First National Bank (Lawton, OK)

View Charter #5914 on SPMC View balance sheet

Episode Information

Episode UID
591401464
Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
59140 national
Charter Number
5914
Start Date
December 8, 1921
Location
Lawton, Oklahoma (34.609, -98.390)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
6a965264c3a542c9

Response Measures

Full suspension, Books examined

Receivership Details

Date receivership started
1921-12-12
OCC cause of failure
Losses

Description

Closure followed a quiet two-week run triggered by local rumors; receiver later appointed and bank remained defunct.

Events (7)
1. July 24, 1901 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. December 8, 1921 Run
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Quiet two-week run blamed on local controversy and rumors/propaganda spread by enemies of the bank.
Measures
Bank officers called national bank examiner; examiner placed in charge.
Newspaper Excerpt
the institution has been subjected to a quiet run of nearly two weeks.
Source
newspapers
3. December 8, 1921 Suspension
Cause
Rumor Or Misinformation
Cause Details
Board ordered closure after sustained withdrawals triggered by rumors and local controversy.
Newspaper Excerpt
The First National Bank of Lawton closed its doors this morning... A bank examiner ... was called in by the directors and is now in charge of the institution.
Source
newspapers
4. December 12, 1921 Receivership
Source
historical_nic
5. December 12, 1921 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
Irving Page, receiver of the First National bank of Lawton, is suing thirty-nine stockholders... The First National bank has failed twice since the first failure.
Source
newspapers
6. May 22, 1922 Restored To Solvency
Source
historical_nic
7. November 18, 1922 Receivership
Source
historical_nic

Newspaper Articles (9)
1. December 8, 1921 The Daily Ardmoreite Ardmore, OK
Article from The Daily Ardmoreite, December 8, 1921

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Article Text

LAWTON'S OLDEST BANK CLOSES DOORS LAWTON, Okla., Dec. -The First National Bank of Lawton closed its doors this morning after doing a half hour's business. No announce ment was made but it was indicated a statement might be made later in the day. The bank is capitalized at $200,000. S. F. Sullenberger, national bank examiner, who was called to Lawton by the recent failure of the Security National Bank, was called in by of ficers of the First National. According to officers of the bank, the institu. tion has been subjected to a quiet run of nearly two weeks. The First National had a surplus and undivided profits totaling $150,0.0 and at the time of the last report, $1,700,000 in deposits. It was the oldest bank in Lawton, having been opened in 1901. Officers of the organization are: President. N. A. Robertson: Vicepresidents W. H. Quintette, Guy C. Robertson, E. L. Richardson and J. M. Painter, and Cashier Sam Mad. dox.

2. December 8, 1921 The Chickasha Daily Express Chickasha, OK
Article from The Chickasha Daily Express, December 8, 1921

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Article Text

Lawton Bank Goes Over To Examiner and Doors Closed Lawton, Okla., Dec. 8.-The First National Bank of Lawton was closed at 10 o'clock this morning, by order of its board of directors. The action of the board followed a quiet run on the bank for the past two weeks or more during which more than $500, 000 was withdrawn. The bank had a capital stock of $200,000 and surplus and undivided profits amounting to about $150,000. Its deposits aggregated approximately $1,300,000. A bank examiner who was called in by the directors is now in charge of the institution. It is alleged that local controversy involving rival interests gave rise to rumors which started the run on the bank.

3. December 15, 1921 The Butler Weekly Times and the Bates County Record Butler, MO
Article from The Butler Weekly Times and the Bates County Record, December 15, 1921

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Article Text

The First National bank of Lawton, Okia, closed its doors at IC o'clock Tuesday morning, following a quiet, but persistent run that has been in progress for the last week. Rumors and propaganda, spread by enemies of the bank, are blamed by officers of the bank as the cause of the run.

4. February 24, 1924 Tulsa World Tulsa, OK
Article from Tulsa World, February 24, 1924

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Article Text

Banker to Face Trial. By the Associated Press State Wire. OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb. 23.—Guy C. Robertson, former president of the defunct First National bank of Lawton, who pleaded guilty Friday in federal district court to four cases involving nine counts, charging violation of national banking laws, will be tried on the remaining three charges Monday.

5. July 9, 1924 Tulsa World Tulsa, OK
Article from Tulsa World, July 9, 1924

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Article Text

STOCKHOLDERS SUED Lawton Bank Receiver Says Those Who Re-financed Failed Institution Are Again Liable. Special to The World. GUTHRIE, July 8.—Thirty-nine separate cases are on the docket of the United States court in session here, wherein Irving Page, receiver of the First National bank of Lawton, is suing thirty-nine stockholders of the bank under their double liability as stockholders, several of which are now being tried as tests, will attract the attention of bankers and bank stockholders generally. The First National bank has failed twice since the first failure. All the stockholders paid their double liability into a fund to re-organize the bank which after a time again failed. The comptroller of currency then held that the stockholders had not paid in on their liability but simply had taken new stock and instructed their receiver to collect from each an amount equal to their original stock and also to cover the amount paid in to perfect the organization, but the stockholders contend they have paid their full liability and cannot be held for more.

6. August 11, 1924 The Lawton Constitution Lawton, OK
Article from The Lawton Constitution, August 11, 1924

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Article Text

CAR OVERTURNS WITH CITY GIRLS Miss Louise Harvey and Miss Janet Woods Have Narrow Escape Miss Janet Woods and Miss Louise Harvey, both employees of the First National bank receiver, barely escaped death Sunday morning when the Buick roadster which they were driving overturned into a ditch. Miss Woods received injuries about her chest and back and suffered a great deal from the shock of the accident. Miss Harvey was less fortunate and was badly cut and bruised about her body and her face. Altho the injuries are not considered serious, the young ladies are greatly upset from nervousness. Miss Woods and Miss Harvey were headed for Guymon, Okla., on a matter of business in connection with a bank there and had left Lawton Sunday morning about six o'clock. They had made a sharp turn around a curve, when the car overturned into a ditch. The accident happened about eight o'clock, just five miles the other side of Snyder. The occupants of two other cars just ahead of the Buick, in some manner, saw the accident, and rushed back to the scene of the. The girls were immediately taken to Snyder where they received medical treatment aid and soon as they were recovered sufficiently to travel, were brought into Lawton, arriving here about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The Buick roadster, which was being driven by Miss Wood, was badly damaged, the steering wheel and the wind shield both being broken. The many friends of the young ladies will be sorry to learn of their misfortune, but gratified to know that it was not more serious.

7. October 9, 1924 The Walters Herald and Times Walters, OK
Article from The Walters Herald and Times, October 9, 1924

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Article Text

The First National Bank building at Lawton was sold, by Federal Bank Receiver, Irving Page, Tuesday, to Wm. L. Walker of Lawton, for a consideration of $37,000.00. The building is four stories and one of the finest in southwest Oklahoma. It cost more than $100,000.00 and housed the defunct First National, owned and managed by Guy Robertson. Many bidders were at the sale, but none cared to go higher than the figured bid by Mr. Walker. He stated that he was buying the building as an investment. Mr. Walker is a flouring mill man of that city.

8. October 17, 1924 Waurika News-Democrat Waurika, OK
Article from Waurika News-Democrat, October 17, 1924

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Article Text

FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING AT LAWTON SOLD The First National Bank Building at Lawton was sold, by Federal Bank Receiver, Irving Page, Tuesday, to Wm. L. Walker, for a consideration of $37,000.00. The building is four stories, and one of the finest in southwest Oklahoma. It cost more than $100,000.00 and housed the defunct First National, owned and managed by Guy Robertson. Many bidders were at the sale, but none cared to go higher than the figure bid by Mr. Walker. He stated that he was buying the building as an investment. Mr. Walker is a flouring mill man of that city. A watchmaker's apprentice at play discovered the principle of the telescope.

9. November 22, 1925 The Lawton Constitution Lawton, OK
Article from The Lawton Constitution, November 22, 1925

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Article Text

PAGE TO MANAGE HARRELD CAMPAIGN Federal Bank Receiver Is Given Post as Senator's Personal Representative Irving Page. former receiver for the First National bank of Lawton, will manage the campaign for Senator W Harreld. republican, for re-election to the senate, according to an announcement sent to newspapers over the state Saturday from Harreld's office at Oklahoma City, Page, four years ago. ran for state treasurer on the republican ticket and since that time has held a federal position as receiver for failed banks in various parts of the state. In recent months he nas been flirting with politicians over the state, letting it be known casually that he be might a candidate for governor His acceptance of position as Harreld's personal representative evidentremoves him from the field of active candidates. The statement from Senator Haroffice reads Senator J. W. Harreld announced