National Bank (Lagrange, IN)

Episode Information

Episode UID
497201534
Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
49720 national
Charter Number
4972
Start Date
October 24, 1927
Location
Lagrange, Indiana (41.642, -85.417)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
6190cd6933b73176

Response Measures

Capital injected, Full suspension, Books examined

Receivership Details

Depositor recovery rate
90.5%
Date receivership started
1927-10-24
Date receivership terminated
1932-09-01
OCC cause of failure
Economic conditions
Share of assets assessed as good
57.3%
Share of assets assessed as doubtful
19.2%
Share of assets assessed as worthless
23.5%

Events (5)

1. July 31, 1894 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. October 24, 1927 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
3. October 24, 1927 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Utt, temporary receiver for the LaGrange National bank, refused today either to confirm or deny reports ... ; closed by Utt on Oct. 24, the bank had been in precarious condition for some time.
Source
newspapers
4. October 24, 1927 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Public opinion/unfounded rumors caused several days of withdrawals leading up to Oct. 24 closure.
Newspaper Excerpt
Utt declared that the closing was deemed advisable because public opinion, which I regard as unfounded, caused a run of several days.
Source
newspapers
5. October 24, 1927 Suspension
Cause
Government Action
Cause Details
Federal bank examiner Utt closed the bank and took charge of its affairs by order of directors/examiner.
Newspaper Excerpt
The National Bank of Lagrange... closed by National Bank Examiner J. F. Utt of Chicago this morning.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (18)

Article from The Indianapolis Times, October 24, 1927

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$140,000 in State Funds Is Held at Institution; Run Lasts Several Days. The State of Indiana has $140,000 on deposit in the National Bank of Lagrange, at Lagrange, Ind., closed by National Bank Examiner J. F. Utt of Chicago, this morning. Mrs. Grace Banta Urbahns, State Treasurer, said that the State had $150,000 on deposit last week, but had withdrawn $10,000 for current expenses. She said she had had no indication of the bank's condition. A dispatch from Lagrange said that a run on the bank had lasted several days. Utt declared that the closing was deemed advisable because "public opinion, which I regard as unfounded, caused a run of several days." The examiner said he had not had time to make a detailed survey of the bank's condition, having been here only two days. The bank is capitalized at $100,000, has a surplus of $25,000 and undivided profits of $11,000. John Cagon is president; B. E. Weaver, vice president, and G. H. Weaver, cashier.


Article from The Times, October 24, 1927

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LAGRANGE BANK CLOSES National Bank of $863,000 closed its today and Federal Bank Utt Fort Wayne, Ind., he charge the bank's posted the door morning stated bank been closed by board One of the officials said that run on the during the two weeks responsible for the bank officials added that the carried by the for $10,000 to Clyde E. Walb, state Republican


Article from The Times, October 24, 1927

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LAGRANGE BANK CLOSES National Bank of Grange, closed its door today and Federal Bank of Fort the notice posted on the bank's stated that bank closed by order of the board directors. One of the bank officials said that run on the during the last responsible for the bank officials added that the loans carried by the among one for $10,000 to Clyde E. state Republican


Article from The Huntington Herald, October 24, 1927

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LAGRANGE BANK CLOSES FEDERAL EXAMINER SAYS DENOT LOSE; PROPOSE MERGER LAGRANGE, Ind., Oct. The National Bank of Lagrange, an $863,000 closed its doors today and Federal Bank Examiner Utt of Fort Indiana, has taken charge of the bank's affairs. notice posted on the bank's door o'clock this stated that "the bank has been closed by order of the board of directors. One of the bank officials said that run on the bank during the two weeks the clos: ing. The among the was one for $10,000 Clyde Walb, state Republican chairman. Attempts were being continued today to bring about closed bank and the Lagrange State bank. Examiner Ult was quoted as saying that no depositor would lose dime. V. Weaver resigned last August as president of the bank and no cessor had been chosen. John Paul Caton was and general manager, G. H. Weaver, cashier, and H. Ort Sigler, assistant cashier. The five directors of the bank whose orders the doors of the institution were closed today were Caton, William M. Garmire, Price, Fred E. Price and The total of the bank according to its last statement were $863,182.08, surplus $25,000, capital stock $100,000 and deposits in excess of $600,000. The bank was sixty years old.


Article from The Times, October 25, 1927

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LAGRANGE BANK CLOSES Oct., National Bank of LaGrange, and $863,000 institution. closed its today and Federal Utt of Ind., taken charge of the bank's affairs. notice on the bank's door this stated that bank closed by order of the board of directors.' One of the bank officials said that during the last responsible for the closing. The bank officials added that among the loans carried by the for $10,000 to Clyde Walb, Republican


Article from The Times, October 25, 1927

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LAGRANGE BANK CLOSES Ind., National Bank Grange, and $863,000 closed door today Bank Examiner Utt of Fort Wayne, Ind., taken charge the bank's affairs. notice posted the bank's door that bank been closed by order of the One of the bank officials said that run on during the two weeks responsible for bank officials added that the loans carried by for Walb, state Republican


Article from The Monticello Journal, October 25, 1927

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State Has Deposit In Defunct Bank INDIANAPOLIS, October The State of has $140.000 on deposit in the National Bank of agrange, at Lagrange. Ind., closed hv National Bank Examiner J. F. Utt of Chicago this morning. Mrs. Grace Banta Urbahns. State Treasurer, said that the State had $150.000 on deposit last week. but had withdrawn $10.000 for current expenses. She said she had had no indication of the bank's condition. A dispatch from Lagrange said that run on the bank had lasted several days. Mr. and Mrs. William Jolly returned to their home in Lafayette Monday evening after spending the week end here with their niece, Mrs. Ore Eldridge and family. Other Sunday guests at the Eldridge home were Mr. and Mrs. Si Helton and daughter of Rensselaer. Attorney A. K. Sills of Lafayette was in city today on business. Russell Engle arrived home this noon from Long Beach. California. where he has been for couple of weeks. He and his father, James Engle of Delphi, motored through leaving October 12 and arriving there October 17. James Engle remained. Dr. G. R. Coffin received call from St. Elizabeth hospital at LaTayette today confirming his diagnosis of Vincent's septic infection in the case of Tommy Dean, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Williams of near Norway who was taken to the hospital Sunday. He will be given three doses of antogenous serum and if this does not help his condition it may be necessary to operate the lung to let but the pus pocket. Physicians are hopeful of his early recovery.


Article from The Belleville News-Democrat, October 26, 1927

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Large Bank Closes Doors LaGrange, Ind., Oct. The National Bank of LaGrange, an $863,000 institution, has closed its door and Federal Bank Examiner Utt of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has taken charge of the bank's affairs. One of the bank officials said that run on the bank during the last two weeks was responsible for the closing.


Article from The Indianapolis Times, December 13, 1927

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FORGED PAPER IS REVEALED IN DEFUNCT GRANGE NATIONAL BANK Receiver and Department of Justice Agents to Transmit Report to Washington for Action by Currency Chief. LINK WALB'S COMPANY IN TANGLE State Chairman Denies His Concern Was Tided Over by Means of Overdrafts on Institution. Special LA GRANGE, Ind., Dec. paper totalling more than $76,000 has been found in the defunct National Bank of La Grange, by department of justice agents called here by Utt, temporary receiver, it was learned today. Reports of the department of justice agents and Utt, who came here as Federal bank examiner, will be transmitted to the comptroller of currency in Washington within few days, is understood. Probability that copies of the reports will be sent to Albert Ward, United States district attorney, for consideration of the Federal grand jury was considered very strong those familiar with the situation. Valentine D. Weaver was of the bank until president June, 1927. Silas Weaver, brother of Valentine and former employe of the Walb Company, is ported to have thrown his personal fortune, aggregating more than into the breach to minimize the loss to depositors. Shaky for Some Time Closed by Utt on Oct. 1927, the bank had been in precarious condition for some time. Matters came to head in June, when one of the directors found that affairs were in bad shape and that some of the the bank was holding was paper Called into conference of direcWeaver first denied guilt and then admitted his sources it From learned that the directors the resignation Weaver and Clyde Walb, RepubWeaver lican State told the that some of the money was rectors used take care of overdrafts of the Company. Walb denied of the of that his statement had been tided over pany's paper others. He made the amount good at once. Holds State Money At that time the bank held $150,of money belonging to This institution was closed in before the October. Weaver had been president of the bank for four years. Years ago auditor and he had been county the bank when was entered Rose, and had owned $5,000, with surplus Walb started the La Grange Trust Company, third County nancial institution in this city inhabitants. When Rose 2,000 the capital to $100,000, changed Walb sold his interests the Trust Company and bought into the National Bank. Idolized by every man, woman and child in the also superintendent of the SunSchool and treasurer for every benevolent philanthropic here, worked in bank ganization the morning until after from each night. No one else the bank. handled ledger He never took vacation. Loses in Hardware Firm La ComThe Grange founded by him and believed his losses more than $15,000 before placed the hands of eciver. The Better Service Oil Company next his Grange the finest filling the country and advertising gotten out, the about cents the deficit of and the loss was about $40,Working for salary of to the Methodist Hospital. the deficit the church. band concert money, made good. had nection with every deavor in the His Silas would not perhim to discuss anything Times the weather the corn borer epidemic. Bides His Time "There may come time and better place for Val story," Silas said. And that ended Meanwhile, the Grange Fixture Sales closed its plant. made built-in kitchen Three grocers closed their doors. Folks here met their taxes county officials shake their about the taxes next spring. With the equity the various in by Silas Weaver, the capital stock of the bank, and 100 cent assessment enough will be realized ers, depositors 100 cents on the dollar. That will be paid if too much "frozen" paper not found. bank and temptation every banker,' way one citizen State funds placed in banks through political influence. run on the bank in October action. Utt came on the scene and the bank's closed. Shortly thereafter, several dejustice and have been since, working books of the bank, interviewing and saying nothing. Directors Also Guilty Under national banking laws, rectors bank who have edge wrongdoing are equally guilty with the actual offender. The Weavers four shares each the Walb Construction Company, but did not buy any the stock, which recently stopped by the State Securities Commission.


Article from Anderson Daily Bulletin, December 13, 1927

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BANK RUMORS temporary for the National Bank of Lagrange, Ind., which was closed recently. fused today to confirm or deny ports current here forged paper had been found by Deagents among bank's Mr. Utt not only refused to make any statement relative to conditions found in the Lagrange bank but that statement of any kind had been given out by anyone connected with the investigation comment on the report that Albert Ward. United States district attor ney at Indianapolis, probably would given for grand considera tion copy of the report of the fed eral examiners. The affairs of the bank have been unstable for several months. Valentine D. Weaver was president of the bank, and Clyde Walb. Republi can state chairman. was Both resigned The Walb Company was in financial difficulties, and Mr Walb the floatation $50,000 bond issue to support the It that the report the Department of Justice agents the Lagrange bank will be mitted to Comptroller of reney at Washington within few days.


Article from Evansville Press, December 14, 1927

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WILL LEAVE ON DEC. 20 Purdue Five Wins By United Press LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 14.Resigned C. of C. Secretary to Purdue opened its 1927-28 basketQuit City Soon ball here last night by defeating Indiana State Normal, 49 to 24. George Mosser, Chamber of Com- Over 25 net men took part in merce secretary, whose resignation the contest. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1927 Bank Receiver Mum By United Press FT. WAYNE, Ind. Dec. 14.-J. Utt, temporary receiver for the LaGrange National bank, refused today either to confirm or deny reports that $76,000 in forged paper had been found at that institution by department of justice agents. Notification of appointment to continue as deputy chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve bank of St. Louis has been received by John W. Boehne


Article from Garrett Clipper, December 26, 1927

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GRAND JURY INVESTIGATES LAGRANGE BANK FAILURE Indianapolis, Dec. of more than in forged paper in the defunct National Bank of LaGrange believed to be under investigation by the federal grand jury at Clyde A. Walb, republican state chairman, stockholder and former vice president of the bank, was not among the thirty witnesses subpoenaed by the grand jury for the bank investigation, it was underAlbert Ward. United States district attorney, has received copy of report compiled by department of justice agents and accountants. The bank was closed by F. Utt, Federal bank examiner, Oct. 24. When Valentine D. Weaver, president of the bank until June, 1927, is alleged to have admitted the condition to bank directors, his brother, Silas D. Weaver, former Walb Construction company employe, is said to have thrown his personal fortune of more than into the bank to help make good the loss. Walb is said to have denied statements of Weaver that the Walb Construction company paper had been tided over by forging names of oth- Directors were told some of the money was used to take care of the construction company's reported overdrafts. Utt was appointed received in October following run on the bank which precipitated federal action. At that time the bank held in state deposits. A contract for building the new Howard county court house at Kokomo, Ind., has been awarded to English Bros of Champaign. III., contractors, on a bid of the lowest of bids submitted to the county commissioners.


Article from Palladium-Item, December 31, 1927

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Prominent Persons Many In Politics Face Charges (Special the Palladium) Warren McCray, governor preDec. ceeding Jackson, who is on parole list of persons prom- from Atlanta federal penitentiary inent he for using politics accused civil crime the mails defraud; John Duvall, augmented today federal until convicted of corrupt practices, jury here Clyde mayor and grand chairman of the Republican several officials of the Duvall Walb, committee and United regime. States Senator James Watson. Retirement Walb's indictment an Since first failure weeks of the nection with LaGrange failure National bank LaGrange, and with difficulties several other First which vice banks became public, Walb he was president upstate out last summer announced will retire dissatisfied with chairmain. Indeed, his being financial $50,Walb Construction pool arranged under contractors former governor Goodbenefitted from public to aid the Walb company. Goodrich with PostWalb. master Harry roll leader of the Indiana honor trial for alleged Republican classic contest Jackson, now along former expected in January bribery, and George Coffin, chairman elected Turn to


Article from The Indianapolis Times, September 27, 1928

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RULES ON STATE FUNDS Gilliom Says Defunct Lagrange Bank Dividends to Pay Indiana. Unless the receiver of the National Bank of Lagrange, closed some time ago by Federal bank authorities, is able to make dividend interest after paying depositors, the State of Indiana cannot hope to receive interest on a balance in the hands of the receiver. This was the opinion given Wednesday by Arthur L. Gilliom, attorney general, to Mrs. Grace Banta Urbahns, State treasurer. Of the $10,000 'State funds in the bank, $75,000 has been repaid by the surety bond company and the remainder will be paid in dividends by the receiver, Gilliom said. Do you want to sell your Ford? Turn to the Automobiles Wanted


Article from Anderson Daily Bulletin, November 19, 1928

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FINAL CLAIMS OF ARE Indianapolis, Nov. claim of the state Indiana against the assets of the Lagrange National Bank, which failed several months ago, was settled today when Grace Banta Urbahns, state treasurer, celved check for $8,827 from the bank's receivers. The state had on deposit in the bank when closed. Clyde Walb, former vice-president the bank, and Valentine Weaver, former were the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth result of the closing were violation of the national banklaws.


Article from The South Bend Tribune, November 20, 1928

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STATE IS PAID BY DEFUNCT BANK INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 20. Final claim of the state of Indiana against the assets of the Lagrange National bank, which failed several months ago, settled Monday when Grace Banta Urbahns, state received check for $8,827 from the bank's receivers. The state had $140,000 on deposit in the bank when was closed. Clyde Walb. forcer vice-president of the bank. and Valentine Weaver, former president, sentenced to the federal penitentiary at as result of the closing of the institution. They were convicted violation of the national banking laws.


Article from Journal and Courier, November 21, 1928

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State Settles Claim Against Defunct Bank By the Press] Nov. 21.-Final claim of the state of Indiana against the assets of the Lagrange National bank, which failed several months ago, was settled when Grace Banta Urbahns, state treasurer, received check for $8,827 from the bank's receivers. The state had $140,000 deon posit in bank when was closed. Clyde Walb, former vice president of the bank, and Valentine Weaver, former presIdent, were sentenced to the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth result of the closing of the institution. They were of violation of the national


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Bank Receiver Chosen. Noblesville, Ind., Jan. 10.John Owen, of Noblesville, has been appointed receiver for the First National Bank of Connersville. He is also receiver for national banks at Lagrange and Columbia City