First National Bank (Wilmington, NC)

Episode Information

Episode UID
165601103
Episode Type
Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
16560 national
Charter Number
1656
Start Date
November 25, 1891
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina (34.226, -77.945)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
77c83ac4039c9718

Response Measures

None

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
61.0%
Date receivership started
1891-12-21
Date receivership terminated
1899-09-21
OCC cause of failure
Fraud
Share of assets assessed as good
20.3%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
53.3%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
26.3%

Events (4)

1. July 25, 1866 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. November 25, 1891 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Directors suspended payments citing stringency and inability to meet demands; comptroller later attributed suspension to bad loans.
Newspaper Excerpt
WILMINGTON, N. C., Nov. 25.-The First National bank of this city suspended payment this morning owing to the stringency in the financial affairs.
Source
newspapers
3. December 21, 1891 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
4. December 21, 1891 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
The controller of the currency today appointed Mr. William S. O'B. Robinson ... receiver of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., insolvent.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (25)

Article from Evening Star, November 25, 1891

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ANOTHER BANK IN TROUBLE-Mr. Lacey, controller of the currency, was informed this morning of the suspension of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C. He instructed Bank Examiner Alden to proceed from Washington at once to take charge of the bank.


Article from The Dalles Daily Chronicle, November 25, 1891

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A Bank Suspended. WILMINGTON, N. C., Nov. 25.-The first national bank of this city suspended payment this morning owing to the stringency in the financial affairs.


Article from Evening Capital Journal, November 25, 1891

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SUSPENDED. WILMINGTON,N.C.,Nov. 25.-The First National bank has suspended payment this a. m. owing to the stringency on financial affairs.


Article from The Providence News, November 25, 1891

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A North Curolina Bank Suspends. WILMINGTON, N. C., Nov. 25.-The directors of the First National Bank have decided to suspend business until further notice. The capital stock of the bank is $250,000. The last published statement shows deposits of $405,000:


Article from The Olympia Tribune, November 25, 1891

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Another Bank Suspends. WILMINGTON, N. C., Nov. 25.-The First National bank of this city suspended payment this morning owing to stringency in financial affairs and the bank was unable to meet further demands. It is impossible now to get any statement of the condition of affairs.


Article from Fort Worth Gazette, November 26, 1891

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Article Text

Bank Taken in Charge. WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Mr. Lacey, comptroller of the currency, was informed this morning of the suspension of the First National bank of Wilmington, N. C. He instructed Bank Examiner Alden to proceed from Washington at once to take charge of the bank.


Article from Telegram-Herald, November 26, 1891

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THE First National bank of Wilmington, Nc., has suspended business. The South is suffering from the stringency of the money market, largely owing to the early marketing of the cotton crop. Larg sums have been withdrawn from the banks to pay for the cotton. making times good for the planters and hard for the bankers.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, November 26, 1891

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Lacy Sends an Examiner to Take Charge. WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-Lacy, comptroller of the currency, was informed this morning of the suspension of the First National bank of Wilmington, N. C. He instructed Bank Examiner Alder to proceed from Washington at once to take charge of the bank.


Article from Evening Journal, November 27, 1891

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The Wilmington Bank Failure. WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-Comptroller Lacey says the suspension of the First National bank, of Wilmington, N. C., was caused by bad loans. It had no connection, he said, with the Maverick bank, of Boston. He does not think it will be a bad failure.


Article from Delaware Gazette and State Journal, December 3, 1891

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A Loan Association's Collapse. WILMINGTON, N. C., Nov. 27.-The Clinton Loan Association at Clinton, Sampson county, has suspended. It was a small state banking company, with a capital of $50,000, and has been known to be in a shaky condition for some months. Its failure has no connection whatever with the suspension of the First National Bank of this city,


Article from Evening Star, December 5, 1891

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A BANK IN TROUBLE.-Mr. Lacy, controller of the currency, yesterday received a letter from the examiner 'in charge of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., but declined to disclose its contents. He said, however, that the bank would probably be placed in the hands of a receiver.


Article from The Morning News, December 5, 1891

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Wilmington's Broken Bank. W ASHINGTON, Dec. 4.-The controller of the treasury, Mr. Lacey, to-day received a letter from the examiner in charge of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., but declined to disclose its contents. He said, bowever, that the bank would probably be placed in the hands of a receiver.


Article from The State Chronicle, December 8, 1891

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News in North Carolina in a Condensed Form. THE STATE'S PROGRESS. Incidents and Industries, Efforts and Energies, Persons and Things from Cherokee to Ourrituck. Five large flats or apartment houses are in course of construction at Salem. The discovery of green sand in New Hanover county is one of great importance. Much pork will be put up in Johnston county this season, the Smithfield Herald says. The people of Sampson county are reforesting, by protecting the young pine trees, 2 million of which are growing. As yet there is no news as to the whereabouts of Cashier Bowden, of the smashed First National bank at Wilmington. Moore Bros. of Four Oaks, general merchants, have assigned. They also dealt in turpentine. The preferred debts aggregate $1,000. Mr.H.M. Butters, of the town of Hub, has put $250,000 in the lumber industry in North Carolina. His big mills now cut 100,000 feet of timber daily. Miss Meddie Johnson, a pupil at Greensboro female college, died last Sunday, of grippe, after fifteen days' sickness. Grippe is prevalent in several sections of the State. The three-year-old child of Arthur Rumage, of Davie county, was accidently burned to death Monday by its clothing, the Times says, having caught fire from the fireplace. H. & L. Wright of Salisbury who have assigned, bare assets of $13,000, liabilities $11,000, and have surrounded all their property, not even reserving the homestead. Last week a granite block was shipped from the Mount Airy ite to quarries Philadelphia which granover tons and form which, weighed the News nineteen states, will the base of a huge monument.. Frank Shoe, aged 4 years, son of Albert Shoe, postmaster at Finger, Stanly county, while playing around a well fell in. Soon after, his parents missing him, they instituted search. The Salisbury Herald says the little fellow was found in the well, cold and stiff in death. Mr. Rufus Baker, who lived near Four Oaks, Johnston county, was run over and killed by a passing train near Benson Wednesday night. He was drunk and was walking on the track. He waste ribly mangled, his head cut off, body severed and one hand cut off. Thieves, the Charlotte News says, are about to take the Mill Hill section of Cabarrus county, and are carrying off corn, cotton and anything they can get their hands on. Some parties selling liquor in the neighborhood are suspected of securing the stolen goods. Hundreds of dollars' worth have been stolen, the is thorand that will and be oughly trouble it is organized thought gang there in making arrests. Never were burglars so daring or burglaries so numerous. At Charlotte a night or two since the house of Mrs. Biggs was entered. found two awaked and white men She standing beside her bed, one with a


Article from The Progressive Farmer, December 15, 1891

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Cream of the State Press Drops of Turpentine and Grains of Rice from the East-Clusters of Grapes &nd Tobacco Stems from the North-Stalks of Corn and Grains of Wheat from the West-Peanuts and Cotton Seed fromtheSouth It is said the recent McDougald trial $8,000. Capt. L. W. McLaurin, a promine nt citizen of Laurinburg, died Tuesday. Five large flats or apartment houses are in course of construction at Salem. Two young ladies died at the Greensboro female college last week of the grippe Efforts are being made to put the suspended bank at Clinton on a good fooung The discovery of green sand in New Hanover county is one of great importance. Much pork W 11 be put up in Johnston county this season, the Smithfield Herald say J. W. Summers, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Mecklenburg, will make Asneville his home. The new band of the Fourth Regiment, at Ashevile, will be regularly enlisted In a few days. A railroad is being surveyed from Red Spring to a point on the Wilson Short Cut, near Mt. Tabor A special train carrying the Ema Juch Opera Troupe was recked near Oxford last Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Jethro Howell, of Fork township Wayne county, from four acres has gathered 2,057 pounds of lint cotton. Henry Grady Lodge. No. 102, I. O. 0. F., was organized at Oxford Tuesdul evening. Mr. U. F. Crews is Noble Grand. Gov. Holt has pardoned Robert Smith, who was sentenced from Wayne county for five years for lare ny. The people of Sampson county are reforesting, by protecting the young pine trees, a million of which are growing Owing to his continued ill health, Mr. Covington retires from the editorial control of the Farmer and Scottish Chief. As yet there is no news as to the whereabouts of Cashier Bowden, of the smashed First National bank at Wilmington. Miss Laura Thacker, a pupil at the Greensboro Female College, died last Thursday night, after an illness of about two weeks. It is stated on good authority that Mr. B. L. Duke, of Durham, will put $30,000 in the many ture of plug tobacco at Mt. Airy tave Oaks, general Moore Bros. of merch ints, have Four Pd. They also dealt in turper he preferred debts aggrega W. R. used Ate $1,000 cold a big load at Gravely S Farmers Warehouse last Saturday at an average of $21, says the Rocky Mount Phoenix. An Asheville paper states that 6 552 guests registered at the Battery Park Hotel since January 1, 1891. The hotel has now about 90 guests. Mr. Robert Morrison, a prominent business manof Wilmington, died there suddenly Sunday in the 68th year of his age, of heart disease. Two hundred and forty dollars is what the entertainment given at Char lotte Monday evening by the amateurs, netted the Queen City Guard. The dwelling of Mrs. M. E. O'Berry, near Dudley, was burned Sunday. Only a small quantity of furniture was saved There was no insurance. J. C. Ramsey, of Greensboro, dealer in toys, confections, &c, has made an assignment to James E Boyd. The assets and liabilities are unknown. Mr H M. Butters, of the town of Hub, has put $250,000 in the lumber industry in North Carolina His big mills now cut 100,000 feet of timber daily. The postoffice at Dudley, Wayne county. will be incharge the the Goldsboro Headlight states, of a negro woman, the wite of J. F. Baker of that place. The barn of W. M. Hankins, with 1,400 bushels of rice, 150 bushels of corn. & were destroyed by fire Sat urday at his farm six miles from Wil mington. Jno. Cook, of St. John's while on his way to town was thrown from his wagon and received a big gash on the


Article from The Western Sentinel, December 17, 1891

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AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. Mr. Crawford, of North Carolina, on the Mileage Committee. THE WORK OF SPEAKER CRISP. Mr. H. G. Williams, Brother of Congressman Williams, Will Get His Old Position in the House. WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 14.-The Senate is in session this afternoon considering a long list of Presidential appointments. The House will re-convene Wednesday. Two committees have been announced, viz: Mileage and Accounts. Mr. Crawford, of North Carolina is the second man on the first mentioned committee. The Speaker cannot well ignore the solid supp rt the Tar Heel delagation gave him. Mr. Henderson, Chairman of our delegation told me vesterday that the Speaker was hard at work on the formation of the committee, but had not completed any but the two mentioned above. There was a competitive examination in the Hall of the House for the positions of Reading Clerk of the House Saturday night. North Carlina had three candidates in the field, Messrs. Smith and Ferguson of Col. Cowles' district and Capt. John B. Hussey formerly editor of the Greensboro Patriot but more recently a resident of thiscity. There are tworending clerks and each one receives $3,700. The delegation hasgiven Col. Henry G. Williams, brother of Hon. A. H. A. Willams, its united support for his former position as Assistant Superintendent of the House Document Room. This makes his election a certainty. I was told at the Treasury Department this morning that the Examiner's report on the condition of the First National Bank of Wilmington had not yet been received and that nothing would be done until the re port was in and examined. If the directors make necessary arrangements. the Bank will be allowed to resume business. If not, a receiver will be appointed and the gentleman will probably be Mr. W. S. O. B. Robertson, of Goldsboro. Messrs. Tom Ransom and Julian S. Carr are in the city.


Article from Evening Star, December 21, 1891

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A RECEIVER APPOINTED.-The controller of the currency today appointed Mr. William S. O'B. Robinson offGoldsboro' receiver of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., insolvent.


Article from The Morning News, December 22, 1891

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Wilmington's Bank Receiver. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The controller of the currency to-day appointed William S. O. B. Robinson of Goldaboro receiver of the First National Bank of Wilmington. N. C., insolvent.


Article from The Roanoke Times, December 22, 1891

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A Receiver Appointed. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-[Special]Comptroller of currency to-day appointed William 8 O.B. Robinson. of Goldsboro. receiver of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., insolvent.


Article from Asheville Daily Citizen, December 22, 1891

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The Receiver Appointed. WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-The comptroller of currency has appointed William S. Robinson, of Goldsboro, receiver of the first national bank of Wilmington, N. C., insolvent.


Article from The Sunday Morning News, December 27, 1891

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BUSINESS FLUCTUATIONS Some of the Most Notable Collapses of the Financial World. JANUARY. 5. Failure of Dueber Watch company. Canton. O.: liabilities, $450,000. 14. Failure of O'Donnell, Spencer & Co., lumber dealers at Saginaw, Mich.: $100,000. 20. Failure of the American National bank of Kansas City for $300,000. FEBRUARY. 18. Suspension of the American Loan and Trust company of New York: deficit of $656,000. MARCH. 20. Suspension of the Keystone National bank of Philadelphia. Failure of the banking house of Theodore Schwartz & Co. at Louisville; liabilities, $750,000. 23. Suspension of the Washington National bank in New York city; shortage. $148,000. MAY. 4. Failure of J.H. Lippincott, of the American Graphophone company and North American Phonograph company, for $100,000. 8. Suspension of the Spring Garden bank and the Penn Trust and Safe Deposit company in Philadelphia. 12. Failure of Levy Bros. & Co., clothing manufacturers, in New York, for nearly $1,000,000. 19. Failure of Satterlee, Bostwick & Martin. insurance brokers, in New York, for over $100,000. 20. Assignment of the Davis Shoe company at Richmond, Va.: liabilities, $3,000,000. 25. Failure of Potter, White & Bayley, shoe manufacturers, in Boston, for $1,000,000. JUNE. 4. Assignment of the Connell-Hall-McLester company, dry goods house, in Nashville; liabilities, $464,000. 12. Failure of the London and Liverpool Clothing company and Mack & Co. in New York; liabilities over $250,000. 22. Failure of Sax Bros., bankers, in Nashville, for $600,000. 25. Assignment of the wholesale shoe firm of Emile Marqueze & Co., in Boston; liabilities, $460,000. JULY. 11. Failure of Hard Bros. & Co., spring bed makers, in Oneida, N. Y., for $125,000. 13. Failure of R. M. Bingham & Co., wagon makers, in Rome, N. Y., for $225,000. 20. Suspension of the Merchants' National bank of Fort Worth, Tex.; liabilities, $500,000. AUGUST. 2. Assignment of Abraham Backer, commission merchant and note broker, in New York: liabilities, $4,000,000. 8. Assignment of the Masonic Savings bank in Louisville, owing $1,000,000. 19. Receiver appointed for the American Wheel company, of Chicago, which has plants in six different states; liabilities, $1,800,000. 21. Seizure of the assets of the Mexican Northern railway in New York on a claim for $109,000. 22. Failure of S. V. White & Co., grain speculators of New York and Chicago, for nearly $3,000,000. OCTOBER. 19. Assignment of Jonathan Stewart, of Trenton: liabilities, $329,000. 22. Assignment of the Bank of Lewisburg, Tenn. NOVEMBER. 1. Failure of Maverick National bank in Boston; liabilities, $8,000,000. 7. Supension of National bank of Corry, Pa.: liabilities, $740,000. 10. Assignment of C.B. Paul, Louisville, lumber dealer, for $200,000. 12. Assignment of H. B. Smith & Co., New York ship brokers, for $800,000. 13. Failure of Louis Adler, New York cloak manufacturer. for $150,000. S. N. Stroube, California horse breeder, failed for $150,000. 15. Failure of Bonner & Bonner, bankers, for $500,000, in Tyler, Tex. 20. Shortage of $133,000 causes closing of Milford (Mich.) bank 25. Failure of First National bank, Wilmington, N.C. 27. Assignment of New York banking firm of Field, Lindley, Wiechers & Co., with liabilities of over $1,000,000. DECEMBER. 1. Receiver appointed for Richmond, Nicholasville and Beattyville railroad, Kentucky; debt. $3,000,000. 11. $250,000 assignment by Francis H. Baker & Co., dry goods dealers of New York.


Article from The Sunday Morning News, December 27, 1891

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BUSINESS FLUCTUATIONS. Some of the Most Notable Collapses of the Financial World. JANUARY. 5. Failure of Dueber Watch supeny, Canton. O.: liabilities, $450,000. 14. Failure of O'Donnell, Spencer & Co., lumber dealers at Saginaw, Mich.; $100,000. 20. Failure of the American National bank of Kansas City for $300,000. FEBRUARY. 18. Suspension of the American Loan and Trust company of New York; deficit of $656,000. MARCH. 20. Suspension of the Keystone National bank of Philadelphia. Failure of the banking house of Theodore Schwartz & Co. at Louisville; liabilities, $750,000. 23. Suspension of the Washington National bank in New York city: shortage, $148,000. MAY. 4. Failure of J. H. Lippincott, of the American Graphophone company and North American Phonograph company, for $100,000. 8. Suspension of the Spring Garden bank and the Penn Trust and Safe Deposit company in Philadelphia. 12. Failure of Levy Bros. & Co., clothing manufacturers, in New York, for nearly $1,000,000. 19. Failure of Satterlee, Bostwick & Martin, insurance brokers, in New York, for over $100,000. 20. Assignment of the Davis Shoe company at Richmond, Va.; liabilities, $3,000,000. 25. Failure of Potter, White & Bayley, shoe manufacturers, in Boston, for $1,000,000. JUNE. 4. Assignment of the Connell-Hall-McLester company, dry goods house, in Nashville: liabilities, $464,000. 12. Failure of the London and Liverpool Clothing company and Mack & Co. in New York; liabilities over $250,000. 22. Failure of Sax Bros., bankers, in Nashville, for $600,000. 25. Assignment of the wholesale shoe firm of Emile Marqueze & Co., in Boston; liabilities, $460,000. JULY. 11. Failure of Hard Bros. & Co., spring bed makers, in Oneida, N. Y., for $125,000. 13. Failure of R. M. Bingham & Co., wagon makers, in Rome. N.Y., for $225,000. 20. Suspension of the Merchants' National bank of Fort Worth, Tex.; liabilities, $500,000. AUGUST. 2. Assignment of Abraham Backer, commission merchant and note broker, in New York; liabilities, $4,000,000. 8. Assignment of the Masonic Savings bank in Louisville, owing $1,000,000. 19. Receiver appointed for the American Wheel company, of Chicago, which has plants in six different states; liabilities, $1,800,000. 21. Seizure of the assets of the Mexican Northern railway in New York on a claim for $109,000. 22. Failure of S. V. White & Co., grain speculators of New York and Chicago, for nearly $3,000,000. OCTOBER. 10. Assignment of Jonathan Stewart, of Trenton; liabilities, $329,000. 22. Assignment of the Bank of Lewisburg, Tenn. NOVEMBER. 1. Failure of Maverick National bank in Boston; liabilities, $8,000,000. 7. Supension of National bank of Corry, Pa.: liabilities, $740,000. 10. Assignment of C. B. Paul, Louisville, lumber dealer, for $200,000. 12. Assignment of H. B. Smith & Co., New York ship brokers, for $300,000. 13. Failure of Louis Adler, New York cloak manufacturer, for $150,000. S. N. Stroube, California horse breeder, failed for $150,000. 15. Failure of Bonner & Bonner, bankers, for $500,000, in Tyler, Tex. 20. Shortage of $133,000 causes closing of Milford (Mich.) bank. 25. Failure of First National bank, Wilmington, N. C. 27. Assignment of New York banking firm of Field, Lindley, Wiechers & Co., with liabilities of over $1,000,000. DECEMBER. 1. Receiver appointed for Richmond, Nicholasville and Beattyville railroad, Kentucky; debt. $3,000,000. 11. $250,000 assignment by Francis H. Baker & Co., dry goods dealers of New York.


Article from The Democrat, April 21, 1892

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W. S. O'B. Robinson, receiver of the first National Bank of Wilming ton, will soon declare a dividend of 15 per cent. on all claims proved up to the first of March, 1892. So says the Star.


Article from Evening Star, December 28, 1894

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Receiver Appointed. The controller of the currency has appointed Mr. A. G. Ricard receiver of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., in place of Mr. W. S. O'B. Robinson, resigned.


Article from Asheville Daily Citizen, December 28, 1894

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National Bank Receiver. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.-Comptroller Eckels has appointed A. G. Ricard, re. ceiver of the First National bank of Wilmington. N. C., in place of W. S. O'B. Robinson.


Article from The Morning News, December 28, 1894

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A Change in Receivers. Washington, Dec. 27.-Controller Eckels has appointed A. G. Ricaud receiver of the First National Bank of Wilmington, N. C., in place of W. S. Robinson.