Articles describe discovery of large defalcation by Treasurer C. H. (Charles) Willis (January 1891) and recognition of extensive poor loans by trustees; the bank was placed in the hands of a receiver on April 7, 1891. There is mention of possible depositor nervousness in Jan. article but no documented successful run; outcome is receivership/suspension and permanent closure. OCR variances in amounts across articles (reported $22,000–$39,000 and poor-loan totals reported as $10,000–$40,000); I preserved core facts without inventing specifics.
Events (3)
1.January 3, 1891Other
Newspaper Excerpt
A great sensation was created in Stockbridge when it was learned that C. H. Willis, Treasurer of the Stockbridge Savings Bank, is a defaulter to an amount running from $22,000 to $25,000. ... The depositors are so much excited that as soon as the bank opens for business there may be a run upon it.
Source
newspapers
2.April 7, 1891Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The Stockbridge Savings Bank was yesterday placed in the hands of a receiver. ... It is thought the loss to depositors will not reach more than twenty-five per cent.
Source
newspapers
3.April 7, 1891Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Defalcation by Treasurer C. H. Willis (tens of thousands) and substantial poor loans made by the bank's trustees in prior years prompted suspension and receivership.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Stockbridge Savings bank has been placed in the hands of a receiver.
Source
newspapers
Newspaper Articles (15)
1.January 4, 1891Pittsburg DispatchPittsburgh, PA
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ANOTHER TREASURER WRONG. He Is a Defaulter to the Amount[of $22,000 or $25,000. /SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.\ PITTSFIELD, MASS., Jan. 3.-A great sensation was created in Stockbridge when It was learned that C. H. Willis, Treasurer of the Stockbridge Savings Bank, is a defaulter to an amount running from $22,000 to $25,000. Willis has been Treasurer of the bank for several years. About a month ago Bank Examiner Chapin looked over its affairs and found notes that could be realized on. One especially of $10,000, in favor of the Glendale Woolen Mill Company, the money on which was obtained by H. J. Dunham, trustee of the mill. Mr. Chapin therefore placed an injunction on the bank, on which there will be a hearing on Monday. It was ascertained that Willis had not posted up his books tor some years. He acknowledged that he had taken the above amount from the bank, but it is not known how long he has been pilfering. Willis is a native of Stockbridge, and is about 50 years old. He owns a small place in town, but his property is not sufficient to cover the loss. However, his bondsmen are good for the amount. Matters are so complicated that it is impossible to learn what the outcome will be. The depositors are so much excited that as soon as the bank opens for business there may be a run upon it.
2.April 7, 1891The Dalles Daily ChronicleDalles, OR
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A Savings Bank Suspends. STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., April 7.-The Stockbridge Savings bank has been placed in the hands of a receiver. It is thought that the loss to depositors will not reach more than twenty-five per cent.
Receiver for a Savings Bank. STOCKHRIDGE, MASS., April 7.-The Stockbridge Savings Bank was yesterday placed in the hands of a receiver. This does notso much result from the defalcation of the $29,000 by ex-Treasurer Willis as from oyer $10,000 worth of poor loans made by the bank's trustees in past years. It is thought the loss to depositors will not be more than 20 or 25 per cent to each.
4.April 8, 1891The Morning NewsSavannah, GA
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A SAVINGS BANK CLOSED. Speculation by Its Treasurer and Poor Loans the Cause. STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., April 7. - The Stockbridge Savings Bank has been placed in the hands of a receiver. This does not so much result from the defalcation of $29,000*by ex-Treasurer Willis as from over $40,000 worth of poor loans made by the bank's trustees in the past year. The loss by the speculations of Willis will be made good by the bank's surplus and $25,000 bond which he gave, but there 18 no remedy for the loss on the poor loans. It is thought that the loss to the depositors will not reach more than 20 or 25 per cent.
5.April 8, 1891Telegram-HeraldGrand Rapids, MI
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A Savings Bank Goes Up. STOCKBRIDGE, Mass., April 7.-The Stockbridge savings bank has been placed in the hands of a receiver. This does not so much result from the defalcation of $39,000 by ex-Treasurer Willis as from over $40,000 of poor loans made by the bank's trustees in past years. It is thought the loss to depositors will not reach more than 90 or 25 per cent.
6.October 23, 1891Richmond DispatchRichmond, VA
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A Town's Sole Industry Gone. (By telegraph to the Dispatch.] PITTSFIELD, MASS., October 22.-The town of Glendale, fitteen miies south of this city, recolved a heavy blow last evening when the Glendale Woollen-Mills, the only industry of the place, were destroyed by fire. The fire was discovered at 9 o'clock, and the building was in ashes two hours later. The mill was a five-story stone building. It was formerly operated by Frank Adams, and later, for his creditors, by Henry Duncan, of Stockbridge, a trustee. Duncan borrowed $10,000 of the Stockbridge Savings bank, securing the loan by a chattel mortgage on the stock in the mill. Inability to pay the note resulted in the suspension last spring of the Savings Bank, the suspension bringing to light the defalcation of Treasurer Charles Willis. Two months ago the mill was sold under foreclosure of a mortgage for $75,000 held by the Berkshire Life-Insurance Company of this city. It was purchased by 8 Mr. Hermann, of New York, who prepared to carry on business, and the whoels were started yesterday. The total loss is about $200,000; fully insured. There is no fire department in Glendale.
7.October 23, 1891The Morning NewsSavannah, GA
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WOOLEN MILLS BURNED, The Investment a Loser for Several Years Past. PITTSFIELD, Mass., Oct. 22.-The town of Glendale, fifteen miles south of this city, received a heavy blow last evening when the Glendale woolen mills, the only industry of the place, were destroyed by fire. The The fire was discovered at 9 o'clock and the building was in ashes two hours later. The mill was a five-story stone building, formerly operated by Frank Adams, and later for his creditors by Henry Duncan of Stockbridge, a trustee. Mr. Duncan borrowed $10,000 of a Stockbridge savings bank, securing the loan by a chattel mortgage on the stock in the mill. Inability to pay the note resulted in the suspension last spring of the savings bank, the suspension bringing to light the defalcation of Treasurer Charles Willis. Two months ago the mill was sold under the foreclosure of a mortgage for $75,000 held by the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of this city. It was purchased by Hermann of New York, who prepared to carry on the business, and it was started yesterday. The total loss is about $200,000; fully insured. There is no fire department in Glendale.
8.October 23, 1891The Roanoke TimesRoanoke, VA
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A LARGE FACTORY BURNED. The Town of Glendale Suffers a Great Disaster. PITTSFIELD, Mass., Oct. 22.-[Special] -The town of Glendale, fifteen miles south of this city, received a heavy blow last evening when the Glendale woolen mills, the only industry of the place, were distroyed by fire. The fire was discovered at 9 o'clock and the building was in ashes two hours later. The mill was a five story stone building, formerly operated by Frank Adams, later for his creditors by Henry Duncan, of Stockbridge, a trustee. Dunham borrowed $10,000 of the Stockbridge Savings Bank, securing the loan by a chattel mortgage on stock in the mill. The inability to pay the note resulted in suspension last spring of the savings bank, suspension bringing to light the defalcation of Treasurer Charles Willis. Two months ago the mill was sold under foreclosure of a mortgage for $75,000 held by the Berkshire Life Insurance Company, of this city. It was purchased by Hermann, of New York, who prepared to carry on the business and the wheels started yesterday. The total is about $200,000, fuily insured.
9.October 29, 1891Delaware Gazette and State JournalWilmington, DE
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A Disastrous Fire. PITTSFIELD, MASS., Oct. 22.-The town of Glendale, 15 miles south of this city received a heavy blow last evening when the Glendale Woolen Mills, the only industry of the place; were destroyed by fire. The fire was discovered at 9 o'clock and the building was in ashes two hours later. The mill was a five story stone building. It was formerly operated by Frank Adams; later for his creditors by Henry Dunean of Stockbridge Savings Bank, securing the loan by a chattel mortgage on the stock in the mill. Inability to pay the note resulted in the suspension last spring of the savings bank, the suspension bringing to light the defalcation of Treasurer Charles Willis. Two months ago the mill was sold under foreclosure of a mortgage for $75,000, held by the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of this city. It was purchased by Mr. Herman of New York, who prepared to carry on the business, and the wheels started yesterday. The total loss is about $200,000; fully insured. There is no fire department in Glendale.
10.July 21, 1892Freeland TribuneFreeland, PA
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Receiver Hobbs Accused. BOSTON, July 20.-Receiver Hobbs, of the Stockbridge Savings bank, has been ordered to account for about $50,000 of the funds of the bank which it is alleged he has converted to his own use.
11.October 19, 1893Pawtucket TribunePawtucket, RI
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NEWS IN A NUTSHELL. The World's fair will close officially Oct. 80. The Ameer of Afghanistan is selling his captives into slavery. The missing steamer Miowera isstranded in the harbor of Honolulu. The ravages of the cholera epi emi n Constantinople is increasing, There was a serious wreck on the Canadian Pacific, near Grand River. Lord Chelmsford says the Matabeles are the equals of the Zulus as fighters. Sir Julian Pauncefote and family have left Newport, R. I., for Washington. The Hutchinson National bank of Hutchinson, Kan., has closed its doors to business. It has been decided to reopen the National German-American bank of St. Paul on Oct. 30. The First National bank of Ouray, Colo., which suspended about two months ago, has resumed business. The president sent to the senate a con Adential communication in response to the resolution of Mr. Dolph asking for information as to whether the Chinese government had made any request for the suspension of the exclusion act. The document is very brief, and will not be opened except in executive session. An unknown laboring man was struck and instantly killed by a train while walkIng on the track near the Woodlawn (Mass.) depot. When the vines on the house lately occupied by Phillips Brooks, in Boston, were trimmed the other day many passersby icked up lea ves as mementos. The town of North Attleboro, Mass., has voted not to accept the invitation to participate in the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the town of Attieboro. Francis S. Palmer, who has been appointed private secretary to Collector Kilbreth of the New York custom house, is a Harvard graduate and a member of the bar. Assistant Attorney General Travis, in behalf of the savings bank commissioners, asked the supreme court to remove Frederick A. Hobbs as receiver of the Stockbridge (Mass.) Savings bank. In consequence of the unusual number of incendiary fires within the town of Bourne, Mass., the past month, the selectmen have offered a reward of $300 for the arrest and conviction of parties who have or may set fires before March next. The body of Anna Orr, who disappeared from her father's home on Hollan Heights, Conn., on the night of July 29, was found in a well in Fairfield, about a mile from her home. It is thought that she jumped head first into the well. Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes is looking well for his years. The other day he visited the Boston courthouse and when be saw his son standing at the door made B respectful bow and said: "How do you do Mr. Justice Holmes."
12.January 16, 1894The Portland Daily PressPortland, ME
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# SOUND LEGS IN CASTS.
How Hobbs Tried to Keep Away from Court Proceedings.
THE CASTS WERE SMASHED AND HOBBS WAS DRESSED,
And With the Breaking of the Plaster Casts Was Exploded a Pitiful Story of an Accident which Might Result in the Amputation of Both Legs-Hobbs Has Been Receiver of the Stockbridge (Mass.) Savings Bank and Is an Object of Suspicion.
13.January 17, 1894The Portland Daily PressPortland, ME
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# HOBBS'S LEGS.
If They Were Broken, Their Healing Was a Surgical Wonder.
Boston, January 16.-F. A. Hobbs of Stockbridge, ex-receiver of the Stock-bridge savings bank, arrived in Boston today in charge of the deputy sheriff of Pittsfield, who had served upon Hobbs the capias issued by the Supreme court. Hobbs has shown a decided disinclination to turn over the papers of the Stock-bridge bank to the new receiver, and has been confined to his house in Stockbridge ostensibly suffering from a serious injury to both legs. A physician made an examination of Hobbs's legs, upon the arrival of the train upon which the ex-receiver rode, and reported that one of Mr. Hobbs's legs presented no appearance of injury whatever, and the other was slightly discolored. He thought that if Mr. Hobbs's legs had been broken by a heavy coal cart, as had been stated, they must have healed in a decidedly rapid manner. Mr. Hobbs was removed to the Emergency hospital.
Later in the day, Hobbs was taken into court, adjndged guilty of contempt and sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
14.January 29, 1894Pawtucket TribunePawtucket, RI
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NEW ENGLAND BRIEFS. Connecticut tobacco growers fear they will not realize much from their crops. Joseph C. Story of Plymouth, N. H., one of Murderer Almy's counsel, is dead. The prevalence of scarlet fever is ascribed to the use of river water at Lowell, Mass. Ex-Receiver Hobbs of the Stockbridge (Mass.) Savings bank has filed a petition in insolvency. Addison H. White, one of the oldest insurance agents in Providence, is dead. He was 63 years of age. Inhuman treatment of an 8-year-old boy by a woman at Candia, N. H., is alleged to have caused his death. Willard E. Pierce's steam laundry and carpet cleaning establishment at Hartford was gutted by fire. Total loss $4000. George W. Woodbury, aged 55, one of Portland's (Me.) prominent citizens, dropped dead while returning from church. White Bros. & Co., tanners, Lowell, Mass., have resumed 50 hour time, an increase of 10 hours weekly, but the wage schedule is cut down 10 per cent.
15.July 24, 1894Pawtucket TribunePawtucket, RI
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# NEW ENGLAND BRIEFS.
William Wright was drowned at Newmarket Junction, N. H.
The official trials of the Howell torpedo are to be made at Newport, R. I.
The body of an unknown sailor was found off Monomoy (Mass.) beach.
Florence Seiler, aged 66, hanged himself at his home in Lawrence, Mass.
George Steele of Boston was held for the superior court on a charge of forgery.
Thomas A. Irving, a Gloucester (Mass.) shipouilder, owes $10,747, with small assets.
The carriage bridge at Tiverton, R. I, is to have a new draw, the present one being worn out.
Patrick Sullivan, a painter, fell from a scaffold at Lowell, Mass, and was probably fatally hurt.
Helen, the 8-year-old daughter of Daniel Keiser of Seaside, Mass., fell into a brook and was drowned.
The railroad station at North Leominster, Mass., was found broken into, and several valises were missing.
The Biddeford (Me.) city council voted to buy a steam road roller and appropriated money for a public park.
Joseph Hanouseck of Lowell, Mass, has received an appointment as assistant storekeeper at the Boston custom house.
Frederick A. Hobbs, ex-receiver of the Stockbridge Savings bank, was arraigned at Pittsfield, Mass., on the charge of embezzlement. He pleaded not guilty.
The Connecticut state board of education has awarded the contract for building the new state normal school at New Haven to the A. W. Burritt company. The structure is to cost $66,700.
