857. Temple & Workman (Los Angeles, CA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
private
Start Date
January 13, 1876
Location
Los Angeles, California (34.052, -118.244)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
ecebd89d

Response Measures

None

Description

Temple & Workman suspended payments and posted notice Jan 13-14, 1876, then made an assignment of assets for benefit of creditors and went into liquidation (final failure). Newspapers state no run occurred. Assignees were appointed and estate proceedings continued into Feb 1876. William Workman (partner) committed suicide May 18, 1876 — included as an associated 'other' event. OCR issues corrected: 'Los Angelos' → Los Angeles; dates derived from article dates.

Events (3)

1. January 13, 1876 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
it was subsequently made public that the bank had made an assignment of all its assets for the benefit of its creditors, and will go into liquidation.
Source
newspapers
2. January 13, 1876 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank failed to open and made an assignment of all assets for benefit of creditors; closure described as final failure due to insolvency/mismanagement.
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank of Temple & Workman failed to open this morning, a notice being posted at each entrance, 'This bank will not open today.'
Source
newspapers
3. May 18, 1876 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Wm. Workman, of the recently suspended banking firm of Temple & Workman, at Los Angeles, committed suicide last night. Cause, financial embarrassment.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (13)

Article from Gold Hill Daily News, January 14, 1876

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w E N T E R N. Bank Failure. Los ANGELES. Jan. 13.-The bank of Temple & Workman failed to open this morning, a notice being posted at each entrance, "This bank will not open today." It was subsequently made publie that the bank had made an assignment of all its assets for the benefit of its creditors, and will go into liquidation. This closure is looked upon as a final failure of this, one of our leading banking houses, and has caused great excitement in our city to-day. Knots of business men congregated in the streets and in the vicinity of the closed banking house discussing the situation. The other banks seemed doubly fortified to meet any run. and rode out the excitement without there being any run whatever.


Article from The Daily Argus, January 14, 1876

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Bank Suspension. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan, 14.-The bank of of Temple & Workman ,at Los Angelos, has suspended.


Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, January 14, 1876

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THE suspension and we presume final closing of the bank of TEMPLE & WORKMAN, will not seriously affect financial affairs in this vicinity. Since the panic, caused by the failure of the Bank of California some months ago, this bank has made no loans and its accommodation to the public was therefore limited. Since the bank resumed business it has paid a large amount of money to its depositors, and this money now is in circulation. These circumstances warrant the belief that no great stress or serious inconvenience will follow the closing of the doors of the bank. There is an abundance of money to be had on satisfactory terms and no financial stringeney need be apprehended,


Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, January 15, 1876

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The City Funds. Yesterday a rumor was started and rapidly circulated to the effect that the city's funds were endangered by the suspension of the Bank of TEMPLE & WORKMAN. The rumor was credited because to many, the cireumstances connected with the custody of the city's funds were not clearly understood. Some months ago the Council by resolution authorized the City Clerk to advertise that bids would be accepted for the eustody of the city's funds, the award to be made to the firm giving the highest rate of interest, with satisfactory security. TEMPLE & WORKMAN'S bid and security being satisfactory, the money was ordered to be deposited in their Bank. To this order the City Treasurer demurred. He held that he had given bonds for the safe keeping of the money, and that he had a right to deposit where he pleased. The Council never euforced its order and the Treasurer


Article from The Rutland Daily Globe, January 15, 1876

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Another Bank Suspension. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 14. The bank of Temple & Workman at Los Angeles has suspended.


Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, February 5, 1876

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Mancho. 4,000 F. Sabichi to the arrangementmettee Mr. Hazard again as made, appointed objected and would did by not be a want a that there coma committee slate fixed for up. to fear He nominate wanted names this and for be mittee simply committee, made the voted permanent upon by the meeting. accordingly, He which an amendment of a second. failed for want D. Gould wanted the care meet- to Mr. Will keep cool and did on not the committee. havean Ing to attorney His remarks serve elicited some Mr. on applause. Turnbull the representing commitof Mr. after advisory following the D. Rivara, ing tee $8,000 The in place Robert wasappointed.org committee for retir- a C. Wiley. permanent nominated committee: and H. considE. Long, stated that he Mr. himself in every way ered G. Freeman personal a creditor member foot & of this a meeting-as representative of Temple is on and Workman. A estate movement into bankruptcy commisthrow controlled by the and sioner to have the it Francisco in a property. interin preferred San liens in the should of that bankruptcy creditors, and that the action Workman in believed ests Temple he this He be believed avoided thought meeting & by He to all sanction it of was the in the that the appointing purpose estate the of of assignees. the assignees and leave hands of dollar for dollar & Workwould large pay surplus for disposed Temple of by San reman, whereas parties, if it would not Francisco on the dollar. sense alizeten cents of gaining the of the advisory committee to as week. of Mr. for was taken one that On For the motion the meeting, purpose Mr. the Barrows Freeman opinion report a moved vote an or in Through vote against awkward misunderstanding . bankruptcy. the affirmative, the they and seeing to do it over. was largely that they in had blundered folwent back Eastman then offered the that is hereby of lowing: It Mr. creditors resolved Temple the ex- is & against Workman's pression throwing of the Bank the here estate assembled into bankruptey. this motion was under arose con- and sideration While Judge Thompson a full discussion that stated that he wanted He believed assignof the proposition. be impossible for the to discharge all of the if this cut ees now it would encumber nearly the property mortgages could prop- that up be erty, whereas incumbrance and realize relieved of its parcels it would into small creditors than more for of disposal. authority other way the on reliable He had payment by been that any informed Baldwin refused unless to accept interest were item his mortgages making an to fees and about $430,000. estate would be for of paid of up maturity, the The the bank- hands costs no closing bankruptcy up than in the more in According appointed to by the and he majority midst, whom a man in our He of a be rupt law assignees. of receiver the to creditors, trust. is said: we may can "I all be willing is fraud enough to apparent set it believe there Baldwin mortgage take his and compel creditors. How is it that aside chances in the with the other him Sanchez to he holds ranch (Ap- the plause). transfer in of El the Monte, making 5,000 acres worth this holds and and absolute altogether besides property estates?' mortgages that $110,000, espe- the on all Mr. the Freeman other explained the Judge transactions referred were actual from Mr. Thompson, cially Judge Temple. little which improvement resuming: purchases "That many in makes a there are appearances, but to be explained. hands things remaining in the of There Baldwin are mortgages to the or amount three of hundred three in hundred and thousand forty dollars-$ more $310,000 in anand fifty item and $30,000 or only received other. one For this Temple was to bear in$250,000. The rate money of 2 per cent. draw per month, terest at but the they did not and like so to they at this rate interest and the paper one-half of the and the notes then stood computed added at one it per to cent. the principal, a month. The matter $250 000 60 900 Cash Interest advanced... included $310 000 and ruinous Mortgage This arrangement exacted was a sort of double The oppressive interest it upon interest. of bankcompound speaker thought set that aside a Court all could preferred not ruptcy could the assignees of havclaims do. He which was decidedly put into in bankruptcy. favor to ing the estate spoke in response with the Mr. Eastman disagreeing Tudge these remarks, in every point except in calling


Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, February 24, 1876

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dollar to the assignors with a measurable degree of success, some have already paid, others will soon pay while others make various excuses pleading offsets, bargains etc. The rent roll has been examined and a revision will soon take place. The task of comprehending the situation is a heavy one, and impossible to master in a few ys or a few weeks. We should be elad to receive suggestions from credors, criticism is also invited, sharp the m is somewhat beneficial.Al 1 is juncture it is not for us to palilate or condemn. As the books will be written up all facts as developed will be at the disposal of creditors. We have not employed an army of lawyers in this case, yet if immediate suit were instituted against all the debtors of the estate all the lawyers in Los Angeles county would hardly be sufficient. The great question naturally is what is going to be done? we have sketched what we have done and are doing but the question "what is going to be done?" still looms up. Let us look at the facts squarely, fairly and impartially. Temple & Workman suspended payment yet owning a very large property. This property is set apart for the benefit of their creditors. What shall be done with it. We suggest the following plan and invite others from practical men for future mutual discussion and analysis. The proposition is that the property be purchased by the creditors at an appraisem ent to be determined by disinterested parties. This proposition would involve the formation of a joint stock company composed entirely of creditors, each creditor's claim to be duly authenticated and afterwards approved by the assignees, every claim of one hundred dollars to represent say one share of the capital stock of the corporation. The management under this plan would devolve altogether upon the creditors, as the assignees would sell and deed the property to the creditors' corporation as soon as legally incorporated, taking in payment therefor the claim above alluded to. The benefits of this plan are obvious, as each creditor would be transferred from the position of a creditor of a suspended bank to a shareholder in a corporation owning some of the most valuable property in Southern California. Should this plan be deemed practicable, matured and adopted, then the creditors must act calmly and wisely in order that the interests of all may be guarded. Some of the creditors might object to entering into an arrangement of this kind. If so, a portion, pro rata, of the stock of the corporation might retained for their benefit. Other plans such as the formation of a syndicate to advance money to pay off the debt or effecting a new loan upon favorable terms, etc., present themselves, but we suggest the above for your serious attention. Respectfully, FREEMAN & SPENCE, Assignees.


Article from The Cheyenne Daily Leader, May 19, 1876

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CA/IFORNIA. The Great Walking Match. San Franci-co, May 18.-0'Leary is still walking rapidly and easily. He completed his 250th mile at 10:45 today. After a brief rest he resumed at a guil of about 5 miles per hour. He IS confident of making 500 miles in 6 days, though behind the time of the previous march. The improvement shown yesterday by Schment is not permanent. He completed his 200th mile at 11:30 a. III., and is now walking slow ly and laboriously, being parently nearly worn out. Minor Matters. Wm. Workman, of the recently suspended banking firm of Temple & Workman, at Los Angeles, commitled suicide last night. Cause, financial embarras-ment. Tubbs' hotel, at Oakland, took fire this morning, creating great consternation amoug the occupants. The tire was FOOD subdued. Loss, small. A shock of earthquake was felt at Santa Barbara last night


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, May 19, 1876

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Banker Commits Suicide. A SAN FRANCISCO. May 18.-Wm. Workman, of the recently suspended banking firm of Temple & Workman, Los Angelos, committed suicide last night. Cause financial embarrassments.


Article from The Daily Argus, May 19, 1876

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A Suicide on Account of Financial Embarrassment. SAN FRANCISCO, May 18.-William Workman. of the recently suspended banking firm of Temple & Workman. Los Angeles, committed suicide last night. Cause, financial embarrassment.


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, May 19, 1876

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SUICIDE. Special Dispatch to The Tribuna MILWAUKEE, May 18.-James Frannley, lately discharged from the State Insane Axylum. to-day shot himself through the head and died, during an attack of temporary insanity. Spectal Disputch to The Tribuna LAPAYETTE, Ind., May 18. -A young man named Charles Hanley, aged about 20, attempted suicide this morning by shooting himself with A small re. volver, The ball entered the left breast In the region of the heart, but struck a rib and glanced around, lodging In the body, and has not yet been found. He expressed regret that the shut was not fatal. Ila will probably recover. Whisky was probably the callse. Special Dispatch to The Tribune DURUQUE. 1a. May 18. -Lunt night, at Charles City, In., Mrs. Grimes, a German lady, attempted to cut hor throat with a butchor knife. Being folled In this, she jumped from the second story window of a house that she might break her neck. In this who was also foiled, as she only broku ber arm. She, with the rest of her family, has been subj ected to & great deal of sickness, and Is supposed to have been insanic. Special Dispatch to The Tribuna SAN FRANCISCO, May 18. -William Workman, of the recently suspended banking from of Temple & Workman, Los Angeles, committed suicide last night. Cause, financial embarrassment


Article from Los Angeles Herald, December 23, 1890

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THE general idea that hard times in the east necessarily mean the same thing on the Pacific coast is by no means sustained by the facts. California, Oregon and Washington seemed to profit by the panic of 1873. Immigration to this state was really stimulated by that financial disaster. Los Angeles, in particular, had quite a lively boom in 1873 and 1874. The failure of the Bank of California and of Temple & Workman in this city, which occurred in the fall of 1875, it is true, hurt us, but that was a strictly local affair. Unfortunately for the budding city, that sweeping calamity was followed by the drouth and smallpox epidemic of 1876-77, which laid us out for a time. The revival which led up to the boom put in an appearance in 1880, and held a steady pace till the close of 1887. It would not be surprising if, after the first effects, the present eastern financial crisis should lead to an increased immigration to this coast. on the principle that people like to escape hard times.


Article from The Herald, November 27, 1893

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certain that we shall have an easy and a liberal money market, and it requires no explanation to show what that means to the prosperity of this city and of the whole state. We shall not have "money to throw to the birds," as one enthuslast puts it, but there will be ample funds to be had on adequate security and at fair rates of interest for the legitimate development of the whole state. A precisely similar state of things exists in Los Angeles. Our savings banks have given notice that all who desire to do 80 can get their money, although the law allows the banks to keep it in their vaulte until the first of January. The facts of the financial situation are well understood in this city. The depositor, knowing that he can get his money, as usual does not want it, preferring to leave it in a place of safety, where he can make something out of it. In Los Angeles as in San Francisco, after the publication of the January bank statements showing how impregnable our institutions are, a more liberal policy will characterize our banks. This is the more probable because the large disbursements involved in paying our taxes will have been made. The financial history of Los Angeles during the last twenty years has been quite unique. During that period we have had but two bank failures, that of Temple & Workman, in 1875, and the City bank, in the recent panic. Both were unexampled instances of mismanagement. The former followed upon the heele of the failure of the bank of California in 1875, and the latter was a new bank which was run in violation of all the canons of banking. These have been the only instances of the failure of a bank in the history of our young city. The first of January statements of the banks all over California will be looked forward to with great interest, and there is every reason to believe that they will make the best showing in the history of the state, and that their splendid exhibit will be followed by an era of great progress and prosperity.