Middletown National Bank (Middletown, NY)

Episode Information

Episode UID
127601019
Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
12760 national
Charter Number
1276
Start Date
November 28, 1884
Location
Middletown, New York (41.445, -74.424)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
3e9729a7c19653ea

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
100.0%
Date receivership started
1884-11-29
Date receivership terminated
1893-03-29
OCC cause of failure
Excessive lending
Share of assets assessed as good
73.1%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
6.5%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
20.3%

Description

A slight run occurred on the local savings bank but the national bank was closed and placed in receivership for misconduct by its president.

Events (4)

1. June 14, 1865 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. November 28, 1884 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
President Thomas King accepted large unsecured drafts/acceptances for Benjamin D. Brown, wiping out capital and surplus.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Middletown national bank has failed; its doors are closed this morning.
Source
newspapers
3. November 29, 1884 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
4. November 29, 1884 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The comptroller of the currency has appointed A. W. Blye, of Syracuse, N. Y., to be receiver of the Middletown National bank, of Middletown, N. Y.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (23)

Article from Evening Star, November 28, 1884

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Bank Troubles in Middletown, N. Y. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., November 28.-The Middletown national bank has failed; its doors are closed this morning. The failure was caused by its president, Thomas King, who accepted large drafts from Benjamin D. Brown, a grain dealer or Indianapolis, Ind. and Burlington, Io., without security. Brown has made an assignment. His capital was $200,000 and his surplus $115,000. The extent of his loss is not yet defluitely known. The depositors will loose nothing. President King takes all the blame on himself. There is a slight run on the savings bank here, but the latter is in no way involved and will stand the run easily.


Article from Lancaster Daily Intelligencer, November 28, 1884

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SECOND EDITION. FRIDAY EVENING, NOV. 28, 1884 A BIG BANK FAILURE. THIS TIME IN MIDDLETOWN, N. Y. The President Calmly Acanowledges That He Is the Sole Oause-The Depositors Considered Well Protected. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y;, Nov. 28.-The Middletown national bank has failed and its doors are closed this morning. The failure was caused by its president, Thomas King, who accepted large drafts from Benj. D. Brown, a grain dealer, of Indianapolis, Ind., and Burlington, Iowa, with. out security. Brown has made an assignment. His capital was $200,000 and his surplus $115,000. The extent of his loss is not yet definitely known. The depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all the blame on himself. His recent ad. vances were made without the knowledge of the other officers and directors. The bank examiner is on his way from Washington. There was a slight run on the savings bank here, but the latter is in no way involved and will stand the run easily.


Article from Alexandria Gazette, November 28, 1884

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Bank Suspended. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Nov. 28.-The Middletown National Bank has failed and its doors are closed this morning. The failure was caused by its president, Thomas King, who accepted large drafts from Benjamin D. Brown, a gain dealer of Indianapolis, Ind., and Burlington, Iowa, without security. Brown has made an assignment. His capital was $200,000, and his surplus $115,000. The extent of his loss is not yet definitely known. The depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all the blame on himself. Hisrecent advances were made without the knowledge of the other officers and directors.


Article from Savannah Morning News, November 29, 1884

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a 1 ITS PRESIDENTS MISPLACED CONFIDENCE THE CAUSE, Disobedience of the Admonition of the Directors Gives the Affair a Bad Coloring- The Erring Officer Infatuated with a Bold Speculator-Many Thousands in Concealed Acceptances. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Nov. 28.-The Middletown National Bank has failed and its doors were closed this morning. The failure was caused by its President, Thomas King, who accepted large drafts from Benjamin D. Brown, a grain dealer of Indianapolis, Ind., and Burlington, Iowa, without security. Mr. Brown has made an assignment. The capital was The $200,000, and its surplus $115,000. extent of his loss IS not yet definitely known. Depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all the blame made on himself. His recent advances were other without the knowledge of the officers and directors of the bank. An is his way from Washington. was a slight run on the banks here, but the latter is in no way There examiner easily. savings involved and will stand the run President King was considered one of ablest financiers in the country, and the the the bank was looked upon as one of most The solid run, in which the State. started on the savings quieted down when despositors bank, found that their money was forthcoming. The directors had announced that all demands would be met. The American Loan in and Trust Company sent up $30,000 Bank currency, and the First National also Bank helped. Examiner May arrived here at and the following notice was dis- of noon, played: "This bank is in the hands national bank examiners. No business mawill be done except the collection of tured All the paper.". banks in the county have slight being balances on collections, the highest with Bank, of Newburg, All these will be $3,000. the Highland paid. bank petitioned The board of directors of the the Comp- have of the troller unanimously Currency receiver. to Mr. apMoses D. Stivers and point Stivers is senior editor of the Press, Internal 14 years was Collector of New for Revenue of the Eleventh district of York. Houston & Conkling. dealers in grain a millers, and C. C. N. Ketchum, and wholesale grain dealer, have made firms had assignfor large amounts. Both They ments indorsed Brown's notes heavily. There are have made no statements. many rumors of other losers. THE BANK EXAMINER IN CHARGE. Bank Examiner George T. May, of the of Washington, is now in possession notified bank. In July last the directors credit King that Mr. Brown's Mr. President not be extended, but reduced. must King disobeyed the instructions, and of the the has gone under. The record the bank of Mr. Brown's drafts on a were kept by President which-he kept in his own book concealed from the other and bank acceptances officers. King possession of such in So far known more than $200,000 of as are out. It is the opinion acceptances best informed that the entire will-be capital the surplus of the institution and out. The directors are County Senwiped John G. Wilkin, United States D. C. ator Judge Van Wyek of Nebraska, Col. Dusenberry, Hon. W. H. Clark, Horatio PresiWilcox, A. H. Vail, U.T. Hayes, Corwin. dent R. King and Cashier Daniel C. resulted in run on the savings bank bank $20,000 The being paid out to-day. The is solvent and ready for any emergency. It President King is at his by thought here that he has profited infatuis not transactions, but that he was operthe with Mr. Brown. The latter's much ated ations have been very heavy, as handled as $500,000 of hispaper having been by the bank in a single week. COMPTROLLER CANNON'S ACTION. WASHINGTON, Nov. 28.-Mr. Cannon, to-day of the Currency, said to the Comptroller answer to inquiries in regard Bank, in the Middletown National N.Y., that he of in the bank last failure Middletown, trouble of special Wednesday examiner learned of the and ordered a take evening, to the bank at once and said of it. The Comptroller in July the report of the to charge proceed the examiner King, also that on was discovered that from was borrowing immedilast President, bank. it The directors indebtedness were largely of the notified that the to com- Mr. ately should be reduced to a point was subwith the law. Information been ply received that this had under sequently The Comptroller, however, being done. that the bank was not directthe belief managed, notified the be its coarter would not expire ors as the charter ed, few months (May, 1885), judiciously in a and that that, liquidate would steps its indebted- extend- should be at once The taken Comptroller to said, further. Mr. King, that ness. through the action of recently, has been crippled very serious the think there would be unless, he did bank not failure. loss to the public through its INSOLVENTS ARRESTED. CANTON, MISS., Nov. Stadeker -Alfonzo & Son, Stadeker, of the Nov. firm 15 of for J. $100,000 with assets which of failed $25,000, the firm, and were his brother arrested Henry, to-day late the on clerk for of conspiracy to defraud concealcreditors a charge of and Stadeker other assets & Son of by the firm. for They ing goods were admitted to bail to appear examination Tuesday. ILLINOIS BANK IN TROUBLE. AN ILL., Nov. 28.-The its doors First CARLINVILLE. Bank of this city closed arrangeNational the purpose of making to-day ments to for go into liquidation. Depositors will be paid in full. TOTAL OF THE WEEK. THE Nov. 28.-The business NEW occurring YORK, throughout the Mercan- counfailures to R. G. Dun Co.'s week in try tile reported Agency number for the last


Article from Evening Star, November 29, 1884

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THE MIDDLETON BANK FAILURE-The controller of the currency has received a telegram from Bank Examiner May, in charge of the Middleton National Bank, of Middleton, N. Y., saying that it will be necessary to place the affairs of the bank in the hands of a receiver.


Article from Wheeling Register, November 29, 1884

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IN FINANCIAL STRAITS. A Big New York Bank Suspands Payment. MUCH EXCITEMENT CAUSED. The President of the Institution Says He is Wholly at Fault in the Matter. DEPOSITORS LOSE NO THING. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., November 28.Tie Middletown National Bank has failed. The doors were closed this morning. The failure was caused by the President, Thomas King, who accepted drafts from Benjamin D. Brown, a grain dealer of Indianapolis and Burlington, Iowa, without security. Brown has made an assignment. The capital of the bank is $200,000 and the surplus $115,000. The extent of loss is not known yet definitely. The depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all the blame on himself. His recent advances were made without the knowledge of the other officers and directors. The Bank Examiner is now on his way from Washing ton. There is a slight run on the Savings Bank here, but the latter is in no way involved, and will stand the run easilv. There had been rumors in circulation for several days past that the bank was in financial straits, and some reports had it that the bank would surely suspend to day. It was said that the cashier telegrahed on Wednesday for a bank examiner, and that the directors were in secret session all day yesterday discussing affairs. President King of the institution is vsrry sick and cannot be seen. The National Bank of New York is its correspondent in thot city.


Article from The Daily Cairo Bulletin, November 29, 1884

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Takes all the Blame. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., November 28.The Middletown National Bank closed its doors this morning. The failure was caused by President Thomas King, who accepted a large draft from Benjamin D. Brown, a grain dealer of Indianapolis and Burlington, ,without security. Brown has made an assignment. This bank has a capital of $200,000, and a surplus fund of $115,000. The extent of the loss is not yet known. King takes all the blame on himself. His recent advances were made without the knowledge of the other officers and directors. The Bank Examiner is on the way from Washington. A slight run has occurred on the Savings Bank here, but the latter is in no way involved, and will stand the run easily.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, November 29, 1884

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THE MIDDLETON BANK. A Black Friday for Middleton over the Failure of the Middleton National Bank. A Full Description of the Manner in Which the Man Brown Worked President King. PORT JARVIS, N. Y., Nov. 28.-To-day is a terrible black Friday for Middleton. Ugly rumors were on the streets yesterday. Nothing could be learned, but it was evident big failure was at hand. The bank has a capital stock of $200,000 and a surplus fund of $115,000 The president, Thomas King, was considered one of the ablest financiers of and the was the country, bank the state. looked upon as one of the solidest in No statement is yet published The entire capital and surplus is wiped out. President King is at home completely will no statement except make prostrated. that all blame He was on him. The run on the savings bank quieted down when the depositors found all their money fortheoming. The directors announced all demands will be met. The American Loan and Trust company sent up $30,000 in currency, and the First National also helped. Bank Examiner May arrived at noon and this notice was posted: "Tuis bank is in the hands of the national bank examiner. No business will be done except the cellection of matured papers." All banks in the county have slight balances on collections, the highest being the Highland bank. of Newburg, $3,000. All these will be The that Brown had been borrowing paid. comptroller learned largely in from July the bank and notified the directors that Brown's credit and indebtedness must be reduced at once to a comply with the law, and the point which directors should did. notified At the same time President King was that further credit must not be given Brown. This, it was supposed, was done. But it King has seems given him follows: credit in a private manner as Brown drew time drafts on different parties, with whom he was doing business at various points east. Accompaning them were bills of lading. Those were sent the Middleton bank, with instructions the bills were not to be delivered until the draft was paid. King was in the habit of allowing Brown to take the bill of lading to collect, and did not turn over the money he collected, and when the for dratts came a memorandum them. King due kept the private bank had to provide till of Brown's account, and not he saw ruin staring him in the face did be confess to the directors. This was on Thurs day last week. Brown was and to secure the promised tide bank, summoned but but failed. they Every effort was made to over, were unavailing. Brown's indebtedness is not positively known, though it will be over The directors says and the be $50,000. ereditors except Huston & Conkling, stockholders all depositors dealers will paid in rult. in grain and millers, and C. C. V. Ketcham, wholesale grain dealer, have made an assignment. Both had heavily endorsed Brown's notes. There are many other losers. Brown is a native of Orange county, formerly a miller at Burnside. While here he engaged in wholesale grain He went t built and an operations. an elevator later Indianapolis built the elevator and at Brown was on wrong side market him. The of swamped Burlington. of the and board the of recent directors decline unanithe to appoint the mously Middleton petitioned National Moses comptroller bank Stivers have receiver. of the Mr. senior editor and for was currency fourteen Stivers is years collector of the of Press, internal revenue for the Eleventh district. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Nov. 28.-W. H. Baker, in charge of the business of B. D. this is Brown. of point, unable Brown's to furnish any information concerning connection with the Middleton, N.Y., bank failure. The business here is conducted under the name of B. D. Brown, is indeof of which Browg is is cerns pendent in any the other interested, numerous and consaid exin at tensively several to be engaged entirely points solvent. in business Illinois Brown ventures and is at other The B. & Co. in firms western D. states. Brown style of He and the is firm operating principal being at and and at proprietor elevators Newman, Ills., Paris, also owning Weldon, Burlington, Hammond Iowa. He also has business interests in Chicago, Boston and West Point, Neb., where he is senior partner of the firm operating an elevator, a bank and a large dairy farm. Baker knows nothing as to the condition of these but business in that various the enterprises, considerable this city confidently is not oits only asserts credit solvent, but has a sum


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, November 29, 1884

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The Broken Bank, MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., November 28.The bank examiner, George T. Way, of Washington, is now in possession of the Middletown National bank. President King takes all the blame on himself. In July last, the directors notified King that Brown's credit must not be extended, but reduced. King disobeyed the instructions and broke the bank. The record of acceptances of Brown's drafts on the bank was kept by King in a book in his possession and concealed from the other officers. So far as known, more than $200,000 of such acceptances are out. It is the opinion of the best informed that the entire capital and surplus will be wiped out. The run on the savings bank here drew $20,000 today. The bank is solvent and ready for any emergency. President King is home very ill. It is not thought here that he has profited by the crooked transactions, but he was infatuated with Brown. Brown's operations were very heavy. As much as $500,000 of his paper was handled by the bank in a single week.


Article from The Rock Island Argus, November 29, 1884

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Another Bank Goes Under. MIDDLETOWN N. Y., Nov. 29.-The Middietown National bank has failed. Its doors were closed Friday morning. The failure was caused by the president, Thomas King, who accepted large drafts from Benjamin D. Brown, a grain dealer of Indianapolis and Burlington, with out security. Brown has made an as signment. The bank's capital is $200,000 and its surplus $115,000. The extent of the loss is not yet known definitely. The depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all the blame on himself. His recent advances were made unknown to the other officers and directors. The bank-examiner is on his way from Washington. A slight run has occurred on the savings bank here, but the latter is in no way involved and will stand the run easily.


Article from Los Angeles Daily Herald, November 29, 1884

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A Bank railure. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Nov. 28.-The Middletown National Bank has failed. The doors closed this morning. The failure was caused by President Thos. King, who accepted large drifts from Benj. D. Brown, a grain dealer of Indi thapolis and Burlington witho I security. Brown has made an assignmentยฎ Capital $200,000; surplus, $115,000. The extent of the loss is not known yet definitely. Depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all the blame on himself. His recent advances were m de without the knowledge of the other officers and directors. The bank ex uniner is on his W ay from Washington. There is a run on the S ivings bank here, but the latter is in no way involved.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, November 29, 1884

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Bank Broken MIDDLETOWN, NY., November 28.-The Middleton National Bank has failed, the doors being closed this morning. The failure was caused by President Thomas King, who accepted large drafts from Benjamin D. Brown, grain dealer, of Indianapolis and Burlington, without security. Brown has made an assignment. Capital, $200,000; surplus, $115,000. The extent of the loss is not known yet definitely. Depositors will lose nothing. President King takes all theblame on himself. His recent advances were made without the knowledge of other officers and directors. The Bank examiner is on his way from Washington. There was a slight run on the savings bank here, but the latter is in no way involved.


Article from The Sun, November 30, 1884

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Middletown's Broken Bank. MIDDLETOWN. N. Y., Nov. 29.-Bank Examiner May, in charge of the Middletown National Bank, says that it will be necessary to place the affairs of the bank in the hands of a receiver. President King 18 still sick in bed, and cannot he seen. On Thursday last, after B. D. Brown left this village. where he had made 12 general assignment to the Middletown National Bank, he went to Gosheu. Mr. Brown there procured from the Goshen National Bank drafts on New York aggregating $13,000, which he took to New York the next morning and donbtless had cashed. The run on the savings bank has entirely ended. Twenty-six thousand dollars were drawn.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, December 1, 1884

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[From the Journal of Sunday.] THE MIDDLETOWN BANK. After Assigning, Brown Obtains Drafts on Another Bank-The Run Ended. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Nov. 29.-The run on the savings bank ended this evening, after $26,000 had been paid out. President King, of the broken national bank, is in bed and can not be seen. There are no new developments in the matter. On Thursday last, after B. D. Brown left thi village, where he had made a general assignment to the Middletown National Bank, he went to Goshen. He there poreured from the Goshen National Bank drafts on New York, aggregating $13,000, which he took to New York next morning and doubtless had cashed. Rumor says he obtained the drafts without sufficient security, or none at all.


Article from St. Paul Daily Globe, December 1, 1884

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The Middletown Failure. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Nov. 29.-The run on the Savings bank still continues, but is small, and will doubtless end to-day. The bank is abundantly able to pay its demands and published in the local papers yesterday a statement that they were ready to pay all depositors waiving thirty days notice. No fears are entertained for its safety by the mass of depositors. President King, of the broken National bank, is in bed and cannot be seen. Thereare no new developments in the matter. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Nov. 29.-Thursday last, after B. D. Brown left the village, where he had made a general assignment to the Middletown National bank, he went to Goshen. He there procured from the Goshen National bank drafts on New York aggregating $13.000, which he took to New York the next morning, and doubtless had cashed. Rumor says he obtained the drafts without sufficient security, or none at all. The run on the savings bank has entirely ended. Twenty-six thousand dollars were drawn out.


Article from National Republican, December 2, 1884

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DEPARTMENT NOTES. The comptroller of the currency has appointed A. W. Blye, of Syracuse, N. Y., to be receiver of the Middletown National bank, of Middletown, N. Y. The issue of standard silver dollars from the mints during the week ended Nov. 29 was $398,495. The issue for the corresponding pe. riod of last year was $343,487. The comptroller of the currency yesterday extended the corporate existence of the Citizens' National bank, of Pittsburg, Pa., and the Naumkeag National bank, of Salem, Mass., to Dec. 3, 1904. Postoffice inspectors Saturday arrested at Richmond, Va., a substitute postal route agent named Cotton forstealing $160 belonging to the money-order funds while in transit. The money was recovered. The payments made from the treasury by warrants during the month of November, 1884, amounted to $19,216,148.12, not including payments made on account of the interest or principal of the public debt of the United States.


Article from Savannah Morning News, December 2, 1884

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The Middletown Bank's Receiver. W ASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The Comptroller of the Currency has appointed A. W. Blye, of Syracuse, N. Y., to be receiver of the Middletown National Bank, of Middleton, N.Y.


Article from New-York Tribune, December 2, 1884

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THNNK THE 10 W WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. 1.-The Controller of the Currency appointed A. W. Blye, of Syracuse, to be receiver of the Middletown National Bank, of Middletown, N. Y.


Article from New-York Tribune, December 3, 1884

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RECEIVER OF THE MIDDLETOWN BANK. MIDDLETOWN, Dec. 2.-A. W. Blye, of Syracuse, has been appointed receiver of the Middletown National Bank. He took possession this morning. INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 2.-A mortgage, executed by the Western Elevator Company or this city, on its property, drawn Nov. 10, 1883, in favor of Houston & Conklin, of Middletown, N. Y., to secure payment of $50,000, and by them assigned on the following day to to the Middletown National bank, which recently collapsed, was filed for record to-day.


Article from Watertown Republican, December 3, 1884

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# Financial Embarrassment. Burr, Son & Co., New York brewers, failed on the 29th, giving preferences to the amount of $110,000. The Middletown (N. Y.) National Bank has closed its doors. Cause, reckless management. It is said the depositors will lose nothing. Failures during the seven days ending on the 28th: United States, 222; Canada, 27; total, 249. This is a decrease of 28 as compared with the previous week. David Sternberg, dry goods, St. Louis, failed on the 27th. Liabilities 60,000. The Baltimore Rivet and Spike Works have assigned. Bond of the trustee $50,000. George R. Calhoun & Co., jewelers, Nashville, failed on the 25th. Their liabilities are $40,000.


Article from The Dallas Weekly Herald, December 4, 1884

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The Middletown Bank Failure. MIDDL TOWN, N. Y., Dec. 2-A. B. Blue, of Syracuse, has been appointed receiver of the Middletown National bank. He took possession this merning. Examiner Mave will have a statement ready in a few davs.


Article from New-York Tribune, August 4, 1888

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TO PAY THE DEBT OF THE MIDDLETOWN BANK. Middletown, N. Y., Aug. 3.-In accordance with the instructions of the Controller of the Currency, Receiver Blye, of the Middletown National Bank, in this city, levied an assessment of 100 per cent on the stock et this bank, amounting to $200,000, payable September 1. The bank closed its doors on November 27, 1884, having been ruined by the president allowing Benjamin D Brown, a grain dealer, unlimited discounts and advances on bills of lading which were afterward surrendered without payment of the drafts. The receiver has paid 70 per cent to the creditors out of collectable assets on proved claims amounting to $750,000. The heavy assessment now made will hardly suffice. If fully collected, to pay the remaining 30 per cant. Not over half the stock is able to pay.


Article from Evening Star, March 5, 1892

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DIVIDENDS DECLARED.- - The controller of the currency has declared two dividends of 10 per cent each in favor of the creditors of the Middietown National Bank of Middletown, N. Y., making in all 100 per cent on claims proved, amounting to $651,274.38, payable through A. W. Blve, receiver, Middletown, N. Y., and a final dividend of 5.57 per cent in favor of the creditors of the Central National Bank of Chicago, III., making in all 65.57 per cent on claims proved. amounting to $299,617.36, payable through Otis R. Glover, receiver, 905 Tacoma building, Chicago, III.