Central National Bank (New York, NY)

Episode Information

Episode UID
37600885
Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
3760 national
Charter Number
376
Start Date
September 20, 1873
Location
New York, New York (40.714, -74.006)

Metadata

Model
gemini-3-flash-preview (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
01325571e9e7ee98

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Clearinghouse loan, Capital injected, Books examined

Other: The bank reduced its capital from $3,000,000 to $2,000,000 to account for impairment and restore confidence.

Clearinghouse involved: Yes (loan, examination, or other measures)

Description

The bank experienced a run in early November 1873 following rumors of impairment linked to H.B. Claflin & Co.; it remained open by borrowing from the Clearing House and later reduced its capital.

Events (6)

1. April 11, 1864 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. September 20, 1873 Suspension
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
General suspension of New York banks during the Panic of 1873.
Newspaper Excerpt
At 3 o'clock, on Saturday, the Banks of New York suspended payment, closed their doors
Source
newspapers
3. November 3, 1873 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Rumors of impairment due to connection with the embarrassed firm of H. B. Claflin & Co.
Measures
Clearing-house Committee investigation and provision of loan certificates to meet clearances.
Newspaper Excerpt
rumors in circulation regarding the stability of the Central National Bank... rumors were several times to the effect that a run had been begun on the bank.
Source
newspapers
4. November 6, 1873 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The bank at least was debtor at the Clearing House yesterday morning, whereupon the associated banks permitted it effect its clearances by supplying it with loan certificates issued upon collateral
Source
newspapers
5. December 13, 1873 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The Central National Bank... will voluntarily reduce its capital from three to two million dollars, and not liquidate.
Source
newspapers
6. March 12, 1904 Voluntary Liquidation
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (9)

Article from The Portland Daily Press, January 13, 1873

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# The Credit Mobilier Scandal. Thos. Durant and Mr. Crane, ex-President and ex-Secretary of the Union Pacific Railroad Co., have been summoned before the Congressional Committee investigating the Credit Mobilier scandal, Chas. H. Neilson, son-in-law of Congressman Brooks, and C. K. Garrison of Cal., have also been subpoened. Mr. Durant has commenced a suit against James Brooks and Oakes Ames to recover Credit Mobilier shares, alleged to have been fraudulently obtained or unlawfully appropriated. The suit against Ames is said to be based upon the assertions of members of Congress and others that they never received any shares, while the Directors declare that Ames represented that he made such a distribution. # Heavy Loan. A meeting of the directors of the New York Central and Hudson River railroad was held here to-day, at which it is understood that action was taken concerning the mortgage on the road for forty millions. The bonds issued under the mortgage will be in the form of security, which the company will sell to obtain money to lay the additional tracks. # Various Matters. The manufacturers of American cut nails and spikes of the Atlantic States, at a special meeting held here yesterday, decided on a reduction on wholesale prices of fifty cents a keg. To-day has been one of the coldest days of the season. In Brooklyn, to-day, a woman named Baker died from the effects of kerosene being thrown on a stove last night by a drunken man named Barr. It is understood that all the conductors of the Harlem railroad tendered their resignations in consequence of an order requiring them to keep check books of their receipts and give a punched ticket to each passenger paying a fare. # A Bank Decision. Judge Pratt gave a judgment yesterday for Joseph H. Havens, who sued the receiver of the Central National Bank of Brooklyn for $3,215, the amount of a check deposited for collection in the bank the day before its failure. The ground taken was that in receiving the check without disclosing the condition of the bank, the officers obtained no title to the check.


Article from Wilmington Daily Commercial, September 22, 1873

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BANKS SUSPENDED β€” At 3 o'clock, on Saturday, the Banks of New York suspended payment, closed their doors and advised their customers to invest their funds in those beautiful lots on 9th, 10th, Clayton and Dupont Streets., on next Saturday Sept, 27th, 1873, at Reynolds & Co's sale.


Article from Wilmington Daily Gazette, September 22, 1873

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BANKS SUSPENDED.β€”At 2 o'clock on Saturday, the Banks of New York suspended payment, closed their doors, and advised their customers to invest their funds in those beautiful lots on 9th, 10th, Clayton and du Pont streets, on next Saturday, Sept. 27th, 1873, at Reynolds & Co.'s sale.


Article from National Republican, October 4, 1873

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SHALL THE BANK SUSPENSION CONTINUE? It is very much to be feared that the banks will over-do the "financial business" in maintaining themselves in a state of siege against the demands of the business necessities of the country, and by a protracted suspension of business excite a feeling of uneasiness and alarm in the public mind. It may have been necessary immediately following the financial crash of September 26 and 27, and the consequent panic produced in the popular mind, to adopt such measures as were calculated to prevent a positive breaking up and ruin of legitimate commercial business; but the feeling is now rapidly gaining ground that no real necessity exists for the banks maintaining closed doors against the payment of the demands of those who have entrusted money deposits to their keeping. So long as the necessity for this embargo was patent the public acquiesced in it; but it is becoming a matter of doubt whether the time has not arrived when the banks should manifest a disposition to return to the normal condition of affairs. In a case of this kind a mere doubt in the public mind becomes a positive and threatening danger, a danger as pregnant with direful results to the banks as to the industrial and commercial interests of the country. There is certainly nothing in the present situation to warrant the banks in maintaining an almost absolute suspension of payment; and the fact that some of these monetary institutions, by a little business enterprise, have continued to pay all demands of their patrons furnishes some justification for this view. We believe there should be at least some relaxation of the established embargo, if not a full resumption of payments; and it is to be hoped the banks will act in such a manner as not to permit the impression to get abroad that they are taking advantage of a magnanimous public indulgence to speculate upon the people. Every day this suspension is maintained adds to the danger of the situation. Mechanical and manufacturing establishments are being forced to stop operations and discharge their workmen because of the maintenance of the bank suspension, and the mechanics thus deprived of their sources of daily supply when applying to the banks and savings institutions for their savings against an emergency of this character are turned away empty handed. Herein lies the great danger of the situation now. It will not do to permit this state of affairs to continue. If the banks fail to meet the emergency the emergency may overwhelm the banks in the common disaster that is threatened. In connection with this matter the following paragraph, from the St. Louis Democrat, is pertinent and timely: "Resumption is the sure refuge of the banks; it will save them from the disasters of the wholesale depreciation of securities and products which a protracted suspension would almost certainly precipitate; it will save the dry goods and grocery merchants from the reflex surge of the derangement, which, if not arrested, may overwhelm them; it will save the banks from the cold, settled distrust which will certainly creep into the public mind if the suspension continues; it will rescue trade from its present idleness, and it will save the country from the serious peril of a shinplaster inundation. We say nothing here about the bankruptcy act further than this; that any Congressional relief for violations of it will necessarily be impartial. If it extends to the banks, it will have to extend to the debtors of the banks also, and thus in the end it might do more harm to a solvent bank than good. The New York banks suspended on Thursday, the 24th inst., and their fourteen days' limit under the act will terminate on the 8th of October. In all seriousness, we do not believe it will be safe for them to delay their resumption beyond that day. It would be better if they begin it before, for there is no conjecturing what feeling the present suspense of the public mind may result in."


Article from Daily Kennebec Journal, October 16, 1873

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GENERAL NEWS. Frederick Chase Hutchinson, one of the family of singers, is dead. Pere Hyacinthe has been elected one of the three cures in Geneva by the Old Catholics. It is expected that the New York banks will resume currency payments next week. Newton has decided to cast off its swaddling clothes and become a city, the 17th in Massachusetts. The King of Italy has presented to the Empress of Austria a costly set of jewelry made in Rome. Christian Unity was practically illustrated in New York last Sunday. An Episcopal Bishop administered the Sacrament in a Presbyterian Church. T. Parkin Scott, Judge of the Supreme Bench of Maryland, died at Baltimore Monday morning, aged 70. The Chicago Post says that "if a son of Henry H. Wise is making speeches against his father, he must find himself compelled to change his politics several times a day." Many delegates to the Evangelical Alliance visited Philadelphia Monday and were entertained with a public reception and a banquet at the Continental Hotel, by the Philadelphia branch of the Alliance. The Cincinnati banks resumed payment of currency Monday. There were no runs and no excitement, and business men are very cheerful over the result. Most of the banks received more on deposits than they paid out. The republicans of the French Assembly paid M. Thiers a congratulatory visit Monday. The meetings of the several factions for the designation of members of the general committee of management will be held at various times next week. They have a calf out in Oregon who sports a nice little pair of wings. These ornamental appendages are about the size of turkey wings and crop out just behind the shoulders. Thomas A. Ridgely, formerly Medical Director on General Grant's Staff, was on Monday sentenced to three years' imprisonment in State Prison for breaking into a dwelling house in the daytime and stealing books, which he sold for liquor. "You ought to let me pass here free of charge, considering the benevolent nature of my profession," said a physician to a toll-gate keeper. "Not so," was the reply, "you send too many dead heads through here now." The doctor did not stop to argue the point, but paid his toll and passed on. In the naval battle off Cartagena thirteen men were killed and forty-seven wounded on the rebel fleet. Senor Mayer, a member of the Junta, was killed on board the Numancia. The Richmond Enquirer is attempting, at this late day, to fire the Virginia heart by printing, day after day, in capitals, such par-


Article from New-York Tribune, November 4, 1873

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THE CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK. REPORT OF THE CLEARING-HOUSE COMMITTEE. Ever since the origin of the rumors relating to the alleged embarrassments of the firm of H. B. Claflin & Co., there have been analogous rumors in cireulation regarding the stability of the Central National Bank at Broadway and Pearl-st., one of the depositories of the firm in question. These rumors were several times to the effect that a run had been begun on the bank. With a view to settling the question of the bank's stability, the-Clearing-house Committee made an investigation into its affairs, which was concluded last evening. The result of their labors is embraced in the folAowing report: The Clearing-house Committee have this day made a careful examination into the affairs of the Central Na. tional Bank of this city and find that the deposits are samply secured, and that the capital of the bank of three millions of dollars ($3,000,000) is in their opinion impaired to the extent of seven hundred and twenty thousand dollars ($720,000). E. H. PERKINS, JR., F. D. TAPPEN. W. B. MEEKER, C. F. HUNTER, D. C. HAYS, WM. L. JENKINS, Clearing-house Committee. New-York, Nov. 3, 1873. One of the employΓ©s of the bank stated that this impairment arose largely from the depreciation of securities held as collaterals on loans. President Wheelock said that the rumors in circulation regarding the bank were entirely without foundation, but that the Clearinghouse Committee and himself had deemed it advisable that an investigation should be made.


Article from The New York Herald, November 7, 1873

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THE MONETARY SITUATION. A QUIET DAY ON 'CHANGE. Condition of the Central National Bank and of the Banks Generally. CLOSING OF THE CANALS. Yesterday was quiet day on 'Change, and, save the prevailing dulness, one would scarcely have thought for the country was passing through a great forfinancial crisis that had already shattered the tunes of some of the giants of the monetary world, and crippled scores of others only less in stature itself to its in strength, and shaken the nation very centre. Yet such was the case. It was EBB TIDE movein our troubled sea. and only very gentle never ment, sufficient to indicate that its motion being ceased, was apparent, the seeming pause reason also full of promise of an early now. stock One market of this expectant condition in the approachwill be found below, in reference to the when the of canal navigation, ing close from the West to the whole freight traffic the railwill be thrown upon so seaboard their earnings and roads, increasing speculation in their stocks. The stimulating condition of the banks noticeable in the to improved increase of their joint legal tender encouragement, reserve $21,000,000 brought also with it the in its manifestation, however, by checked want of accurate knowledge concerning their real condition. Rumor was again busy with THE CENTRAL NATION AL BANK, and its failure,was freshly reported. While, correct in the meaning of this word, it may not be strict application to the condition of the bank in in question, its must be acknowledged there has was been reconstructive failure. The bank at least debtor at the Clearing House yesterday ported morning, whereupon the associated banks permit- it with ted it effect its clearances by supplying which it This may loan certificates issued upon collateral, by have been enabled to go through. but wise policy on the part of the associated banks,bu of all the people have right to a full knowledge their the facts to enable them to judge how far interests are affected thereby. As THE ENDOWERS OF THESE INSTITUTIONS, giving them the privilege to issue currency and on in them six per cent interest endowment know paying amount so issued, they have right to their the condition whenever that condition them, becomes and in matter of peculiar importance to know how connection they have a right to capital this more weak banks there are whose and who many impaired, as was that of the Central, supthe did Central yesterday. may is any day have to lean on its fellows The for Bank Exami port, as ner is the party to supply this information of their the public. He is the visible trustee duty, to in the banks, and should do his the interests the consequences. The capital of AS whatever Bank is to be reduced to $2,000,000. Central said here yesterday, this is no longer panic. It 18 xtravagance NATIONAL PURGATION. born the war and its The reckless vices thus engendered, financial results, and the proof has been manifest in which such less apparent Before body. in the body politic, are now the we can enter again the financial progress looking upon the of honorable national creasing greatness that the lastened upou of the as well lungous and former. more Honest trugality in direction business unders standing of our to great new course The great find an opporexpansion broken up, and small in their several depart of tunity for without the danger ments of trade, himself ergrown crushed by powert any shock. unable thstand labor must revised and relations of capital and each against undue their rights comb. nation the part nds and unhealthy impositions which huge the other. Those people, as in the case diviratiroads inflict upon exorbitant freight charges pay no existence, must be g dends on stock sense justice, of right, the id of, and higher the national Hie, while must must be governed by personal life PRUDENCE AND that these like virtues true the reme all ills, and will find the as we seek them or are degree, meantime, greater or less the much attain by their teachings in desired relief. At & meet Commerce called, vesterday, national character the Chamber the purpose of giv ing the that would seem. for in the absence of payments banks good document from the Bank Examiner came sirable subject of resumption of specie it was strongly tion, when to take immediate up for consider government ought that measures urged that the bring about that stating gentleman should result one any reason why releading falled to gentleman, delayed. The saine which he of econpublican, offered the day is suggestive "that the lesson of revenues lower prices, and of duminished of government and point accelerate return omy, the obvious duty to specie pay the banks to the Chamber will and that of United ments, be. the purchase gress o cause discon tinued need and the applicaStates bonds to be reserve notes, tion of the national gold but the power of tion of Treas This would seem to indicate reissue, &c. NEW DEPART the part government being tended on the be a wise one and the reputation financial what becomes of the secretary the Treasury President, which the presen office, and the referred his predecesso these very a sound acquired proposition above? the the to stop Treasury to resumption, accumulate gold in when and bonds,and for greenbac exchangeable the what and proportion fit. seem would the above The countr. plied might have resumed long since. extent least would be much richer, applied the Euro- the quence excess of taxes have less fear from the pean financial our debt. and would disturbance in consee government enormous amount there while in the absence which and others, held mark abroad, to the loan bonds the gov home this stimulation purchase its own unfinished weekly furnished, many financial failed tion would have ernment terprises at that encumber to obtain our the means of bills, becoming dangerous. EXCHANGE WENT OFF AGAIN days' FOREIGN any demand for sixty effect of this in the absence was stiffer. The is while short sight change market derangement the foreign where were the product unsettled feeling, apparent in with dull, and of because of_the lower yesterday difficulty of disposing Flour went per mercial bills. of the day which, be barrel from the deprecated price in the of hope although shippers, gives producers and hall and three there will be workingmen their income of the time, that reduction in the cost necessaries of CLOSING OF THE CANALS. with late the of rostration the Intimately connected rities the near advent about railway secur usually occurs canals, which long as of our the ist of December. routes Day the seaboard all shipped giving are open to that way, while water of produce Jack Frost, means bulky freight transport ansported by rail. of by the lighter his veto on this and then the utmo railroads powers of the blocking ever, puts the water courses are taxed to carry the the furnished freight offered. authentic reports of the West From the most appears that the crop simply enor- of ment awaiting hipment railroads capabl and Northwest question, "Are the now not only agi mous. The produce?" is but the commercarryin the all minds this of the manage an d tating generally is very easily given When must, cia interest to this query query the negative. flush and were The solution fear. be railroad wered in shares easily placed


Article from The Rutland Daily Globe, November 10, 1873

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years in New Jersey State prison to-day for murder of his of the mother the prisoner brother. besought all the The she court aged had for mercy, saying that he was left and her only support. The court in passing sentence said there were circumstacces that justified the court in acting leniently. NEW GRANGE. A new Grange was organized on Friday at Lyons Farm, N. J., making sixteen in all in that State. METHODIST BISHOPS CONVENTION The annual convention of the Methodist Bishops commenced its session at Newark, Friday. Many bishops are present. The appointments have not been made yet. RETURN OF THE TIGERESS. The steamer Tigress of the expedition in search of the Polaris castaways arrived today. THE WORK OF CHARITY The various charitable associations in Brooklyn and New York are actively preparing to meet the increased demands which will be made on their resources the coming winter. SAILED. The schooner-yacht Enchantress started this morning on her transatlantic voyage. KENYON COX AND CO. The bankruptcy matter of Kenyon Cox & Co., of which Daniel Drew is a member. was called in the U. S. district court to-day. The counsel on both sides stated the case had been amicably settled. SPECIAL SALE BY CLAFLIN AND CO. The firm of 11. B. Claflin & Co offer their entirestock, amounting to $6,000,000, at special sale for thirty days. The offer is favorably commented on by leading business men. COSTLY GOVERNMENT. According to estimates of several departments, passed yesterday by the board of appointment, it will cost $8,898,832 more to carry on the city and county government in 1874 than it dtd in 1873. COMMISSIONERS ON STEAM BOILERS. The commissioners on steam boilers superintending the experiments at Sandy Hook, met Saturday morning and made arrangements for their next meeting at Pittsburg on the 18th inst. They also decided to continue experiments at Sandy Hook on the 11th inst. BRICKLAYERS' STRIKE. It is asserted that the bricklayers' strike has ended successfully to the men. Twenty-fiye hundred of the four thousand brick. layers are at work. The laborers' strike is not so successful. Only one-third of 5,000 stonecutters are at this line of very branch work, Nearly every labor of labor being is suffering dull. from dullness. SUSPENDED. The special committee appointed by the Stock to of & Co., A. Exchange, D. Williams investigate in overdrawing the conduct their account in the bank of North America on the 20th of September, and failing to make the same good in proper time, reported to the governing committee, yesterday, that they deemed the conduct of Williams & Co. to their and to credit, unjustifiable, shocking the destructive confidence which must exist between institutions and business men in order to conduct business transacted at the stock exchange. The committee also report that while they ac. quit the firm of intention to defraud, it expresses unqualified condemnation of its conduct. Williams & Co. are suspended indefinitely from membership in the stock exchange. THE CENTRAL BANK. Since Monday the Central National Bank t has been in considerable trouble, and it is understood that the deposits have been t brought down very low. Yesterday the offlcers are represented to have had some g in fit difficulty nally paid everything. meeting the It demands, is stated but that even with the reduced capital the Central National is able to pay dollar for dollar. d This being done, confidence in the institue tion will be speedily restored. ERIE. 11 The rumors about Erie continue to mul n tiply. Among the New York brokers some are of the opinion that the late break d in Erie in London was the result of Ame rican tactics introduced on the London Exa change. It will be remembered that as soon as the news of the failure of Kimber i& Co. was made known here, Mr. Chapin d of Osborn & Chapin, one of the confidend tial agents of Jay Gould, took the first steamer for Europe, and has been there for some days. Knowing that his principal was short to a amount n and a possibly of seeing Eric weak very large point in the d gone & and yester market, "scalps," to-day Chapin after may may all be the the have break indirect of for day and resul of his maitlations in the London Ex


Article from The Portland Daily Press, December 15, 1873

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New York Stock and Money Market. NEW YORK, Dec. 13-Morning.-The stock market opened dull and heavy, owing in some degree to the inclemency of the weather, which checks business. Union Pacific and Wabash shares were neglected and lower, but the other securities were steady. A general rally followed and the prices advanced somewhat. Gold opened at 1093, advanced to 110 and afterwards reacted to 1091. Sterling Exchange opened steady at 1083 @ 1093. The Central National Bank, which narrowly escaped railure during the panic, will voluntarily reduce its capital from three to two million dollars, and not liquidate. There will be no further attempt made to revive the Commonwealth Bank, and depositors are now receiving a dividend of 30 per cent. The suspension of Edson, Bradley & Co., cloth jobbers of Broadway, is announced, with $450,000 liabilities. The Panama Railroad Company have declared a quarterly dividend of 3 per cent., and the Wells-Fargo Express Company have declared a dividend of 5 per cent. Money is selling at 7 per cent. on good security. London markets are firmer and stronger and American bonds are higher than yesterday. Towards n on stocks were dull, inactive and without feature. In the afternoon the stock market became stronger and higher on the favorable condition of the national banks, as shown in their weekly statements. The figures prove a gain in the legal reserve of the banks to the extent of about three million dollars. Gold is firmer at 1101. The totlowing were the orotations of Government