8916. Mecosta County Savings Bank (Big Rapids, MI)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
savings bank
Start Date
October 28, 1896
Location
Big Rapids, Michigan (43.698, -85.484)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
11e32909

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Full suspension

Other: Receiver appointed and property of president attached; dividend paid later (25%).

Description

Contemporary reports (Oct 28–30, 1896) state a light but steady run and that the bank did not open (suspension). It was assigned/placed in hands of receiver (Michigan Trust Co. / assignee) and property of president was attached Nov 28. Receiver later paid a dividend in Mar 1897. Cause is described as inability to raise money on collateral and runs; treated as bank-specific adverse information leading to suspension and receivership.

Events (4)

1. October 28, 1896 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Light but steady withdrawals over several days; inability to raise money on collateral to meet withdrawals mentioned in later report.
Measures
Bank closed its doors / refused to open; officers asserted assets will equal liabilities.
Newspaper Excerpt
There has been a light but steady run on the bank for the past few days.
Source
newspapers
2. October 29, 1896 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank was 'embarrassed' after payouts (reported $12,000 paid out) and inability to raise funds on collateral led to not opening (suspension).
Newspaper Excerpt
The Mecosta County Savings bank ... did not open its doors today.
Source
newspapers
3. November 28, 1896 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
To protect depositors and other creditors of the Mecosta County Savings Bank, attachments were this afternoon placed on all of the property of D. F. Comstock, late president of the bank, by the receiver. The value of the property attached is $75,000.
Source
newspapers
4. March 11, 1897 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The receiver has announced a division of 25 per cent. from the assets of the Mecosta county savings bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (17)

Article from The Wilmington Daily Republican, October 29, 1896

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Michigan Bank Closes Its Doors. BIG RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 29.-The - Mecosta County Savings bank, of Big Rapids, is embarrassed, and did not open its doors today. President D. F. Comstock refuses to talk. A statement published Oct. 6 showed resources of $302,000, of which some $14,000 was cash on hand. There has been a light but steady run on the bank for the past few days. It is believed that the assets will equal the liabilities.


Article from The Evening Herald, October 29, 1896

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Michigan Bank Closes Its Doors. BIG RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 29.-The Mecosta County Savings bank, of Big Rapids, is embarrassed, and did not open its doors today. President D. F. Comstock refuses to talk. A statement published Oct. 6 showed resources of $302,000, of which some $44,000 was cash on hand. There has been a light but steady run on the bank for the past few days. It is believed that the assets will equal the liabilities.


Article from The Roanoke Daily Times, October 29, 1896

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TROUBLE IN A BANK. Big Rapids, Mich., Oct. 28.-The Mecosta Savings Bank of Big Rapids is embarrassed and CashierCunningham says it will not open its doors to-morrow. Pres. ident D. F. Comstock refuses to talk. A statement published October 6 shows resources of $302,000, of which some $44,000 was in cash on hand. There has been a light but steady run on the bank for the past few days. It is believed that the assets will equal the liabilities.


Article from Birmingham State Herald, October 30, 1896

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Portuguese coasts. According to Oriental advices, the Japanese are secretly aiding the rebels in Manilla. The Havel brought $1,200,000 gold to New York. Total arrivals to date at that port, $60,093,855. The report that George Palmer, who killed little Hazel Marshall, at North Bend, Miss., had been lynched, is without foundation. Palmer is in jail at Black River Falls. Amount of bullion withdrawn from the Bank of England on balance yesterday was £246,000. Included in the withdrawals was the sum of £46,000 for export to the United States. The president has denied a pardon to Luther A. Hall of Georgia, sentenced in January, 1891, to imprisonment for life in the Ohio penitentiary for conspiracy and murder. Attorney-General Harmon has appointed Brand Wallford of Richmond, Va., as assistant United States district attorney for the eastern district of Virginia, vice William H. Mann, whose term has ended. Mr. Carlisle speaks at Lexington this afternoon. He will leave Lexington for Washington soon after the speaking, as he did not get a chance to go to Covington and register, the time for registration having expired. Wilbur F. Proctor, democratic candidate for governor of New York, is ill at his home at Watertown, having broken down from his speech-making tour. No has cancelled all his engagements for the remainder of the campaign. It is stated authoritatively at the state department that Consul-General Lee's return to this country at this time is without any other international significance than that the state of affairs in Havana / jus now is so satisfactory that his presence there is not urgently required. The Mecosta Savings bank, Big Rapids, Mich., did not open yesterday. A statement published October 6 showed resources of $302,000, of which some $44,000 was cash on hand. There has been a light, but steady run on the bank for the last few days. It is believed the assets will equal the liabilities. Chairman Sommers of the free silver democratic state campaign committee of Kentucky yesterday gave out his poll of the state by counties exclusive of Jefferson county. This is the final silver poll, and gives Bryan's majority at 29,412. Chairman Sommers estimates the Palmer and Buckner ticket at 5000, but he leaves it out of the figures entirely.


Article from The Times, October 30, 1896

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Telegraphic Brevities. Cablegrams received from Bombay say that the drought continues, with no signs of abatement, and the crop situation in India is daily becoming more serious. Terrific storms have prevailed upon the Portuguese coasts. A fishing boat foundered in the Bay of Setuabal Wednesday night, and her crew of fourteen men were drowned. The President has denied a pardon to Luther A. Hall, of Georgia, sentenced in January, 1891, to imprisonment for life in the Ohio penitentiary for conspiracy and murder. Wilbur F. Porter, Democratic candidate for Governor, is III at his home, in Watertown, N. Y., having broken down from his speech-making tour. He has cancelled all his engagements for the remainder of the campaign. The report that George Palmer, who killed little Hazel Marshall at North Bend, Wis., had been lynched is without foundation. Palmer is in jail at Black River Falls. In Big Rapids, Mich., the Mecosta Savings Bank did not open, A statement published October 6th showed resources of $302,000, of. which some $44,000 was cash on hand. There has been a light but steady run on the bank for the last few days. It is believed the assets will equal the liabilities. The strike of the coal miners at Salineville, O., which was declared March 10th, was settled Wednesday, and yesterday 800 striking miners returned to work. The strike was for the inch and a half screen. The compromise provides for six feet of the screen to be covered. The price of mining, however, will be forty-five cents, a reduction of fifteen cents. In St. John. Newfoundland. the liquidators of the defunct banks are about to bring suit against the directors for the recovery of sums of money due the banks. The criminal prosecutions in connection with the bank scandals will also be resumed next month. Chief Justice Carter is likely to resign after the coming term of the Supreme Court in which event Premier Whiteway will sueceed him and Colonial Secretary Bond will assume the premiership. In Nashville, Tenn., John Jenkins was shot and mortally wounded by John Jordan. Both were drinking and talking polities and both Democrats. The lie was passed and at scuffle ensued. Jenkins was thrown. and Jordan shot him through the body as he arose from the pavement. Jordan is considered a dangerous man, having had several desperate fights. He shot a prominent merchant a few years ago in a quarrel over some business transactions. He is a well-to-do dairyman and planter.


Article from The Morning News, October 30, 1896

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A SAVING BANK CLOSED. Its Suspension the Result of a Steady Run. Big Rapids, Mich., Oct. 29.-The Mecosta Savings Bank did not open to-day. A statement published Oct. 6 showed resources of $302,000, of which some $44,000 was cash on hand. There has been a light but steady run on the bank for the last few days, It is said that the assets will equal the liabilities.


Article from Iron County Register, November 5, 1896

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Falled to Open Its Doors. BIG EAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 30.-The Mecosta county savings bank of this city did not open its doors yesterday morning. Wednesday, after a run on the bank and $12,000 had been paid out, the doors were closed. The bank's last statement, issued on October 6, showed the resources to be $382,000, of which some $44,000 was cash on hand. The bank's officers as sert that all the depositors will be paid dollar for dollar, but despite this assurance there is considerable ureasiness among those interested. Tte Michigan Trust Co. is assignee.


Article from The Yale Expositor, November 6, 1896

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A 2-vear-old son of August Melcher, of Preseott, was killed by a kicking horse. Ben Kennan, a young theological student at Hillsdale college, was discovered in the organ loft of the college church where he had hidden away a large amount of wearing apparel, jewelry, silverware, etc., which he has since confessed to having stolen. Most of the goods have been identified by students and citizens who had been robbed. By the payment of $8,000 S. Dessau, president of the Dessau Co., of New York, has secured a 20-year-extension to his lease of the Millie mine at Iron Mountain. The new lease calls for the mining of not less than 10,000 tons of first grade ore and 100,000 tons of low grade ore annually which will necessitate the employment of a largely increased force of men. The Mecosta County Savings bank at Big Rapids has closed its doors, and assigned to M. Brown, of Big Rapids, and the Michigan Trust Co., of Grand Rapids. Inability to raise money on collateral to meet the withdrawal of deposits is the alleged cause of the failure. There has been a run on the bank for some days. This was the only bank left in Big Rapids. At an early morning hour flames burst from under the main stairway in the Franklin house at Manistee, and rapidly ate their way upwards cutting off all communication with the street. Fifteen guests were compelled to jump from the second story, in their night clothes, and several were severely burned. Mrs. Clark threw her boy into the arms of a spectator below and then jumped. Mrs. Alice Lawrence, who is serving a 20 years' sentence in the Detroit house of correction for the murder of her husband, Enos M. Lawrence, at Holland, has made another confession and declared the innocence of Dr. J. D. Wetmore, who was arrested as an accomplice in September on the testimony of the woman and her brother, Ray Coates, who is in Jackson prison for life as the confessed perpetrator of the deed.


Article from Richmond Dispatch, November 29, 1896

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To Protect Bank Creditors. BIG RAPIDS, MICH., November 28.To protect depositors and other creditors of the Mecosta County Savings Bank, attachments were this afternoon placed on all of the property of D. F. Comstock, late president of the bank, by the receiver. The value of the property attached is $75,000.


Article from New-York Tribune, November 29, 1896

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TELEGRAPHIC NOTES. Butte, Mont., Nov. 28.-The report sent out from Denver that the Anaconda Mining Company had given notice to its employes that a cut in wages from $3 50 to $3 a day would go into effect on December 1 is officially denied here. Nelsonville, Ohio, Nov. 28.-A powder explosion took place this morning in the mines of the Hocking Valley Coal Company. Two men, named Malone and Sheldon, were fatally injured. Stratton, Neb., Nov. 28.-J. W. Burney, of this city, was last night shot and killed by his son, a young man twenty-one years of age. The deed was provoked by the elder Birney, who threatened the life of the youth and his mother. Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., Nov. 28.--It is now a settled fact that work on the Soo's big water-power canal will be begun within thirty days. The canal will be built to the width of about 400 feet, and not 250 feet, as was first intended. Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 28.-A special to "The Press" from Nelsonville, Ohio., says the entire plant of the East Clayton Brickmaking Company there was destroyed by fire early this morning. The loss Is estimated at $100,000. and the insurance is only $22,000. One hundred men are thrown out of employment by the fire. San Jose, Cal., Nov. 28.-J. P. Kelley, a jeweller, who lived in the rear of his store, in this city, with his wife and her two little children by a former husband, locked the door of the store at 9:30 o'clock this morning and began shooting at his wife. The firing attracted a great crowd, who could see through the glass doors the tragedy being enacted. Officers broke the glass and fired repeatedly at Kelley, finally bringing him down with a bullet in the head. The woman was fatally shot through the head, and both her babes were drenched with blood, but uninjured. Perry, Okla., Nov. 28.-Henry T. Bayless, Frank Lawrie, J. H. McDonald, Thomas H. Bryan and half a dozen others, living near McKinney, were arrested a few days ago on the charge of conspiracy against Lord R. T. Brooke, of Tonkawa, to burn his home and kill both Lord Brooke and his wife. The men are charged with hiring Charles Graham and two others to do the work. In an attempt to carry out the contract alleged to have been made, Graham was killed, and two others, "Bill" Jones and Kenneth McDonald, were fatally injured. Before his death Graham made a confession of the conspiracy. Bath, Me., Nov. -News was received this afternoon of the drowning of Henry M. Todd and his grandson, Palmer Todd, at the mouth of the Ken. nebec. They were fishing with D. Henry Todd, when the latter fell on the gunwale of the boat, capsizing it. Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 28. To protect depositors and other creditors of the Mecosta County Savings Bank, attachments were this aftern.com placed on all the property of D. F. Comstock, late president of the bank, by the receiver. The value of the property attached is $75,000.


Article from The Morning News, November 29, 1896

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BIG RAPIDS' DEFUNCT BANK. The Property of Its President Attached by the Receiver. Big Rapids, Mich, Nov. 28.-To protect depositors and other creditors of the Mecosta County Savings Bank, attachments were this afternoon placed on all the property of D. F. Comstock, late president of the bank, by the receiver. The value of the property attached is $75,000.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, November 29, 1896

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ATTACHED HIS PROPERTY. Bank President's Holdings Seized For His Creditors. Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 28.-To protect depositors and other creditors of the Mecosta County Savings bank, attachments were this afternoon placed on all of the property of D. F. Comstock, late president of the bank, by the receiver. The value of the property attached is $75,000.


Article from Rock Island Argus, December 31, 1896

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assigned; aggregate liabilities, nearly 000. The Chicago Consolidated Iron and Steel Co. assigned; liabilities, about $800,000. 8. Hilton, Hughes & Co., successors to A. T, Stewart & Co., New York. made a general assignment and closed business; liabilities over $1,000,000. C1. The Kings County Elevated Railway Co. of Brooklyn placed in hands of a receiver. SEPTEMBER. 4. The First National bank of Helena, Mon., failed, with heavy liabilities. 26. The First National bank of Springville, N. Y., suspended. Wolf Bros. dry goods establishment in Lit$500,000. tle Reck closed by attachments; liabilities, OCTOBER. 6. The Car and Lumber Co. of Tyler, Tex., failed: liabilities, $250,000. John Maclean & Co., wholesale millinery, failed in Montreal; liabilities, $175,000. B. L. Price & Co., clothing manufacturers, failed; liabilities, $125,000. 7. The failed. First National bank of Ithaca, Mich., 14. The Marine National bank of Duluth failed. 15. The Bank of Commerce of Buffalo closed its doors. 16. Merchants' National bank of Atlanta failed. 19. .The Western New York Preserving Co., at Buffalo, seized by the sheriff for debt; 11abilities, $167,323. Charles Bortrand & Co., merchants, of Isle 000. Verte, Que., failed. with liabilities of $285,29. The Mecosta County Savings bank, at Big Rapids, Mich., suspended. NOVEMBER, 20. The failed. First National bank of Sioux City, Ia., 23. The Dakota National bank of Sioux Falls failed. SO. The Missouri National bank. at Kansas City, passed into the hands of the comptroller of the currency. The failed. First National bank of Tyler, Tex., DECEMBER. 1. Gage & Felton, bankers and brokers, failed in Boston.


Article from St. Johnsbury Caledonian, January 1, 1897

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assigned; aggregate liabilities, nearly $500,000. The Chicago Consolidated Iron and Steel Co. assigned; liabilities, about $300,000. B. Hilton, Hughes & Co., successors to A. T. Stewart & Co., New York, made a general assignment and closed business; liabilities over $1,000,000. 31. The Kings County Elevated Railway Co. of Brooklyn placed in hands of a receiver. SEPTEMBER. 4. The First National bank of Helena, Mon., failed, with heavy liabilities. 26. The First National bank of Springville, N. Y., suspended. Wolf Bros.' dry goods establishment in Little Rock closed by attachments; liabilities, $500,000. OCTOBER. 6. The Car and Lumber Co. of Tyler, Tex., failed; liabilities, $250,000. John Maclean & Co., wholesale millinery, failed in Montreal; liabilities, $175,000. B. L. Price & Co., clothing manufacturers, failed; liabilities, $125,000. 7. The First National bank of Ithaca, Mich., failed. 14. The Marine National bank of Duluth failed. 15. The Bank of Commerce of Buffalo closed its doors. 16. Merchants' National bank of Atlanta failed. 19. The Western New York Preserving Co., at Buffalo, seized by the sheriff for debt; 11abilities, $167,323. Charles Bertrand & Co., merchants, of Isle Verte, Que., failed, with liabilities of $235,000. 29. The Mecosta County Savings bank, at Big Rapids, Mich., suspended. NOVEMBER. 20. The First National bank of Sioux City, Ia., failed. 23. The Dakota National bank of Sioux Falls failed. 30. The Missouri National bank, at Kansas City, passed into the hands of the comptroller of the currency. The First National bank of Tyler, Tex., failed. DECEMBER. 1. Gage & Felton, bankers and brokers, failed in Boston.


Article from The Weekly Thibodaux Sentinel and Journal of the 8th Senatorial District, January 9, 1897

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BUSINESS TROUBLES. Firms and Corporations Which Succumbed to the Financial Stress of the Period. MARCH. 6. Dan Taimage's Sons, rice dealers, failed in New York city. AUGUST. 4. Moore Bros., speculators, suspended in Chicago. 7. C.H. Fargo & Co., wholesale boot and shoe firm, assigned in Chicago: liabilities, $300, 000. 11. Security bank of Duluth closed its doors. The Murray Hill bank, one of the oldest state banks of New York city, closed its doors; deposits, $1,250,000. 15. George O'Berne & Co., leather dealers; II. M. Hosick, wool dealer, and the Chicago and Western Sonp works, three Chicago firms having close financial connections, assigned: aggregate liabilities, nearly $500,000. The Chicago Consolidated Iron and Steel Co. assigned; liabilities, about $300,000. 26. Hilton, Hughes & Co., successors to A. T. Stewart & Co., New York. made a general assignment and closed business; liabilities over $1,00 000. 31. The King County Elevated Railway Co. of Brooklyn laced in hands of a receiver. SEPTEMBER. 4. The First National bank of Helena, Mon., failed, with heavy liabilities. 26. The First National bank of Springville, N. Y., suspended. Wolf Bros. dry goods establishment in Little Rock closed by attachments; liabilities, $500,000. OCTOBER. 6. The Car and Lumber Co. of Tyler, Tex., failed; liabilities, $250,000. John Maclean & Co., wholesale millinery, failed in Montreal; liabilities, $175,000. B. L. Price & Co., clothing manufacturers, failed; liabilities, $125,000. 7. The First National bank of Ithaca, Mich., failed. 14. The Marine National bank of Duluth failed. 15. The Bank of Commerce of Buffalo closed its doors. 16. Merchants' National bank of Atlanta failed. 19. The Western New York Preserving Co., at Buffalo, seized by the sheriff for debt; liabilities, $107,323. Charles Bertrand & Co., merchants, of Isle Verte, Que., failed, with liabilities of $235,000. 29. The Mecosta County Savings bank, at Big Rapids, Mich., suspended. NOVEMBER. 20. The First National bank of Sioux City, Ia., failed. 23. The Dakota National bank of Sioux Falls failed. 30. The Missouri National bank, at Kansas City, passed into the hands of the comptroller of the currency. The First National bank of Tyler, Tex., failed. DECEMBER. 1. Gage & Felton, bankers and brokers, failed in Boston.


Article from The True Northerner, March 17, 1897

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Dividend for Depositors. Big Rapids, March 11.--The receiver has announced a division of 25 per cent. from the assets of the Meccsta county savings bank.


Article from Belding Banner, August 26, 1897

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nce and tacticsat the Orchard tary academy, vice Capt. F. th. Winans will report Sept. 1. H. Potts. of Midland, met with ilar accident the other day. fixing the chain of his bicycle n the hand in which he was hold a scréwdriver slipped and the driven completely through n of the other hand, inflicting ous wound. he creditors of the broken Mecosta nty Savings bank at Big Rapid talking of converting the e Comstock block, which, being ed by the bank, is really their perty, into a sanitarium. to be led by a stock company made ng the creditors. here is a strange kind of bee, t smaller than the native bee 1 two web feet. robbing the $ in Laketon township. The sting he native bee seems to have no ef on this stranger. They come 1 numbers that they will clean or three hives in a day. armers in northern Michigan : on potatoes again this year, hopeful that, in view of the numer reports of crop failures elsewhere account of the bugs. they will e prices for their crop that e them a decent margin of profit ething they have not had for years. everal boys were playing in at bins of the elevator at Centre , when Roy Butler, aged 13. - a bin that was being emptied at once discovered his danger, ore the others could assist him sank out of sight. Six men worked inutes to release the little fellow he was then dead. he last rail of the new Milwau Benton Harbor & Columbus 1, from Benton Harbor to nan, has been laid. The people rien Springs celebrated the event ch is expected to result in a mi for the village, so long withou munication with the outside world e by the wagon roads. red I. Snow, alias Chas. V. B. Scott eek young man who has been : a big dash" in society circles ton Harbor has been arrested fessed that he had stolen mone goods from friends and relatives vidence, R. I., where he ted for grand larceny. It is wrecked his father's business ed at $25,000. he largest artesian well in tha t of the state, on the grounds Northern Michigan asylum, strucl er at 95 feet and has a flow 00 barrels daily. It will be pipe ugh the institution and ground will be more than ample for lum, which now has over 1,000 jo saving be will Tt