Dime Savings Institution (Newark, NJ)

Episode Information

Episode UID
6246762291207
Episode Type
Run โ†’ Suspension โ†’ Reopening
Bank Type
savings
Bank ID
624676229 hash
Start Date
July 13, 1900
Location
Newark, New Jersey (40.736, -74.172)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
075d7d6be75d4ee5

Response Measures

None

Events (3)

1. July 13, 1900 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Arrest of secretary-treasurer Charles R. Westervelt for alleged large defalcations (~$30,000-$40,000) sparked heavy withdrawals.
Measures
Directors prepared for run, locked ample cash in vaults, took deposit books to verify claims; later invoked law permitting temporary suspension.
Newspaper Excerpt
The announcement that Charles Westervelt...had been arrested...caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble today to withdraw funds.
Source
newspapers
2. July 13, 1900 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Bank suspended after discovery/allegation of treasurer's misappropriation and ensuing depositor panic.
Newspaper Excerpt
The directors...decided today to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened out.
Source
newspapers
3. September 10, 1900 Reopening
Newspaper Excerpt
The Dime Savings Bank of Newark...will resume business on September 10. Examination shows there will be a surplus of more than $50,000.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (16)

Article from Evening Times-Republican, July 13, 1900

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Article Text

NEWARK BANK CLOSED. Run on Dime Savings Bank Brings About a Crisis. Newark, N. J., July 18.-The directors of the Dime Savings Bank decided today to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on the charge of having stolen a large eum of money, caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble today to withdraw funds. The crowd became so large that police reserves were called out to preserve order. President Orton in preparing a statement of the bank's affairs. Westervelt was committed to jail in default of $10,000 bail. The specific charge against him is raiging a withdrawal check from $300 to $1,200.


Article from Rock Island Argus, July 13, 1900

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Article Text

NEWARK BANK SUSPENDS. Dime Savings Institution Causes a Panie Among the Depositors. Newark, N. J., July 18.-The directors of the Dime Savings bank decided today to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on the charge of having stolen a large sum of money, caused a large crowd of depositors to assem ble today to withdraw their funds.


Article from Daily Kennebec Journal, July 13, 1900

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Article Text

PREPARED FOR A RUN. Newark, N.I. Bank Treasurer in Trouble and Bank Prepares for Emergencies. New York, July 12.-Charles R. Westervelt. secretary and treasurer of the Dime Savings Bank of Newark, N. J., is under arrest charged with stealing between $38,000 and $40,000 from the bank. The officials of the bank had known for 24 hours that the arrest would be ordered, and, this afternoon, prepared themselves for a run in the morning. and, tonight, there is locked in the vaults of the bank more than enough cash to pay every depositor 100 cents on the dollar. The specific charge against Westervelt is that he raised a withdrawal check drawn by Paulle Rube by $1000. In default of $10,000 bail, Westervelt was committed. Westervelt is married and has a family.


Article from The Topeka State Journal, July 13, 1900

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Article Text

SAVINGS BANK CLOSES. Official Charged With Stealing a Large Sum. New York, July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings bank of Newark, N. J., decided today to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble today to withdraw their funds, and there was much excitement when it was learned that the doors would not be opened. The crowd became so large that police reserves were called out to preserve order. President Orton of the bank is preparing a statement of the bank's affairs, which will be given out when completed. Westervelt was arrested last night at Lyon's farms, a few miles from Newark, and taken to East Orange, where he was arraigned and committeed to jail in default of $10,000 bail. The specific charge against him is that he raised a withdrawal check from $200 to $1,200.


Article from Alexandria Gazette, July 13, 1900

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Article Text

Excitement at a Bank. Newark, N. J., July 13.-The announcement of the arrest of Charles R Westervelt, secretary and treasurer of the Dime Savings Bank, last night, caused a mild panic among the depositors today, and a run on the bank was started as soon 88 the institution opened. When the time for the bank to open arrived and it became known that the institution would be kept closed the depositors became greatly excited. Women wept and men made threats. Police reserves were sent to the scene as it was feared & riot might result. The cooler heads in the crowd made explanations and the crowd soon dispersed satisfied that everything would come out all right.


Article from Bismarck Daily Tribune, July 14, 1900

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Article Text

BANK SUSPENDS. Newark Bank Suspends and Clamorous Depositors Want their Money Back. Depositors are Mostly Foreigners Who are Frantic-Accounts in Bad Shape. Treasurer Westervelt Speculates with Bank's Money to the Tune of $35,000. Newark, N. J., July 14.-Great throngs of depositors of the Dime Savings bank, which suspended yesterday, besieged the doors this morning. The majority are foreigners, who are frantic. It will take two months to straighten out the accounts. At present the directors are confident Treasurer Westervelt's alleged speculations will not go over $35,000.


Article from The Saint Paul Globe, July 14, 1900

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Article Text

SAVINGS BANK CLOSED. Alleged Peculations of an Official the Cause. NEW YORK, July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings Bank of Newark, N. J., decided today to close the institution's business until its deposits can be straightened out The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble today to withdraw their funds, and there was much excitement when it was learn. ed that the doors would not be opened. The crowd became so large that police reserves were called out to preserve order. President Orton, of the bank, is preparing a statement of the bank's affairs, which will be given out when completed


Article from Wheeling Register, July 14, 1900

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Article Text

THE BANK CLOSED. Alleged Crookedness of the Cashier Caused Danger of a Run. NEW YORK, July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings Bank, of Newark, N, J., decided to-day to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement. that Charles Westervlet, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money, caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble to-day to withdraw their funds, and there was much excitement when it was learned that the doors would not be opened. The crowd became so large that police reserves were called out to preserve order. President Orton, of the bank, is preparing a statement of the bank's affairs, which will be given out when completed. Westervlet was arrested last night at Lyons Farms, a few miles from Newark, and taken to East Orange, where he was arraigned and committed to jail in default of $10,000 bail. The specific charge against him is that he raised a withdrawal check from $200 to $1,200.


Article from The Sun, July 14, 1900

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Article Text

Newark Savings Bank Closed. New York, July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings bank of Newark, N. J., have decided to close the institution's doors until they are able to straighten out its affairs. The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble to withdraw their funds, and there was much excitement when it was learned that the doors would not be opened. The crowd became so large that police reserves were called out to preserve order.


Article from Americus Times-Recorder, July 14, 1900

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MEW JERSEY BANK LOOTED. Treasurer Is Held In $10,000 Bail. Amount of Shortage Unknown. NEWARK, N. J., July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings bank have decided to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened outThe announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money, caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble to withdraw their funds, and there was much excitement when it was learned that the doors would not be opened. Westervelt was arrested at Lyons Farms, a few miles from Newark, and taken to East Orange, where he was arraigned and committed to jail in default of $10,000 bail.


Article from New-York Tribune, July 14, 1900

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Article Text

RUN ON A BANK STOPPED. DIRECTORS OF THE DIME SAVINGS INSTITUTION OF NEWARK TAKE TIMELY ACTION. A run on the Dime Savings Bank of Newark was stopped yesterday morning by the action of the Board of Directors in taking advantage of a law which permits savings banks temporarily to suspend payment in order that their securities may not have to be sacrificed to meet a sudden and extraordinary demand for deposits. The run on the bank began early in the week, when a rumor got abroad that a special examination of the accounts had been ordered by the Board of Directors in addition to the regular examination by the State Bank Commissioner, which was begun on Monday. With the news that the secretary and treasurer, Charles R. Westervelt, was alleged to be a defaulter for a large amount. hundreds of depositors presented themselves at the bank. at Broad and Bank sts., yesterday. Their deposit books were taken in order to verify the deposits, and they were told that the bank would resume business in about a month. There are more than ten thousand depositors. The bank is fully able to pay all demands, and the defalcation cannot much exceed $40,000. all of which, it is said. was appropriated In the last four years. According to the State Examiner, the assets of the bank are as follows: $39,685.56 Bonds & mortg's $278,000.00 Cash in bank 1,325.00 Checks 747,579.00 Bonds 12,838.00 Cash on hand Collateral 190,000 00 $1,269,427.56 Total The last annual statement of the bank showed that there were due depositors $1,010,592.35 and a surplus of $108,647 87 James D. Orton, the president, Is also president of the Second National Bank of Newark. Westervelt was in the bank's employ for twenty-nine years, and rose from the position of clerk. His salary was only $2,500 a year. He did not confine his operations, it is alleged. to raising withdrawal checks. Some checks he forged. It is charged. One check for $15, drawn to the order of F. Carson, he destroyed, and, it is alleged, forged another check for $2,015 and substituted It for the genuine check. Westervelt did not touch the securities, which are intact. There was between $700,000 and $800,000 of these securities in the bank. Two additional bank examiners were put on the books yesterday, and it was decided to make a complete examination of the books, going back to the date of the last thorough examination some years ago. Yesterday afternoon Westervelt's lawyer made a statement for him to the effect that Westervelt admits that there is a shortage, and says that later the affair will be cleared up, but denies that it amounts to $40,000. or anything like that sum. He also denies that he ever took a dollar of the bank's money, and says it will be shown that he has done nothing dishonest. The bonds of Westerto the surety the velt amount Surety $20,000. being American Company. He also owns some real estate, and steps have been taken to attach it for the bank. This is the only bank defalcation in Newark of any consequence since the looting of the $2,500,000 by Oscar National Bank of Baldwin, Mechanics' the cashier, in 1882. The bank was ruined and went out of existence Baldwin, like Westervelt, had the entire confidence of the bank directors. The Second National Bank had previously been the victim of its cashier, James Hedden. and after the Bank the fact came the Mechanics' out looting that of a clerk named Marchbank had plundered it of $50,000. All served terms in prison. PHELPS FOR PERMANENT CHAIRMAN, Paterson, July 13 (Special).-Sheffield Phelps, of Teaneck, it is said, will be permanent chairman of


Article from The Wichita Daily Eagle, July 14, 1900

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DIME SAVINGS BANK CLOSED At Newark, N. J.--Cashier Arrested Charged With Cheek-Raising. New York, July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings bank of Newark, N. J., decided to close the institution doors until its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, has been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money, caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble today to withdraw their funds and there was much excitement when it was learned that the doors would not be opened. The crowd became so large that police reserves were called out to preserve order. President Orton of the bank is preparing a statement of the bank's affairs which will be given out when completed. Westervelt was arrested last night at Lyons Farms, a few miles from Newark, and taken to Etast Orange, where he was arraigned and comitted to jail inm default of $10,000 bail. The specific charge against him is that he raised a withdraw. al check from $200 to $1200.


Article from The St. Louis Republic, July 14, 1900

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BANK CLOSED. Action Follows Arrest of Its Secretary-Treasurer. New York, July 13.-The directors of the Dime Savings Bank of Newark, N. J., decided to-day to close the institution's doors until Its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement that Charles Westervelt, the bank's secretary and treasurer, had been arrested on a charge of having stolen a large sum of money caused a large crowd of depositors to assemble to-day to withdraw their funds, and there was much excitement when it was learned that the doors would not be opened. The crowd became SO large that police reserves were called out to preserve order. President Orton of the bank is preparing a statement of the bank's affairs, which will be given out when completed. Westervelt was arrested last night at Lyon's Farms, a few miles from Newark, and taken to East Orange, where he was arraigned and committed to fail In default of $10,000 bail. The specific charge against him is that he raised a withdrawal check from $200 to $1,200.


Article from Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier, July 17, 1900

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SAVINGS BANK CLOSES DOORS. Suspected Dishonesty of an Official Caused a Run. Newark, N. J., July 13.-The directors of the Dime savings bank decided today to close the institution's doors until its affairs can be straightened out. The announcement that Chas. Westervelt, the bank's secretary. and treasurer had been arrested on the charge of having stolen a large sum of money caused a crowd of depositors to assemble today to withdraw


Article from Spirit of the Age, July 21, 1900

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All Ready for a Run. New York, July 16.-Charles R. Westervelt, secretary and treasurer of the Dime Savings bank of Newark, N. J., is under arrest, charged with stealing between $38,000 and $40,000 from the bank. The officials of the bank had known that the arrest would be ordered, and prepared themselves for a run, and there is locked in the vaults of the bank more than enough ready cash to pay every depositor 100 cents on the dollar.


Article from New-York Tribune, September 1, 1900

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SAVINGS BANK TO RESUME BUSINESS. EXAMINATION SHOWS THAT THERE WILL BE A SURPLUS OF MORE THAN $50,000. The Dime Savings Bank of Newark, which suspended a month ago when the discovery was made that Charles R. Westervelt, the treasurer, had misappropriated about $30,000 of the funds of the bank, will resume business on September 10. Bank examiners, who have nearly finished the examination of the concern's affairs, report that there is a surplus of $31,000, which, with $20,000 of bonds given by Westervelt, will make a surplus of more than $50,000.