Bank of San Diego - San Diego, CA

Bank Information

Episode Type: Suspension → Closure
Bank Type: state
Start Date: November 1, 1891*
Location: San Diego, California (32.715, -117.157)

Metadata

Model: gpt-5-mini
Short Digest: b00c832d

Response Measures

None

Description

Newspaper items (Nov 1891 and Mar 1892) report the San Diego bank failed/suspended in fall 1891 in connection with J. W. Collins; subsequent suicides and references to the bank's failure indicate permanent closure. Cause appears to be bank-specific adverse information (embezzlement/financial misconduct). No clear contemporaneous description of a depositor run on this specific bank is given in these excerpts.

Events (2)

1. November 1, 1891* Suspension

Cause: Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details: Failure tied to J. W. Collins's banks; later reports mention Collins was to be tried for embezzling $200,000 and that his bank at San Diego failed last fall; cashier also committed suicide — indicates internal malfeasance/insolvency led to suspension/closure.
Newspaper Excerpt: This was caused by a run following the failure of the Bank of California, at San Diego, J. W. Collins having been at the head of both houses.
Source: newspapers

2. March 3, 1892 Other

Newspaper Excerpt: J. W. Collins ... committed suicide at San Delgo, California, on the 3rd. When his bank at San Deigo failed last fall, the Cheyenne National Bank ... closed its doors and its cashier, George L. Baird, committed suicide. Collins was soon to have been tried on the charge of embezzling $200,000.
Source: newspapers

Newspaper Articles (4)

1. November 14, 1891 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA

Article from The Morning Call, November 14, 1891

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Article Text

BANK TROUBLES. Confidence of the People Being Restored. Large Amount of Coin Sent From Los Angeles to San Diego. An Englishman Offers to Draw Money From New York and London to Relieve the California National Bank. Special to THE MORNING CALL SAN DIEGO, Nov. 13.-The suspension of the California National Bank continues, of course, to be the absorbing theme of conver lon. There were no new sensations developed to-day. There is no disposition to lay any particular blame on anybody, and there is to-night a very general feeling that the situation is improving. The three other banks met all demands with their usual promptness all day. and there is nothing to indicate that any failures will follow the California Bank's trouble. Public confidence in J. W. Collins, President, and S. G. Havermale, one of the bestknown Directors, is very great, and the people believe that between them and the many friends of the embarrassed Institution everything will be brought around all right. There was nothing in the nature of a run on any of the other banks during the day, and the result is that the public mind is comparatively easy. During the night a special train arrived from Los Angeles with a very large supply of coin with which to fortify the banks here. The Presidents of three Los Angeles banks were in the city all day investigating the local banks and canvassing the situation generally. They pronounce all three institutions in a perfectly sound condition, and they went north this evening, confident that nothing further will happen to seriously complicate the situation. It is certain, beyond any doubt, that depositors will not lose a dollar. Bank Examiner W. H. Chamberlain arrived this evening and will begin his investigations to-morrow. A very good feature of the situation is that George V. Sims of the Lombard Trust Company of London, who came to this city to look about for an investment for his company and who expected to become interested in several matters with President Collins, examined the bank to-day and declared that if Bank Examiner Chamberlain will give him authority to do 80 he will bring out money enough from New York and London to re-establish the bank on a sounder basis than ever. Following is a copy of a dispatch received yesterday by Mr. B. McL. Hardisty in this city: The condition of the California Savings Bank depends on the California National, which will be ascertained as 8000 as the National Examiner completes his work. All the banks here are in flist-class condition. There is no excitement and the banks are prepared for any emergency. DUNSMOOR & GERBERDING The California Savings Bank is an adjunct to the National Bank. BAIRD'S CHARACTER SUSTAINED. MADERA, Nov. 13.-From persons here who were intimately acquainted with W. F. Baird during his residence in Streator, III., It is learned that his reputation is reported as having been above suspicion. His connection with the J. G. Wilson bank as a clerk was previous to that bank's failure. A BANKING FIRM CLOSES ITS DOORS. LINCOLN (Nebr.), Nov. 13.-Kloman & Arnold, bankers at Broken Bow, closed their doors this morning and telegraphed to the Auditor of the State for an examination. Tenders of deposits were refused yesterday. It is thought that depositors will be paid in full, SUSPENSION OF ANOTHER BANK. CHEYENNE (Wyo.), Nov. 13.-A notice was posted at the Cheyenne National Bank to-day, to the effect that business was temporarily suspended on account of the absence of the funds to meet the demands of depositors. This was caused by a run following the failure of the Bank of California, at San Diego, J. W. Collins having been at the head of both houses. No figures on the condition of the bank can be had, but the people are confident that bank will resume. MORE OF BAIRD'S TRANSACTIONS. FRESNO, Nov. 13.-The raseally transactions of W. F. Baird. late Vice-President and Cashier of the Bank of Madera, continue to come to light. While there was originally about 880 shares of bank stock issued there has already been presented over 1000 shares of fraudulent stock. The overissue is held in this city, Los Angeles and by the Pacific Bank in San Francisco. Major Bonebrake of Los Angeles holds $11,000 worth of notes hypothecated with his bank by Baird. Several notes have been found where Baird had raised them from $10 to $1000 and $15 to $1500. The Consolidated Bank of Elsinore may yet suffer 80verely on account of Baird's rascality. The latter has not yet been arrested. Will Return to Madera. On a telegram from Constable J. W. Greene of Madera to Captain Lees, Detective Whitsker last night arrested W. F. Baird at the Pal Hotel on a charge of forgery, and booked him at the Central Station. en route to Madera. Baird refuses to explain the circumstances that led to his arrest, and no further details than above stated are known to the police here.

2. November 21, 1891 The Lamar Register Lamar, CO

Article from The Lamar Register, November 21, 1891

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NOTES. WESTERN NEWS in Venver meeting was the held movement cabbage Deto on for the large 10th in to northern support potato Colorado. and troit a park apple, ever known. bushels day. crop Michigan shippers is average 4,500 Dick Joy near Hutching and in the Brush Mexmine were William blown to atoms Kingston, Now squabble Heap ico. on Pueblo the 12th. postoportions site that has has 3-Governor The grown retained to Foraker as such counsel of by one of the been factions. & R. G. one road and announces one-third golden The D. rate of Kendall's Dec. until Tickets to Dec. 4. round jubilee fare to trip at St. Archbishop return Louis, will Nov. be 29 good to at variety actor H. Grass, fatally a stabbed by a John was Maggie Montgomery, with her, jealous Durangwoman. He had lived and marry on the 16th. to discard her another but intended woman. Singer went Robinson to Leadville to buy Fred other L. day from implements. He met girl some the mining Ralaizak, a very sight, pretty proFrances in love at first accepted. and of 17, matrimony. fell was Justice Lynch on posed in less than them two and hours the couple where were Singer married their way considerable to Robinson, Salt property. Lake has handed owns at declares the down Judge a Zane decision the gardo which house, and the a his- half tithing torian's interest office, office. to in the valuable church United farm States. coal this land decision. When escheated read asked for Zane defense upon counsel Judge for had the which to determine granted. thirty days in which was 28@25c; the Denver next step. Markets. creamery Eggs $13@$14. 28C 35;dairy secButter-Jersey upland alfalfa $8.00: 22c; ond Hay bottom $1.30 _new $8@$9; a 100 tbs: Oats- 60c @ 65c $2.30 $1.05 @$1.12; Wheat- New Cattle potatoes choice cows steers $1.75@ .00; 12$7. a 100 tbs: good to feeders. choice Sheep- $2.15; $2.00. Hogs- choice native $3 85@ shorn 25@$2.50. $3.25@$3 choice muttons and feeders Bank closed common The Cheyenne 13th. National It was due Cal- to its doors on with the the suspended John W. connection Bank of San Diego. of both instituifornia Collins being president examination peared of the tions. the After bank's an condition $395,000; cash on books follows: Loans, eastern exchanges, There $35,000; $45,000, as or cash a total in of $475,000. and other were banks careto depositors securieties and $318,000. was due over The by weeded the directors, out everyfully gone them they in their judgment showed thing from which was not This and bank to absolutely gilt-edn gs7,000 have over all its ditch above the Work on the liabilities. State Three gangs is of pro- men 140 in all- are the tunnel, too gressing west side nicely. of now handle, employed being but the on the is very hard to hard enough to hard to The second when rock shoot well. pick and about not Monday, tunnel be incommenced will probably be force will be creased. the working This tunnel long, and it is between the so ar300 400 feet to will tention and it of that the the management work the may weather be keptup By range tunnel when working. in not the the permit greater of outside part ditch of the is on the slow west and is far work of the and when this the hard of the hogbacks, end of side eastern rapidly.ditch completed will the be built very Canon City Record Board, cashier of the Bank, susGeorge L. National himcommitted pendea through Cheyenne suicide the head by 30 on shooting years the morning old and self 16th. He was York, Pennwent to bank life. sylvania. of the Cheyenne The discovered from examiner no reason says The he why has Beard as yet of should the bank take ruined his estate Beard is suspension His personal worth about morbid over financially. he grew 30,000. in It his is own possible troubles mind, that magnified over he was character, as which personal he peculiarly sensitive and would that, show rehis that development no sense crimalizing which, while in necesthings would make explanation rise to unpleasant rumors sary inal, and perhaps & regarding give himself, he shot himself. Two Pennsylvania experts a careful have exam- just reached Meeker coal after lands down in they the ination of the They said that seen few indications Rangely had section. coal more oil promising one fields, place than or better there. At oil found a and clearing those they existing spring upon it which out slime they was floating. black oily it and discovered where from. a This they long lighted as was flowing burned brilliantly They as claim to stayed there. capital, and represent they that after considerable their but report more is system- made, state is no question lands into there to turn these will be atic efforts and paying ones and the lay producing The ground itself basin at made. which is a broad coal beds, is of country, known existing of coal the favorable base of to the existence

3. March 11, 1892 The State Herald Holyoke, CO

Article from The State Herald, March 11, 1892

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NEWS ITEMS FROM FAR AND NEAR. Western News Notes. John R. Demler has been appointed superIntendent of the New Mexico penitentiary. The Midland railroad company has begun a preliminary survey for a branch to Cripple Creek. Many officials in Colorado who formerly had a fat office now find that under the new fee law they have a very lean job. An irrigation convention is to be held at Las Vegas on the 16th of March. The Santa Fe and other roads sell round-trip tickets for one fare. The receiver of the Cheyenne National bank has been directed by the comptroller of the treasury to pay a dividend of twenty-five per cent. Archbishop Salpointe of Santa Fc has issued a circular in which he severely criticizes the practices of the order known as the "Penitentes." It is declared that the Union Pacific officials are seriously considering the advisability of moving their sl ops from Omaha to Denver in consequence of the hostile attitude of the Omaha city government. J. W. Collins, who, for a long time was engaged in the banking business at Cheyenne, committed suicide at San Delgo, California, on the 3rd. When his bank at San Deigo failed last fall, the Cheyenne National Bank, in which he was interested also closed its doors and its cashier, George L. Baird, committed suicide. Collins was soon to have been tried on the charge of embezzling $200,000. Senator Carey has been authorized by the committee on territories to make a favorable report upon the bill providing a code oflaws 8 for the Yellowstone National Park. At present the park is a resort for criminals who are safe from arrest in the park. The present y bill provides a remedy for this evil, and Mr. f Carey is very hopeful that it will become a law. t Denver Markets-Eggs, ranch 18c, state y 16c; butter, best creamery 27@33c, dairy 20c; hay, upland baled 811@$12. second bottom $8@$9, alfalfa 87.50; wheat $1.35; corn, bulk 68c, sacked 73c; oats, $1.08, sacked $1.15; potatoes 50@60c; cattle, choice steers $2.80@ 1 $3.65, cows $1.90@$2.65, native feeders 81.90 @$2.65; hogs, choice $4.00@4.75; sheep, b choice shorn $4.00@$4.50, common and feeders $2.50@$3.00. The board of county commissioners at Santa Fe has refunded $150,000 of that county issued in aid of the Texas, Santa Fc & Northern 1 railroad from Espanola to Santa Fe from 6 per cent. to 5 per cent. bonds. The road will be extended during the spring from Santa Fe b to San Pedro and through one of the richest coal and mineral sections in the Southwest. / The* contractors are to take these bonds in e part payment for construction work. It is 0 expected that work will begin May 1. a There has been some speculation at Salt 1 Lake as to how the company of Indian solo diers, brought there from the Rosebud agency In South Dakota, two months ago, would con3 duct themselves when they were paid off. It was expected that a large part of their wages would be spent for whiskey and what remained would be invested in trinkets dear to poor Lo's soul. These expectations have not been realized. The Indians were paid for the o first time on the 5th, receiving two months' r pay. The next day they sent more than twothirds of the money they received either by express or money order to relatives and friends in Dakota, and not one drunken Indian soldier has been seen either to-day or at any time since they arrived here. e

4. March 12, 1892 The Lamar Register Lamar, CO

Article from The Lamar Register, March 12, 1892

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NEWS ITEMS FROM FAR AND NEAR. Western News Notes. Fire in a Pueblo livery stable on the 8th destroyed twenty horses. a John Smith has been fined $50 for killing Rocky Mountain sheep near Montrose. John R. Demier has been appointed supere intendent of the New Mexico penitentlary. The Midland rallroad company has begun a e preliminary survey for a branch to Cripple 0 Creek. a Many officials in Colorado who formerly g had a fat office now find that under the new fee law they have a very lean job. y convention is to Las 1 An irrigation The be held Santa at Vegas on the 16th of March. Fe and other roads sell round-trip tickets for one fare. d The receiver of the Cheyenne National bank has been directed by the comptroller of the treasury to pay a dividend of twenty-five per cent. 0 a Archbishop Salpointe of Santa Fe has issued a circular in which he severely criticizes the practices of the order known as the 3 "Penitentes." A Creede train was wrecked the other day near Del Norte, and several passengers were to injured. A car was ditched by a broken rail, 0 and caught fire but the fire was put out. Miss Sarah Levier of Coal Creek, while apparently deranged, got up the other night and E strayed away into the hills where she was C found after a time utterly exhausted but y otherwise unharmed. It is declared that the Union Pacific officials are seriously considering the advisability of e moving their shops from Omaha to Denver in consequence of the hostile attitude of the Omaha city government. e The Senate has passed bills to pay to R. M. Hubbard, Longmont; H. A. W. Tabor, Leadville, B. E. Rockafellow, Canon City, and C W. M. Kittleby, various sums expended by g them while postmasters at these places. J. W. Collins, who, for a long time was enb gaged in the banking business at Cheyenne, d committed suicide at San Deigo, California, on the 3rd. When his bank at San Delgo is failed last fall, the Cheyenne National Bank, in which he was interested also closed its b doors and its cashier, George L. Baird, committed suicide. Collins was soon to have been tried on the charge of embezzling $200,000. C Senator Carey has been authorized by the committee on territories to make a favorable y report upon the bill providing a code of laws 1 for the Yellowstone National Park. At pres1 ent the park is a resort for criminals who are 1 safe from arrest in the park. The present bill provides a remedy for this evil, and Mr. Carey is very hopeful that it will become a law. Denver Markets-Eggs, ranch 18c, state 16c; butter, best creamery 27@33e, dairy 20c: 0 hay, upland baled $11@$12. second bottom $8@$9, alfalfa $7.50; wheat $1.35; corn, bulk 68c, sacked 73c; oats, $1.08, sacked $1.15: potatoes 50@60c; cattle, choice steers $2.80@ $3.65. cows $1.90@$2.65, native feeders $1.90 @$2.65; hogs, choice $4.60@4.75; sheep, choice shorn $4.00@$4.50, common and feedd ers $2.50@$3.00. C The board of county commissioners at Santa E Fe has refunded $150,000 of that county issued in aid of the Texas, Santa Fe & Northern y railroad from Espanola to Santa Fe from 6 N per cent. to 5 per cent. bonds. The road will , be extended during the spring from Santa Fe to E San Pedro and through one of the richest I coal and mineral sections in the Southwest. 1 The contractors are to take these bonds in part payment for construction work. It is . expected that work will begin May 1. C There has been some speculation at Salt . Lake as to how the company of Indian sol0 diers, brought there from the Rosebud agency it in South Dakota, two months ago, would conduet themselves when they were paid off. It II was expected that a large part of their wages e. would be spent for whiskey and what reof mained would be invested in trinkets dear to poor Lo's soul. These expectations have not been realized. The Indians were paid for the 1, first time on the 5th, receiving two months' 1. pay. The next day they sent more than twoLI thirds of the money they received either by express or money order to relatives and friends in Dakota, and not one drunken Indian solis dier has been seen either to-day or at any time since they arrived here. n