, Kentucky, under order of court, will, on Saturday the 17th day of August, 1912, at one o'clock P. M., on said day. expose and sell to the highest and best bidder, at public outcry, in front of the building, formerly occupied by the Two States Bank, at Stephensport, Kentucky, the following described property, to-wit: A certain lot or parcel of land on the West side of First Street in Stephensport, Kentucky, and beginning at the southeast corner of the Mrs R A. Shellman's lot on First Street; thence with the South line of Mrs R. A. Smith's lot in a westerly direction 107½ feet to Mrs E. A. Blaine; thence in a Southerly direction with said line 25 feet to R. A. Shellman's Northwest corner; thence with Shellman's North line in an Easterly direction 107 ½ feet to First Street; thence in a Northerly direction with the West line of First Street 25 feet to the beginning, being parts of lots Nos. 108 and 109 as designated in the plat or plan of said town. In addition to the above lot, on which is loca ed the banking house formerly used by said assigned bank, there will be sold a Mosler Safe, time lock, furniture and fixtures, which were used in the conduct of said banking business. Said property will be first sold separately, that is the real estate and personal property will be sold separately, and then as a whole and in which manner the larger sum is realized, the sale will be made. The purchaser, or purchasers, will be required to execute bond for the purchase price or prices, with approved security, due and payable in six months from the date of sale, bearing interest from date till paid at the rate of six per cent. per annum. BUT THE PRIVILEGE OF PAYING CASH WILL BE ACCORDED THE PURCHASER OR PURCHASERS. Said property is sold for the purpose of winding up and settling the affairs of the said Two States Bank. THE BANK OF HARDINSBURG & TRUST COMPANY, ASSIGNEE OF THE TWO STATES BANK.