9535. People's United States Bank (St Louis, MO)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
July 6, 1905
Location
St Louis, Missouri (38.627, -90.198)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
bd91252bbe53b113

Response Measures

None

Description

Articles describe a fraud order by the U.S. Postmaster General (government action) leading to appointment of a receiver (summer 1905). The receiver was briefly discharged and the bank resumed business (July 17, 1905), but directors later voted voluntary liquidation and a receiver was again appointed (Aug 1905). The bank ultimately wound up (voluntary liquidation) though there were subsequent legal maneuvers (Supreme Court action in Mar 1906 reversing a receivership). No articles describe depositor runs/withdrawal crowds. Classification: suspension_closure (suspension by receivership/government action -> bank winds up/closure).

Events (5)

1. July 6, 1905 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Postmaster General Cortelyou issued a fraud order forbidding the delivery of mail and the payment of money orders to the People's United States Bank (fraud order).
Source
newspapers
2. July 10, 1905 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Postmaster General issued a fraud order (July 6, 1905) and postal department action precipitated appointment of a receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
Judge McElhinney ... appointed ... Spencer receiver for the Peoples' United States bank ... the postal authorities issued a fraud order against the bank.
Source
newspapers
3. July 17, 1905 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
Judge McElhinny today dissolved the receivership for the People's United States Bank and discharged the receiver ... bank permitted to resume business; receivership enjoined/ dissolved on motion of bank attorneys and state officials' procedure criticized in court papers.
Source
newspapers
4. August 15, 1905 Suspension
Cause
Voluntary Liquidation
Cause Details
Directors voted to go into voluntary liquidation after federal court refused injunction against enforcement of the fraud order; court then granted application for receiver.
Newspaper Excerpt
Following the decision of Judge Van Devanter ... the directors ... have voted to go into voluntary liquidation. Notwithstanding ... Judge McElhinney granted an application for a receiver for the People's United States Bank.
Source
newspapers
5. March 31, 1906 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The supreme court has decided that the St. Louis county circuit court acted without authority when it appointed a receiver for the $2,500,000 People's United States bank ... the receiver was ousted by the supreme court decision.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (24)

Article from Evening Times-Republican, July 10, 1905

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Receiver for St. Louis Bank. St. Louis, July 10.-Judge McElhinney in the circuit court today appointed form Judge Spencer receiver for the Peoples' United States bank. against which a fraud order has been issued Spencer by the postal authorities. qualified, furnishing a $250,000 bond, and took charge.


Article from The Spokane Press, July 10, 1905

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REGIEVER FOR LEWIS' BIG BANK ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 10.-Judge Selden Spencer was appointed receiver of the People's United States band by Judge McElhinney of St. Louis county circuit court. The action follows the issuance of a fraud order against the bank by Postmaster General Cortelyou. E. C. Lewis, publisher of the Woman's Magazine, is promoter of the bank, which had a paid up capital of over $2,000,000, received largely from subscribers to the magazines published by Lewis.


Article from The Stark County Democrat, July 14, 1905

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PEOPLES BANK FAILURE More Than $600,000 Will be Lost by 65,000 Stockholders. St. Louis, July 11.-By the collapse of the Peoples United States Bank the 65,000 stockholders, scattered throughout every state and territory of the union will lose more than $600,000, even if Receiver Spencer's greatest expectations as to the value of the bank's securities are realized. According to Receiver Spencer's estimate, made Tuesday, he expects to realize from the present assets $1,826,250. This amount is necessary if he is to pay back to stock subscribers 75 per cent of their holdings. The total amount of paid up stock subscriptions are $2,435,000. The securities upon which he counts for realizing 75 cents on the dollar paid in for stock is the property pledged for collateral to secure the bank's loans. Receiver Spencer was today directed by Judge McIlhenry of the St. Louis county circuit court to pay depositors on demand and the bond of the receiver was increased from $250,000 to $1,000,000. The receiver notified the court he had engaged Senator A. El. Gardner, and Judge George Wolff as legal advisers. All depositors asking money will be paid from the funds now deposited in the various St. Louis banks. Many depositors have already made demand on the bank for the amount of their deposits and Mr. Spencer looks for a heavy rush of such demands during the next few days.


Article from Deseret Evening News, July 14, 1905

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People's U. S. Bank. 81. Louis, July 14.-Arguments were submitted today before Judge Mellhenney, in the circuit court at Clayton, on the motion for dissolution of the receivership of the People's United States bank. Alty, Gen. Hadley, at whose instance a receiver for the bank was appointed several days ago, Asst. Atty, Gen. N. T. Gentry, Secy, of State Suenger and State Bank Examiner R. M. Cook appeared at the hearing. Receiver Spencer of the People's United States bank, through his attorneys, today submitted an inventory of the holdings of the bank. He reported the assets under five classifications, as follows: Exhibit A, stocks and bonds, $204,469; exhibit B, cash in other banks and on hand, $346,897; exhibit C, time and demand certificates, $1,046,758; exhibit D. time and demand loans, $1,010,183; exhibit E, sundry accounts, $70.935; total, $2,679,244.


Article from Albuquerque Evening Citizen, July 17, 1905

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PEOPLE'S BANK IS RELEASED TECHNICALLY St. Louis, July 17.-On - motion of attorneys for the People's United States bank, capitalized at $2,500,000, Judge McElhiney of the St. Louis circuit court, today dissolved the receivership for the instiution and discharged Receiver Seldon P. Spencer, appointed by him several days ago on request of Secretary of State Swanger of Missouri. The judge's action was based on the ground that the secretary of state failed to make a personal investigation of the affairs of the bank before making application for a receiver. The court stated that a receiver was appointed on representations, which which it was developed, were based by the secretary of state on his impressions of conditions prevailing at the bank and its methods of conducting its business, and not on facts secured by thorough investigation.


Article from The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, July 17, 1905

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RECEIVER DISCHARGED ST. LOUIS BANK IS DOING BUSINESS AGAIN The Court Ordered the Discharge of the Receiver of the Bank, Who Was Recently Appointed on Motion of the State Officials. St. Louis, July 17.-Judge McElhinny today dissolved the receivership of the People's United States Bank and discharged the receiver appointed a few ys ago on the motion of Secretary of Swanger. tor


Article from The Topeka State Journal, July 17, 1905

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RECEIVER DISCHARGED. People's U. S. Bank of St. Louis Permitted to Resume Business. St. Louis, July 17.-On motion of the attorneys for the Peoples United States bank, capitalized at $2,500,000, Judge McElhinney of the St. Louis county circuit court, today dissolved the receivership for that institution, and discharged Receiver Seldon P. Spencer, appointed by him several days ago on the request of Secretary Swanger of Missouri.


Article from The Independent, July 20, 1905

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By the collapse at St. Louis of the People's United States bank, the getrich-quick enterprise of E. G. Lewis, the 65,000 stockholders scattered throughout every state and territory of the union will lose more than $600,000, even if Receiver Spencer's greatest expectations as to values of the bank's securities are realized. Bank Examiner Cook, who should be thoroughly familiar with the institution's affairs, says the stockholders cannot be paid more than 50 per cent, thus entailing a loss of $1,217,500. The postoffice department has issued a fraud order against the bank and it must cease operations.


Article from The Citizen-Republican, July 20, 1905

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FOLK TO THE RESCUE. Governor of Missouri Comes to the Aid of the People's Bank of St. Louis. St. Louis, July 19.-On motion of attorneys for the People's United States bank, capitalized at $2,500,000, Judge McElhinney of the county circuit court today dissolved the receivership for that institution and discharged Receiver Spencer, appointed by him several days ago on request of Secretary of State Swanger. The fraud order of the postmaster general has been enjoined and the bank is again free. Judge McElhinney's action was based on the ground that the secretary of state failed to make a personal investigation of the affairs of the bank before making the application for a receiver. The court stated that a receiver had been appointed on this representation, which, it had developed, was based by Secretary Swanger on his impression of conditions prevailing at the bank and its method of conducting its business, and not on facts secured through investigation.


Article from The Bon Homme County Independent, July 20, 1905

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FOLK TO THE RESCUE. Governor of Missouri Comes to the Aid of the People's Bank of St. Louis. St. Louis, July 19.-On motion of at. torneys for the People's United States bank. capitalized at $2,500,000, Judge McElhinney of the county circuit court today dissolved the receivership for that institution and discharged Receiver Spencer, appointed by him several days ago on request of Secretary of State Swanger. The fraud order of the postmaster general has been enjoined and the bank is again free. Judge McElhinney's action was based on the ground that the secretary of state failed to make n. personal investigation st the affairs of the bank before making the application for a receiver. The court stated that a receiver had been appointed on this representation, which, it had developed. was based by Secretary Swanger on his impression of conditions prevailing at the bank and its method of conducting its business, and not on facts secured through in. vestigation.


Article from The Pioneer Express, July 21, 1905

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RECEIVER IS DISCHARGED. People's United States Bank Again in Hands of Officers. St. Louis, July 19. - On motion of the attorneys for the People's United States bank, capitalized at $2,500,000, Judge McElhinny, of the St. Louis county circuit court, yesterday dissolved the receivership for that institution and discharged Receiver Selden P. Spencer, appointed by him several days ago on the request of Secretary of State Swanger of Missouri.


Article from Evening Star, August 15, 1905

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VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION. Result of Adverse Decision by United States Judge. ST. LOUIS, August 15.-Following the decision of United States Circuit Judge Van DeVenter, denying an application for an injunction to prohibit the enforcement of a fraud order by the postal authorities, the directors of the People's United States Bank, on the advice of their attorneys, have voted to go into voluntary liquidation. Notwithstanding the decision of the directors to go into voluntary liquidation, Judge McElhinney of the St. Louis county circuit court today granted an application for a receiver for the People's United States Bank on the request of Attorney General Hadley of Missouri. The court then appointed a receiver, but announced that his name would be temporarily withheld. The action of the court in appointing a receiver was taken on a supplementary petition filed by the attorney general, after a previous order appointing a receiver had been vacated by the court on the application of the bank directors, who claimed that the procedure was illegal.


Article from Bismarck Daily Tribune, August 16, 1905

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RESULT OF FRAUD ORDER. United States Bank Decides to Quit Business. St. Louis, Aug. 16.-Following the decision of United States Circuit Judge Vandeventer, denying an application for an injunction to prohibit the enforcement of a fraud order by the postal authorities, the directors of the People's United States bank, on the advice of their attorneys, have voted to go into voluntary liquidation. The following resolution was adopted: "That as the order issued by the honorable postmaster general July 6, 1905, against this bank prevents the proper and regular operation of the bank by the use of the United States mails, although the bank is solvent and sound in all respects, it is deemed by this board for the best interests of the depositors and stockholders to go into liquidation and to take at once all proper steps for the protection against unnecessary expense and loss to its stockholders and depositors." Notwithstanding the decision of the directors to go into voluntary liquidation Judge McElhinney of the St. Louis county circuit court granted an application for a receiver for the People's United States bank on the request of Attorney General Hadley of Missouri. The court then appointed a receiver, but announced that his name would be temporarily withheld.


Article from The Montgomery Advertiser, August 16, 1905

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BANK CLOSES DOORS. Directors Objected to Ruling of United States Court. St. Louis, Aug. 15-Following the decision of United States Circuit Judge Van Deventer, denying an application for an injunction to prohibit the enforcement of a fraud order by the postal authorities. the directors of the Peoples United States Bank, on the advice of their attorneys, have voted to go into voluntary liquidation. The following resolution was adopted: "That as the order issued by the honorable Postmaster General July 6, 1905, against this bank prevents the proper and regular operation of the bank by the use of the United States mails, although the bank is solvent and sound in all respects, it is deemed by this board for the best interests of the depositors and stockholders to go into liquidation and to take at once all proper steps for the protection against unnecessary expense and loss to its stockholders and depositors." Notwithstanding the decision of the directors to go into voluntary liquidation, Judge McElhenny of the St. Louis County Court today granted an application for a receiver for the Peopies United States Bank on the request of Attorney General Hadley of Missouri. The Court then appointed a receiver but announced that his name would be temporarily withheld. The action of the court in appointing a receiver was taken on a supplementary petition filed by the Attorney General, after a previous order appointing a receiver had been vacated by the court on the application of the bank's directors who claimed the procedure was illegal. Immediately upon the announcement that Freck Essen of St. Louis County was the court's selection for receiver, attorneys for the bank filed two motions, the first to vacate the appointment of Essen and the second appealing from Judge Mcflhany's order authorizing a receivership


Article from Omaha Daily Bee, August 16, 1905

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BANK WILL QUIT BUSINESS / Board of Directors of Lewis St. Louis Concern Will Close Affairs. COURT HAS APPOINTED A RECEIVER In Spite of Action of Board Circuit Judge Decides to Place Man in Charge of Property. ST. LOUIS, Aug. 15.-Following the decision of United States Circuit Judge Van Devanter, denying an application for an injunction to prohibit the enforcement of a fraud order by the postal authorities, the directors of the People's United States bank, on the advice of their attorneys, have voted to go into voluntary liquidation. The following resolution was adopted: That as the order issued by the honorable postmaster general, July 6, 1905, against this bank prevents the proper and regular operation of the bank by the use of the United States mail, although the bank is solvent and sound in all respects, it is deemed by this board for the best Interests of the depositors and stockholders to go into liquidation and to take at once all proper steps for the protection against unnecessary expense and loss to its stockholders and depositors. Notwithstanding the decision of the directors to go into voluntary liquidation, Judge McElhinney of the St. Louis county circuit court today granted an application for. a receiver for the People's United States bank on the request of Attorney General Hadley of Missouri. The court then appointed a receiver, but announced that his name would be temporarily withheld. The action of the court in appointing a receiver was taken on a supplementary petition filed by the attorney general after a previous order appointing a receiver had been vacated by the court on the application of the bank directors, who claimed that the procedure was illegal. Immediately upon the announcement that Frederick Essen of St. Louis county was the court's selection for receiver, attorneys for the bank filed two motions, the first to vacate the appointment of Essen and the second appealing from Judge McElhinney's order authorizing a receivership.


Article from The Miller Sun, August 23, 1905

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PEOPLE'S BANK LIQUIDATES St. Louis Institution Forced to Wind Up Its Affairs. Fohowing the decision of Federal Judge Vandeventer at St. Louis, Mo., denying the application for an injunction to prohibit the enforcement of the fraud order by the postal authorities, the directors of the People's United States Bank have voted to go into voluntary liquidation. Notwithstanding the decision of the directors to go into voluntary liquidation, Judge McElhinney Tuesday granted the application for a receiver for the People's United States Bank on request of Attorney General Hadley. The court appointed the receiver, but announced his name woull be temporarily withheld.


Article from The Washington Times, September 2, 1905

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Hundreds of letters have been received at the Postoffice Department during the past few weeks requesting information about the issue of a fraud order against the People's United States Bank, of St. Louis, which was put out of business some weeks ago by the Postoffice Department. They have been addressed to almost every official in the department, and many of them to the President. The writers seem to have an idea that the President has the matter directly in charge, and they want his "square deal." A reply is sent to each letter, giving the desired information so far as possible. All are directed to write to the receiver of the bank at St. Louis. The amount of the deposits of writers of these letters ranges from $1 to $1,000. Most of them are pathetic epistles, but many contain expressions that afford much amusement to department officials. For instance, one young lady, who lives in New England, not far from the birthplace of many Revolutionary heroes, got the impression that she had committed some fraud and wrote to know how it happened. She had sent a letter to the bank and in course of time it was returned marked "fraudulent" in great big letters. ### Conscience Relieved. Her conscience smote her and she innocently wrote an apology to Uncle Sam, adding that she had paid full postage on the letter and did not understand how any fraud had been committed. Her conscience was promptly relieved. Another woman, whose trouble is very real, wrote the Postmaster General that


Article from Bismarck Daily Tribune, March 31, 1906

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ACTION NOT AUTHORIZED. Supreme Court Reverses Receivership for St. Louis Bank. Jefferson City, Mo., March 31.-The supreme court has decided that the St. Louis county circuit court acted without authority when it appointed a receiver for the $2,500,000 People's United States bank of St. Louis, of which E. G. Lewis is president. Fred Essen is the receiver. After Essen was appointed receiver of the bank Lewis filed suit in the St. Louis county circuit court to have the receivership set aside and have Essen removed. Judge McIlhinney rendered an adverse decision and Lewis appealed the case to the supreme court, resulting in the receiver being ousted.


Article from Morgan County Democrat, April 6, 1906

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IS MOST THROUGH ANYHOW Missouri Supreme Coart Annu's neceivership of the People's United States Bank. St. Louis.-The Misscuri supreme court in Jefferson City reversed Friday the action of the St. Louis county circuit court in appointing Fred Essen receiver for the $2,500,000 People's United States bank, of which E. G. Lewis is president. An opinion defining the scope of the decision will not be handed down for several weeks. The decision means, lawyers say, the end of Essen's receivership, and replaces the affairs of the bank in the hands of the directors. It is said, however, that the directors can not continue the operation of a bank without obtaining a new charter and starting anew. Receiver Essen, when told by a reporter that the supreme court nad set aside the receivership, said: "Good. I'm glad of it. I'm about through with the bank, anyhow. What do I mean? Merely that every debt has been paid. the depositors have got every dollar due them and there's only between $35,000 and $40,000 stock outstanding. "We've made two payments on the stock, the first 50 cents on the dollar. the second 35 cents. We are paying out 85 cents on the dollar.


Article from The Montgomery Advertiser, July 11, 1906

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Partial Revocation of Postmaster General's Order. Washington, July -Postmaster General Cortelyou today suspended his order of July 6, 1905, to the postmaster of St. Louts forbiding the delivery of mail and the payment of money orders to the Peoples United States Bank, its officers and agents and E. G. Lewis, so far as it effects E. G. Lewis personally. This suspension said the postmaster general in a public statem it, was upon the clear understanding that the resumption of the use by Mr. Lewis or his name for the purpose of reviving the Peoples United States Bank would be deemed sufficient ground for revoking the order of suspension putting the order of 1905. in all respects again in force.


Article from Rock Island Argus, July 11, 1906

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LIFTS BAN AGAINST LEWIS Fraud Order by Postal Department Partially Revoked for St. Louisan. Washington, July 11.-The postmaster general has suspended his order of July 6, 1905, to the postmaster of St. Louis forbidding the delivery of mail and payment of money orders to the People's United States bank; its officers, agents, and L. G. Lewis SO far as it affects Lewis personally.


Article from Los Angeles Herald, July 11, 1906

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SUSPENDS A FRAUD ORDER People's Bank of St. Louis and Pos. tal Department Come to Terms By Associated Press. WASHINGTON, July 10. -Postmaster General Cortelyou today suspended his order of July 6, 1905, to the postmaster of St. Louis forbidding the delivery of mail and the payment of money orders to the People's United States bank, its officers and agents and E. G. Lewis, so far as it affects E. G. Lewis personally, The postmaster general says the operations of the bank are understood to be. at an end and the concern is practically out of existence. This suspension, the postmaster general continues, was upon the clear understanding that the resumption of the use by Mr. Lewis of his name for the purpose of reviving the People's United States bank would be deemed sufficient ground for revoking the order of suspension and putting the order of 1905 in all .respects again into force.


Article from The Manitowoc Pilot, July 12, 1906

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PEOPLE'S BANK ORDER RAISED. Can Receive Mail if No Deposit Money Is Accepted. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 10.Postmaster General Cortelyou today suspended his order of July 6. 1905. to the postmaster of St. Louis, forbidding the delivery of mail and the payment of money orders to the People's United States bank. and E. G. Lewis personally. The use by Lewis of his name for the purpose of reviving the People's United States bank will be deemed sudicient ground for revoking the order of suspension. The postmaster general says the concern is practically out of existence.


Article from The Times Dispatch, July 29, 1906

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# United States Bank of St. Louis. Editor of The Times-Dispatch: What were the existing conditions that prompted the courts of the State of Missouri to appoint a receiver for the People's United States Bank, of St. Louis, Mo.; E. G. Lewis, president; and what were the charges brought against Lewis? SUBSCRIBER. It was charged that bank the bank was a scheme to defraud. Stockholders have received 85 per cent., and another small dividend may come. Lewis's mail was seized by the government.