American State Bank - Hill City, KS

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: state
Start Date: August 13, 1906
Location: Hill City, Kansas (39.365, -99.842)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: e847e313

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health

Description

Newspaper reports a heavy depositor run over Monday and Tuesday driven by rumors that the bank was failing. The bank paid every check and remained open; cash reserves displayed to reassure depositors. No suspension or closure mentioned.

Events (1)

1. August 13, 1906 Run

Cause: Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details: Widespread whispered rumors that 'the bank was failing' circulated among depositors; some individuals allegedly fanned the flames.
Measures: Paid every check presented; displayed vault reserves (paper money, sacks of gold and silver) to reassure depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt: Monday and Tuesday depositors went in and drew out their money. Nine out of ten could give no particular reason for doing so except 'they heard the bank was failing.' ... every check presented was promptly paid
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. August 18, 1906 Western Kansas World Wakeeney, KS

Article from Western Kansas World, August 18, 1906

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Article Text

A Bank Run. The American State Bank, of Hill City, sustained one of the heaviest runs ever known in this part of the country. Monday and Tuesday depositors went in and drew out their money. Nine out of ten could give no particular reason for doing so except`they "heard the bank was failing." This was whispered around from one to another: causing many to act hastily, without knówing the true state of affairs. No doubt the uneasiness was intensified by some who wanted to see the bank in an embarrasing position, and who were glad to fan the flames and throw on fuel. Monday and Tuesday people called for their money-and they got it, every cent of it, every check presented was promptly paid, and when business opened Wednesday morning, many wandering depositors were shown into the bank vault where they could see with their own eyes the packages of paper money and the sacks of gold and silver representing twentv-five or thirty thousand dollars, thanks to the cash reserve the bank is able to command. Every customer was cheerfully accommodated, with plenty to spare and the New Era is glad to note that the bank met this extraordinary demand upon its resources with the greatest of lease, demonstrating that this young financial institution is strong enough and big enough and willing enough to protect any and every interest entrusted to its care.-Hill City New Era.