Fourth National Bank (Nashville, TN)

Episode Information

Episode UID
166901124
Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
16690 national
Charter Number
1669
Start Date
August 11, 1893
Location
Nashville, Tennessee (36.166, -86.784)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
58a2e3e9c8c29782

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected, Partial suspension

Events (3)

1. March 29, 1867 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. August 11, 1893 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Run followed suspension/closures of other Nashville banks (First National and others) and general distrust in local banking; drain of deposits from city banks.
Measures
Paid checks up to $100 in cash; larger checks paid in certified checks; directors signed guarantee to back deposits.
Newspaper Excerpt
The run on the Fourth National bank continued to-day but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100. Any check over that amount was paid in certified checks.
Source
newspapers
3. October 10, 1932 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (14)

Article from The Indianapolis Journal, August 10, 1893

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Article Text

FAILURE AT NASHVILLE, The First National Bank Coses Its DoorsPayment of Deposits Guaranteed. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 9. - The First National Bank to-night posted a notice that it was closed. The bank has lost deposits steadily for some weeks, and this finally nearly exbausted the currency. The bank is solvent and will easily pay out when given time to realize on the paper and securities held by it. The capital stock is $2,000,000, and on publication of the last statement there were $1,005,000 deposite. After the enspension of the First National Bank the directors of the Fourth National Bank held a meeting, those present representing several millions of property. They signed a giaranty, pledging themsolves and their individual estates to the payment of all deposits. They further state that the bank is able to meet all of its obligations. Edgar Jonee. president of the Union Bank and Trust Company, and John M. Sperry, president of the Merehants' National Bank, say in interviews their banks will open as usual to-morrow. The directors of the City Savings Bank held a meeting to-night, and unanimously decided to suspend payment for sixty days. The suspension is cansed by the stringency of the money market. The bank IS considered solvent, and will pay depositors and stockholders in full. Deposits. $40.707.90; assets, $151,499.42. 90 per cent. of which is good. The directors of the bank have personally pledged themselves and their estates to the payment of all depositors in full.


Article from Waterbury Evening Democrat, August 10, 1893

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The Flurry In Nashville. NASHVILLE. Aug. 10.-After the suspension of the First National bank of this city the directors of the Fourth National bank held a meeting, those present representing several millions of property, and signed a guarantee pledging themselves, their individual estates, to the payment of all deposits. The directors of the City Savings bank held a meeting and unanimously decided to suspend payment for 60 days. The suspension is caused by the stringency of the money market. The bank is considered solvent.


Article from The Anaconda Standard, August 12, 1893

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Paying in Certified Checks. NASHVILLE, Aug. 11.-The run on the Fourth National bank continued to-day but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100. Any check over that amount was paid in certified checks. There is no excitement to-day. but a general feeling of distrust pervades the community.


Article from The Herald, August 12, 1893

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The Nashville Panic. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 11.-The run on the Fourth National bank continued today, but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100. There was no excitement today, but a general feeling of distruet pervades the community.


Article from Richmond Dispatch, August 12, 1893

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Nashville Situation Better. [By telegraph to the Dispatch.) NASHVILLE, TENN.. August 11.-Matters are quiet in banking circles to-day. The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed, but the line of depositors was small. The bank continued to pay all checks presented up to 11:30 o'clock, when it was decided to pay all checks up to $100 and give certified checks for balances above this amount.


Article from The Roanoke Times, August 12, 1893

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Nashville Banking Circles Quiet. NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 11.-Matters are quiet in banking circles to-day. The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed, but the line of depositors was small. The bank continued to pay all its checks presented up to 11:30 o'clock, when it was decided to pay all checks up to $100 and give certified checks for balances above this amount.


Article from The Salt Lake Herald, August 12, 1893

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[Runs on Nashville Banks. NASHVILLE, Aug. 11.-The run on the Fourth National bank continued today, but the bank officers decided to pay checks only for $100,000 and any check over that amount was paid in certified checks. There was no excitement today, but a general feeling of distrust pervades in the community.


Article from The Times, August 13, 1893

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Concerted Action by Numerous Banking Institutions. NASHVILLE, TENN., August 12.-The People's Bank, at Lewisburg, failed to open its doors this morning. The suspension is due to the suspension of the First National and American National Banks, of Nashville, a constant drain by depositors and the failure to collect The president and cashier state bank is in are confident It will be to money. and that they the first-class condition, able a resume in a few days, or as soon as meeting of the stockholders and depositors can be held. There is no excite+ ment at Lewisburg on account of the suspension. BROOKLYN, N. Y., August 12.--The Commercial Bank, of Brooklyn, a State institution, failed to open its doors this morning. The following notice was posted on the door: This bank is compelled to close temporarily. (Signed) J.J. Vall, cashier. GADSDEN, ALA. August 12.-The First National Bank suspended payment this morning with a capital stock di- of $50,000 and deposits of $80,000. The rectors assure the depositors that they will be paid in full. LANCASTER, Pa., August 12.-The following notice was posted on the doors of the bank of E. K. Smith, at Columbia, this morning: "Closed for the present to liquidate." The bank is a small one. NASHVILLE, TENN., August 2.-The Fourth National Bank was rewhen that its doors, but by noon sumed opened run on this the morning, institution it than was practically over, as there were less dozen men standing at paying teller's desk. a The deposits by substantial busimen were quite as large as the ness amount drawn out by others. There is uneasiness now, and the crisis is evino dently over. The People's Bank and the Bank of Lebanon, two State institutions Lebanon, have adopted a rule to pay at only 5 per cent. of deposits, and give certitled checks for balances. NEW YORK, August 12.-The weekly statement of the associated banke shows the following changes: $2,327,575 Reserve, decrease 3,017,200 Loans, increase 2,306,000 Specie, decrease 408,000 Legal tenders, decrease 741,700 Deposits, decrease 733,100 Circulation, The banks increase. are now $16,545,375 below the requirements of the 25 per cent. rule. STAUNTON, VA., August -Special The following resolutions were adopted by the National Valley Bank to-day and the concurred in by the other banks of city, and is fully indorsed by our entire community: Whereas the banks of the principal of the country and this State, de- in cities order to protect themselves against a pletion of currency, have declined to furnish currency against balances due by them: and Whereas it is deemed advisable for the of this city, in their endeavor to not only their own of their depositors and the banks protect those adopt interests, similar whole but community, to of and thus to be of service to their to business banks means precaution, enable customers action the the public, being similar and and taken by the banks of this city State that in 1873, by which no depositor was inconvenienced; therefore, be it Resolved, That during the present checks mondepression this bank pay to etary against existing balances drawn amount not exceeding fifty ($50) of an dollars in currency, in the discretion the bank. but that ON good, of checks we certify the same as payable through the daily exchange and made be between the banks of this city, it further Resolved, That checks against deposits be by currency after this date of this made in currency at the counter between bank, paid or through the exchange banks at the option of the depositor. resolution will take effect from This this date. Our banks are solvent and and on conservative, and the action taken is to protect our community and business cities. on the same lines as in other There will be no trouble here. GREENVILLE, MISS., August 12. to-day The banks here at 10 A. M. three notices on their doors that checks no posted would be paid out on issued money that certified checks would be at instead. but At a meeting of cilzens held the Cotton Exchange this afternoon reso- aclutions were adopted approving the tion of the banks. MONTGOMERY, ALA., August 12.Josiah Morris & Co., the leading private an banking house of the State, made is due assignment late this evening. It continued withdrawal of deposits to during the the last sixty days and large drafts being made to-day. This act has ofcaused a meeting of the other bank to-night, and they resolved, clear- commencing ficers Monday morning, upon the not yet ing house system. what percentage They have they will announced This will be made known Monday pay. In their card in the Adverthe bankers of Morris & Co. tiser morning. assets to-morrow will state liabilities. easily that the largely more than the who This realize is the general belief of those are acquainted with the situation.


Article from The Roanoke Times, August 13, 1893

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Confidence Restored at Nashville. Nashville, Tenn. Aug. 12.-The - The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed this morning, when the institution opened its doors, but by noon it was practically over, as there were less than a dozen men standing at the pay. ing teller's desk. The deposits by substantial business men were quite as large an amount as drawn out by the others. There is no uneasiness now and the crisis is evidently over.


Article from Fort Worth Gazette, August 13, 1893

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NASHVILLE BANKS. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 12-The run on the Fourth National bank was resumed this morning. but by noon was practically over. The crisis is evidently over. The Peoples' bank and the Bank of Lebanon, two state institutions, at Lebanon: have adopted rules to pay only 5 per cent of deposits, and give certitied checks for the balance.


Article from The Indianapolis Journal, August 13, 1893

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Tennessee Bank Troubles. NASHVILLE, Aug. 12-The run on the Fourth National Bank was resumed this morning when that institution opened its doors, but by noon it was practically over, as there were less than a dozen men standing at the paying teller's desk. The deposits by substantial business men were quite as large as the amount drawn out by others. The People's Bank at Lewisburg failed to open its doors this morning. The suspension is due to the suspension of the First National and American National banks of Nashville.


Article from The Kinsley Graphic, August 18, 1893

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All Quiet in Nashville. NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 12.-To-day the run on the Fourth national was resumed, but the line of depositors was small. The bank continued to pay all calls up to 11 o'clock, when it was decided to pay all checks up to $100 and give certified checks for the balances o above this amount.


Article from The Iola Register, August 18, 1893

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All Quiet in Nashville. Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 12.-To-day the run on the Fourth national was resumed, but the line of depositors was small. The bank continued to pay all calls up to 11 o'elock. when it was decided to pay all checks up to $100 and give certified checks for the balances above this amount.


Article from The Providence News, July 12, 1899

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foremost rank of the financial institutions of the South, and bears the enviable distinction of having larger surplus and profits than all other banks in Nashville combined. Its capital stock is $600,000, and surplus and profits, as shown by its last published statement, is $318,648.13, and the stock is in demand at $1.75. During the memorable panic of 1893 the Fourth National was the only national bank in Nashville that did not close its doors. Its record during these terrible days of August, 1893, has earned for it a reputation that has spread over the entire Southern country. The bank does an enormous commercial business and has a very extended line of correspondents. Great care is taken to handle all classes of business promptly and satisfactorily, and clients entrusting their interests to the care of the Fourth National Bank are certain to be served in a business-like manner. Its board of directors are composed of prominent business men representing varied interests, and the personnel of the directory is very high. The "Old Fourth," as it is affectionately termed, is a landmark in Nashville, and a synonym for strength, integrity and conservative business methods. Railroads as a Waterways. Nashville is happily situated as regards its transportation facilities. Its position on the Cumberland river gives it eight to ten months of navigation and two trunk lines of railroad contribute to furnish competitive rates to merchants and manufacturers. Six lines of railroads conect Nashville with the country tributary and the great cities of the country beyond. These six lines of railroad are controlled by the trunk lines mentioned. The Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis railroad runs its main line to Atlanta via Chattanooga; the Northwestern branch of the same system runs to Hickman, Ky., and to Memphis, Tenn., and Paducah, Ky., by intersecting lines. The Lebanon division of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis reaches out to Lebanon, Tenn. The Louisville & Nashville gives the city direct connection with Louisville, St. Louis and the great northwest, as well as Florida and Louisiana. The main line of this railroad runs direct to Louisville, and the Decatur division to Decatur, Ala., and on to Birmingham, Montgomery and Flomaton, Ala., where the road divides and reaches into Florida on one line and Mobile and New Orleans on the other. The St. Louis & Southeastern division, which unites with the main line at a point nine and one-half miles from Nashvilla, and gives the outlet direct to St. Louis and the northwest. In the Cumberland river Nashville has 518 miles of navigable water. Boats of 400 tons burden can reach a point 325 miles above Nashville for at least eight months of the year. From Nashville to the junetion of the Cumberland river with the Obio is 193 miles. Through this stream connection is made with the Mississippi