Mississippi Valley Trust Company (St Louis, MO)

Episode Information

Episode UID
1654939291246
Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Reopening
Bank Type
trust
Bank ID
165493929 hash
Start Date
October 27, 1903
Location
St Louis, Missouri (38.627, -90.198)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
31f70315d8ddd91c

Response Measures

None

Events (3)

1. October 27, 1903 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Disquieting rumors (said to have originated in department stores and reports from Chicago and New York) triggered depositors to withdraw funds.
Measures
Initially paid depositors without hesitation; later invoked 30- and 60-day notice rules for savings deposits and suspended early payment of certificates of deposit.
Newspaper Excerpt
As the result of disquieting rumors a run was started today on the Mississippi Valley Trust Company
Source
newspapers
2. October 28, 1903 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Banks required 30-60 days' notice and refused to pay CDs early in response to the run and resulting panic driven by rumors.
Newspaper Excerpt
the banks took advantage of the thirty-day savings clause ... No money was paid out but declaration of intention to withdraw was made by many.
Source
newspapers
3. November 20, 1903 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
The Mississippi Valley Trust Company ... has sent out notices that depositors can secure their money without waiting for the expiration of the time limit, and will promptly meet all demands of savings depositors.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (12)

Article from The Topeka State Journal, October 27, 1903

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Article Text

A RUN STARTED. Disquieting Rumors in St. Louis Financial Circles. St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 27.-As the result of disquieting rumors, a run was started today on the Mississippi Valley Truss company, but as fast as the depositors poured in they were given their money without hesitancy. Second Vice President John D. Davis said: "We do not know how the rumor that we were in financial straits got started, but it probably started in the department stores among the hundreds of clerks : who have their savings in our bank. We appreciate the confidence of those who have allowed their deposits to remain with us, but we certainly want those who have lost confidence to withdraw their money. The bank is perfectly safe and we do not fear a run."


Article from The Spokane Press, October 27, 1903

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Article Text

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 27.-A run was in progress at noon on the Mississippi Valley and Meranctile Trust company banks, two of the largest financial institutions in the city. The runs were due, it is said, to rumors from Chirago and New York, that the concerns were embarrassed. The clearing house association at noon took steps to protect the institutions if needed.


Article from Evening Star, October 27, 1903

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Article Text

PAID WITHOUT HESITANCY. Depositors in a St. Louis Institution Scared Without Cause. ST. LOUIS, Mo., October 27.-As the result of disquieting rumors a run was started today on the Mississippi Valley Trust Company, but as fast as the depositors poured in they were given their money without hesitancy. Second Vice President John D. Davis said: "We do not know how the rumor that we were in financial straits got started, but It probably started in the department stores among the hundreds of clerks who have savings in our bank. We appreciate the confidence of those who have allowed their deposits to remain with us, but we certainly want those who have lost confidence to withdraw their money. The bank is perfectly safe and we do not fear a run."


Article from Deseret Evening News, October 27, 1903

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Article Text

Run on a St. Louis Trust Co. St. Louis, Oct. 27.-As the result of disquieting rumors a run was started today on the Mississippi Valley Trust company, but as fast as the depositors poured in they were given their money without hesitancy. Second Vice President John D. Davis said: "We do not know how the rumor that we were in financial straits got started but it probably started in the department stores among the hundreds of clerks who have their savings in our bank. We appreciate the confidence of those who have allowed their deposits to remain with us, but we certainly want those who have lost confidence to withdraw their money. The bank is perfectly safe and we do not fear a run."


Article from Lewiston Evening Teller, October 28, 1903

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Article Text

(Special Telegram to Evening Teller.) ST. LOUIS, Oct. 28.-At noon today the police are unable to handle the excited mob gathered about the entrances to the Mississippi Valley bank and the Mercantile Trust company. The run began yesterday and continued until closing time in the afternoon. Many women are in the crowds and in many instances they have been trampled under the heels of the excited mob and their clothing torn. Men and women are fighting for admission to the buildings and at noon today the police lost control of the mob. This morning a long line of people was at the doors a long time before the opening hour. Both banks took advantage of the thirty-day savings clause but paid all


Article from Alexandria Gazette, October 28, 1903

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Article Text

The St. Louis Banks, St. Louis, Oct. 28.-When the doors of the Mississippi Valley Trust and Mercantile Trust Companies were opened this morning, lines of depositors were in waiting, anxious to withdraw their funds, as a result of the scare resulting from Tuesday's run. Most of those in line were working men and women. Each was told that thirty to sixty days' notice to withdraw deposits would be required. No money was, paid out but declaration of intention to withdraw was made by many. The trust companies also have decided not to pay certificates of deposit before maturity. Small crowds were assembled in front of the other banking itstitutions. By 11 o'clock the crowd has increased to such an extent that a platoon of police was totally unable to control it and the officers stationed at the doors were swept away from their statlons almost as rapidly as they could regain them. There is much excitement.


Article from The Seattle Star, October 28, 1903

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Article Text

BIG RUN ON BANKS ST. LOUIS, Mo., Oct. 27.-Runs are Inprogress at noon day on the Mississippi Valley bank and the Mercatille Trust Company, two of the largest financial institutions in the city, The PUNN are due, It is said, to rumors from Chicago d New York UNIT both concerns are embarra Di it. The clearing house association at noon took steps to protect the Institutions If needed. Both, are paying than they can gount the money, The capital of Mississippi Valley bank is $3,000,000 and the surplus One undivided profits exceed $5,000,000. The canttal of the Mercantile Trust Comp is $3,000,000, with $6,800,000 surplus and Otherided profits.


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

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Article Text

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


Article from The Caucasian, October 29, 1903

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Article Text

Depositors Want Their Money. St. Louis, Oct. 28.-Long before 10 o'clock this morning lines of depositors stretched away from the closed doors of the Mississippi Valley, the Lincoln Mereantile and Missouri Trust Company's, on which runs said to be due to unfounded rumors, began yesterday. They got no money.


Article from The Seattle Star, October 29, 1903

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Article Text

ST. LOUIS, Mo., Oct. 28.-When the doors of the Mississippi Valley bank and the Mercantile Trust company's house were opened this morning. long lines of depositors stood waiting to withdraw their deposits. The banks took advantage of the 30-day notice of an attempted run. Small crowds stood in front of other banking institutions. The runs became so bad by noon, that the police were unable to handie the crowds. Men and women were trampled under foot, and the clothing torn from their bodles. The


Article from The Seattle Star, October 30, 1903

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Article Text

PANIC ENDED Announcement That Banking Concerns Had Millions Coming, Quiets Fears of Public ST. LOUIS Oct. 29:-There la not the alightest sign of excitement at the Mississippi Valley and the Mercantile Trust company banks this morning. The announcement that $2,000,000 was enroute from New York and $10,000,000 and been offered by other banks of the city, not only ended the panic, but la causing many to return deposits.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, November 21, 1903

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Article Text

Ready to Pay Depositors. ST. LOUIS, Mo., Nov. 20.-The Mississippi Valley Trust Company, which, with four other trust companies, experienced a run on Oct. 27 which was terminated by the trust companies demanding thirty days' notice of withdrawal of deposits, has sent out notices that depositors can secure their money without waiting for the expiration of the time limit, and will promptly meet all demands of savings depositors. It is understood that the other trust companies will immediately adopt the same policy.