Farmers State Bank - Wheaton, KS

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: state
Start Date: June 6, 1918
Location: Wheaton, Kansas (39.502, -96.321)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 44455a1a

Response Measures

None

Description

Newspaper (1918-06-06) reports that withdrawals of deposits from Farmers State Bank (Wheaton) resulted after the cashier E. W. Andrich's role in exemption appeals became controversial; no suspension or closure is mentioned. I corrected no names/dates beyond OCR reading.

Events (1)

1. June 6, 1918 Run

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Public backlash against cashier E. W. Andrich's role appealing exemption claims and alleged disloyalty led depositors to withdraw funds.
Newspaper Excerpt: This action is said to have resulted in the withdrawal the a large amount of business from Wheaton bank.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (1)

1. June 6, 1918 The Topeka State Journal Topeka, KS

Article from The Topeka State Journal, June 6, 1918

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Article Text

DeHe Is Alleged to Have fended Sheriff Ladner. Also Reported to Help Fischer xvoid the Draft. UP ALL ROUND BANKERS Bank Commissioners After All Who Do Not Aid. Louis B. Leach Here to See Governor Today. state bank commissioner's round- ofThe to use the drag net in acfice is disloyal Kansas bankers, Waling up to a statement today commis- by cording Wilson, state bank Wilter E. Reports have come to resioner. office concerning failure or to do son's of at least several bankers Refusal full duty in war activities. their sent to Topeka today have also one directed ports criticism against at least member of the state Legislature-Senator Benjamin Brunner of Wamego, Pottawatomie county. Disloyalty charges were freely disin a number of state was depart- encussed The discussion ments today the visit to Topeka today livened Louis by B. Leach, deposed president Leach of the Wamego State bank. troubles to of to Topeka to tell his came Capper and Commissioner hour with Governor Leach spent a half conference Wilson. governor and sought a the the state bank ommissioner, with he was unable to see deposed Wilson altho this afternoon. The seek until was obdurate. He didn't the to banker conceal his resentment toward altho action of Wamego people, to make light of Wilson's action office. sought in ordering his removal from Investigate All Cases. to rid Kansas banks of officials Efforts who fail to do their full will duty be helping to win the war, in by the state bank commis- several made Already names of to sioner. who failed to respond bankers demands for liberty bonds and to local Cross aid, have been sent Wilson. Red An investigation of these inis being made. In several in cases actions of bank officials stances to meet demands or in pro- givrefusing half hearted support to war causing grams, have crippled banks by ing withdrawal of deposits. Discussing his plans today, Wilson pubthat he would not make disstated lic of men charged with names or refusal to give earnest loyalty to the war activities until not he support ready to act. While it was orders stated was that further ouster to be issued, it was admitted were an investigation was under infor- way and that action would be based on mation secured. several Kansas bankers half are While charges of disloyalty or Kansas hearted under loyalty, at least one his banker is suffering because cashier of He is E. W. Andrich, of loyalty. the Farmers' State bank Wheaton, of Pottawatomie county. He Kicked on Exemptions. Pottawatomie county has been slacker listed a number of people as the disby county of the state. number of charges have been made conloyalty cerning people in the county. Andrich Potthe government agent in tawatomie was county and was appointed Acinvestigate exemption claims. to tions by the county board in granting exemption. to a number of young aroused protests from Andrich dismen, and he appealed the cases to the said to trict board. This action is of have resulted in the withdrawal the a large amount of business from Wheaton bank. Now, it is reported, Andrich is looking for a new location. While no direct charges have been to made, complaints have been sent of Topeka concerning the support Benja- a disloyal element by Senator Brunner. He is a physician min Wamego, the home town of Banker in When disloyalty charges were Leach. ag inst Theriff C. D. Ladner lodged because of alleged ex:cessive exemption board services, Senator Brunner is reported to have come to his defense. is also reported that State Senator It Brunner aided Floyd E. Fischer, sonin-law of Banker Leach, in his endeavor to secure a bomb-proof job in evasion of the selective draft. Senawon notice state legislature in 1917 i tor the Brunner considerable the upper when cast the only vote in house he against, t e bone-dry law. Leach Said to Be Wealthy. In his visit to the state house today Banker Leach did not attempt to secure reinstatement as president of the Wamego bank. He told Governor Capper he could not afford to make the Red Cross donation demanded by a local committee. Leach had been for $500, but the committee of- a to compromise and accept asked fered told contribution of $120. Leach the governor today that he offered to give $1 a month for a period of six months. He is said to be one of the wealthiest men in Pottawatomie county and worth several hundred thousand dollars. Leach bought $3,000 or $4,000 of bonds. is b that the were concash and that ed. worth verted however, into Liberty bonds It the report- only held by a he is war few securities thrift stamps, which Leach were said to have given his daughter as a graduation present. MODE NEW DDITIOU OLIDO