7334. Mechanics Trust Company (Louisville, KY)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
trust company
Start Date
August 1, 1891*
Location
Louisville, Kentucky (38.254, -85.759)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
0d9580f1

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles (Wheeling Register, 1891-08-31) describe large long-running discrepancies and embezzlement by cashier Major Tillman, discovery of a $75,000–$100,000 shortage, appointment of an assignee, assets turned over, and contemplated arrest. No clear contemporaneous report of a depositor run; the bank was effectively placed in the hands of an assignee/receiver and did not continue normal operations. Classified as suspension_closure (suspension leading to closure/receivership) with cause = bank_specific_adverse_info (embezzlement/major bookkeeping fraud).

Events (2)

1. August 1, 1891* Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
the assignee discovered ... the assignee then ... money and securities ... were turned over to the Trust Company ... his arrest was contemplated ... he has fled to Canada; shortage is estimated from $75,000 to $100,000 (Wheeling Register, 1891-08-31).
Source
newspapers
2. August 1, 1891* Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Discovery of long-running bookkeeping discrepancies and large shortages/overdrafts caused by cashier Major Tillman (embezzlement/diversion of trust funds), estimated shortage $75,000–$100,000; assignee appointed and assets turned over.
Newspaper Excerpt
the assignee discovered an overdraft for about $5,000 ... the total amount so carried on the books was upward of $50,000 ... the assignee then ... money and securities to the amount of $13,000 were turned over to the Trust Company
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (2)

Article from Wheeling Register, August 31, 1891

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Article Text

was made merely to would bank's affairs, and that not only the depositors be paid in full, but stockholders would lose little or nothSo confident of this was the asing. the Mechanics' Trust Company, signee, that it immediately assumed the obliga- the tions in the savings department of bank and paid off most of the deposi- the in full on demand. When bookkeepers tors of the Trust Company manke closely began to fade. Many discrepancies found, and the ledger of the savings were department had entirely disappeared. Thelatter circumstance aroused mnch but threats of prosecution few suspicion, brought Cashier Tillman forward a It days later with the missing book. took no deep investigation of thisledger show that all was not right. In many to it failed to balance by large amounts cases with the books held by the depositors. The ledger in many cases indicated that the depositors had overdrawn several thousand dollars, while the books the depositors showed conclusively of that they had a balance at the bank. these Major Tillman, when asked about see things, would merely say: "I will about it," and never could be brought to an explanation. Although this caused a great deal of adverse criticism. there was nothing thought to be wrong until about three weeks ago, when the assignee discovered an overdraft for about $5,000 charged against the account of the late L. Warren, formerly President of the L. bank. Mr. Warren has been dead has about eight years, and his estate been entirely settled: hence it seemed strange that the overdraft was allowed such to be carried on the books. That a tbing should have occurred made the inexaminer suspicious, and a thorough vestigation was begun, running back was to when Major Tillman made 1876, cashier. Developments followed fast upon each other's heels. It was the discovered that the old firm of Louisville Electric Light Company, Comwhich has been sold to the Gas for two years, was overdrawn about pany $5,000. It was discovered that other firms that had gone out of firms busiwere overdrawn and that ness which had assigned were overdrawn. No settlements seemed to have been made at all, and the total amount so carried on the books was upward of $50,000. Major Tillman himself is said to have been overdrawn to a sum amountalmost to $50,000. and some of his ing overdrafts run back for many years. of this looked exceedingly called black All Tillman, and the assignee for him for an explanation. He could loss upon explain, and seemed to be at a not what to say to excuse himself. The case so serious that his arrest was conwas templated at once. The assignee then he called on Tillman to disgorge what and had in his possession, and money securities to the amount of $13,were turned over to the Trust Com- dis000 In addition to these found crepancies pany. in the bank, it was Tillman had made way with a trust that fund left in his care. Mrs. R. B. Alexander, and Miss Lettie Alexander, wife and daughter of R. B. Alexander, City formerly cashier of the Falls had and Tillman's predecessor, the a fortune Bank, of $21,000, which was in keeping of Major Tillman. It with now transpires that he has made away $15,000 of this trust fund and diverted it to his own use. So high, however, was Tillman's standing and so influential his connec- to tions that the Trust Company feared that make these facts public, believing Tillman would either offer some explanation or that his friends and relatives would pay any shortage that should ex- at his bond. The climax came last, ceed however. Among the assets of the bank the assignee found notes aggrega$86,000, drawn on W. P. Johnson ting Co., the tobacco warehouse John- men. & When the notes were shown Mr. and he promptly repudiated them, son, suit was brought several days ago. Yesterday it leaked out that Johnson that state in his answer to Tillman would had loaned Johnson the make the money


Article from Wheeling Register, August 31, 1891

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Article Text

Deposit his guitt, by the weight of the death by his friends, was put on three It was given out two or that he had been sick, daysago carried train. illness. and that was the secret of his At 12:28 the train pulled out. right If he at his connecting train all mornCincinnati caught he reached Detroit this Canawas over the border into flight ing and before the fact of his and da long to be whispered began boldly uttered on the streets at of then yesterday. To those who knew health, noon Tillman's unhappy state of friends Major who made inquiries, his and that he had been harrassed visit to gave had gone to death daughter, Mrs. his married out and Cincinnati Clifford when to it Yesterday morning, Tillman had Woodrow. to be whispered that denounced began his friends vehemently met gone, and inquiries at his residence statement it, flat rebuffs, but the the day with by the assignee later in protest, made he was short silenced all concede that and even his family connections that he has fled to Canada. amount of the shortage is estiThe be from $75,000 to $100,000, falsimated to it may exceed this as the investithough fied depositors' accounts are gated further. H. V. Sanders, Secretary the of Major Mechanics' Trust Company, "I the assignee, said this evening: banks' know where Major Tillman four is. don't not been here for three had or left He has but we were told that he he has days, I don't know whether know the city. to Canada or not, but have I do gone gone that if I were he, I would there long ago." "What reasons are there for his in the bank's saving don't account say crepancy about $37,000. Mind, I Some of of Tillman took all of this. The Mr. be accounted for otherwise. overdrawn it may are chiefly in he could discrepancies There are two ways managed this. it have out the bank and Or, for accounts. money accounts. He charge could instance, Tillman take to if certain made a deposit of $5,000, making one have pocketed this after withcould entry in the depositor's book, the bank's out an making any entry in book. Sanders acknowledged that but Major were other crooked features, On Tillthere not discuss them now. brotherwould bond as cashier are his wholeman's Charles H. Pettit, of the & Co., in-law, firm of R. A. Robinson Guaransale for $25,000, drug and the New York tee Company for $30,000. was also president of the he Tillman City Insurance Company, funds but of Falls way tampered with the several in no corporation, as was found position days ago, this when he resigned his as president. story of Major Tillman's remark- career The downfall is one of the most born and criminal annals. He was out able in York in 1834. The breaking Michigan. in New the civil war found him in of Genof appointed on the staff made eral He was A. S. Williams, but was He then resigned paymaster in the army. a with the rank of Brevet Lieu- that tenant-Colonel. in 1863, It was intimated of iraccounts. ha was forced to resign because He met regularities married in his to Miss Pettet, a mem- most ber and of was one of the wealthiest and and in prominent families Louisville of Lonisville, to live, securing 1875 a position came in to the bank. In November, 1880, he was made cashier. content with the usual routine taste for of Not he soon developed a business. banking as an adjunct to his Commispolitics elected Sinking Fund of the He was which placed $600,000 to hold sioner, money in his bank, and to polcity's position made large advances office. iticians his on their prospects for expired, Two years ago, when his term John Democratic caucus nominated friends the Otter to succeed him, but his in the J. succeeded in making a deadlock taken and the bitter fight was docket Council courts and is now on the underto the Court of Appeals. He is in this of the have spent large sums having contest stood to with the expectation of for two of the city's money and exthe use years and this withdrawal last winter more of these funds bank. was penditure the finishing blow to the turning to politics for financial of 1890, Still he in the summer P. investment transpires, backed Wm. as it now for County Clerk, and Johnson spent a had Johnson $50,000 in the race. the proleast let the bank have agreed of to the office, worth $25,000 specula- a year. ceeds would have been a good years' term. which the bank in the four being tion for It was a hot fight, $150 for votes. paid Johnson's forces were confident when that won and quit work, the votWebb, they had his opponent. rushed in and won by 104 votes. ers was his death blow as a political end of This and was practically an staked on banker, the bank whose money he had Tillman's last the decision at the the polls. resignation yesterofficial of act his was position as Sinking Fund day Commissioner, and his old apponent him. His elected to succeed hisbusiness Otterberg schemes illustrated almost political He would take risks on and among the Base Ball was the Louisville be had loaned methods. any he carried venture, which $5,000 institutions collected. with Club, it would never be ntmost The the promise other bank officers bad the