Farmers Trust Company (King City, MO)

Episode Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Start Date
May 28, 1927
Location
King City, Missouri (40.051, -94.524)
Bank Type
trust
Routing Number
80-1682

Metadata

Notes

Board closed the bank after a slow run triggered by disappearance of a director and the president; state finance official was asked to take charge.

Events (5)

1. May 28, 1927 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Gossip and reports about director Ernest Hammack's indebtedness and disappearance sparked depositor withdrawals over several weeks.
Measures
Directors closed the bank to prevent heavy withdrawals; wired state finance commissioner to take charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
Officials said today there had been a slow run on the bank for several weeks
Source
newspapers
2. May 31, 1927 Suspension
Cause Details
Board of directors ordered closure after president Jacob Levy disappeared and in light of the ongoing run, to protect depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt
The trust company was closed after Levy left because officials feared... heavy withdrawals would result
Source
newspapers
3. June 2, 1927 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Directors ... wired the state finance commissioner come and take charge.
Source
newspapers
4. December 8, 1927 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Farmers Trust Company... in liquidation ... petition ... to pay to the depositors the institution.
Source
newspapers
5. December 11, 1930 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The final dividend checks mailed to the depositors of The Trust Company... 91 per cent paid the depositors
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (17)

Article from Jefferson City Post-Tribune, June 1, 1927

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NO TRACE OF KING CITY BANK HEAD WHO DISAPPEARED

Jacob Levy of Farmers Trust Co., Closed Yesterday, Said He Was Going On Vacation.

ST. JOSEPH. Mo., June 1.-(AP) -No trace has been found of Jacob Levy. president of the Farmers Trust company at King City, Mo., who left his home Saturday, causing indirectly the closing of the institution yesterday. Officials said today there has been a slow run on the bank for several weeks and that Levy worried much over it. He left a note to another offier of the bank saying he was going on a vacation and did not know when he would return. He took nothing from the bank except a revolver, but he did dispose of other holdings he had in King City. The trust company was closed after Levy left because officials feared. in the face of the previous run, heavy withdrawals would result if it were known the bank president had gone. Levy is sixty years old and a widower. His bank colleagues believe he left town rather than face what he considered the disgrace of being president of a bank that fail-


Article from The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune, June 1, 1927

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Find No Trace of Levy, King City Bank

(By THE ASSOCIATED St. Joseph, June trace has been found of Jacob Levy, dent of the Farmers Trust Company King City, Mo., who left his home Saturday, causing indirectly the closing of the institution yesterday. Officials said today there has been slow run the bank for several weeks and that worried much over it. He left to another official of the bank on vacation aid


Article from Jefferson City Tribune-Post, June 1, 1927

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TRACE OF KING CITY BANK HEAD WHO DISAPPEARED

Jacob Levy of Farmers Trust Co., Closed Yesterday, Said He Was Going On Vacation.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo., June 1.-(AP) No trace has been found of Jacob Levy, president of the Farmers Trust company at King City, Mo., who left his home Saturday, causing Indirectly the closing of the institution yesterday.

Officials said today there has been a slow run on the bank for several weeks and that Levy worried much over it. He left a note to another offier of the bank saying he was going on a vacation and did not know when he would return. He took nothing from the bank except a revolver, but he did dispose of other holdings he had in King City. The trust company was closed nfter Levy left because officials feared. in the face of the previous run, heavy withdrawals would result if it were known the bank president had gone. Levy is sixty years old and n widower. His bank colleagues believe he reft town rather than face what he considered the disgrace of being president of a bank that failed.


Article from Jefferson City Tribune-Post, June 1, 1927

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TRACE OF KING CITY BANK HEAD WHO DISAPPEARED

Jacob Levy of Farmers Trust Co., Closed Yesterday, Said He Was Going On Vacation.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo., June 1.-(AP) No trace has been found of Jacob Levy, president of the Farmers Trust company at King City, Mo., who left his home Saturday, causing Indirectly the closing of the institution yesterday.

Officials said today there has been a slow run on the bank for several weeks and that Levy worried much over it. He left a note to another offier of the bank saying he was going on a vacation and did not know when he would return. He took nothing from the bank except a revolver, but he did dispose of other holdings he had in King City. The trust company was closed nfter Levy left because officials feared. in the face of the previous run, heavy withdrawals would result if it were known the bank president had gone. Levy is sixty years old and n widower. His bank colleagues believe he reft town rather than face what he considered the disgrace of being president of a bank that failed.


Article from Springfield Leader and Press, June 1, 1927

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CLOSED BANK HEAD MISSING

Jacob Levy, President of King City Institution, Disappears.

-No trace has been found of Jacob Levy, president of the Farmers' Trust company at King City, Mo., who left his home causing, indirectly. the closing of the institution yesterday. Officials said today there has been slow run on the bank for several weeks and that Levy worried much over it. He left note to another officer of the bank saying he was going on vacation and did not know he would return. He took nothing from the bank except revolver, but he did dispose of other holdings he had in King City. The trust company was closed after Levy left because officials feared. the face of the previous run. heavy withdrawals woul result If It were known that the bank president were Levy is 60 years old and widower. His bank colleagues believe he left town rather than face, what he considered the disgrace of being president of bank that failed.

Wall artistic. Morgan Wicks. 425 St. Louis St. "We Paint Perfectly "-Adv.

Swift's Premium Lard: four pounds, 85c. Comstock's, phone


Article from The Parsons Daily Sun, June 1, 1927

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NO TRACE OF BANKER

-No trace has been found of Jacob Levy vice president of the Farmers Trust Company. at King City. Mo., who left his home Saturday, indirectly causing the closing of the institution yesterday Officials said today there


Article from The Sedalia Democrat, June 1, 1927

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FIND NO TRACE OF MISSING BANKER

Associated JOSEPH, June trace been found Jacob Levy, president Farmers Trust Company at King City, Mo., his home Saturday, indirectly the closing the in yesterday. Officials said there has been bank Levy worried much note another officer the bank going did when would He took nothing from the bank except volver, did dispose other holdings King City The trust closed Levy because officials in the face withdrawals would known the bank president had Levy years and His bank believe town than face the being president of bank that failed.


Article from The Daily News and Intelligencer, June 1, 1927

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NO TRACE OF BANK PRESIDENT By The Associated Press ST. JOSEPH, Mo., June 1.-No trace has been found of Jacob Levy, president of the Farmers Trust Company at King City, who left his home Saturday causing indirectly the closing of the institution. Officials said today there had been a slow run on the bank that caused Levy much worry.


Article from Bethany Republican-Clipper, June 1, 1927

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KING CITY BANK CLOSED YESTERDAY

The Farmers' Trust company of King during recent failed its doors yesterday it was learned that forestated that the president was out King City the time, that left Saturday, leaving note for the cashier with the His King and there no indicahow Two other banks King City are ported to be in and either them, said has both to case The annual Bluegrass which for carried out planned and will big success as was said.


Article from The Daily Republican, June 1, 1927

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TRACE FOUND OF BANK OFFICIAL

By Associated Press.

St. Joseph, Mo., June 1.-No trace has been found of Jacob Levy, president of the Farmers Trust Company at King City, Mo., who left his home Sunday, causing indirectly the closing of the institution yesterday. Officials said today there has been a slow run on the bank for several weeks and that Levy worried much over it. He left a note to another officer of the bank saying he was going on a vacation and did not know when he would return. He took nothing from the bank except a revolver, but he did dispose of other buildings he had in King City. The trust company was closed after Levy left because officials feared, in the face of the previous run, heavy withdrawals would result if it were known the bank president had gone. Levy is 60 years old and a widower. His bank colleagues believe he left town rather than face what he considered the disgrace of being president of a bank that failed.


Article from The Albany Capital, June 2, 1927

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City Bank Closed Doors Tuesday

The Farmers' Trust Company King City closed its doors Tuesday morning upon order of board directors. The action lowed on bank for the past weeks, following disappearance Ernest Hammack. automobile dealer. owed the bank considerable money. Jacob Levy. of the left King City Saturday, leaving note which said that going but failsay where. The people of community have unlimited fidence in Levy, was sound business man, and feel that there nothing wrong with the bank books. The directors and other officers of the bank Monday and that would be best close the doors in order protect the depositors and then wired the state finance commissioner come and take charge. The other banks in King very sound and the deposits Tuesday more than equalthe The Club that city met Tuesday morning and raised more than enough money the plans for Blue Grass being held and funds tied up with the closing. This bank was the depository for the county's funds which secured by personal bond signed King City citizens. that all can the losses must before they will begin to lose.


Article from Poplar Bluff Republican, June 2, 1927

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TRACE FOUND OF BANK OFFICIAL

St Joseph, Mo., June trace has been found of Jacob Levy, president of the Farmers Trust Company at King City, Mo., who left his home Sunday, causing indirectly the closing of the institution yesterday. Officials today there has been a slow run the bank for several weeks and that Levy worried much over it. He left a note to another officer of the bank saying he was going on a vacation and did not know when he would return. He took nothing from the bank except a revolver. but he did dispose of other buildings he had in King City. The trust company was closed after Levy left because officials feared, in the face of the previous run, heavy withdrawals would result if it were known the bank president had gone. Levy is 60 years old and a widower His bank colleagues believe he left rather than face what he sidered the disgrace of being president of a bank that failed.

Undergoes Operation. Robert Barks, small son of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barks, of Greenville, underwent a major operation at the Brandon hospital early today. He is reported as getting along

Visit In St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Moser of 451 North Main street left today for St. where they will spend Sunday friends and relMonday visiting


Article from The Maryville Daily Forum, June 3, 1927

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No Irregularities in King City Bank

Ernest Hammock A Director of the Bank. Also Has DisappearedRumors Started Run.

King City, Mo., June 3.-No irregu larities in the affairs of the Farmers Trust Co. here have been revealed ae cording to state finance officials. An investigation was made into the affairs of the institution following the disap pearance of Jacob Levy, its president. But King City today was presented with a more perplexing problem. Ern est Hammock, a director of the bank, has also disappeared and friends do not know of his whereabouts. Suppression of the facts, giving rise to rumors that Hammack, garage owner and stockholder, virtually had wreek ed the bank by excessive borrowing be fore he disappeared from here April 18 caused the run which forced the bank here to close. That is what citizens of this little rorthwest Missouri city are saying on the streets today. Reports that the Piper Auto company, of which Hammaek was proprietor, was on the verge of bankruptcy had been in circulation some time, and everyone knew he was a stockholder in the bank. Then when Hammack disappeared and the local newspapers withheld publica tion of this news in deference to his young wife, tongues began to wag. It was not long before gossip had it that Hammack had left the bank holding the sack for upwards of $40,000, and that as soon as the garage crashed the bank would fail.

This gossip was given credence and worried depositors began taking their funds out of the bank. The run start ed shortly after Hammack left. and withdrawals increased from that time until the bank closed its doors. Hammack's total indebtedness to the bank, as a matter of fact. is less than $7,500. and more than half of this amount is secured. Another thing. the Piper Auto company still was open for business today as usual. A petition is being circulated here urging the appointment of Treasurer


Article from St. Joseph Gazette, June 15, 1927

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with bullet holes, was found near Chillicothe, and a hat he was found by the roadside near New These sinister clews, however, were shortly afterward discounted when two road workers told au. thorities they were with Hix when he abandoned the motor car at the place it was found. and one of them declared he and Hix walked to Chillicothe, where Hix bought railroad ticket to Moberly. The ticket agent at the station. It was said. substantiated his story by identifying a picture of Hix RS that of man who bought ticket to Moberly on the day stated No trace has ever been found of Burgin. He said to have talked of going South where he has friend in the fruit business, and authorities believe he has gone The the King City men were linked together by chain that eventually forced the Farmers Trust company of which Levy was president and Hammack a large stockholder to Shortly aWer Hammack left he was reported to have the bank $30,000, and this caused slow run on the bank On the night of May 28. Levy left a note in the bank stating that he was going on vaca. tion and did not know when he would return. Directors -plosed the bank two days later Hammack actually owed the bank only $10,000. it was said and had not the run developed from street talk, the institution could have stood the loss


Article from The Albany Capital, October 20, 1927

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SOILS AND CROPS MEETING Showengerdt, specialfrom the Missouri College of will be in Gentry Nov. 9th. will held in the court that date o'clock. All Clover and Prosperity deleare expected to be present plan solls and crops profor next year and to report progress made this year the the growing of Mr. Showengerdt and crop improveprogram.

MORE SUITS Attorney Ernst brought more suits collect notes for closed Farmers' Trust Comof King City this week. The $50 against Robert the second for $300 Morgan. The suits come up trial the Dec. the circuit court.

INSIDE STAIRWAY leading from Drug store Hardin being built this

PIES.


Article from St. Joseph News-Press, December 8, 1927

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KING CITY BANK TO MAKE ITS FIRST DISTRIBUTION.

Farmers Trust Company, Closed When Its President Disappeared Last May, Has Enough for Divid dends of 40 Per Cent.

Special The attorney in the liquidation of the era Trust Company of King City, Mo., has filed petition In the circuit clerk's office here for C. E. special dep. uty finance commissioner, for an order the to pay to the depositors the Institution. The shows that Mr. Potter has collected with expense count of liquidating to date of Mr. Ernst thinks that 40 per cent or more will be ordered paid to the by the at the December and also gives It as his opinion all will be paid The Trust Company closed its doors May when its ously had been run on the trust company before he left. Mr. Potter was of the trust at the closed. Mr. Levy is now charge cigar store.


Article from The Dekalb County Record-Herald, December 11, 1930

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Farmers Trust Co. Final Dividend Pays

Ebersole, Deputy Finance Commissioner, Malls Final Checks

King City Chronicle. The final dividend checks mailed to the depositors of The Trust Company, Monday, Ebersole, in charge of the final settlement of the bank. The dend was for and which makes in all 91 per cent paid the depositors, which left nothing for the stockholdThese checks coming at the time they did have been quite bit of to many, of course there are many depositors who think that the bank should have paid 100 cents the dollar, and many reasons are

The bank failed to open the day lowing Decoration Day, in 1927, and since that time been in order. The bank should have closed condition had anything to do with its closing, but banks the size King City enough and quite likely will be many moons before another started here. Many banks that have been forced close the state have paid out nothing like the Farmers pany has, and although larger ment expected, there nothing do about it, but be satisfied.