979. California National Bank (San Diego, CA)

View Charter #3828 on SPMC

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
3828
Charter Number
3828
Start Date
November 12, 1891
Location
San Diego, California (32.715, -117.157)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f6429256

Response Measures

Public signal of financial health, Full suspension, Books examined

Other: Receiver appointed; criminal charges against president; resumption efforts failed and bank remained defunct.

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
41.8%
Date receivership started
1891-12-18
Date receivership terminated
1900-06-12
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
37.7%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
37.2%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
25.1%

Description

The bank experienced heavy withdrawals/a run in mid-November 1891 and temporarily closed (Comptroller's examiner assumed charge). Stockholders attempted to recapitalize, but a receiver was appointed (Dec 16, 1891) and subsequent revelations including alleged embezzlement and the arrest of President J. W. Collins (Feb 1892) made resumption impracticable; the bank remained in receivership and did not successfully reopen.

Events (6)
1. December 29, 1887 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. November 12, 1891 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy withdrawals triggered by the bank's bad investments/speculations and shrinkage of deposits; institution had backed many unprofitable local enterprises leading to loss of confidence.
Measures
Los Angeles banks shipped coin to San Diego to assist; offers of outside help and clearinghouse assistance were discussed.
Newspaper Excerpt
Owing to continued shrinkage of deposits and our inability to promptly release on notes and accounts this bank is temporarily closed.
Source
newspapers
3. November 12, 1891 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Temporary suspension following the run and inability to meet withdrawals due to shaky assets from speculative investments; Comptroller/examiner took charge after closure notice on the door.
Newspaper Excerpt
By direction of the Comptroller of the Currency I have this day assumed charge of the affairs of the California National Bank of San Diego. W. H. Chamberlain, National Bank Examiner.
Source
newspapers
4. December 16, 1891 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The comptroller of the currency has appointed Fredrick Pauly, of Los Angeles, receiver of the California National bank with the understanding the stockholders are to have ninety days in which to arrange for the bank's resumption.
Source
newspapers
5. December 18, 1891 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
6. February 24, 1892 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
J.W. Collins, president of the California National bank ... was this morning arrested ... Collins is charged with embezzlement in the amount of $200,000. ... Until yesterday there were strong hopes that the bank would resume, as 90 per cent. of the stockholders had arranged to meet the necessary assessments. The warrant for Collins' arrest ... Resumption would now be practically impossible.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (22)
1. November 13, 1891 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, November 13, 1891

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

BAD FOR SAN DIEGO. A BIG BANK FAILURE THERE YESTERDAY. The California National Bank Closes Its Doors Yesterday-Cable Roads, Opera Houses and Hotels Not Profitable in the Baynclimate City. What has been anticipated for some ten days past in the commercial and financial world of Southern California came to pass yesterday. The California National bank of San Diego closed its doors. At 10 a.m. yesterday the following card appeared upon the doors of the institution Owing to continued shrinkage of deposits and our inability to promptly release on notes and accounts this bank is temporarily closed. The bank commissioner has been sent for, and will take charge on his arrival. In the meantime no business can be transacted. It is believed beyond question that depositors will be paid in full. This notice caused a sensation at San Diego, although it was a culmination long looked for by a few who were posted. From a well-known citizen of San Diego, who was in the city yesterday, some inside facts in relation to the failure of the bank were obtained. "The California National bank was considered to be one of the strongest financial institutions in this section of the state. It had a paid-up capital of $500,000 and a surplus of $100,000. Its deposits approximated $100,000. J. W. Collins was president; D. D. Dare, vicepresident; S. G. Havermale, second vice-president, and G. E. O'Brien, cashier. "In my opinion the failure is caused by speculation, investment in unfortunate and non-paying ventures and an endeavor to cover too much ground on a limited capital. "In the first place the bank had $80,000 in a brick yard; it backed the cable road, the new opera house, the Florence hotel purchase, the Horton house purchase, the Brewster hotel and numerous other schemes. "Of course all of these investments were dependent upon the prosperity of San Diego. The city has not prospered and as a consequence the institution backing all of these various enterprises has been forced to the wall. "In my opinion this will be the last straw that breaks the camel's back with us. We have been holding up under many discouragements, and priding ourselves on no bank failures. But now we have one which will have the effect of paralyzing business in San Diego." The news of the suspension of the California national bank was received in this city about 10 :30 yesterday morning by a number of local wholesale merchants. As near as can be learned no local firms will be losers as a result. Some fifteen or eighteen months ago D. D. Dare, an officer of the broken bank, left for Europe. It was reported at the time of his departure that he was away in an endeavor to regain his lost health. Mr. Collins, the president of the bank, also conducts a similar institution in Cheyenne, Wyoming. This is the largest bank failure that has occurred in Southern California in years. CASH SENT. Late last night, on what ought to be good authority, the HERALD learned that $130,000 in coin had been shipped by one or two of the Los Angeles banks to the crippled institution. The money was sent through Wells, Fargo & Co. it was said, and was quietely shipped in a well guarded car some time late last evening. The idea is that the managers of the weak San Diego bank were able to give sufficient security to the Los Angeles bankers, to justify this attempt to ride out the storm. No banks in this city had any amount at stake in the San Diego institution.

2. November 13, 1891 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, November 13, 1891

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

them all to be in fine condition, with very large reserves and vaults well filled with coin. At a meeting of the Los Angeles clearing house yesterday the suspension of the San Diego bank was discussed and, while the situation will probably not call for relief outside the local resources of the other banks of that city, the clearing house will render assistance if needed. As stated above, none of the banks, members of the Los Angeles clearing house, are creditors of the California National Bank of San Diego, and will therefore not be directly interested in its embarrassment.

3. November 15, 1891 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The Morning Call, November 15, 1891

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

SITUATION AT SAN DIEGO.| Examiner Chamberlain in Charge of the Crippled Bank's Affairs. SAN DIEGO, Nov. 14.-The - local financial situation. which was made undeniably critical by the temporary suspension of the California National Bank on Thursday, is steadily improving, and there is an increasing number of depositors who express confidence that they will receive 100 cents on the dollar. This day has been devoid of excitement, and other banks and business houses continue to do business as usual. Offers of help from Los Angeles are greatly appreciated, but there Las been no emergency yet which makes their acceptance necessary. The following notice was placed on the doors of the California Bank this morning: "By direction of the Comptroller of the Currency I have this day assumed charge of the affairs of the California National Bank of San Diego. W. H. Chamberlain, National Bank Examiner." There was a meeting of stockholders this afternoon and a committee appointed to confer with the Bank Examiner. The latter, however, says that he cannot make any statement for publication until his report goes to Washington. George V. Sims, Managing Director of the Lombard Trust Company of London, who is here to make investments, and who had expressed his willingness to advance ample funds to the crippled bank, had a conference with the Bank Examiner to-day, the result of which is understood to have been satisfactory, and there is to-night a very general feeling, not only that depositors will be paid in full, but that the bank will resame business without further delay than that necessary to permit the arrangement of all preliminaries. Mr. Slms leaves for New York Sunday morning.

4. November 15, 1891 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, November 15, 1891

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

California National bank has failed. By the failing of this San Diego bank a probability arose of a run being made on their banks through that bank, and so as to shield themselves and help a brother in distress a special is taken through loaded with enough coin to make any train robber happy for his lifetime if able to get the better of the bankers and their weapons.

5. November 28, 1891 The Cecil Whig Elkton, MD
Article from The Cecil Whig, November 28, 1891

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

The San Diego Bank. As various reports have been in circu lation relative to the failure of the California National Bank, of San Diego, in which a considerable amount of stock had been subscribed in Chester county, Pa., as well as in this county, it may be of public interest to state that a gentle man of this town is in receipt of a letter from the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington, in which he says, that the bank had been examined about six months ago, and seemed to be in a fairly good condition. He states that the failure was caused by a run, and that there is a strong movement on foot to put in new funds and reopen the bank for business. So far as the financial management of the bank is concerned, nothing of a criminal character is reported at Washington, and that so far as advised it does not look like a bad failure. We are informed through another source, that the bank will probably resume business in about three weeks.

6. December 17, 1891 The Salt Lake Herald Salt Lake City, UT
Article from The Salt Lake Herald, December 17, 1891

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

California National Bank Receiver Appointed. SAN DIEGO, Cal., Dec. 16.- The comptroller of the currency has appointed Fredrick Pauly, of Los Angeles, receiver of the California National bank with the understanding the stockholders are to have ninety days in which to arrange for the bank's resumption.

7. January 30, 1892 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The Morning Call, January 30, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

BANKS AND BANKERS. No News of the Resumption of the California National. The Bank Commissioners have as yet received no news that the California National Bank of San Diego, which suspended recently, would reopen, although It is stated that it will resume on February 10th. The United States Comptroller gave the bank 90 days from the date of the appointment of a receiver to raise $350,000 in the form of an assessment on the stock. This time will expire on February 10th. The two banks designed for Berkeley, which were incorporated on November 16th, were reincorporated yesterday, owing to a withdrawal of one of the incorporators. The first will be known as the Commercial Bank of Berkeley, with a capital of $100,000, and the second as the Berkeley Bank of Savings, with a capital of $50,000. The Bank of Sebastopol, Sonoma County, with a capital of $50,000, was incorporated on January 27th. The Savings and Loan Bank of San Benito County at Hollister was also incorporated on that day with a capital of $50,000 and the following Directors: Thomas S. Hawkins, V.C. Briggs, Uriah Wood, Thomas Flint and L. A. Whitehead. Bank Commissioner Knight has examined and found the Bank of Los Gatos to have resources and liabilities footing up $119,027 54.

8. February 14, 1892 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The Morning Call, February 14, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

WILL RESUME BUSINESS. The California National Bank of San Diego Awaiting Instructions. SAN DIEGO, Feb. 13.-It will be definitely settled in a few days whether the California National Bank, which suspended here last fall, will resume business. Several meetings of stockholders have been held and one of the bank officials has just returned from a trip East, where he consulted with Eastern stockholders. To-day a telegram was sent to the Comptroller of the Currency at Washington stating that 90 per cent of the stockholders had agreed to assess themselves to assist the bank. If the Comptroller returns a favorable answer the bank will resume at once.

9. February 25, 1892 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA
Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, February 25, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

The Boodlers. TORONTO, Ont., Feb. 24.-Proceedings were instituted today to procure the extradition of D. Mitchell McDonald, one or the directors of the defunet Central bank, on a charge of forgery. McDonald is in Los Angeles, where he has been since the bank's failure. SAN DIEGO, Cal., Feb. 24.-J.W. Collins, president of the California National bank, which suspended on November 16, was this morning arrested by United States Marshal Gardner on orders from the attorney generat at Washington City. Collins is charged with embezzlement in the amount of $200,000. He will have a preliminary examination here before Court Commissioner Ward. Until yesterday there were strong hopes that the bank would resume, as 90 per cent. of the stockholders had arranged to meet the necessary assessments. The warrant for Collins' arrest issued three days ago, but the order to execute was not received till last night. The complaint charges that Collins, as president and director of the California National bank, unlawfully converted $200,000 of the bank's funds to his own use. A preliminary examination will be held before Court Commissioner Ward in a day or two. The latter intimates that Collins' bail will be fixed at $50,000. Receiver Paul said today that the treasury department in Washington City had been in possession of the information upon which the warrant was issued for six weeks, but had withheld action in order to give the stockholders an opportunity to put the bank oa its feet. Resumption would now be practically impossible. Mr. Collins was very reluctant to talk, and professes that the matter does not amount to much and can explain it easily. CHICAGO, Feb. 21.-A bill was filed in the superior court today in which sensational charges were made against the city electrician, who is also chief of the electrical department of the World's fair. The charges allege that he purchased a large amount of electrical supplies for the city at exorbitant prices from companies in which he is interested. Barrett denies the charges.

10. February 26, 1892 The Morning Call San Francisco, CA
Article from The Morning Call, February 26, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# COLLINS' ARREST. Date Set for the Preliminary Examination of the Accused Bank President. SAN DIEGO, Feb. 25.-The public has scarcely recovered from the surprise occasioned by the arrest on Wednesday of President Collins of the California National Bank. There are no special developments to-day. Mr. Collins has not been able yet to secure $50,000 bail, and he is therefore accompanied by an official of the Government. On Wednesday of next week his preliminary examination will be held before Court Commissioner Ward in this city. It seems to be the general opinion that the resumption of the bank will now be out of the question, but friends of the institution have not relaxed hope and efforts. It is now alleged that the bank had only $15,000 cash on hand at the time of suspension, a sum enormously less than the last quarterly statement showed. It is also said that the bank received large deposits during the very last hours the bank was open on the day previous to suspension.

11. February 26, 1892 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, February 26, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FOLLY AND A MELANCHOLY STORY GUILT. OF FINANCIAL visit of Bank Examiner action Cham- of The to San Diego, and the arrest of President berlain Receiver Pauly Collins, in causing of the defunct the city, Cali- has fornia National bank of that loose syscalled attention anew to the possible financiering which made Quite tem of to this catastrophe. came and led up of years ago Mr. Collins number Cheyenne to the city of had on from He appears to have to climate. and desired a with him, Bay'n' in $40,- our go 000 banking business southern into the neighbor. Everything He had was inpropitious for manners; his project. and was quite fanning, cagratiating pable of participating in, and the enthusiasm of San Diegans. seems to have been invited recommended His plan by its simplicity. He them, by paying interest conservative upon deposits a procedure which the more a result, he failed to imitate. As banks succeeded in hornswoggling $700,000 classes of had surplus earnings of all those of the of the ranging from those of servant San Diegans, girl and newsboy up that to after 3 the merchant. day It on is said which the failure of o'clock of the was announced a deposit of the of $2500 the was bank received from the chief It is even 5 department of San Diego. taken up to fire that deposits were closed. In added on the day the bank individual deo'clock to the losses of had addition the city of San moribund Diego instipositors, deposited in the $30,000 and the county $60,000. tution, of the $700,000 due other depositors, liabilOutside that there were When it is alleged the amount of $300,000. there were ities to closed it is said that circumthe bank in its vaults. Under the showing $15,000 this was a pretty good into the stances, all the facts were taken since inwhen Receiver Pauly has and count. creased this sum to between $50,000 $60,000. investigation. as far as peculiar it has The has ehown some very to be gone, There is paid which a things. of about $300,000 Collins is deficit referable to Messrs. Owing to the faulty system segand of bookkeeping Dare. it is impossible whole system to this account. The unforregate conducting the affairs of this on the of bank seems to have run tunate of Danton's,celebrated apostrophe, Dare." lines "To to Dare, always to Dare, our system of bank examiners to is What commissioners amounts bank. and bank by the career of this of the well shown the disclosures in It supplements bank of Philadelphia, holy, Keystone Postmaster Wanamaker, officiated. of which and immortal memory, find out pious rule, these able gentlemen been done. As a mischief after it has for the supposed to be invented public, They are of protecting the they are the purpose keeping the banks, which plane of appointed and to supervise, on the matter of and stable finance. As a till the fact, safe they are never done. heard from mischief has been collapse of the California reminds Naone The bank of San Diego the tional of the celebrated bank failure of of this Temple & 1875. Workman In that disastrous city, in cataclysm about $1,200,000 was the financial up. The failure in swallowed & Workman was California precipitated in of Temple of the Bank of propby that 1875. If it had been & September, handled, the Messre. Temple to have Workman erly had :ample property of their liatwice over every cent financially paid But the times were every bilities. joint. Dietrust existed on spreadout of the black financial cloud the hand, from San Francisco all over dissiing and a princely estate was much as coast, pated without the return of so a dollar to the depositors. a then Los Angeles which they bankers have never learned since experi- forlesson As a result of our past larger gotten. our banks today contain a than, ences of coin to the deposits States. proportion any other in the United for almost, ordeal was enough for a One such of a century. Fortunately quarter of our financial institutions, anticipated the stability banks of Los Angeles ehortenthe "bursting of the boom" by have the and what would otherwise safety. ing been sail, a storm, was ridden out in

12. March 2, 1892 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, March 2, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

The San Diego Union in its issue of yesterday contains the following: Now that Receiver Pauly has begun the work of realizing on the assets of the California National bank it is said the collection will be vigorously prosecuted, especially in those cases where there is any evidence of collusion between the borrower and the bank. The statement was made yesterday that the greater part of the last issue of stock, amounting to $200,000, was not sold but hypothecated as collateral security for loans and is scattered all over the country. In several instances, however, the lenders have had the stock issued or assigned to them and in that event they become liable for an assessment. Several notes have been presented for payment wherein the borrower has secured his loan from a private individual on a written stipulation, signed by J. W. Collins as president of the California National bank, that in the event of the borrower failing to pay the note when due the bank would accept the same from the holder "withoutrecourse." In other words, the bank agreed to pay the note. However, Receiver Pauly is said to have refused to carry out the obligations, and holds that Mr. Collins exceeded his authority in signing the stipulation. There are other instances of peculiar business methods, including a deal for $40,000 worth of cable road stock, all of which will probably be known in good time. Attorney-General H. H. Hart is expected in the city today to take action in relation to a receiver for the California Savings bank. Marshal Gard is expected to arrive in the city today, and it is quietly rumored that the financial lightning will strike in several unexpected places. It is also said that Mr. Collins has decided to make no defense on his preliminary examination tomorrow, and will go before the United States grand jury. The following is taken from the San Diegan: Just as the eun went down Saturday evening other attachments were filed in suite brought by Receiver Pauly of the National bank. One of these attachments was against the San Diego Cable Railway company to secure a debt of $93,774 and $5733 attorney's fees. The attachment was made on 1200 lots belonging to the cable company and located on University Heights. When a member of the cable company was asked this morning what effect this would have upon the operation of the cable road, the reply was that the road would continue to be operated as usual. It was explained that it was to the creditors' interest to have it operated. Attachments were also made on the property of H. E. and E. C. O'Brien to secure a debt of $4000. A meeting of the stockholders of the California National was held late Saturday afternoon, at which the following dispatch was read from Comptroller Lacey: "In view of the fact that the liabilities are over $1,000,000, and after three months and a half $40,000 have been collected, the comptroller is of the opinion that with such slow assets resumption is impracticable. This decision has been reached with great reluctance."

13. March 4, 1892 The Cheyenne Daily Leader Cheyenne, WY
Article from The Cheyenne Daily Leader, March 4, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

toward the Pacific coast where a tremendous boom was then beginning to wane. A majority of the stock was secured by Messrs. Davis, Addoms and Hurd. N. R. Davis continued as president, E. R. Hurd as vice president and F. E. Addoms cashier. In the meantime Collins organized the California national bank at San Diego with a paid up capital stock of $500,000 and removed his family to that city. In the fall of 1889 Collins bought out out and assumed a general control of the Cheyenne national. The three gentlemen named retired. Collins became president of the bank and Geo. L. Beard who had been assistant cashier was made cashier and given the management of the details of the bank. The failure of the California national last November through Collins connection involved the Chevenne national and caused its suspension. This with the suicide of the young cashier form a still fresh story in the minds of the public.

14. March 10, 1892 Barton County Democrat Great Bend, KS
Article from Barton County Democrat, March 10, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# A BANKER'S SUICIDE Family Afflictions and Financial Troubles Cause a Prominent California Bank Officer, to Kill Himself SAN FRANCISCO, March 4.-Shortly after 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon the community was electrified by a report that J. W. Collins, the president of the defunct California National bank had shot himself. Crowds gathered on the streets and hurried to the Hotel Brewster, where Collins has been residing for the past eight months. It soon became known that Collins, Gen. E R. Murray and Attorney-Gen. Hart had been at lunch at the Brewster. Collins looked very pale, but chatted pleasantly. He was asked how he was feeling, and replied: "Oh, about as well as could be expected." In a few minutes he left the table and went direct to his room. A minute later the report of a pistol was heard, and when the door was opened Collins was found lying on the floor with blood streaming over him and a pistol in his hand. He expired immediately, and did not live long enough to speak to anyone. The deed was not wholly unexpected, he evidently had been laboring under a nervous strain and mental depression for some time. About two years ago his entire family were drowned in the city, and now that he was, financially ruined and with the charge of embezzlement hanging over him it is thought he was brought to that point where he considered he had nothing to live for. The California National bank closed its doors November 12 and it was considered one of the strongest institutions in southern California. It had a paid-up capital of $500,000 and a surplus of $100,000. The officers of the bank claimed that the suspension was due to shrinkage in deposits and a temporary inability to release its notes and accounts. The national bank examiner took charge of the bank and Mr. Paulic, of Los Angeles was appointed receiver by the department. As a result of the latter's investigation, a warrant was sworn out for Collins' arrest on a charge of appropriating $200,000 of the bank's funds, and it was also shown that deposits were received up to the time of closing the doors. It is understood that Collins was to have been taken to Los Angeles for trial. Collins was interested in a number of enterprises for the development of the southern part of the state and was considered a wealthy man. He came to San Diego from Wyoming, where he was interested in a bank which also recently failed.

15. March 12, 1892 Arizona Weekly Citizen Tucson, AZ
Article from Arizona Weekly Citizen, March 12, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

near Manoney City this morning Tatally burned five men. ORLEANS, March 4.-Philip NEW and Bud Renaud have signed ticles Dwyer for a fight between Choyinski Corbett, for a 32,500 purse. SANTA ANA, March 4. A man was dead near bridge 65 on the Santa all found San Jaan Capistrano, with he his Fe near limbs gone. No clew as to how was killed. NEW HAVEN, March 4. Noah Porter, and president of Yale college, formerly of moral philosophy and 80 years met. old. professor aphysics, died this morning, WASHINGTON, March 1. The been steamer ornow at Callao has with Yorkton, dered to proceed to San Francisco stopping en at the route as little delay principal as possible, ports of Central America and Mexico. WASHINGTON. March 4. Springer night. rest and passed a good improved ed His quietly condition is somewhat morning. this !which has been afThe erysipelas his brain is rapidly subsiding fecting menace to the patient's lif which and the lies only in the great prostration malady. resulted now from ravages of the March 4. Since the disturb- the unof last week in this city, have employed ances BERLIN, workmen been in 8 throughout state of cause foment, Ger- an many will require but little to Dantworkthat the open which states outbreak. A despatch unemployed from them ZIC usable to get work promised pillaged men, government today, bread and a by baker the shop and seized the meal. WASHINGTON, March 4 House committee on appropriations and it reported was referred the invalid pension bill, of the whole. The of to a committee went into a committee laid the whole on honse then the private calendar. president In the senate senate the communi vice inication from to before the of the interior, relating referred Yosemite the secretary park, in California; lands. committee on public N. M., March 3. Boyle of ALBUQUERQUE, Pitisburg, for left his here home. yesterday His on safety bicycle will take him to Los Utah; Anperiginations Lake City and Ogden, Cliff, Colo.; geles, Salt and Red Leadville. Grand Junction Tennessee pass to river across will the go down the Arkansas Buena Vista, He leaving Leadville, to to Colorado after and down by thence Pike's north Peak to Denver. He Springs, crose and the Missouri at to St. Burling- Joseph, to thence the by will Mo., and will go Chicago. northeast At Columbus, Keystone Ohio ton, he club will of be Pittsburg met and of they the way will Bicycle him the remainder be travaccompany Pittsburg. The distance miles. to eled to is a little over 5000 Hamp the TAMPICO, Mex., March who 3.-J. has charge H. of has son, the contractor work of the harbor by the this city, Mex line the ican jetty been government given the railroad. for contract the completion The proposed Coat- of Pacific oceans. ZO the Coal Tehuate runs Co., from connecting the Atlantic to and minutes SAN 1 DIEGO, o'clock March this afternoon 3.-A by few the the report com deafter electrified of the was Collins, president the munity funct that J. California W gathered national on bank, Brewster street shot where himself. Crowds Hotel the and hurried Collins to had the been residing past eight months. DIEGO, March 4 The president coroner's of verdict SAN in the case National of Collins,.. bank discovered returned his jury the California suicide. It is insurance, that Collins for the assigned benefit of the last creditors of dollar's $85,000 was the over. his bank. of property This be had to turn -The worth CITY, Mo., March Kansas, KANSAS from Topeka, entered John J. and from now says: the arena, in the of his voice made his actively Journal's will special be Ingalls heard has again really councils first on In a public his for party. appearance nearly He a year league tonight of after republican speech seclu- tosion republican. for he said he not a but United at States clubs night before present the was was still senate. a candidate Agent the LONDON, March 4. company -Special which Reuner telegraphe distress the in Vienna and houses, inquiring points out into a terrible the in picture that city. of destitu splen- There which prevails whose did are tion many exteriors give be no says, suspicions Cellars in of such their crowded miserable interiors. affirms are found work and houses starving he persons out pittance. of unwith earning only a mere and exist fear is a total others dreds daily are unable of eviction. to pay rent But in absence spite of all this among the secretary of 10 evidence misery of March vice there 4. The presence sufferers. of the in LONDON, Foster, acting at London of treasury, is and social States journalistic accep United tention from He steadily the refuses groun to of poor all health. reception social worlde. inv itations on ready access in to the He gives rooms who here, to the the people enhotel, comers customed and amazes to seeing officialism, Foster wall of inspect the bank the vironed by a visit to and see has arranged and the mint financial house. unconof England of the great of being he has working of assurances question unofficial probably cerned In spite in met the currency Goschen in an interview. 4.-A Washington to CHICAGO, March the senators have opposed to decided special says of Harrison Secretary Blaine, his choice to use the for selected health renomination.co. permitting, says of they second Iowa delega- J. S The papers and asserts the the state conven- vote -Clarkecn selected at instructed to for choice. tion will tion, tion Blaine March be first 29, will with be Clarkson as second

16. March 18, 1892 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, March 18, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

DO EXAMINERS EXAMINE? A Criticism of the Value of Bank Examiners. The following, from the San Diego Sun, is in line with an opinion recently expressed in the HERALD. "There is good sense in the inquiry of the morning paper as to whether bank examiners examine. In the case of the California National, Colonel Chamberlain had made frequent appearances here, and his reports upon the condition of the tottering bank were invariably good. It is probably true that there was a great deal of money on hand at the time of the last examination which was taken out during the run that just preceded the failure; but for two years past a careful inspection of the securities and loans of the bank would have enabled any wise financier to foretell the inevitable end of euch wild-cat investments. How, for example, an examiner could reconcile his sworn duty with approval of such loans as those to George Monteith, the San Diego and Eastern Terminal and to various foreign mining enterpriees, the Jamul speculation, etc., and of the paying of 8 and 12 per cent interest on deposits, is a question which no one in this neck of the woods can solve. It is a pertinent query, aleo, whether. when the government has o K'd a bank, it is not responsible to depositors for the money they have lost through trusting to the thoroughness of its inspection and the accuracy of its reports."

17. November 4, 1892 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, November 4, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Court Notes. The sentence of Robert Black, convicted of burglary, was yesterday continued by Judge Smith to November 5th. Judge Van Dyke granted Mrs. Fannie Killebrow of San Pedro a divorce from her husband, J. J. Killebrow, on the ground of desertion. In the foreclosure suit of C. D. Seamans VS. F. H. Barclay et al. Judge Van Dyke granted judgment for plaintiff for $1469 91, and that any surplus from sale of property should be paid into court to apply on a judgment heretofore entered in favor of J. M. Elliott for $18,706 20. In the case of Van Sciever VS. A. K. Moropolus, Judge Van Dyke, acting for Judge Shaw, upon a proper showing directed $100 in the possession of the court to be paid to C. C. Stephens, attorney for Moropolus. In the case of Merril vs. Merrill, Judge Wade granted the defendant leave to amend his cross complaint, upon the terms that he pay the costs of the hearing and of the continuance of filing the amended cross complaint. The cause was then continued to November 9th. In Judge McKinley's court the case of Peter Allen vs. the Royal Exchange Assurance company, to compel the payment of $4500 insurance, was up for argument, but the plaintiff moved for a voluntary nonsuit, which was argued and granted, the case having been amicably arranged between the parties. Wong Ark, charged with the murder of Guet Gue, was before Judge McKinley yesterday morning without an attorney. The court offered to appoint one to conduct his defense on his new trial, but granted him until next Monday to secure counsel. The case of the people VS. Ah Fook et al. was tried before Judge Shaw yesterday and taken under advisement by him. Ah Fook was one of Ah Tet's bondsmen, who was tried/for perjury. The jury disagreed and the court allowed him to be released on the old bond. Ah Tet ran away and the county is now suing to recover from the bondsmen the amount of the forfeited bond, $1500. The bondsmen claim that when Ah Tet was tried his first bond was exonerated and that they are not liable. The euit of the First National bank vs. E. D. Rice et al, was on trial before Judge Clark yesterday afternoon. It is an action unon a promissory note, The Case of J. N. Pauly, receiver of the California National bank of San Diego, vs. The Coronado Beach company, upon bank stock, was tried and submitted before Judge Ross in the United States circuit court. Six jurore were obtained, in the sec ond trial of William Murphy, yesterday afternoon in the United States district court, and the trial will be resumed this morning. The defendant 18 accused of passing counterfeit eilver dollars.

18. November 30, 1892 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, November 30, 1892

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Judgment for Defendant. The case of the California Mortgage, Loan and Trust company VS. the California National Bank of San Diego was tried before Judge Ross yesterday in the United States circuit court. It was a suit brought to recover judgment for a certificate of deposit of $19,000 against the defunct bank. August 11, 1891, E. J. Swayne, manager of the plaintiff company claims he deposited the $19,000 in the California National, taking therefor a certificate of deposit signed by Cashier G. N. O'Brien. Receiver Pauly claimed that no money was deposited at all ; that President Collins and Mr. Dare had given the plaintiff company two notes, and in payment gave the certificate in question, He claimed that it was not the act of the bank, and that it was not responsible. The plaintiff was represented by A. Haines and A. E. Mitt of San Diego, and Receiver Pauly by M. T. Allen. The case was submitted late in the afternoon, and Judge Ross rendered judgment in favor of the defendant.

19. January 4, 1893 Los Angeles Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from Los Angeles Herald, January 4, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

United States Courts. Two new complaints were filed in the United States circuit court yesterday, both suits brought by Receiver Frederick K. Pauly of the California National bank of San Diego. The first one was against R. A. and Miriam Graham, upon a promisory note for $1040, and the second against R. A. Graham upon eleven notes for various sums, aggregating $35,590 26. In the United States district court, Jose Sylvas pleaded not guilty to the charge of selling liquor to Indians.

20. May 12, 1893 The State Herald Holyoke, CO
Article from The State Herald, May 12, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Wyoming. Theft of a novel nature has landed Ed Dolan, n tramp, In the county jall at Rawlins. Dolan stole the telephone from the office of Judge Homer Merrell. Dolan says he did t not know the nature or value of the instrument, but thought It would sell for something. Governor Osborne hits Issued a proclamation offering a reward of $250 for the apprehension of Charles T. Gale, the defaulting city treasurer at Laramie. This is in addition to the 8500 posted by his bondsmen. Gale handled $80,000 while In office a year and was short $12,000. Pictures and descriptions have been scattered broadcast. A third dividend has been declared by the receiver of the Cheyenne National Bank. It brings the total of payment up to 50 cents on the dollar. and the creditors confidently expect to get 25 cents more. The bank failed for $300,000 eighteen months ago.going down with the California National Bank of San Diego. J. W. Collins was president of both. Sandobal and Martinez, the Mexicans who killed Jim Calboun, the foreman of one of Governor Osborne's sheep outfits, have been discharged by the coroner's jury. The AmerIcan and the Mexicans had quarreled over cards. Calhoun had threatened to kill the foreigners. They armed themselves, but meeting Calhoun, announced that they were merely on the defensive. They warned him to keep peace. Calhoun drew his six-shooter slowly. When the weapon was within an inch of being out of Its scabbard the Mexicans opened fire. All three pistols were emptied. The men continued shooting after they were down. There were nine wounds in Calhoun's body. One of the Mexicans received three bullets and the other four. but their hurts were not dangerous. All of Calhoun's wounds were above the walst.

21. August 22, 1893 The Herald Los Angeles, CA
Article from The Herald, August 22, 1893

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

# THE U. S. COURT. A Decision in the San Diego Bank Case. Minor Cases The United States court held a short session yesterday morning. Judge Ross of the United States court handed down a decision in the case of F. N. Pauly, receiver of the California National bank at San Diego, vs. Warren Wilson, in which the bank seeks to recover $9306.50 on a promissory note of Wilson's. June 13, 1892, Wilson got $9306.50 of the California National bank of San Diego and gave his note for the same, payable in 30 days. At that time a man by the name of Smith was the editor of the Sun and owned 220 shares as a collateral security. Wilson gave Smith's note and the 220 shares of the Sun company. For some reason or other Smith became objectionable to President Collins of the California National bank and President WWL Simpson of the Sun company, and a scheme was concocted to get rid of him! It was agreed that Simpson should get a purchaser for these 220 shares, and everbody interested agreed to it, including Wilson. The agreement was that when a purchaser was found the money or notes should be still held as collateral for Wilson's note for $9306.50. There were two purchasers found for this stock—one man named L. A. Wright, who took 45 shares, and another, A. H. Issam, who took 175 shares. Both these gentlemen gave notes for the purchase, but instead of making these notes as security for Wilson's note, they were made payable to the California National bank. This was done against the agreement and without Wilson's consent. However, the bank surrendered Smith's note, which was part of the security for Wilson's note. The judge held that the claim of Wilson for a credit of $8800 was valid, and that in the claim of the bank against him this amount must be credited. The case of Ed Thomas, charged with selling liquor to Indians at Porterville, came up, and defendant stated that he was not able to employ an attorney,

22. September 15, 1895 The Seattle Post-Intelligencer Seattle, WA
Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, September 15, 1895

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

All His Banks Failed, but, It Is Said, Without Loss to Him. Salt Lake, Sept. 13.-A special to the Tribune from Cheyenne says: W. R. Stebbins, who has been well known in banking and business circles throughout the West for the past twenty years, was arrested here this morning by Sheriff Armstrong, of Crookston, on a charge of forgery. The sheriff started north at once with his prisoner, who will have a hearing at Sun Dance early next week. Mr. Stebhins' home is in Kansas City, Kan., where he is connected with the American Loan and Trust Company. He has large property interests here, owning the Cheyenne postoffice building. He has been connected as a stockholder or officer with the Merchants' National Bank of Deadwood, S. D.; the Stebbins, Post & Co. Bank of Cheyenne; the First National Bank of Sun Dance: the First National Bank of Spearfish: the Stock Growers' National Bank of Miles City: the Cheyenne National Bank and the California National Bank of San Diego, all of which have failed, but without loss, It is alleged, to Stebbins. It is charged that Mr. Stebbins owned a block of stock in the First National Bank of Sun Dance from its organization. To conceal his ownership of the bank stock Mr. Stebbins transferred it to a Kansas City man named Mills. The bank was then prospering and paying dividends on the stock. It is alleged that in order to secure the dividends on the stock transferred to Mills, Stebbins made out a power of attorney. signed Mills' name to It and sent the document to A. D. Dun. It authorized him to vote the stock, receipt for and collect the dividends. It is also alleged that Mills was in ignorance of this transaction. Later the bank failed and went into the hands of a receiver, Milo A. Adams, who levied an assessment on all the stockholders for the benefit of the bank's creditors. Both Mills and Stebbins denied owning the stock referred to, and an investigation followed. resulting in discovery of the forgery. During his connection with Western banks he has also been connected with the banking firm of Christie & Janney, of New York. Suits against him by representatives of the broken banks have been commenced in New York city, Wyoming and Kansas City. Mr. Stebbins and his family have traveled abroad considerably, and he is regarded as being very wealthy.