835. Farmers & Merchants Bank (Los Angeles, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type: Run Only
Bank Type: state
Start Date: June 21, 1893
Location: Los Angeles, California (34.052, -118.244)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: 3ed25707

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected

Description

In June 1893 several Los Angeles banks suspended and there was a run on Farmers & Merchants. The bank stayed open, received large coin shipments (I. W. Hellman brought $250,000 and additional funds), paid depositors, and reopened with over $1,000,000 in vaults. No suspension or receivership for this specific bank is reported in the articles, so this is classified as a run-only episode driven by runs on other local banks.

Events (1)

1. June 21, 1893 Run

Cause: Local Banks
Cause Details: Runs and suspensions of other Los Angeles banks (First National, Southern California National, Broadway, East Side, etc.) triggered depositors to withdraw from Farmers & Merchants.
Measures: Received large shipments of coin (I. W. Hellman brought $250,000; additional $250,000 and offers of aid totaling $500,000), paid out deposits, opened with over $1,000,000 in vaults, made cash payments and accepted certificates from some depositors.
Newspaper Excerpt: There was an increased demand at the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank for a short time during the morning, but this was checked by the arrival of $250,000 of gold coin from San Francisco in charge of I. W. Hellman.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (12)

1. June 22, 1893 The Daily Morning Astorian Astoria, OR

Article from The Daily Morning Astorian, June 22, 1893

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BANK FAILURES IN LOS ANGELE. Los Angeles, Cal., June 21. The Southern California National Bank and the Los Angeles National Bank here have closed their doors. Later in the day the Broadway bank and the East Side bank closed their doors. The First National has announced that the withdrawals of the last two days exceeded $600,000. Bank Examiner Gerberding says the run on the banks is senseless, and that they are all fully solvent. The suspensions created much excitement and great crowds gathered on the streets. Runs were made upon the Farmers and Merchants' and the Los Angeles Banks. The former paid all deposits promptly, but the latter announced it would pay only small depositors, and give the larger part in cash and the remainder in certificates payable in rixty days. San Diego, June 21.-Following in the wake of the financial troubles is To Angeles, the Consolidated National Bank suspended payment this morning The Savings Bank of San Diego, which has its office with the Consolidated National, and which is closely related in management, suspended at the same time, owing to a run consequent upon the morning suspensions. The First National closed its doors this afternoon. Portsmouth, Ohio, June 21.-The Citizens' Savings Bank has failed.

2. June 22, 1893 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA

Article from The Morning Call, June 22, 1893

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Los Angeles Institutions Go Down. SAN DIEGO HAS A STIFF RUN. Public Confidence Is Being Restored and It Is Thought That the Trouble Is Over. Special to THE MORNING CALL Los ANGELES, June 21 The Southern Los California National Bank and the closed Angeles National Bank here have their doors. The extra edition of the Express to-day banks contains the following: Four They more were the have closed their doors. California. the First National, Southern Bank. Bank and East Side Broadway the hour opening the banks of Long before assembled At the corner a large crowd and Spring streets. and in the long First depositors in front of the Los geles line of National and Southern California National. Those in the line were mostly laboring and suburban residents. At 10o'clock doors men sharp a notice was placed upon the the Southern California to the effect of that the bank would not open to-day. were turned to the Los Angeles National, Alleyes which is situated on the opposite their The people drew out corner. watches and took in the situation with bated breath Major Bonebrake then addressed the to crowd and the depositors commenced file up to the paying teller. Another large crowd was found in front and of the First National and Farmers' Merchants' banks. While there had been all sorts of rumors few upon the streets about the former. majority but the crowd. a large people whom were in curiosity-see doubted for moment that the doors would be open at tue usual hour. The excitement was intense, however, the doors notice was placed upon when of the First National to the effect bank, that to heavy run upon the amounting owing to over $600,000, the bank was closed by order of the board of directors. The following is the notice "NOTICE- First National Bank, Los An- the Cal., June 21, 1893: Owing to the geles, heavy withdrawal of deposits during than last two days, amounting to more its $600,000, this bank is forced to close doors. By order of the directors. ".T. M. ELLIOT, President.' In less than a quarter of an hour the were crowded with excited people, the streets which was followed by a slight run on Farmers' and Merchants' Bank. Chief Glass detailed every man on com- the force on duty, and the crowd was pelled to keep on the move. The general opinion among business men on would have been wise move is the that part it of all the banks to have closed exdoors day or two until the eitement their had abated. As it is, everybody appears to have lost his reason. The East Side Bank also closed its follow- doors "On this morning. The account doors of bore not the being able ing o cash notice: our New York and San Francisco close we are compelled to exchange doors. Depositors will be paid in full." There was no one about the institution, unhence the Express representative was able to gather particulars. one of the State Commis Gerberding. yesterday from Rivarrived here is stopsioners, and San Bernardino. and erside the Westminster. He is now in charge ping at of the suspended State banks-the City and the University. Receiver Otto Brodtbeck took charge deposit of Bank to-day, but the safe business department the City is open and doing right along Commissioner Gerberding says, from a examination of the University the cursory Bank made last night, he found that assets bank owes $140,000 and has $300,000 to pay it with. At the bank it is return stated will be done until the that nothing of President Widney, which is expected about Friday or Saturday. Mr. Gerberding says that "idiotic' not be too strong a term to apply would senseless run OD the banks here now. the they were never in really a better condition. The first local gun in the battle of the in bankers was fired at the City Bank Judge Shaw's court this morning. when in Mrs. Margaret E. Miller, a depositor judgthe defunct institution. was given $91,300. against it in the sum of ment This was immediately followed by the ap. pointment of Otto Brodtbeck as receiver. His bond was fixed at $100,000. The Farmers' and Merchants' people coting the strong pull on their were stand fers, but the rustle of gold and the excited shimof the silver did not deter the throng from mer pushing forward to secure their coin. Every available inch of space was occupied. but inside the rails the busy clerks applismilingly handed out the cash to all and there was no sign of Heilman fear on cants, their countenances. Herman Hellman the expressman: "I. W. said be to here this afternoon with $250,000 will in cold cash, and $500,000 more on theway We are ready for all." The sober sense of the people of this city is gaining the ascendency and the ex- is eitement in regard to the bank flarry rapidly subsiding It is believed that the worst is now over. Many who have withdrawn their money now feel nshamed will precipitancy. and some of them deposit again their to-morrow With very few exceptions those who drew out money were small depositors and in many cases women. Six banks in all have closed temporarily First National Southern Californamely, National, City Bank, Broadway, Uninia and East Side Bank. The latter three versity are small institutions. The First National paid out over half a million in days. The Los Angeles National two Bank is making 25 and 10 per cent payments cash, the balance in ten and sixty days, and claims to have $150,000 to start with to-morrow. excellent impression was created this the afternoon An when I. W. Hellman of Farmer's nd Merchants' Bank a Nevada of San Francisco arrived from the north Bank with half a million dollars for his bank. The savings banks are requiring notices large payments. There has been the no for run on them. Confidence of public serious is shown by the fact that many the are offering to take checks on stores have closed or passbooks in of cash. The banks which banks which have days. closed place expect to resume business in two

3. June 22, 1893 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA

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absolutely no excuse for the present crazy run on them. The deposits in nineteen Los Angeles banks on January 1 aggregated about $11,000,000, which is an increase of more than a million dollars during the year. A careful review of the situation at the close of business to-day indicates that the financial atmosphere is clearing. The arrival of n large amount of coin from the north, aggregating $250,000, and the announcement that $500,000 more would ATrive to-day had a reassuring effect, which was shown from the fact that as the closing hour approached there was a falling off rather than an increase in the number of depositors about the various banks. As stated there was an increased demand at the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank for a short time during the morning, but this was checked by the arrival of $250,000 of gold coin from San Francisco in charge of I. W. Hellman. Mr. Hellman stated that this amount was drawn entirely from his own personal resources and that not one cent of it was from the Nevada Bank. The bank will receive $500,000 additional this morning and it will open its doors with over a million in coin in its vaults. which it is believed will be more than enough to meet all demands. During the day $120,000 was withdrawn and deposits made aggregated $65,000 to $75,000. The run on the Los Angeles National Bank was continued throughout the day up to the closing hours, but rather diminished Instead of increased as 3 o'clock approached. The bank remained open during the entire day and did not take advantage of the notice issued that it would keep open but one hour. The demands were light compared with the previous day and offers of assistance were received aggregating $65,000. The Southern California Railroad Company made its usual deposit to-day. On investigation by the Supervisors the deposit of county funds, amounting to $46,500. was found intact. The strong fight made by Major Bonebrake in the face of the most unprecedented run has attracted general attention, and be has received many congratulations and substantial offers of assistance in consequence. There is nothing new in regard to the banks which failed to open this morning. The solvency of the First National and the Southern California is beyond question and every dollar will be paid, which condition exists as to all other hanks which have suspended. There was no run to speak of on any of the other banks of the city, and it is believed that there will not be any. The Bank of America received a heavy accommodation from the Farmers' and Merchants'. and has $125,000 in cash resources in San Francisco which will be available to-day and which will enable i to meet all demands. The savings banks are enforcing the notice rule, and there is no trouble of any sort in these institutions reported. It is estimated that about $3,000,000 has been withdrawn from the banks during the present crisis, and so far not a single mercantile failure has been reported.

4. June 22, 1893 Deseret Evening News Salt Lake City, UT

Article from Deseret Evening News, June 22, 1893

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fornia to the effect that the bank would not open today. A large crowd was In front of the First National and the Farmer's and Merchants's bank. A notice was placed upon the doors of the First National to the effect that owing to a heavy run upon the bank amounting to over $600,000, the bank had been closed by order of the board of direct. orn. The East Side bank doors bore the following notice: "On account of not being able to cash New York and San Francisco exchange. we are compelled to close the doors. Depositors will be paid in full." Promptly at 10 o'clock this morning the Los Angeles National Bank opened its doore. A long line of depositors stretching along the street extending north on Spring street for over one hundred feet, were on hand. Just be. fore the iron gates swung open Mayor Bonebrake appeared on the steps bare. headed as he appeared yesterday and addressing the crowd said: "Not a depositor of this vault will lose a dollar of his money, for the bank can pay two dollars for one. I appeal to de. positors to have patience." The speech was greeted with cheers. The Farmere' and Mechanics' bank stood a strong pull on its coffer. The officers declared they were prepared to meet any demand. President J. M. Elliott of the First National said: "When this thing commenced We had over $800,000 cash in hand and with our correspondents subject to check at sight, and we considered our. selves from the class of paper held, in a most excellent condition. The unprecedented run of the past two days, during which time We have paid checks of over $600,000, was more # than we could stand. The amount of t liabilities to depositors will be some# where in the vicinity of $250,000. against which we have all our billie rc. ceivable, the capital and surplus which will amount in the aggregate to $500,000 more than this sum." whe Brooklyn bank on the corner of Sixth and Broadway, failed to open # this morning. Against the glass of the door was a notice that depositors would be all paid. The only liabilities are # call deposits. Twelve thousand dollarsin certificates of deposits are due t in September, and $10,000 shortly after, 0 a total of $22,000, besides commercial , loans well secured of $40,000, and , other securities of $20,000, a total of $66,000. SUSPENDED PAYMENT. SAN DIEGO, Cal., June 21.-Following in the wake of the financial troubles in Los Angeles the Consoli, dated National bank suspended pay. ment this morning. A notice on the f door gives as the reason the financial f stringency and declares that depositors , will be paid. The assets are said to be 1 much larger than the liabilities but B no complete statement is now obtainr able. / The Savings bank of San Diego, f which has an office with the Consolit dated National and which is closely S related in management, suspended at the same time. The Consolidated is one of the largest and had been considered the most substantial in town. H Owing to the run consequent upon the 1 morning suspensions, the First National closed its doors this afternoon. It is r thought it will be amply able to meet all liabilities. No statement is now obtainable.

5. June 22, 1893 The Herald Los Angeles, CA

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reopen its doors today or tomorrow at the farthest. "This matter was sprung upon us so suddenly," said he, "that it found us unprepared with the ready cash, and after paying out a large amount of money yesterday it was decided to close our doors. Our depositors are with us, however, and are working hand in glove to enable us to tide over the difficulty. "Most of them have agreed to take a certificate for 90 days for their deposits, without interest. In such case we could get about one-sixth of our securities cashed and that amount would enable us to reopen tomorrow. We have already had assistance of a substantial character offered us, and I think I can safely say that we will be open for business by tomorrow or Friday at the farthest." THE FIRST NATIONAL. Main street, in front of the First National bank, presented a spectacle of mostintense excitement yesterday morning as the hour of opening approached. Many were the opinions expressed pro and con in regard to its opening, and although some claimed to be confident that its doors would remain closed, the appearance of the following notice called forth expressions of undoubted surprise: "Owing to the heavy withdrawal of deposits during the last two days, amounting to more than $600,000, this bank is forced o.close its doore, by order of the directors." Many of the waiting and expectant depositore were surprised and inclined to be unruly but it was not long before a feeling that the bank had acted wisely under the circumstances and that every one's money was safe prevailed and a general feeling of confidence made itself apparent on all sides. The unexpected closing of the Firet National produced a short run on the Farmers and Merchants which, however, was of very short duration and soon subsided. President J. M. Elliott told a HERALD reporter late yesterday afternoon that "when this thing commenced we had over $800,000 cash on hand and with our correspondents subject to check at sight, and we considered ourselves, from the class of paper we held, in most excellent condition. "The unprecedented run of the past two days, during which we paid checks of over $600,000, was more than we could stand, with part of our resources necessarily acattered in the mails and deposited in eastern us on 'The law only requires and northern to have banks. hand and with our reserve agents 15 per cent of our deposits, whereas we had 43 ercent, and a great many notes falling due within the present month. "Of course if a bank merely receives its deposits and lays them up in its vaulte it is absolutely of no use to the community, and in that case it cannot handle the money of its depositors without a heavy charge to them for exchange and other matters which this bank especially has been very liberal in. 'The amount of liabilities to depositors will be somewhere in the vicinity of $1,250,000, against which we have all our bills receivable, capital and surplus, which will amount in the aggregate to nearly $500,000 more than this sum. In addition to this our stockholders are largely persons of wealth, and one lady, who is a stockholder, offered to pledge her whole personal fortune, amounting to more than $250,000, to the depositors, at a late hour in the run of yeaterday. "The county funds are held by a deputy county treasurer, and are in no way involved in the closure of the bank. "Our directors are at present in session," said be, "trying to make arrangements 80 as to re-open within a day or two. 'We have plenty of money on its way to us and all we need is a short extension of time. So many kind offers have been made the bank by its depositors since the doore closed that we feel we will soon be on our feet again, and be

6. June 23, 1893 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT

Article from The Salt Lake Herald, June 23, 1893

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LOS ANGELES TROUBLE. During the Crisis $8,000,000 Was Withdrawn from the Banks. Los ANGELES, Cal., June 22.-The financial situation is more encouraging, $250,000 in coin was received yesterday after business hours and the Farmers' and Merchants' bank this morning reeived $250,000 more, opening its doors with over $1,000,000 in its vaults, which as believed to be more than enough to meet all demands. It is estimated that $8,000,000 was withdrawn from the banks during the crisis. So far there has been no mercantile failures. Everything was quiet and peaceful in banking circles all of today. There was but a slight run on the Los Angeles National bank as the line of depositors was greater than that of the withdrawers, and there was quiet at all the other banks. Confidence is restored and a good many people who withdrew funds have deposited them. All banks received large sums of money, and even the six closed banks received some. President Elliott of the First National bank made a statement in which he said that the bank would resume business as soon as the bank examiner arrived and gave his sanction. It is expected that the other banks will soon resume except, possibly, the City bank which is in the hands of a receiver.

7. June 23, 1893 St. Paul Daily Globe Saint Paul, MN

Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, June 23, 1893

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THE FAILURE CROP. A Large Coffee House in New York Suspends. NEW YORK, June 22.-The failure of Henry Sheldon & Co., tea and coffee dealers at 109 Front street, is announced. The firm is one of the best known coffee houses on the street and have done a large business. They are highly rated in the commercial agencies, and the resources are between $200,000 and $300,000. D. McD. White, of the Consolidated Stock Exchange, has announced his inability to meet contracts. BOSTON, June 22.-Creesy & Noyes, contractors and builders, and Benning C. Noyes & Co., furniture manufacturers, have made an assignment. Mr. Creesy is president of the Little Kanawha Lumber company, which lately went into the hands of a receiver, and the assignment of the two above-mentioned firms is due to their being involved as endorsees on the paper of that company. GREENVILLE, Mich., June 22.-The City National bank, of this city, was closed this morning by order of the bank examiner, Caldwell. No statement of the bank's condition has vet been made public. The cause of the suspension was the steady withdrawal of deposits and the stringency of the money market. RIDGEWAY, Pa., June 22. - The Ridgeway bank, a private institution, has suspended. A gentleman who was in close consultation with the officials of the bank during the night estimates the assets at $364,000, and the liabilities $216,000. This bank has had the confidence of the working people, many of whom have all their means in the bank's care. SANTA ANA, Cal., June 22.-The First National bank and the Commercial Bank of Santa Ana did not open their doors this morning, owing to heavy withdrawis of deposits and inability to collect fast enough. Both are declared to be solvent, have ample assets and can in time pay in full. POMONA, Cal., June 22. -The People's bank did not open this morning. This notice was on the door: "Owing to the existing financial stringency, the board of directors of this bank have decided to temporarily close its doors. Depositors will be paid in full." Los ANGELES, Cal., June 22.-A careful review of the banking situation indicates that the financial atmosphere is clearing. The arrival of a large amount of coin from the North, aggregating $250,000, and the announcement that $500,000 more would arrive today had a reassuring effect. The Farmers and Merchants' bank received $500,000 additional this morning, and opened its doors with over a million of coins in its vaults, more than enough to meet all demands. It is estimated that about $8,000,000 has been withdrawn from the banks during the

8. June 25, 1893 The Herald Los Angeles, CA

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Amount of resources in excess of liabilities $101,750 56 In connection with the above Receiver Brodtbeck makes the following statement: The figures given are taken from the books of the bank and simply mean that the assets and liabilities are carried on the books at those figures. As to the value of the assets and what proportion will be collected, the receiver is not yet able to express a definite opinion. As to some of the assets, it is evident that in view of the present disturbed financial situation, considerable time may be required to realize on them to the best advantage and avoid sacrifice. Messre. W. T. and A. D. Childress today executed a deed of all their real estate to the receiver, as further protection and security to depositors. THE BROADWAY BANK. Warren Gillelen, president of the Broadway bank, said matters were progressing finely as far as opening was concerned, and that he hoped the lookedfor day would come early next week. "Our depositors are still working earneatly, and although we're just on the verge, we're not quite there yet." THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS. At the Farmers and Merchants bank deposits were still coming in, but otherwise matters were still very quiet, only the usual routine business being transacted. Mr. Hellman said that everything was quiet now, and that it would remain 80 he was confident. "All this past scare is history now," said he. "Rather striking history, too, I confess, but now we are all striving to make history of another character, and we are succeeding very rapidly." A ROSEATE VIEW. The general feeling over town was that of great satisfaction when the opening of one of the suspended banks was announced. Others will follow next week, and HO on until shortly we will have them all doing business as of yore. The pessimist who is going about howling that the damage which the late run has brought on the city will be felt for years to come is an ass, and should be treated as such. He should be belabored until he is compelled to perceive that there has been a sudden picking up of business and a great return of confidence, all within three days of the time when the city was thronged with a howling mob, an occurrence which has never before taken place in the his. tory of financial panics in so short a time, and he should be made to realize it and express himself accordingly.

9. June 27, 1893 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA

Article from The Morning Call, June 27, 1893

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ABOUT THE BANKS The Financial Situation Still Improving. How President Isaias W. Hellman Squelched the Los Angeles Panic. The Pacific Bank Affairs. The financial situation in this city remains unchanged. Yesterday was a dull day in all of the banks, commercial and savings. About the ordinary Monday transactions took place. The savings banks had resumed their normal business. The number of people who were depositing money was in excess of those who were taking out funds. At the United States Sub-Treasury it was learned that the demand for money on the part of the banks had ceased, the last largest transfer from "the East amounting to $350,000 having taken place on Saturday. Isaias W. Heliman, president of the Nevada Bank. returned from Los Angeles on Sunday. He was seen in his office yesterday and was found in a very cheerful mood. Mr. Hellman. who is the leading spiritin the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Los Angeles. hastened to the southern metropolis at the first sign of trouble there. His appearance in his old town at the height of the panic last week had an almost magical effect on the people. They had lost their heads and were raiding every bank in Los Angeles when he arrived. All the big institutions, except the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, had closed their doors. "Hellman is in town! Hellis in town!" was shouted through the man streets fifteen minutes after the train had arrived from San Francisco. The cry was as cheering to the mob of frantic people who swarmed in the business quarters of Los Angeles as was the cry of "The Sea! The Sea!" to the column under Xenophon at the conclusion of their immortal retreat. Mr. Hellman carried down with him $250,000, and as it was dumped into his Los Angeles bank the sight of the coin worked like a charm. Mr. Hellman said: "Everything is all right down south. Business there is all that could be wished. Nothing could have been more senseless than the panic. No city in the United States is in better condition than Los Angeles. I received adispatch to-day from my brother, who is in charge of the bank there, stating that all cause for anxiety had disappeared, and that more money was flowing into the Los Angeles banks than was going out. I have given instructions that aid should be rendered when needed to all the country banks in Southern California having exchange relations with the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank." The directors of the People's Home Savings Bank held a meeting yesterday afternoon. but reached no conclusion as to the day on which the bank should open its doors. Business will be resamed in the institution, it was announced, as soon as funds can be secured by the sale of certain securities now held by the bank. There was no change to report at the Pacific Bank. Sheriff McDade was presumably in charge, and devoted the entire day to indorsing checks against other banks held by the Pacific Bank and which will go through the Clearing-house to-day. Meanwhile Commissioner Knight was examining the assets of the bank-a job which he does not expect to get through with before Thursday or Friday. There were no additions to the legal complications arising out of the controversy between Sheriff McDade and the Bank Commissioners. On Friday the injunction suit to restrain the Sheriff from interfering with the commissioners, filed by AttorneyGeneral Hart, will be heard by Judge Daingerfield. Attorney-General Hart left for Los Angeles on Saturday. All depositors in the Pacific Bank have been requested to immediately present their deposit-books to the bank. so that they may be verified and balanced atonce.

10. July 1, 1893 Arizona Weekly Citizen Tucson, AZ

Article from Arizona Weekly Citizen, July 1, 1893

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ELEGRAPHIC. SANTA ANA, Calif., June 22.-The National bank and the CommerFirst bank of Santa Ana did not pen to cial doors this morning. owing f heavy their withdraw sle of deposits Both and ina- are bility to collect fast enough. in solvent. have ample assets and can that in full. It is understood time both pay the Orange and Tustin banks have i closed for like reasons. ANOTHER PAN DIEGO BANK. DIEGO, June 22.- Bank of Com- this merce SAN failed to open its doors i morning Los ANGELES, June Everything IS quiet today. The panic has subsided. in SAN Diego, June ,--Following Los wake of the financial troubles National in the Angeles, the Consolidated morning. bank suspended payment this usual notice on the door gives the deA of financial stringency, and clares cause the depositors will be paid. than The assets are said to be much larger the liabilities, but DO complete statement is now obtainable Savings bank of San Consoli Diego, The office with the which National has an and which is closely at the related dated in management, suspended time. same The Consolidated National is one one o' and has been considered in the the of the largest most substantial banks city. to run in consequence National of the Owing suspension, the First It is morning closed its doors this afternoon. all of amply able to meet thought is liabilities. No statement is now obtainable. FOUR FAILURES AT LOS ANGELES. Los ANGELES, June 21 Four banks doors here this morning. el eed their the First National, Southern East California, They are Broadway back and Side bank. ascribe the same cause, stringency to All the money market and licability De of cash at once from resources. will be positors realize are assured that they paid in full. suspensions created great excite- the The and large crowda gathered in the ment Ruus were made upon streets. Farmers and Merchants and the Los he former paid all depositors Angeles. but the latter announced and promptly, only email depositors and cerwould pay depositor part cash the tificates give large payable in sixty days for remainder The First National bank announces were it close because $600,000 assets exthat in two days. The ceed withdraw the liabilities by $500,000. PERRY, Kas., June 22.- A fearfully destructive cyclone passed through Williamstown and adjacent country onehalf mile wide and six miles long, accom the panied by a downpour or rain and t darkness of midnight. dead bodies have already been at discovered Ten and it is known that least five more are killed. The dead are: F. Evans. Emery Evans. if John Hut hinson. Simuel, Mrs. Clara, Sadie, Walter, Eva and William Kincaid. Samuel Stewart. s are horribly mangled. All are torn to pieces. fatally hurt Some Baker, William Geopfert seri- and James umber of others are wife and hurt. Complete details are twenty not ously hand but probably at least blowe at are killed and thirty houses down. WASHINGTON, June 21 The president Missies has appointed C. B. Howery of ippi assistant attorney general. FREDERICTON, N. B., June 21. Eighty urebsix stores and two dwellings, the railway station and the village round of es were burned in the Gibson house yesterday families afternoon, are hom One less hundred The loss and 18 thirty $2,000,000, insurance light. DULUTH, Minn., June 21 stores, A five-story two containing four with building, newspaper plants, saloons, two containing twenty living rooms above was arned tonight. people, dead bodies have already been taken Four out. It is believed three more are in the ruice. are Mary Ford and son. Robert The dead and Elizabeth Maher and daughter Celia. The money loss is $40,000. SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 22 -Judge the superior court of Yoio county Grant of has filed decision III favor ted case plaintiff in the now the Livermore vs. Wa te, the capital of The judge tieds aga moval case. tention is that the defendants The cos n is not the proper remedy. finds injuncti agaiest con-titational the plainsiff emendment on conteation the the receive the the two thirds vote of all members. RIVER FALLS, W18. June 21.-At *clock this afternoon the large circus tentof Ringling while crowded Broe. was with struck people, than twenty. instantly `ghtning killing eightand injuring more Killed: Clark Mapes. Eugese Reynolds J.A. leudenning and SOD. O.A. Odans. O.P. Wiggins. Curt Aldridge. unknown boy. An names of the injured cannot ascertained The as they were taken away friends. While the people were passing above out the was struck twice with the 21 Jane sult. tent Fire et arted but was ext nguished. The WASHINGTON, of Senstor Stanford's death was dereceived news at Washington with some gree of surprise, alt though all his friends feeble his advenced age and health know augured his decease within no very great period. Senator Stauford was last in Washington in April. He was very feable, seemingly on the verge of dissolution. called on President Cleveland at that He t me and a number of con gressmen who saw him in the wh ite house Borrowfully predicted that the end was not

11. December 19, 1897 The San Francisco Call San Francisco, CA

Article from The San Francisco Call, December 19, 1897

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HERMAN W, HELLMAN. A Prominent Banker and Capitalist of Los Angeles. Any reference to those who have helped to make Los Angeles the second city in California would be noticeably incomplete without at least a brief mention of Herman W. Hellman of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank. For nearly forty years the Hellman brothers have been a part of the history of Los Angeles. Their impress is everywhere visible, not only in their adopted city but throughout the entire southern portion of the State. To their financial genius and generous public spirit are due many of the great water enterprises of the south which have transformed desert into garden. But the work of these Napoleons of finance, great as it has been, is not confined to the land of the fig and the olive. Although the two brothers are officers or directors in some halfdozen banks in Los Angeles, city and county, their attention is centered largely in the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, which is the largest as well as the oldest banking institution in Southern California. This bank has a paid-up capital of $500,000, deposits to the amount of $4,000,000 and an undivided surplus of nearly $900,000. The local manager of this institution is Herman W. Hellman, who is vicepresident. In addition to this, he has served as a director of the Southern California Railwaysince 1890. This bank is universally recognized as one of the model institutions of the State. Its management from the very start has been able and honest. The history of Los Angeles itself could well be told in the history of this bank and that of the men who founded it. But vast as their fortune is at this time, it must be said to their everlasting credit that it is not founded upon the misfortunes of their fellow-citizens. Theirs has been a well-won victory in the struggle for riches. To these two men more than to any other agent does Southern California owe its present high state of development. They have assisted in building cities as well as fortunes. In this the whole community has shared. There is many a snug fortune or fixed income enjoyed in the city of Los Angeles which owes its existence to the good judgment of the Hellmans. They have not only been the means of creating many fortunes in the flush times of the city but they also guarded them when the panic of 1893 was tearing them to shreds in other places. How well they succeeded in doing this is best told by the fact that the city of which they are the recognized financial heads had but one bank failure during that dark period. Out of all the banks in which they were interested there was not one that closed its doors for a single minute during banking hours. As the result of foresight they were not only able to guard against loss themselves but to extend valuable assistance to others. To their judgment more than anything else does Los Angeles owe its escape from the disaster of 1893. They proved themselves friends of the city in a time of need. Instead of locking up their vast wealth and waiting for an opportunity to buy in valuable securities through the stress of foreclosure they came to the front and saved the city from the cruel fate meted out to others. The Hellmans have been to the financial world of Los Angeles what J. Pierpont Morgan has been to New York or Lyman J. Gage to that of Chicago.

12. October 19, 1906 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA

Article from Los Angeles Herald, October 19, 1906

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In which he was elected a director. 1890 he retired from Hellman, Haas & Co. and accepted the position of vice president and local manager of the Farmers and Merchants bank. The panic in 1893 brought out strikingly the wisdom of the policy which has been elemental in the building up of this bank. Never were the times more stressful for a bank and never did a bank meet the issue more proudly or more gloriously than did the Farmers and Merchants bank. Several financial institutions of Los Angeles closed their doors, one permanently, but the bank founded by I. W. Hellman and then, as now, under the management of H. W. Hellman, was not of the number. Mr. Hellman was also vice president of the Los Angeles Savings bank, a director of the Main Street Savings bank, a director of the Security Savings bank (all of this city) and a director in several banking institutions in the various towns and cities of Southern California. He was chairman of the Los Angeles clearing house committee and director and treasurer of various business corporations of Los Angeles and its vicinity. Mr. Hellman was a native of Bavaria, Germany., and was born in the town of Reckendorf, September 25, 1843. His father, Wolf H., a. native of the same place, was a weaver and also followed mercantile pursuits. He died there at the age of about 72 years. He had married Sarah Fleischmann, who spent her entire life in that town, dying when 67 years of age. They were the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are living. Her father was a farmer and cattle trader. Wolf Hellman's father was a prominent merchant and capitalist. Some of the ancestors of Mrs. Hellman filled important positions, such as quartermasters, during the revolution of Napoleon I. H. W. Hellman was educated in the schools of southern Germany. When 15 years of age he accompanied his brother, Isaias W. Hellman, to this country, arriving in Los Angeles May 14, 1859. He was married in Italy July 26, 1874, to Miss Ida Heimann. She was born at Treviso, near Venice, a daughter of Moritz and Fannie Heimann, the former a native of Ger-