9496. Lincoln Trust Company (St Louis, MO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
trust
Start Date
October 27, 1903
Location
St Louis, Missouri (38.627, -90.198)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
aa62b5813282a7dd

Response Measures

None

Description

Multiple contemporary articles (Oct 27–29, 1903) describe runs on the savings department of the Lincoln Trust Company triggered by a Chicago rumor. Deposits were promptly paid (banks waived the 60-day clause initially) and the institution continued operating; there is no mention of suspension or failure, so this is classified as run_only.

Events (2)

1. October 27, 1903 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Disquieting rumor from Chicago that savings institutions in St. Louis were unsound (story about inability of directors to obtain a $2,000,000 loan); described as an 'absolute canard'.
Measures
Bank waived the 60-day withholding clause and paid depositors promptly; officials and national banks issued statements of solvency.
Newspaper Excerpt
With a rush the corridors of the Lincoln Trust Company ... were filled with men and women all eager to withdraw their money.
Source
newspapers
2. October 28, 1903 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Continued depositor withdrawals and long lines driven by earlier rumors; trust companies later enforced 30/60-day notice to curb further immediate withdrawals.
Measures
Trust companies later decided to enforce 30- and 60-day notification clauses and declined payment of certificates of deposit before maturity; earlier they had waived the 60-day clause and paid demands.
Newspaper Excerpt
Just before the hour of opening today the lines ... stretched away from the closed doors of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, the Lincoln Trust Company ...
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (12)

Article from The Montgomery Advertiser, October 28, 1903

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ST. LOUISANS ARE ALARMED 1 Runs Made on Three Savings Banks. ORS PAID IN FULL DEP 0 als Say They are Ready to Meet Demands. THE by &umor Said to Have Originated in Chicago Concerning Solvency of the Institutions Started the Trouble. St. Louis, Oct. 27.-From shortly before 1 o'clock until the closing hour (3 o'clock) today runs were made in the savings departments of three banks of St. Louis, and at the same time more than the ordinary amount of withdrawals by savings depositors were noticeable in the other banking institutions. The run, so far as it can be traced, was started by a disquieting rumor from the outside that seemed to strike St. Louis shortly after noon, to the effect that the savings institutions here were unsound, and like a prairie fire it spread through the streets and different mercantile establishments, whose employes represent the majority of savings depositors. Eager for Their Money. With a rush the corridors of the Lincoin Trust Company. the Mercantile Trust Company and the Mississippi Valley Trust Company were filled with men and women all eager to withdraw their money. At each of these banks a line of people with bank books in their hands stretched out into the street and intermingled with policemen and bank officials counseling calmness and giving assurances of solvency. It is stated that the rumor that started the run came from Chicago, and was to the effect that two directors of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company had recently endeavored to negotiate a loan of $2,000,000 in that city and had been refused. Today this rumor was pronounced an absolute canard by the directors concerned. As soon as the runs started all other business was laid aside and every facility was afforded for the prompt payment of deposits. The clauses which gave the bank privilege of withholding payment until sixty days after notification were waived and the amounts were paid rapidly regardless of their size. There was no disorder manifested at any of the institutions and in many cases depositors who had hurried to withdraw amounts departed without their money after having conversed a few moments with the officials and been made confident that the bank would continue to do business. Run Soon Over. At the Missouri Trust Company a number of depositors had collected to demand payment, but the crowd soon thinned, and before 3 o'clock the incipient run had ceased. Presidents of the different national banks assembled during the afternoon, and issued a statement that the banks of St. Louis are all perfectly solvent and amply able to liquidate all demands. All the banks closed at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, and gave out word that they will open tomorrow at the usual hour. 10 o'clock, and will meet all demands. The directors of the Mercantile Trust Company, representing several millions of dollars, have signed the following agreement: "We, the Directors of the Mercantile Trust Company, knowing that all its affairs are in sound and safe condition and that every dollar of its obligations of every nature will be met, do hereby bind ourselves individualy to the extent of our individual fortunes, to the payment in full of all current and savings deposits accounts and we do hereby guarantee such payment."


Article from The Times Dispatch, October 28, 1903

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Institutions In St. Lcuis Put to Test. THE DISQUIETING RUMORS It Was Said that Savings Institutions Were Unsound, but Report Was Denounced an Absolute Canard. No Disorder iv.anifasted. (By Associated Press.) ST. LOUIS, MO., October 27.-From shortly before 1 o'clock to-day until the closing hour, 'clock, runs were made on the savings departments of three banks of St. Louis, and at the same time more than the ordinary amount of withdrawals by depositors were noticeable in the other banking institutions. The run, so far as it can be traced, was started by a disquieting rumor from the outside that seemed to strike St. Louis shortly afternoon, to the effect that the savings institutions here were unsound. With a rush the corridors of the Lincoln Trust Company, the Mercantile Trust Company and the Mississippi Valley Trust Company were filled with men and women, all eager to withdraw their money. The scene in any one bank was duplicated in the other two. A line of people with bank books in their hands and faces eagerly scanning the little barred windows of the bank tellers, stretched out into the street, and intermingled were policemen and bank officials. counselling calmness and giving assurances of solvency. It is stated that the rumor that started the run came from Chicago, and was to the effect that two directors of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company had recently endeavored to negotiate a loan of $2,000,000 in that city, and had been refused. To-day this rumor was pronounced an absolute canard by the directors concerned. As soon as the run started all other business was laid aside, and every facility was afforded for the prompt payment of depositors. The clause which gives the bank the privilege of withholding payment until sixty days after notification vas waived, and amounts were paid rapIdly, regardless of their size. There was no disorder manifested at any of the institutions, and in many cases depositors who had hurried to withdraw amounts departed without their money, after having conversed a few moments with the officials and been made confident that would continue to do business. Missouri Trust a ber had the At of bank the depositors collected Company to demand numpayment, but the crowd soon thinned out, and before 3 o'clock the incipient run had ceased. Presidents of the different national banks assembled during the aftornoon and issued a statement in which they announced that the banks of St. Louis are all perfectly solvent and amply able to liquidate all demands. All the banks closed at 3 o'clock, the usual closing hour, and announcement was made that they will open to-morrow morning at the usual hour, 10 o'clock, and will meet all demands made.


Article from The Daily Pioneer, October 28, 1903

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DEPOSITORS START A RUN. Offices of St. Louis Trust Companies Besieged. St. Louis, Oct. 28.-As the result of disquieting rumors a run was started during the day on the Mississippi Valley Trust company, but as fast as the depositors poured in they were given their money without hesitancy. A run was started on the Mercantile Trust company at 1:30 by savings depositors. People suddenly thronged the corridor and in a very few moments a line had been formed from the bank window out to the street. Policemen hurried to the scene and prevented disorder, while within the bank officials mingled with the crowd and assured everybody that deposits would be speedily paid. President Francis of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition company, a director of the Mississippi Valley Trust company, made a speech to the depositors who filled that bank at 2 o'clock in which he tried to reassure them. He said that a committee of three disinterested persons had only recently gone over the books of the company and had not found anything that should cause apprehension as to the stability of that institution. There were no bad investments or loans. He hoped that those who had money in the company's vaults should be calm and reconsider their desire to take it out and not cause any apprehension on the part of the general public. The Mississippi Valley Trust company, he said, was willing and able to pay all who wished their money and waived its right to take advantage of the sixty-day clause. At the Lincoln Trust company's offices a long line of depositors stood before the paying teller's window and as fast as they presented their books the money demanded was paid out. A great many women were noticeable among the depositors, many of whom were clerks in department stores.


Article from The Savannah Morning News, October 28, 1903

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RUN ON THE BANKS WAS STARTED IN ST. LOUIS BY A CHICAGO RUMOR. ALL DEMANDS WERE MET. OFFICIALS PARTIALLY CONVINCED DEPOSITORS OF THEIR SAFETY. It Was Reported from Chicago That Two Directors of a St. Louis Institution Had Been Unable to Negotiate a $2,000,000 Loan-On the Savings Departments of Three Banks the Run Then Commenced. Anxiety Finally Allayed. St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 27.-From shortly before 1 o'clock to-day until the closing hour, 3 o'clock, runs were made on the savings departments of three banks of St. Louis, and at the same time more than the ordinary amount of withdrawals by depositors were noticeable in the other banking institutions. The run, so far as it can be traced. was started by a disquieting rumor from the outside that seemed to strike St. Louis shortly after noon, to the effect that the savings institutions here were unsound. With a rush the corridors of the Lincoln Trust Company, the Mercantile Trust Company and the Mississippi Valley Trust Company were filled with men and women, all eager to withdraw their money. The scene in any one bank was duplicated in the other two. A line of people, with bankbooks in their hands and faces eagerly scanning the little barred windows of the bank tellers, stretched out into the street and intermingled, were policemen and bank officials counselling calmness and giving assurances of solvency. It is stated that the rumor that started the run came from Chicago, and was to the effect that two directors of the Mississippi Valley Trust Company had recently endeavored to negotiate a loan of $2,000,000 in that city, and had been refused. To-day this rumor was pronounced an absolute canard by the directors concerned. As soon as the runs started all other business was laid aside, and every facility was afforded for the prompt payment of deposits. The clause which gives the bank the privilege of withholding payment until sixty days after notification was waived, and amounts were paid rapidly, regardless of their size. There was no disorder manitested at any of the institutions, and in many cases depositors, who had hurried to withdraw amounts, departed without their money, after having conversed a few moments with the officials and had been made confident that the bank would continue to do business. At the Missouri Trust Company a number of depositors had collected to demand payment, but the crowd soon thinned out, and before 3 o'clock the incipient run had ceased. Presidents of the different national banks assembled during the afternoon and issued a statement, in which they announced that the banks of St. Louis are perfectly solvent and amply able to liquidate all demands. All the banks closed at 3 o'clock, the usual hour, and announcement was made that they will open to-morrow morning at the usual hour, at 10 o'clock, and will meet all demands made. The directors of the different trust companies at meetings to-night decided to enforce the thirty and sixty day notification clause to-morrow and this, it is believed, will doubtless stop all tendency to a continuation of the runs. A statement was given out saying that the trust companies were In need of no assistance whatever.


Article from The Montgomery Advertiser, October 29, 1903

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RUN IS CONTINUED. Saving Banks Enforce the Time Clause. Louis, Oct. 28.-Just before depositors the hour St. today the lines of doors of of opening away from the closed stretched Mississippi Valley Trust Company, the Lincoln Trust Company, the Missouri Mercanthe Trust Company and the Small before the doors of sembled tile Trust Company. crowds observed the were other that asinstitutions. It was savings of those in line were working people and most many of them women, whose savings were Owing not to heavy the action taken last night by officials of the eight trust companies the business in St. Louis enforcing doing and sixty days' notice of Intention were thirty withdraw funds, the depositors to able to get any money. All they could not do was to declare their intentions end of withdrawing their deposits at the of the time taken advantage of by the companies under their rules. The trust companies decided not to pay certificates of deposit before maturity. crush was the Mercantile Trust 9 and Locust doors The of greatest streets. before Company At the the doors were opened the at o'clock Eighth that and swept crowd surged in with a force aside the lines of police and bank em- line ployes formed to preserve a regular of to the windows of the paying tellers the time accounts. policemen were unable to handle the Festus Wade, mounted a chair crowd company, The and president and of an- the unless the depositors formed in would be ejected from said it was to line ing. nounced they He impossible in the crowding build- wait them if they insisted \upon in such a manner. This had the effect and some semblance of order was restored. As many of the persons as could be at the banking rooms had two lines, and accommodated formed in further the admis- first refused until some of had left by a separate were admitted and to comers sion then was others entrance; forced they in line and leave as soon as their the crowd the had keep By transacted 10 o'clock business. around building had extent that the trust to such company's an police increased the were ofunable to control it, and stationed at the doors were their stations as rapcould resume ficers away totally from almost them. Women swept a large per constituted idly as they centage the of jam. the crowd, and were erushed in knockMany dresses were torn and hats ed off. The policemen in trying to handle the crowd pushed many of them into personal the gutter. and in several instances fights were narrowly averted. When the doors of the Mercantile Trust the were opened just across Company east of the building it was packed, street the street to the west. and Eighth while Street, both to the north and south. were comparatively clear. an hour later. however, both of Half, were crowded for a distance to several streets hundred feet. and all efforts abanthem clear were practically keep the police directing their degree efforts chiefly doned, towards maintaining some of order at the doors. E. Davis, second vice-president Company, of John Mississippi Valley Trust to the the the morning made his way adduring steps leading to the bank there and stone dressed the throng assembled as follows: anxiety expressed here by so many with"The is entirely uncalled for. and will lose out reason. of you Not one person money through this trust company in our any and we shal conduct our business regular manner is no change in our financial con- paid "There whatever. We have always dition should have to be paid to every- the one whatever and we are going to do so in future. accounts will be paid just There as 'All open they are presented here. soon as no delay. Every other account due. will be be paid just as soon as it falls will an account which is due today today in your turn. it If will you be have paid regular Your There is no reason for any worry. well invested and you can get want it at the money it back is if you contract. regular time provided for in your 'I tell you positively that no official of Mississippi Valley Trust Company has the to Chicago for money. We do not We are in g and everything is been need financially money. splendid prosperous of shape every I think the same is true in St. Louis. I S with trust us. company appreciyour anxiety and I assure you as of a gentleman ate and officer and stockholder this company that your fears are groundless, and that you will lose no money through this company. e Henry M. Meir, Vice-President of this the Missouri Trust Company. made e statement today: "Our institution has money in abund


Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, October 29, 1903

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DEPOSITORS ARE AGAIN IN HURRY St, Louis Bank Officials, However, Say Trouble is Over MANY OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE Expression of Confidence and Such Offers on Part of National Banks Has Helped-Long Lines of Depositors. St Louis, October 28 The statement of President Julius S Walsh of the Mississippi Valley Trust company, whose sentiments are produced in interview given to the Associated Press by other trust company officials of St. Louis that "the situation is thoroughly in hand, "the excitement has subsided, and "from this on we expect business will be conducted in the usual orderly manner, expressed the opinion that seems general tonight, concerning the unwonted financial conditions which prevailed here during parts of yesterday and today. Officers of all the trust companies state that voluntary offers of help were received from financial institutions in New York. Philadelphia, Chicago New Orleans, Kansas City, Boston and many of the smaller towns of Missouri and Illinois, but all were declined for the reason that they had sufficient cash with which to handle their business Expression of confidence and offers of aid on the part of the national banks and financial institutions of St. Louis, has helped to strengthen the situation and restore confidence Lines of Depositors. Just before the hour of opening today the lines of depositors stretched away from the closed doors of the Mississippi Valley Trust company, the Lincoln Trust company, the Mercantile Trust company and the Missouri Trust company Small crowds were assembled before the doors of the other savings institutions It was observed most of that those line were in working people and many of them women whose savings heavy Owing to the action taken last night by the officials of the eight trust companies doing business St. Louis enLoreing thirty and sixty days' notice of Antention to funds, the depositors were not able to get any money All they could do to declare their intentions of their deposits at the end of the time taken advantage of by the companie. under their rules. pay The trust companies decided not to certificates of deposit before maturity Crowd Serges In. doors The greatest crush was before the at of the Mercantile Trust company Eighth and Locust streets. o'clock the doors were opened and the crowd surin with force that swept aside the lines of police and bank employe formed to preserve regular line to the windows of the paying tellers of the time The policemen were unable to handle the crowd and Festus Wade, president of the company, mounted chair and announced unless the depositors formed in line they would be ejected from the building He said was impossible wait in upon them if they insisted in crowding such This had the effect and some semblance of order was restored be the could As as persons the banking rooms had admisformed in two lines, and further sion refused until some of the first entrance; comers had left by separate then others admitted and forced they keep in line and leave soon as to had transacted their business. Many Women in the Crowd. the By 10 o'clock the crowd around an such trust company's building had increased to totally extent that the police were unable to control it. and ficers stationed at the doors the of. away from their were swept stations almost as constituted ly as they could resume them. Women rapidlarge percentage of the Many and crushed in the knocked off dresses were torn and hats jam. crowd The policemen in trying to handle pushed many of the instances personal gutter and in several them into the lights were narrowly averted. opened company When the were doors of the Mercantile Trust street east of the building just across the the while the street it was packed. street, both to the west, and Eighth comparatively clear north and south, were an hour Half later, crowded for however, both streets them keep were clear hundred feet, and all efforts distance to of several ractically wards police directing their efforts abandoned chiefly the doors. the maintaining some degree of order toE. John Davis during the Mississippi Valley second vice Trust president of the morning, made his company, addressed stone steps leading into the way to the follows: the throng assembled bank there and as Bank Official Speaks. of The you anxiety is expressed here by out entirely uncalled for, so many reason. Not one person and withmoney through this trust will lose any shall conduct our business company, and our paid ular to condition "There manner. whatever is whatever. no should change We have in have to in financial our always regin the are going are just soon 'All everyone, open future accounts and will be to be do so paid as will Every other reguday will will paid no they delay. just paid presented which here. paid it falls account due There due. to. is for reason any lar turn. There today in your Your and money invested worry. at it want you in the conyour tract. of no that official positively the Valley Mississippi not do We been need to money. Chicago for money. Trust company We has financially with and everything are splendid shape us I think the is prosperous Lapanxiety preciate every trust your company in same St. Louis. true of that of gentleman this company and officer and assure stockholder you through groundless. :his company.- and you will your lose fears no money Henry M. Meir's of the Henry M. Meir, vice Statement. president


Article from Durango Semi-Weekly Herald, October 29, 1903

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FOOLISH ST. LOUIS DEPOSITORS ST. LOUIS, Oct. 28.-The Mississippi Valley and Mercantile Trust companies today demanded of depositors a thirty to sixty-day notification of intention to withdraw deposits. Long lines of depositorrs are awaiting the opening of the doors of the two institutions. Some small crowds are also assembled in front of other banking institutions in the city. Fifteen policemen kept order in the crowd around the Mercantile Trust company's offices. A number of men prominent in financial circles advised the crowd to be calm and declared the money of the depositors was safe. The runs started, it is charged, through rumors set afloat for revenge by eastern brokers whose appeals for loahs had been refused. Despite the fact that several boxes filled with currency and guarded by armed men was unloaded at the Mercantile Trust company's offices, the crowd was 80 dense at noon that the police were helpless and many women and children were crushed in the immense throng that surrounded the offices. The Mississippi and Lincoln companies locked their doors later and admitted only a few at a time.


Article from Perrysburg Journal, October 30, 1903

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WANTED THEIR MONEY. A False Rumor Caused Runs on the Savings Departments of Three St. Louis Banks-Depositors Demands Were All Met. St. Louis, Oct. 28.-From shortly before 1 o'clock Tuesday until the closing hour, 3 o'clock, runs were made on the savings departments of three banks of St. Louis, and at the same time more than the ordinary amount of withdrawals by savings depositors were noticeable in the other banking institutions. The run, so far as it can be traced, was started by a disquieting rumor from the outside that seemed to strike St. Louis shortly after noon, to the effect that the savings institutions here were unsound. With a rush the corridors of the Lincoln Trust Co., the Mercantile Trust Co. and the Mississippi Valley Trust Co. were filled with men and women, all eager to withdraw their money. The scene in any one bank was duplicated in the other two. A line of people with bank books in their hands and faces eagerly scanning the little barred widows of the bank tellers stretched out into the street, and intermingled were policemen and bank officials counselling calmness and giving assurances of solvency. It is stated that the rumor that started the run came from Chicago and was to the effect that two directors of the Mississippi Valley Trust Co. had recently endeavored to negotiate a loan of $2,000,000 in that city and had been refused. This rumor was pronounced an absolute canard by the directors concerned. As soon as the runs started all other business was laid aside and every facility was afforded for the prompt payment of deposits. The clause which gives the bank the privilege of withholding payment until 60 days after notification was waived and amounts were paid rapidly, regardless of their size. There was no disorder manifested at any of the institutions and in many cases depositors who had hurried to withdraw amounts departed without their money, after having conversed a few moments with the officials and been made confident that the bank would continue to do business. Presidents of the different national banks assembled during the afternoon and issued a statement in which they announced that the banks of St. Louis are all perfectly solvent and amply able to liquidate all demands.


Article from The Barre Daily Times, October 30, 1903

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BANK RUN CONTINUES Mobs Besiege Three St. Louis Trust Companies. MANY PERSONS INJURED. Policemen Swept Off Their Feet by Rushes of Frightened Depositors-Women's Dresses and Hats Torn Off. St. Louis, Oct. 29.-Long before the hour of opening, lines of depositors stretched away from the closed doors of the Mississippi Valley Trust company, the Lincoln Trust company, the Mercantile Trust company and the Missouri Trust company. Smaller crowds assembled before the doors of some of the other savings institutions also. It was observed that most of those in line were working people, and many of them women. whose savings were not heavy. The greatest crush was before the doors of the Mercantile Trust company, on Eighth and Locust streets. When the doors were opened; the crowd surged in with a force that swept aside the lines of police and bank employees formed to preserve a regular line to the windows of the paying tellers of the time and open accounts. The policemen were unable to handle the crowds, and Festus J. Wade, president of the Mercantile Trust company, mounted a chair and made a statement that unless the depositors formed in line they would be all ejected from the building. He explained that It was impossible to wait on them if they insisted on crowding in such a manner. This announcement had the desired effect, and some semblance of order was restored. When as many persons as could be accommodated at one time in the banking rooms had formed in the two lines. further admission was refused until some of the first comers had left by a separate entrance: then others were admitted and forced to keep in line and leave as soon as they had transacted their business. Police Unable to Control Crowds. An hour after opening, the crowd around the trust company's building had increased to such an extent that the police were totally unable to control it, and the officers stationed at the doors were swept away from their stations almost as rapidly as they could regain them. Women, who con= stituted a large percentage of the d crowd, were crushed in the jam, and n in the struggle their dresses were torn and their hats knocked off. n The policemen in trying to handle the crowd pushed many of them into the gutter, and in several instances personal fights were averted only by the it interposition of cooler persons. d When the doors of the Mercantile Trust company were opened Locust street east of the building was packed, while the streets to the west and Eightli street, both to the north and south, were comparatively clear. Half an hour later, however, both streets were Γ  crowded for a distance of several hundred feet, and all efforts to keep them el clear were practically abandoned; while of the police directed their efforts chiefly t toward maintaining some degree of orΓ  der at the doors.


Article from The Irish Standard, October 31, 1903

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ST. LOUIS BANKS DEMAND NOTICE Officials Seek to Avert Panic by Enforcing Rules Allowing Time to Pay Deposits. MANY WORKING PEOPLE RUSH TO WITHDRAW THEIR SAVINGS Greatest Crush Is at Mercantile Trust Company and Police Unable to Handle Crowds-Situation Becomes Better as Day Advances - Money Received from New York. St. Louis, Oct. 29.-Long before ten o'clock, the hour of opening, lines of depositors stretched away from the closed doors of the Mississippi Valley Trust company, the Lincoln Trust company, the Mercantile Trust company and the Missouri Trust company, Wednesday. Small crowds were assembled before the doors of some of the other savings institutions. It was observed that most of those in line were working people, and many of them women, whose savings were not heavy. Owing to the action taken Tuesday night by the officials of the eight trust companies doing business in St. Louis requiring 30 and 60-day notices of intention to withdraw funds, depositors were not able to get any money. All they could do was to declare their intention of withdrawing their deposits at the end of the time taken advantage of by the companies under their rules. The trust companies also decided not to pay any certificates of deposit before maturity. Crush at Mercantile Bank. The greatest crush was before the doors of the Mercantile Trust company, on Eighth and Locust streets. At nine o'clock the doors were opened and the crowd surged in with a force that swept aside the lines of police and bank employes formed to preserve a regular line to the windows of the paying tellers of the time and open accounts. Crowd Increases. By ten o'clock the crowd around the trust companies' building had increased to such an extent that the police were totally unable to control it, and the officers stationed at the door were swept away from their stations almost as rapidly as they could regain them. Women, who as on Tuesday constituted a large percentage of the crowd, were crushed in the jam, and in thestruggle their dresses were ,torn and their hats knocked off. The policemen, in trying to handle the crowd, pushed many of them into the gutter, and in several instances personal fights were averted only by the interposition of cooler persons. Feeling Becomes Stronger. At one o'clock the uneasiness of small depositors in the trust companies seemed to have been removed. At that hour there were only a few depositors withdrawing daily balance accounts or giving notice of withdrawal of savings deposits at the Mercantile and the Mississippi Valley companies. Many persons who withdrew money Tuesday deposited it again Wednesday, and in some instances new savings accounts were opened. At the other trust companies the withdrawals were but little in excess of the normal. One effect of the withdrawals was observed at the City Hall in the great increase In the payment of taxes. In the afternoon the unusual crowds at the different trust companies' offices had dwindled away and business seemed to have resumed normal sway. Heavy Demand on New York. New York, Oct. 29.-St. Louis continues to make demands on this center for cash. The sum of $600,000 was sent by telegraphic transfer from the subtreasury Wednesday and direct shipments of about the same amount were made by local banks Tuesday night. No definite news regarding the situation in St. Louis is obtainable in authoritative quarters here, but bankers profess to believe that reports have been exaggerated. Private advices received by stock exchange houses agree that the substantial interests of St. Louis have the situation well in hand. Chicago and New Orleans also drew moderately on the subtreasury Wednesday for "crop" money. A further installment of $660,000 was transferred to St. Louis shortly before the close of business. This makes a total shipment for the day to that point


Article from Vernon County Censor, November 4, 1903

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RUN ON ST. LOUIS BANKS. Demands Are Promptly Met by In stitutions Affected. From shortly before 1 o'clock Tuesday afternoon until the closing hour, 3 o'clock, runs were made in the savings departments of three banks of St. Louis and at the same time more than the ordinary amount of withdrawals by savings depositors were noticeable in the other banking institutions. The run. so far as it can be traced. was started by a disquieting rumor from the outside that seemed to strike St. Louis shortly after noon to the effect that the savings institutions there were unsound, and like a prairie fire it spread in a flash through the streets and different mercantile establishments whose employes represent the majority of the savings depositors. With a rush the corridors of the Lincoln Trust Company, the Mercantile Trust Company and the Mississippi Valley Trust Company were filled with men and women, all eager to withdraw their money. The scene in any one bank was duplicated in the other two. A line of people with bank books in their hands and faces eagerly scanning the little barred windows of the bank tellers stretched out into the street and intermingled were policemen and bank officials counseling calmness and giving assurances of solvency. St. Louis bankers and trust company officials with one voice lay the blame for the runs on Chicago stock brokers, whom they accuse of deliberately circulating malicious and utterly unfounded rumors concerning St. Louis financial institutions for the purpose of depressing and "bearing" the stock market. As soon as the runs started all other business was laid aside and every facility was afforded for the prompt payment of deposits. The clause which gives the bank the privilege of withholding payment until sixty days after notification was waived and amounts were paid rapidly, regardless of their size. There was no disorder manifested at any of the institutions, and in many cases depositors who had hurried to withdraw their money departed W thout it after having conversed a few minutes with the officials. The directors of the different trust companies at meetings Tuesday night decided to enforce the thirty and sixty -day notification clause in an effort to stop all tendency to a continuation of runs.


Article from The Bamberg Herald, November 5, 1903

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Cream of News. Brief Summary of Most Important Events of Each Day. -Four men lose their lives in the wreck of a freight train at Besemer City, N. C., on the Southern railway. -President MacRae, of the board of trustees of the Southwestern Presbyterian university, at Clarksville, Tenn., in his annual repert opens the fight against the proposed removal cf the university to Atlanta. -The betting in New York is in favor of McClellan for mayor. Heavy sums have been wagered on the democratic candidate. -The navy department has issued hurry orders to the cruiser Baltimore to proceed to San Domingo, where a revolution is in progress, to guard American interests. -Addressing an audience in Madison Square Garden Dowie said that elections went in Chicago according to his orders and that in five years he expected to dominate the elections in New York city. Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock says that, while there have been extensive frauds in the public land department, the sums involved will not reach $18,000,000. He admits several government officials are involved. -There are no developments in the Far East situation, except an editorial in a Russian paper urging the czar to teach Japan a lesson. -Mexican officials deny that the life of President Diaz was attempted. They claimed that the man who fired the shots was drunk and was celebrating. -At a meeting of the citizens of Macon, called by Governor Terrell in the interest of the Georgia building at St. Louis, $3,100 was raised to assist in erecting the structure. -The Eatonton, Ga., cotton mills and electric plant, which have been in the hands of receivers, have been sold to J. B. Floyd and Burke Floyd, of Savannah, for $42,000. -A negro died in Savannah. Ga., Tuesday night after drinking a quart of corn liquor on a wager. He drank it in a bar and walked out and in a few minutes was a corpse. -Mrs. L. Q. C. Lamar, widow of the famous statesman and jurist, died Tuesday night in Macon. Like her 11lustrious husband, she was a native of Georgia. -The Mississippi river convention at New Orleans resolved to ask the United States to take charge of the levee system. -It is reported that the body of young Wentz, the missing Philadelphia millionaire, has been found in Wise county, Va. -Runs were made Tuesday on the Lincoln Trust Cohpany, the Mercantile Trust Company and the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, all of St. Louis. The runs were caused by rumors from the outside. All demands were promptly met. -After a chase lasting fourteen months, and in which two continents were traversed with a detective in pursuit, John Morrisen, assistant cash. ier of the Northampton bank of Lon don, charged with embezzing $60,000, was captured in Chicago. -Arthur Slater, of Acworth, Ga., was married to Miss Nellie Fredricks in jail at Binghamton, N. Y. Their courtship began and was consummated in prison. -The Wesleyan Methodist church of America will not bar the negro from membership, but this action is not to be construed as meaning social equality. -At Guanajuto, Mexico, five shots were fired at President Diaz, who had gone to that city to attend a festival. -Hugh McLaughlin, the leader of the-Brooklyn democracy, declares that he intends to knife the Tammany ticket. -The Dominican government cruis er Independencia is preventing mail steamers entering the ports of Puerta Plata, which is in the hands of the revolutionists. -Sensational developments are ex. pected at a meeting of the creditors of the Southern Car and Foundry Company at Chattanooga, when officials of the bankrupt corporation will be asked to explain certain actions alleged to be irregular. -Mrs. Iverson, of Monterey, Cai., strangled her three children to death, saying that a supreme power had commanded her to kill them. She has long and time for ill had