Peoples Savings Trust Company (St Louis, MO)

Episode Information

Episode UID
7035825591339
Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust
Bank ID
703582559 hash
Start Date
July 20, 1911
Location
St Louis, Missouri (38.627, -90.198)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
3e37fa362add1a9a

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles show the bank was included among Lewis enterprises placed in a federal receivership, but sources do not explicitly state whether the bank suspended payments or was separately closed.

Events (1)
1. July 20, 1911 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The petition of 233 creditors for a blanket receivership of all the property, companies and enterprises of E. G. Lewis was granted ... The St. Louis Union Trust company is the receiver.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (11)
1. April 14, 1911 The Marshall Republican Marshall, MO
Article from The Marshall Republican, April 14, 1911

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Article Text

E. G. Lewis Assigns E. G. Lewis and his board of directors assigned their interests in their various enterprises in St. Louis this week and they will be continued by three trustees. The American Woman's League has many members in Saline who will be interested and sorry to hear of the assignment. Mr. Lewis also conducted the Woman's National Daily, St. Louis Daily Star, Peoples Savings Trust Co., and other enterprises valued at six and a half million dollars. Most of the enterprises may be abandoned but the League will no doubt continue as it is in a prosperous condition. Mr. Lewis will no doubt be able to pay all liabilities and have some money left. His failure, he says, is due to the opposition of some St. Louis dailies.

2. June 13, 1911 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS
Article from The Topeka State Journal, June 13, 1911

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RECEIVER IS ASKED Suit Filed by the Creditors of E. G. Lewis. Properties Involved Valued at Over $2,000,000. St. Louis, June 13.-A receiver for all of the properties of E. G. Lewis at University City, Mo., an injunction restraining the representatives of the syndicate of magazine publishers from exercising authority under the recent agreement taking over the properties, and a foreclosure on all improved property of the University Heights Realty and Development company, are sought by two suits filed today in the United States circuit court. The properties are valued, it is said, at between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. The suit for a receiver was filed by 23 creditors. It is directed against E. G. Lewis, the Lewis Publishing company, the University Heights Realty and Development company, Peoples' Savings Trust company, United States Fibre Stopper company, University City Art Museum society, St. Louis County Land Title company and the representatives of the syndicate which took over the Lewis properties. The suit seeking to foreclose on the improved property was filed by seven plaintiffs. It makes as defendants the University Heights Realty and Development company, Peoples' Savings and Trust company, Metropolitan Life Insurance company and Nathan Frank, trustee. Charges are made against Lewis and his companies by the, creditors. In their petition it is represented that all of the Lewis corporations are insolvent and that their aggregate indebtedness amounts to more than $5,000,000. The allegation is made that Lewis and his wife have left St. Louis and that Lewis is now engaged in the work of inducing women to become members of the American Women's league. It is charged that ruin, destruction and death have followed in the wake of Lewis's enterprises due to misrepresentations made to investors in his corporations and securities. It is also charged that the reorganization plan of the syndicate of publishers is a scheme further to deprive the creditors of the corporations of their money. The reorganization plan was adopted recently and under an agreement was to continue for five years. A committee representing '108 magazines took charge of Lewis's proper ties as trustees to handle them for five years. At the end of five years the Lewis properties were to be returned to him free of debt, it was stated. The plan was. adopted to save throwing the valuable properties on the market at a forced sale. Federal Judge Dyer said today that he would pass upon the petitions tomorrow.

3. June 14, 1911 Omaha Daily Bee Omaha, NE
Article from Omaha Daily Bee, June 14, 1911

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Article Text

Receiver for St. Louis Publishing Concern Twenty-Three Creditors of Lewis'and the Leads Company Bring Suit. ST, LOUIS, June 13.-A receiver for all of the properties of E. G. Lewis at University City, Mo., an injunction restraining the representatives of the syndicate of magazine publishers from exercising authority under the recent agreement taking over the properties and a foreclosure on all improved property of the University Heights Realty and Development company are sought by two suits filed today in the United States circuit court. The properties are valued it is said, $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 The suit for a receiver was filed by twenty-three creditors. It is directed against E. G. Lewis, the Leads Publishing company, the University Heights Realty and Development company, the People's Savings Trust company, United States Fiber Stopper company, University City Art Museum society, St. Louis County Land Title company and the representatives of the syndicate which took over the Leads properties.

4. June 14, 1911 The Guthrie Daily Leader Guthrie, OK
Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, June 14, 1911

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Article Text

PUBLISHER'S CREDITORS NUMBER 23 And They Allege in Petition That He Owes Something Like Five Millions St. Louis, June 14-A receiver for all the properties of E. G. Lewis, at University City, Mo., an injunction restraining the representatives of the syndicate of magazine publishers from exercising authority under the recent agreement taking over the properties. and a foreclosure on all improved property of the University Heights Realty and Development company, are sought in two suits filed In the United States circuit court. The properties are valued. it is said, between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. The suit for a receiver was filed by 28 creditors. It is directed against E. G. Lewis, the Lewis Publishing company. the University Heights Realty and Development company. People's Savings Trust company, United States Fibre Stopper company, University City Art Museum society, St. Louis County Land The company. and the representatives of the syndicate which took over the Lewis properties. Charges are made against Lewis and his companies by the creditors in their petitions. It is represented that all of the Lewis corporations are issolvent and that their aggregate indebtedness amounts to more than $5, 000,000. The allegation is made that Lewis and his wife have left St. Louis and that Lewis is now engaged in the work of inducing women to become members of the Américan Women's league, It is charged that ruin, destruction and death have followed in the wake of Lewis enterprises, due to misrenresentations made to investors in his corporations and se. curities. It is also charged that the re-organization plan of the syndicate of rublishers is a scheme further to deprive the creditors of the corporations of their money. The re-organiZIP non plan was adopted recently and under an agreement was to continue for five years. A committee representing 108 magazine publishers took charge of Lewis' properties as trustees to handle them for the five years. At the end of five years the Lewis properties were to be returned to him free of debt. it was stated The

5. June 14, 1911 The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Tribune, June 14, 1911

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Article Text

LEWIS DEFENDANT IN A NEW ACTI Creditors of St. Louis Public Bring Suit in the United States Court. ST. LOUIS, June 13.-A record all of the properties of E. G. Lem University City, Mo., an injunction straining the representatives of a cate of magazine publishers from ercising authority under the agreement taking over the propert and a foreclosure on all improved erty of the University Heights and Development company, are by two suits filed today in the U States circuit court. The propertie valued, it is said, between $2,000 and $3,000,000. The suit for a receiver was filed twenty-three creditors. It is dir against E. G. Lewis, the Lowis lishing company the Unive Heights Realty and Development pany, People's Savings Trust pany, United States Fiber Stc company. University City Art Mt society. St. Louis County Land company and the representatives of syndicate which took over the L properties. The suit seeking to foreclose proved property was filed by plaintiffs. It makes as defendante University Heights Realty and De opment company. People's Savings Trust company, the Metropolitan Insurance company and Nathan En trustee. Charges are made against Lewis his companies by the creditors in petitions. It is represented that the Lewis corporations are insolv and that their aggregate indebted amounts to more than $5,000,000 The allegation is made that and his wife have left St. Louis that Lewis is now engaged in the of inducing women to become me of the American Women's league is charged that ruin, destruction death have followed the wake of Le enterprise, due to misrepresenta made to investors in his corporati and securities. It is also charged that the reorger tion plan of the syndicate of publ is a scheme further to deprive the Itors of the corporations of their The reorganization plan was adopted cently and under an agreement was continue for five years. A come representing 108 magazine publi took charge of Lewis' properties as tees to handle them for the live At the end of five years the Lewis ertles were to be returned to bim of debt, it was stated. The plan adopted to save throwing the valua properties on the market at 3 y sale. Federal Judge Dyer said today that would pass upon petitions tomorrow

6. June 23, 1911 Kingsbury County Independent Desmet, SD
Article from Kingsbury County Independent, June 23, 1911

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Article Text

RECEIVER IS ASKED FOR LEWIS INTERESTS St. Louis Publisher and Allied Concerns Are Taken Into Federal Court. St. Louis, Mo., June 15.-A receiver for all the properties of E. G. Lewis at University City, Mo., an injunction restraining the representatives of the syndicate of magazine publishers from exercising authority under the recent agreement taking over the properties and a foreclosure on all improved property of the University Heights Realty and Development company are sought by two suits filed today in the United Tates circuit court. The properties are valued, it is said, between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000. The suit for a receiver was filed by 33 creditors. It is directed against E. G. Lewis, the Lewis Publishing company, the University Heights Realty & Development company, Peoples Savings Trust company, United States Fiber Stopper company, University City Art Museum society, St. Louis County Land Title company and the representatives of the syndicate, which took over the Lewis properties.

7. June 23, 1911 The Caldwell Tribune Caldwell, ID
Article from The Caldwell Tribune, June 23, 1911

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LEWIS IS BROKE FOR SURE NOW E. G. LEWIS, ORGANIZER OF THE AMERICAN WOMAN'S LEAGUE IS DEAD BROKE: Sensational Suit Filed Yesterday at St. Louis, Alleges that Lewis Fraudulently Secured $600,000 From Gullible Investors in University City Schemes. Following the filing of two receivership suits Saturday in the District Federal Court at St. Louis, against the corporations directed by E. G. Lewis, the president of the American Woman's League at University City, Mo., it was announced that night that a special session of the Federal grand jury had been called for July 7. One suit is a general creditor's bill against all the Lewis corporations asking for a receiver to wind up the affairs of the company. The other is a forclosure action against the University Heights Realty and Development Co., the People's Savings Trust Company, the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and Nathan Frank, as trustee. The petitions were written by Attorney Claud D. Hall, of St. Louis, and H. S. King, of Pawhuska, Okla. It is charged in the suits that Lewis and his associates advertised $600,000 of 6 per cent real estate notes to be secured by a first lien on real estate, when, as a matter of fact, there already existed a first deed of trust against the property for $400,000. It also charged that lots to the value of $200,000 were released without the knowledge or consent of the mortgage holders. It is alleged that these have been transferred to the University Heights Realty & Development Co. It IS charged that Lewis resorted to the endless chain method in all his business transactions and that all his concerns are insolvent. It is alleged that Lewis paid all his corporation debts in paper or certifictaes of indebtedness in new corporations. It is charged that the indebtedness is more than $5,000,000. It is further declared that Lewis" personal expenses as representative of the American Woman's League averaged $6000 a week. The league was entablished about three years ago. The foreclosure suits were filed by D.S. Mesereau, of New York; R. L. Wood, of Pennsylvania; Minnie Owen, of New York; Robena and John C. Morrison, of Michigan; Charles A. McFarland, of Iowa, and Sarah E. Mott, of Pennsylvania. There are 223 petitioners in the general creditor's suit, headed by Mrs. Wilbur R. Force, of New York. McFarland says he invested $4000, and his wife, a member of the league, $500 she made raising chickens on the farm. The American Woman's League has ramifications from Maine to California, and from points in Canada to Florida. The majority of the members are persons of moderate means, and many have invested their savings in the Lewis projects. St Louis business men forecast the dis integration of the league and Lewis chapter house scheme, which has strong representation on the Pacifi coast. Lewis' Career Noteworthy. Lewis has had a life of ups an downs, summarized as follows: 1870-Born in Winstead, Conn the son of a clergyman. 1887-Appointed American agen for Amsterdam diamond house an placed in charge of five salesmen. 1888 Graduated from Trinit College. New York. 1889-Traveled for Waterbur Watch Company. 1892-Married Mabel Wellingto in Baltimore. 1893-Wife's illness compels hi to give up traveling; moves to Nasl ville, Tenn., and goes into pater medicine business. 1894-Moves to St. Louis and e: ters employ of Moffit-West Drug C !899-Loses a fortune in pater medicine investment. 1900-Buys Winner Magazine f a small sum. 1901- Changes name of public university. tion to Woman's Magazine and pla

8. July 20, 1911 Omaha Daily Bee Omaha, NE
Article from Omaha Daily Bee, July 20, 1911

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Judge McPherson Asks E. G. Lewis Many Questions Federal Judge Wants to Know Where Promoter Got the Money and What He Did with It. ST. LOUIS, July 19.-Judge Smith McPherson of Red Oak, Ia., sitting with Judge Dyer, in the United States circuit court today, in the hearing of the Lewis receivership cases, made a painstaking effort by a series of questions to find out where E. G. Lewis got the money he used in promoting his numerous enterprises and what he had done with it. He fired his categorical inquiries at Attorney Eugene Angert, who was in court as representative of the re-organization syndicate opposing a blanket receivership for all the Lewis companies. Angert confessed that the tangles of Lewis' affairs had been too great a problem for him to solve in the few months he had devoted to the case thus far. Angert said the People's Savings Trust company now was unable to pay in cash a certificate deposit for $80,000 held by the University Heights Realty and Development company. He insisted, however, that the trust company was solvent.

9. July 21, 1911 The Cairo Bulletin Cairo, IL
Article from The Cairo Bulletin, July 21, 1911

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RECEIVERSHIP FOR LEWIS CONCERNS FEDERAL JUDGES GRANT PETITIONS OF 233 CREDITORS OF FIVE CONCERNS. MANY FRAUD CHARGES Lewis' Attorneys Tried to Force Separate Consideration of Claim of Each Creditor but Were Overruled. St. Louis, July 20.-The petition of 233 creditors for a blanket receivership of all property, com. panies and enterprises of E. G. Lewis was granted in the United States circuit court today by Judges Dyer and McPherson. The court's decision will take the property out of the reorganization syndicate which has been in charge of it for nearly three months. The Union Trust Co., is the receiver. Judge McPherson compares the Lewis scheme to the Mississippi bubble about their get-rich-quick episodes and declares that if a fraction of the allegations were true the Lewis affair constituted one of the most gigantic frauds of the country. The receivership was filed June 13.. It was alleged that the reorganisation scheme was a plan in Lewis' behalf to deprive the creditors of their just share. At the same time with the receivership suit a oreclosure suit was filed against the University Heights Realty and Development. People's Saving Trust Co., Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., and Nathan Frank, trustee. Judge Dyer, in June, appointed the St. Louis Union Trust Co. receiver for one tract of land owned by University Heights Realty and Development Co. The company has since reported that they found the books relating to the property in a jumble with many cross entries and a tangle of debts which other Lewis corporations, particularly the Lewis Publishing Co. and the People's Saving Trust Co. Walter B. Coles, referee in bankruptcy, was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the assets of the concern. The Lewis corporations are capitalized in excess of $5,000,000. The largest of the concerns affected by the receivership orders are the University Heights Realty and Development Co., capitalized at $1,000,000; the Lewis Publishing Co. $1,200,000; the United States Fiber Stopper Co., $1,000,000; the People's Savings Trust Co., $400,000: and The People's Land and Investment Co., $100,000. Whether the American Woman's League and organization, with branches throughout the United States and with a membership which Lewis declares to number 70,000 will be included in the receivership was disagreed by the attorney.

10. July 21, 1911 Omaha Daily Bee Omaha, NE
Article from Omaha Daily Bee, July 21, 1911

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WILL WIND UP LEWIS' AFFAIRS / Receivership for All Promoter's Property and Companies. BURSTS BUBBLE FINANCIAL Control of Assets Taken from Rearganization Syndicate and Turned Over to the Union Trust Company. ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 20.-The petition of 233 creditors for a blanket receivership of all the property, companies and enterprises of E. G. Lewis was granted in the United States circuit court today by Judges Dyer and McPherson. The court's decision will take the property out of the hands of the reorganization syndicate which has been in charge of it for nearly three months. The St. Louis Union Trust company is the receiver. In his opinion, Judge McPherson compared the Lewis schemes to the Mississippi Bubble and other historic get-rich-quick episodes and declared that if a fraction of the allegations made in the receivership petition were true the Lewis affair constituted one of the most gigantic frauds of the century. The receivership suit was filed June 13. It was alleged that the reorganization plan was a scheme in Lewis' behalf to deprive the creditors further of their just claims. At the same time with the receivership suit and by the same lawyers a foreclosure suit was filed against the University Heights Realty and Development company, the People's Savings Trust company, the Metropolitan Life Insurance company and Nathan Frank, a trustee. Books in Jumble. Judge Dyer early in June appointed the St. Louis Union Trust company receiver for one tract of land owned by the University Heights Realty and Development company. The company has since reported that it found the books relating to the property in a jumble with many cross entries and with a tangle of debits with other Lewis corporations, particularly the Lewis Publishing company and the Peoples Savinga Trust company. Walter D. Cales, referee in bankruptcy, was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the assets of the concerns. The Lewis corporations are capitalized in excess of $5,000,000. The largest of the concerns affected by the receivership order are the University Heights Realty and Development company, capitalized at $1,080,000; the Lewis PublishI company, $1,200,000; the United States Uber Stopper company. $1,000,000; the Peopies Savings Trust company, $400,000. and the Development and Investment company, $100,000. Whether the American Women's league, an organization with branches throughout the United States and with a membership which Lewis declares to number 70,000. will be included in the receivership, attorneys were disagreed. During the receivership hearing the counsel for the reorganization syndicate declared that the University Heights syndicate had land worth $2,000,000, but that the creditors would lose heavily if the land were placed on the market at this time. The court upheld the right of the creditors to lump their claims.

11. January 2, 1913 The Oskaloosa Herald Oskaloosa, IA
Article from The Oskaloosa Herald, January 2, 1913

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# ATTEMPTED SUICIDE Charles Voyce of Leighton Cuts Throat in Fit of Despondency. The town of Leighton was very much stirred up Saturday evening over an attempted suicide. Charles Voyce, who was seventy-four years old, Saturday tried to end his life by cutting his throat. The man is very bright and intelligent but he is somewhat handicapped by being a cripple, being club-footed. He had lost quite a sum of money in prospecting for coal and was "down in his luck." To cap the climax he invested what little money in the Peoples' Trust Co., of University City St. Louis, Mo., a company organized in connection with the Woman's National Weekly. The editor of the paper was indicted by the federal courts for libel and the suit has carried to such an extent that the company was forced into bankruptcy and a receiver appointed. This carried away the last of Mr. Voyce's money. He had often told his friends that he would kill himself when he ran out of money and he tried to make this threat good. When found by friends in Leighton he had cut his throat severing part of the wind-pipe. He refused to let the doctor dress the wound, but let him put a bandage around it. Sheriff Reed was summoned and with Deputy Chas. Briney went to Leighton after