8994. Southern Bank (Fulton, MO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
December 3, 1926
Location
Fulton, Missouri (38.847, -91.948)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
8f427dc4ae915584

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporaneous articles (Dec 3–10, 1926) report a multi-day depositor run (#1, #11, #19) caused by false or idle rumors, withdrawals of roughly $37,000–$47,000, directors closing the bank and turning it over to the Missouri state finance/banking department. Early notices say the state examiner was to take charge pending reopening, but later reporting (article 17) explicitly states the bank was placed in hands of the finance department for liquidation, indicating permanent closure. I therefore classify as a run leading to suspension and eventual closure. OCR errors corrected (e.g., Glassen appears as B. or Ben/ E. A./B. A. Glassen in different wires; dates refer to Dec 1926).

Events (2)

1. December 3, 1926 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Unfounded/false and malicious rumors circulated in Fulton that questioned the bank's solvency and triggered mass withdrawals by small depositors and wage-earners.
Measures
Bank paid out large withdrawals over Thursday and Friday (kept open extra hours to accommodate depositors); directors later decided to close temporarily and notify the state finance commissioner to take charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
The run on the Southern Bank is practically stopped and the total withdrawals will not exceed $25,000. ... experienced run late yesterday and today, which by noon took approximately $25,000 in deposits from its coffers.
Source
newspapers
2. December 4, 1926 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Directors closed the bank after rumors caused heavy withdrawals that depleted cash reserves; state finance department/examiner was notified and took charge. Subsequent reporting indicates the finance department placed the institution in its hands for liquidation (permanent closure).
Newspaper Excerpt
The board of directors ... today closed the bank temporarily and notified S. L. Cantley, state finance commissioner, to take charge. ... The board ... stated that because of false and malicious rumors ... the cash reserve has been reduced to a point where it is not safe or fair to permit further withdrawals.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (20)

Article from Jefferson City Post-Tribune, December 3, 1926

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Other Banks of Fulton and St. Louis Rushed Cash To Scene. PROSECUTIONS TO BE ASKED SOON Persons Responsible For Run Are Said To Be Known. By the Associated Press. Bulletin, 2 m.: Fulton, Dec. 3.-The run on the Southern Bank is practically stopped and the total withdrawals will not exceed $25,000. Prosecuting authorities here indicated that quick action will be taken against those responsble for starting the run. Fulton, Mo., Dec. Southern Bank of Fulton, one of the oldest banking houses in Central Missouri, experienced run late yesterday and today, which by noon took approximately $25,000 in deposits from its coffers. Most of e withdrawals, according to officials were made by wage-earners. Officers of the bank said the rumor which started the run began to circulate yesterday morning, giving ample time a large supply of cash. Two other banks in Fulton, the St. Louis bank with which the Southern Bank corresponds, use backing the institution. Callaway county officers declared today they knew the source of the rumor which started the run, and that severe penalties were contemplated. The Southern Bank, according to its latest statement to the state finance department, had total resources of approximately $750,000. Its time and demand deposits totalled $430,318; loans, $429,255; capital, $50,000; surplus $25,000: undivided profits $3,086; and cash on hand $66,488. William F. Russell is president, and Walter F. Henderson, cashier.


Article from Jefferson City Tribune, December 4, 1926

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Authorities Have Names of Those Believed to Be Responsible for the "Run." Ben Glassen, of the state finance department is in charge of the Southern Bank of Fulton, which did not open its doors this morning as the result of heavy run made on the institution late yesterday. The board of directors as meeting last night decided not to re-open the band this morning. It was hoped, however, that the closing would be only temporary. The run was the result of rumor spread Fulton early yesterday. Authorities had the names of those responsible for the anxiety of the depositors regarding the solvency of the institution and that prompt and virorous prosecution will follow. The run resulted in $30,000 being withdrawn from the bank which was kept open two hours after closing time to accommodate the anxious positors. The last report of the bank showed resources of loans, $429,liabilities, $78,086; deposits, $430,218.21; bills payable, $27,000. Word from Fulton today was to the effect that the bank would be opened in few days.


Article from Carthage Evening Press, December 4, 1926

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BANK AT FULTON CLOSES DOORS; IS TEMPORARY Declare "False Rumors" Have Caused Withdrawals ABOUT $47,000 TAKEN OUT Officials Say it Was Unfair and Unsafe to Permit Further Decreases (By the Associated Press) Fulton, Mo., Dec. 4.-The board of directors of the Southern Bank of Fulton, which yesterday and late Thursday experienced a run, today closed the bank temporarily and notified S. L. Cantley, state finance comA total of approximately $37,000 was drawn by depositors yesterday, while about $10,000 was taken out late Thursday, officials of the bank said. The board of directors today made public a resolution adopted by the board, stating that because of "false and malicious rumors" that have been circulated, a large number depositors have withdrawn their accounts, until the cash reserve has been reduced to a point where it is not safe or fair to the remaining depositors and stockholders to permie further withdrawals. The resolution states that the finance commission was being asked to take charge of the institution until a practicable plan could be worked out for reopening of the bank. The last statement of the Southern Bank was the best the bank has made in five years, according to the officials. It showed $66,000 cash and bonds on hand. 52nd in State This Year Jefferson City, Mo., Dec. 4.-Official announcement that the Southern Bank of Fulton was closed today and taken over by the state finance department, was made at the department. E. A. Glassen, a state bank examiner, has been sent to Fulton to take charge of the bank. The institution was the 52nd state bank to close so far this year. The last statement of the bank to the finance deartment showed it had $726,868 total resources; $50,000 capital: $25,000 surplus; $457,000 deposits; $457,220 loans and $40,000 bills payable.


Article from The Times, December 4, 1926

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BANK CLOSES DOORS FULTON, Dec. which, according bank officials, was started rumor," the Southern Bank of Fulten failed to open morning. State banking authorities advised charge the institution today. The bank sidered of the strongest in midMissouri.


Article from St. Joseph News-Press, December 4, 1926

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FULTON BANK CLOSES $47,000 RUN BRINGS ABOUT TEM. PORARY ACTION. Board of Directors Says Cash Reserve Too Low to Protect Other tors of Rumor. FULTON, Mo., Dec. 4.- (P)-The board of directors the Southern Bank of Fulton, which yesterday and late Thurs. day experienced run, today closed the bank and notified S. Cantley, state finance commissioner, to take charge. total approximately $37,000 was by yesterday, while about $10.000 was taken out late Thursday, officials of the bank said. The of directors today made adopted by the board. stating that of "false and ma that lated, large number of have their until the cash reserve has been to point where not safe or fair to the and stock holders to permit further withdrawals. The also said the state finance was being asked to take charge of the until tical plan be out for the of the The last of the Southern Bank had approximately $750,000 total This statement was the best the bank has made in five $66,000 cash and bonds.on hand. Callaway County officials say they know the source of the rumor responsible for the on the bank and officials of the institution indicated that the Missouri Bankers' Association probably will be asked to prosecute the guil. ty person persons, Officers of the bank said the rumor which started the run began circulate early Thursday morning. They announced yesterday that large supply of cash had been obtained to withstand the run. Two other Fulton banks St. Louis bank, which the Southern Bank correspond. were alding the institution. the officials asserted. The Southern Bank. like all other banks in farming centers, suffered some the agricultural deflation of 1920. the officials said, but asserted the officers and directors gradually worked out the problem successfully. William Russell president and Walter F. Henderson is cashier.


Article from St. Joseph News-Press, December 4, 1926

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MND STATE BANK TO CLOSE. that the Southern Bank of Fulton was today and over by the departwas today the department, B. Glassen, state bank examiner. has been Fulton take charge of the bank Institution was the fiffar this year. The last statement of the bank the finance department showed had $726,868 total $50,000 capi$25,000 deposits loans and $40,000 bills payable


Article from Sapulpa Herald, December 4, 1926

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GATHER DATA CREEK COUNTY IDLE RUMORS CLOSED BANK MEN OVER COUNTRY WILL WRITE MISSOURI BANK FAILS HISTORY AND DATA OF TO OPEN AFTER RUMOR CREEK COUNTY STARTS BANK RUN The Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce has been asked to secure informa tion for the national advertisement for Oklahoma Inc which will be held after the contest for "Miss Oklahoma, which will be announced after December 16. The secretary of the Cham ber of Commerce has appointed the following in these towns secure information from their town. Bowden. Coats: Depew. Depew National Bank: Edna, Riddle: Mounds, J. Morris: Oilton. Loren Campbell; Shamrock, First National Bank Tabor. W H. Madison: Bristow Malcom Morrison State Bank Newby H. Baker: Olive, Horace Matherly Slick Producers Lumber company Tuskegee. Claude Allen: This committee will get the status for this county All girls who wish enter the con for "Miss Oklahoma, must send next week some time to the secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, Arthur Crooke WILL VISIT CLUB Miss Edith Huffer Home Demonstration Agent, will visit with the Women's club today at Mannford. Miss Huffer will give demonstration the club showing them how to can beef. FULTON, Mo., Dec. two days "run" which according to bank officials was started by "idle rumors," the Southern Bank of Ful ton failed to open this morning. "The run" started on the institution late Thursday. Most of those who made withdrawals were small tradesmen and wage earners, bank officials said. Thursday afternoon and Friday, the bank paid out $30,000 in deposits.


Article from Evansville Press, December 4, 1926

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"Idle Rumor" Ends in Closing Up of Bank United Mo., Dec. days' run, according bank officials, started by "idle rumor," the Southern Bank of Fulton failed to open this morning. State banking authorities have been advised will take charge the institution today. The bank considered one of the strongest


Article from Seattle Union Record, December 4, 1926

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RUN ON BANK CLOSES DOORS FULTON, Mo., Dec. N. Following a "run" by depositors, which officials of the bank said caused by unfounded "wild" rumors, the Southern Bank of Fulton was closed today and directors turned it over to the state banking department.


Article from Seattle Union Record, December 4, 1926

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RUN ON BANK CLOSES DOORS Mo., Dec. N. "run" by depositors, which officials of the bank said was caused by unfounded "wild" rumors, the SouthBank of Fulton was closed today and directors turned over to the state banking department.


Article from Joplin Globe, December 5, 1926

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PLANS DISCUSSED TO REOPEN FULTON BANK Decision to Close Depository Comes Following Heavy Run on Institution. Fulton, Mo., Dec. 4.-(P)-Tentative plans for reopening the Southern Bank of Fulton, which was closed today following a run, Friday and late Thursday, were being discussed late today by officers and directors of the institution. No definite arrangements have been made, but It is the intention of those connected with the bank, which had total resources of approximately $750,000. to reopen It in the near future. To Prosecute Persons. A statement made public this morning by the board of directors said it had been decided to close the bank because "false and maliclous rumors" have been circulated causing a large number of depositors to withdraw their accounts until the cash reserve was reduced to a point where it is not safe or fair to the remaining depositors and stockholders to permit further withdrawals. It was added by the statement that the state finance commission had been notified to take charge of the Institution until a practical plan could be worked out for the reopening of the bank. Vigorous prosecution of the person- or persons guilty of starting the rumor concerning the bank is expected to result. Officers of the institution and of Callaway county said tonight they know definitely who is responsible and that efforts will be made to assess the full penalty of the law. The Missouri Bankers' Association probably will be asked to assist in the prosecution of the guilty persons. The run on the bank began Inte Thursday afternoon. About $10,000 was withdrawn by depositors Thursday. while approximately $37,000 was taken out of the bank Friday.


Article from Fort Worth Star-Telegram, December 5, 1926

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TURKEYS PECANS AND MILK MEAN MORE MONEY IN BANK FOR FARMERS OF DECATUR DECATUR, Dec. 4.-On a basis of what has been sold during the recent Thanksgiving and present pre-Christ mas marketing period, it is estimated that the Wise County turkey crop will return approximately $100,000 to the raisers. Truck routes are operating out of Decatur to all parts of the county and killing. dressing and cooling is being done here, with shipments direct to Chicago and New York. On a basis of what has been bought and paid for. is conservativel estimated that $65,000 worth of pecans will be shipped from the county. Six cars will have been handled from Decatur at the close of the season. Daily whole milk receipts and shipments are at present 5,000 pounds in excess of the same period last year. Approximately 20,000 pounds are being shipped daily. Total of milk and cream shipments for last year were above $350,000, and will reach the $500,000 point for the present year. The revenue from the general poultry business will bring still greater return, since poultry keeping is more widely disseminated on the farms. Several cars of peanuts have been shipped from the sandy land district of the western part of the county at to the growers. For 102 turkeys sold at 30 cents per pound, W. A. Shults of catur, received Guy another was paid lot of pecans and still quantity to sell. $125 worth of turkeys and of pecans the same day Missouri Bank Closed FULTON, Dec. directors of the Southrn which Friday and day closed the bank tified L. state commissioner, to take charge Male ants are very short-lived


Article from The Daily News and Intelligencer, December 5, 1926

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SOUTHERN BANK AT FULTON CLOSED BY ITS DIRECTORS Institution Placed in Hands of Finance Department; Expert to ReOpen Institution Later. By The Associated Press FULTON, Mo., Dec. board of directors of the Southern Bank of Fulton, which yesterday and late Thursday experienced run, today closed the bank temporarily and notified S. L. Cantley, state finance commissioner, to take charge. A total of approximately $7,000 was withdrawn by depositors yesterday while about $10,000 was taken out Thursday. officials of the bank said. The board of directors today made public resolution adopted by the board stating that because of "false and malicious rumors" that have been circulated large number of depositors have withdrawn their accounts until the cash reserve has been reduced to point where it is not safe or fair to the remaining depositors and stockholders to permit further withdrawals. The resolution also said the state finance commissioner was being asked to take charge of the institution until practical plan could be worked out for the opening of the bank. The last statement of the Southern Bank showed had approximately $750,000 total resources. This statement was the best the bank had made in five years, officials said. Callaway county officials declare they know the sources of the rumor responsible for the run on the bank and officials of the institution indicated that the Missouri Bankers' Association will be asked to prosecute the guilty person or persons. William F. Russell is president and Walter F. Henderson, cashier. B. A. Glassen, state bank examiner, of Salisbury, Mo., is in charge of the institution for the state finance department.


Article from Kansas City Journal, December 6, 1926

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BANK GOSSIPER TO BE RUN DOWN Bank of Fulton Officials to Prosecute Person Who Caused Run by Rumors. FULTON, MO., Dec. 5.-(Special)Tonight, forty-eight hours after the Southern Bank of Fulton was forced to close its doors rumor started a run that threatened to wreck it, leading citizens are determined they will back the bank officials in running down the persons responsible for starting the gossip and bring them to justice. The bank has the community years. When the run started the large depositors not only refused to make demand for their money, but made deposits to their in the bank They are appealing to the frenzied customers of the withdrew their at once and enable the bank to reopen. Await Grand Jury Action. In the the public await ing the action of grand jury the circuit court which will for the first time this and is expected to make rigid inquiry into the causes that started the officials of the bank, through their attorney, State Senator Nick Cave, who member of its directorhave been making investigation. It believed they know where the rumor W. Franc president of the bank, today he confident the bank will reopen soon. He believes all details can be worked out within thirty Bank Examiner in Charge. B. A. Glassen, state bank examiner from Salisbury, here yesterday take charge of the bank's affairs. Russell cer tain will take Glassen less than two weeks go over the books sug. gest way out of the present diffiThe president indicated additional capital may carry the of the state department, but that this will be ing in of the bank's standing in the In the Fulton's business interests are trying to adjust them selves the ing the closing of two banks in nine months. is agreed It will hurt trade here In the holiday Merchants' Funds Tied Up. There is no excitement among the Several business men who were caught up the First National had with the These now to with Home Savings and Callaway banks. the two remaining the city, who not only helped the Southern bank as long as It asked but also are standing by the of the city. No word has come from the First National bank as to when the first dividend payment will be made to depositors. The expiration of time for filing claims by does not in January and hardly payment will be made before


Article from The Daily News and Intelligencer, December 6, 1926

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GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE RUN ON FULTON BANK City Is Aroused Over the Closing of the Southern Institution by Gossip, Dispatch Says. FULTON, Mo., Dec. rumor will be asked to go to bat with the law this week. The people of Fulton are grimly. but not vindictively. determined someone shall be punished for starting the wild gossip that made it necessary for the Southern Bank of this city to close Saturday after 2-day run of its depositors, who were stampeded into withdrawing their money after an insidious attack on the solvency of the institution. The first grand jury of the year for the Callaway county circuit court will begin deliberations today, and the firm belief the body will delve deeply into the bank affair. The bank itself has placed the matter in the hands of State Senator Nick Cave, an atorney who is directer in the instituion.t Officials of the bank who have made investigations declare they know the responsible person. The people here feel they have been made the victims of an attack of an irresponsible person and that the reputa tion of the city itself. as well as the bank, has been badly harmed. They contend bank in existence years and whose solvency was never questioned must be given square deal at all hazards. Fulton is not excited over the matter. It is holding up well, despite the fact this is the second bank to close in this city in the last nine months. It is charged the propaganda was given out because the bank asked payment of an count. Business men have been the hardest hit by the closing of the bank for several were caught in the First National Bank failure and then transferred their accounts to the Southern Bank. The Home Savings and the Callaway bank, the two remaining financial institutions, came to the aid of the Southern Bank and helped it as long as it required help. The Southern Bank at the close of the second day's run still had plenty of cash on hand but the board of directors ruled the depositors remaining loyal had to be protected and the only way it could be accomplished was to stop the run. Business men caught in the last bank closing are being taken care of by the other banks of the city and trade is going on as usual. The faith of the biggest depositors in the South ern Bank was evidenced the day of the run when they came in and made additional deposits. But the damage had been done. The small depositors, on trigger edge because of five bank failures in the county in as many years, had become suspicious. W. Farne Russell, president of the Southern Bank, said today he felt confident his bank would be able to reopen in thirty days. D. Glassen of Salisbury, bank examiner, has taken charge of the bank's affairs. Mr. Russell said he believes it will not require more than ten days to go over the accounts of the bank. Russell said he would be guided by the recommendations of the banking department and indicated that additional capital might be required and would be easily forthcoming when the readjustment is made. He said quite number of those who withdrew their accounts now admit the fallacy of such a move and are ready to put their money back when the bank opens.


Article from Seattle Union Record, December 6, 1926

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RUN ON BANK CLOSES DOORS Mo., N Following "run" by depositors, which officials of the bank said was caused by unfounded rumors, the Southern Bank of Fulton was closed today and directors turned it over to the state banking department.


Article from The Fulton Gazette, December 9, 1926

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INQUIRY INTO RUMORS THAT CLOSED SOUTHERN BANK. Circuit Judge Harris Instructs Grand Jury to Return Indictment Evidence Justifies. Instructions to investigate the warranted, unjustified and slanderous reports" put in circulation concerning the condition of the Southern Bank Fulton, which caused on the stitution and eventuated in being closed and placed in the hands of the state finance department for liquidation, were given by Judge David Harris, of the Callaway county circuit grand jury that Wednesday morning. Judge Harris addressed the jury length the subject, saying that most serious matter; that entailed serious financial loss good citizens who had their money invested the bank, and that would bring serious to depositors reason of their funds being tied the bank through the of liquidation." close bank in any world by persistent circulation of false reports concerning Judge Harris declared. is your duty under the law to investigate this matter. The legislature in its wisdom enacted statute many years ago making criminal offense to culate false reports concerning condition of bank, and are called in county to deal with upon fense of that kind. My only knowlof what has taken place has edge through the and casual he added, have on the subject to subtestimony to but charge you to make you, investigation of the facts, and the evidence indictment, that hesitate to return you dozen or fifteen witnesses, summoned apparently for the purpose the rumors in circuinvestigating lation concerning the bank, waitin the hallway of the courthouse before the grand jury after sworn in and charged. Morris, Fulton, is foreman body, and the other members Yates, Maloney, Carrington, Layson, Anderson, Tyler, Fulton; Yates, McCredie; Frank Welden, Readsville; Tate, Mokane; Lowell Yates, Bachelor, and Maurice Books, Calwood. Harris, in his charge to the Judge touched violations of grand jury, on the law selling cigarettes and against cigarette material to minors, and lations of the state prohibition laws. Under the law he required struct grand jury on these points. Judge Harris issued an order last week for the empanelling of grand and directed that it not report jury for until Wednesday. The memduty bers of the were chosen SherGarrett.


Article from The Weekly Intelligencer, December 9, 1926

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GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE RUN ON FULTON BANK FULTON, Mo., Dec. 6.-Idle rumor will be asked to go to bat with the law this week. The people of Fulton are grimly, but not vindictively, determined someone shall be punished for starting the wild gossip that made it necessary for the Southern Bank of this city to close Saturday after a 2-day run of its depositors, who were stampeded into withdrawing their money after an insidious attack on the solvency of the institution. The first grand jury of the year for the Callaway county circuit court will begin deliberations today, and it is the firm belief the body will delvé deeply into the bank affair. The bank itself has placed the mat ter in the hands of State Senator Nick Cave, an atorney who is a directer in the instituion.t Officials of the bank who have made investigations declare they know the responsible person. The people here feel they have been made the victims of an attack of an irresponsible person and that the reputation of the city itself, as well as the bank, has been badly harmed. They contend a bank in existence fifty-five years and whose solvency was never questioned must be given a square deal at all hazards. Fulton is not excited over the matter. It is holding up well, despite the fact this is the second bank to close in this city in the last nine months. It is charged the propaganda was given out because the bank asked payment of an account. Business men have been the hardest hit by the closing of the bank for several were caught in the First National Bank failure and then transferred their accounts to the Southern Bank. The Home Savings Bank and the Cal- laway bank, the two remaining financial institutions, came to the aid of the Southern Bank and helped it as long as it required help. The Southern Bank at the close of the second day's run still had plenty of cash on hand but the board of directors ruled the depositors remaining loyal had to be protected and the only way it could be accomplished was to stop the run. Business men caught in the last bank closing are being taken care of by the other banks of the city and trade is going on as usual. The faith of the biggest depositors in the Southern Bank was evidenced the day of the run when they came in and made additional deposits. But the damage had been done. The small depositors, on trigger edge because of five bank failures in the county in as many years, had become suspicious. W. Farne Russell, president of the Southern Bank, said today he felt confident his bank would be able to reopen in thirty days. D. A. Glassen of Salisbury, a bank examiner, has taken charge of the bank's affairs. Mr. Russell said he believes it will not require more than ten days to go over the accounts of the bank. Russell said he would be guided by the recommendations of the banking department and indicated that additional capital might be required and would be easily forthcoming when the readjustment is made. He said quite a number of those who withdrew their accounts now admit the fallacy of such a move and are ready to put their money back when the bank opens.


Article from The Macon Republican, December 10, 1926

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RUN ON FULTON BANK FORCES IT TO CLOSE A run on the Southern Bank of Fulton last Thursday and Friday, during which time $47,000 was withdrawn, forced the institution to be closed by its directors Saturday. The wife of a laborer started the run when she withdrew $5.40 which she had on deposit. Officers say they believe they have discovered the source of rumor which started the run, and that they intend to prosecute the person responsible for it. The bank has served the community fifty years and was a strong institution until the false rumor caused the withdrawal of so much eash that the bank had to be closed. Two other Fulton banks and a St. Louis bank and all depositors were paid as they demanded their money, without question. Bank officials anmounce that they have plans under way for reopening. Let him who never violated any traffic laws cast the first ballot to enact some more.


Article from The Advertiser-Courier, December 10, 1926

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OUR COUNTY SCHOOLS (Continued from page 1) school it had an enrollment of but nine pupils, eight boys and one girl. The needs of the school have been enumerated above but they are so numerous that it will no doubt take considerable time to meet them all. a Morrison School:-This is a nice two room school in the busy little town of Morrison. It is a very substantial two-story brick building with the class rooms on the first floor and a nice community hall on the second floor. The school is heated with a furnace and is nicely equipped in every way. Both rooms are equipped with good libraries, good school furniture, slate blackboards, maps, globes and charts Each room is nicely painted and well decorated with good framed pictures and all windows are equipped with ajustable shades. A large bubbling water fountain does away with the common drinking cup. The school is also well equipped in the way of musical instruments, as there is an organ in the primary room downstairs and a piano in the hall upstairs. The school is approved by the State Department of Education as a second class school and might easily be approved as a first class school but for the lighting. The light should be admitted but from one side of the room to meet the ideal condition. Geo. J. Boettcher as principal and Miss Minnie Schaffner in the primary room are the teachers here. and both have served this school as teachers before. Mr. Boettcher teaching his fourth term here and Miss Schaffner her third term. Both are doing very effective work and deserve much credit for the success of the school. Discipline in this school is of the very best. There are 53 boys and girls in this school and they, like their teachers and the school board, are doing their best to make this a really good school. The school needs a larger play ground, but being located in the center of the town where building lots are at a premium this need seems to be hard to satisfy. Although he hasn't a single tooth in his mouth, never has had and never will, physicians say that Irwin Kearbey, of near Chillicothe, Mo., 10 year old boy can relish a tough beefsteak, eat taffy candy and masticate other foods that try the alens of a sharp-toother person. Irwin's case is not an unusual one for his family. A brother, Lester. who lived until he was 14 years old, failed to grow any teeth as did a cousin, William Clark. Irwin is a normal boy in any other respect and is an excellent student, his teachers say. George Helmig, of Linn. Mo., went to Jefferson City to consult a specialist for the removal of a drill from his jaw. The drill was broken off while he was having a tooth ground. Several attempts have been made by physicians to remove the needle but they have been unsuccessful and his suffering has been in creased by these attempts. It is feared that the needle may cause poisoning if not removed soon. An X-ray picture revealed that the needle had worked far back into the jaw. Robt. W. Otto, appointed by Gov. Baker to fill an unexpired term and at the general election defeated by Judge Gantt, Democrat, will on January 1, together with J. A. Potter open a law office in Jefferson City. False and malicious rumors and gossip caused the Southern Bank of Fulton, with resources over $750,000, to close its doors temporarily. Those, who wickedly spread the false rumors that caused a run on the bank, will be prosecuted.