Memphis Savings Bank (Memphis, TN)

Episode Information

Episode UID
6352947790874
Episode Type
Suspension β†’ Closure
Bank Type
savings
Bank ID
635294779 hash
Start Date
October 27, 1872
Location
Memphis, Tennessee (35.150, -90.049)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
496ea9546d23ef1f

Response Measures

None

Events (3)

1. October 27, 1872 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
made assignment and would not open its doors on Monday ... assigned all of its assets to W. R. Cunningham and R. A. Parker for the payment of its creditors rateably
Source
newspapers
2. October 27, 1872 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Could not honor a $115,000 draft by Southern Security Company and was insolvent after heavy losses tied to Memphis & Charleston railroad stock and other bad investments
Newspaper Excerpt
the Memphis Savings Bank, which suspended last evening
Source
newspapers
3. October 28, 1872 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Major Wicks gives his entire fortune to the creditors of the Savings Bank, which reduces the liabilities seventy per cent
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (13)

Article from New-York Tribune, October 28, 1872

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Article Text

FAILURE OF THE MEMPHIS SAVINGS BANK. MEMPHIS, Oct. 27.-The liabilities of the Memphis Savings Bank, which suspended last evening, are variously reported at from $190,000 to $250,000, of which $115,000 is due the Southern Security Company, an Eastern corporation that recently leased the Memphis and Charlesfou Railroad. Several months ago the bank received a deposit of $160,000 from the Southern Security Company which remained undisturbed until recently, when their check for $45,000 not being promptly cashed, an inquiry was made into the condition of the bank by Col. Joseph Jaques, Vice-President of the Security Company. He presented a check for $115,000. the balance due which the bank could not honor, and, declining any compromise, Major Wieks. President of the bank. made an assignment. Beside the amount due the Security Company it is said the bank owes $120,000, distribated among nearly 175 depositors. These claims the President will endeavor to meet from his private means. The bank had a capital of $50,000 and a deposit line of about $150,000.


Article from Evening Star, October 28, 1872

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Article Text

The Suspension of the Memphis Savings Bank. MEMPHIA, Oct. 28.-The liabilities of the Memphis Savings bank will exceed $230,000, but the individual deposits only amount to 857,000. The assets are unknown. The suspension caused no excitement in financial circles.


Article from The Daily State Journal, October 28, 1872

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Article Text

Bank Susponsion. Memphis, Oct. 27.-The card of M. J. Wickes president of the Memphis Savings Bank, in this morning's papers, announcing the suspension of that bank, has been the all absorbing topic to-day, as that institution was regarded as one of the safest in the country. It is reported that their liabilities are $175,000, though they may exceed that amount. The heaviest losers are the Southern Railway Security Co., and the Carolina Life Insurance Co.; the former's loss being nearly $150,000.


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, October 28, 1872

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Article Text

Suspension of a Savings Bank. MEMPHIS, October 28.-- - The card of M. J. Wicks, President of the Memphis Savings Bank, in the morning papers announcing the suspension of that bank, has been the all absorbing topic of the day, as the institution has been generally regarded as one of the safest in the country. I⑆is reported the liabilities are $175,000, though they may exceed this amount. The heaviest losers are the Southern Rail way Security Company, and Carolina Life Insurance Company. The former being near $50,000


Article from The New York Herald, October 28, 1872

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Article Text

e r BANK CRASH IN MEMPHIS. Suspension of the Memphis Savings Bank. What Dabbling in Shifting Stocks Will Lead To. Another and a Run on All the Banks Expected. MEMPHIS, Text.,Oct.27,1879. It was announced last night toolate telegraph that the savings bank of Memphts, of which M. de Wicks is President and W. c. McClure-cashier, had made assignment and would not open its doors on Monday. The following card, which appears in the papers of this morning, is the only explanation given to the public, and it is understood its publication was not agreed to until after midnight last night. THE PRESIDENT'S CARD MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 26, 1872. To MY FRIENDS AND THE PUBLIC:regret to announce that, by reason of the stringency of the times and misfortunes which I have been unable to surmount, the savings bank of Memphis has this day suspended business and assigned all of its assets to W. R. Canningham ami R. A. Parker for the payment of its creditora rateably. Creditors may feel assured that the assets will be faithfully devoted to the payment of the debts and that I shall use my efforts in their M. J. WICKS. President. behalf. CAUSE OF THE BREAK. Inqutry this morning develops the fact that the assignment was occasioned by a draft made on Friday against $115,000 deposited to the account of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, which, since July 1, has been operated by Tom Scott's Southern Railway Security Company, Cap tain Jaquea being superintendent or manager. Wicks was president of the road before its operation by the security company. and 18 understood to have takeur an active part among stockholders in bringing about the lease, which is for ninety-nine years, in consideration of which the lessees agreed to keep the road and equipment in good repair and to pay a dividend of three per cent annually for the first five years and six per cent annually thereafter. On Friday Jaques became suspicious that the bank was shaky and CHECKED UPON IT FOR THE AMOUNT on deposit as above. when he was informed the bank had not the funds necessary to meet the check, and was asked for indulgence. Consultation followed, in which President Lewis, of the First National Bank. was called in as adviser, and the result was a proposition to Jaques yesterday to take $15,000 cash and the remainder in equal monthly instalments, which, by the advice of his at torneys, Jaques declined to entertain, though he made a proposition himself the substance of which was that the bank should give the railroad credit for $70,000 interest due on its bonded debt next month and provide for the remainder as convenient. Unable to comply with this, the directory of the bank resolved on an assignment, which was carried into effect after bank hours yesterday. THE ASSIGNEES are gentlemen of good standing in business circles. Cunaingham is a cotton merchant. and was formerly president of the bank. Parker is secretary o. the Merchants' Insurance Company. What THE CONDITION OF THE BANK is It is difficult to ascertain with reliability; but the best informed regard the prospect for creditors as unpromising, the concern having. it 18 supposed, become badly mixed up in purchases of stock of the Memphis and Charlesten Railroad, which, in anticipation of the lease, sold as high as 45, and has since declined to 29, its present value. The liabilities are estimated at $275,000, of which $60,000, is capital stock owned chiefly by Jaques & Cunningham. It is said that Wicks proposes to devote his personal property and estate to the relief of the small depositors. The announcement of Wicks in the papers this morning TOOK THE PUBLIC BY SURPRISE, the bank having always been regarded strong and safe, and, notwithstanding it was Sunday, quite an excited crowd gathered on Madison street, and indications are that there will be a heavy run on the banks to-morrow. which, in view of the heavy discount and active employ. ment of money in the removal of cotton would seriously embarrass business, if not cause other suspensions. I am told by a banker this evening that there will be ANOTHER FAILURE TO-MORROW, but it will be a small affair. and as the concern has been known to be in laboring circumstances for some time its suspension or assignment will take nobody by surprise. It has for several weeks. been carried by two of the leading banks, who must now drop it in order to take care of themselves in any emergency that may result from the failure or yesterday. Its capital stock is $10,000, and its deposit line has not for some time exceeded $75,000. As for the leading banks, while they are likely to be heavily run upon, inquiry and a knowledge of financial matters convince me that they are in solvent condition and will promptly meet all demands that may be made upon them. Burnett's Miniature Toilets.-Elegane


Article from Chicago Daily Tribune, October 28, 1872

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Article Text

Bank Failure in Memphis. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 27.-M. J. Wicks, President of the Memphis Savings Bank, in. this morning's papers, announces the suspension of that bank. It has been the all-absorbing topic to-day, as the institution has been generally regarded as one of the safest in the country. The reported liabilities are $175,000, and may exceed this figure. The heaviest losses are the Southern Eailway Security Company and the North Carolina Life Insurance Company. The former's claim is near $150,000.


Article from The Daily State Journal, October 29, 1872

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Article Text

2 he Memphis Bank Suspension. Memphis, October 28.-The liabilities of the Memphis Savings Banks, announced yesterday as suspended, exceed $230,000. The loss by individual depositors is only $57,000. Major Wickes gives his entire fortune to the creditors of the Savings Bank, which reduces the liabilities 70 per cent.


Article from The Daily Dispatch, October 29, 1872

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Article Text

The Memphis Bank Suspension. MEMPHIS. October 28.-The liabilities of the Memphis Savings Bank, aunounced yesterday as suspended, exceed $230,000. The loss by individual deposits is only $57,000. Major Wicks gives his entire fortune to the creditors of the Savings Bank, which reduces the liabilities seventy per cent.


Article from The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, October 29, 1872

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MEMPHIS. THE SAVINGS BANK FAILURE, MEMPHIS, October 28.-The liabilities of the Memphis Sayings Bank, exceed $230,000, but the individual deposits only amount to $57,000. Its assets are unknown. The suspension causes no excitement in financial circles. James Speed, ticket agent of the Memphis & Louisville Railroad, was garroted and robbed of a valuable watch and chain, on Madison street, at 7 o'clock last evening, in Centre City" The liabilities of the Memphis Savings Bank will exceed $300,000, but Major Wicks, President, has placed his entire fortune at the disposal of the creditors, which will pay seventy per cent of the total indebtedness. There is no excitement in the money market in conscquence.


Article from The New York Herald, October 29, 1872

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THE MEMPHIS SAVINGS BANK. No Further Failures-$300,000 Liabilities-Seventy Per Cent Probably Recoverable. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 28, 1872. Contrary to expectation, there was little run on the bank to-day, and no further failures occurred. All the banks opened and closed at regular hours, and transacted business as usual. The failure foreshadowed in yesterday's despatch to the HERALD was averted by the First National and other leading banks coming to the aid of their weak neighbor with sufficient means to carry it through, and as nothing was known of the circumstance by the public the financial and commercial pulse once more seems to beat healthfully. Had the bank referred to failed to open there is no doubt there would have been a rush, for the reason that A GREAT DEAL OF CURRENCY IS IN TRANSIT at present in connection with removal of cotton, and it is questionable that more than two or three banks were in condition to meet all demands in the event of such a panic as would have resulted. The leading cotton shippers were under request to check lightly as possible for a day or two, and in spite of the advance elsewhere cotton was almost stagnant here to-day; but considerable currency arrived from the North and East this evening. Some of it was ordered in anticipation of the failure of Saturday, and as much more is expected to-morrow. It is not likely that the business derangement will be of long duration. In AN INTERVIEW WITH M. J. WICKES, President of the defunct Savings Bank, to-day, I learned that the liabilities of the concern were not short of $300,000, of which, he thinks, if no litigation be brought on, seventy per cent can be realized by the creditors. The capital stock, he says, was sunk several months ago through the defection of Shears & Co., of New York. Next the Southern Security Railway Company, the principal creditor is the First Chancery Court, which is interested in the sum of $20,000.


Article from Delaware State Journal, November 2, 1872

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A Bad Failure. The liabilities of the suspended Memphis Savings Bank are HOW stated at over $800,000. The individual deposits are only $57,000. The assets are not known. Major Wickes. President of the Bank, has placed his entire property at the disposal of its creditors, and this, it is said, will pay 70 per cent. of the total indebtedness.


Article from The Hickman Courier, November 9, 1872

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THE MEMPHIS BANK FAILURE.The liabilities of the Memphis Savings Bank, which suspended last Saturday, it is now said will exceed $300,000; but, Major Moses J. Wicks, the President, in the spirit of nuble self-sacri fice rarely witnessed in any country, has placed his entire private fortune at the disposal of the creditors, which will pay 70 per cent. of the total indebtedness. Those who have known Major Wicks, as a native Southerner and as a business man, during the past ten or fifteen years, will not be surprised to hear that he has setso genuiue and so splendid an example of commercial honor.


Article from The Charleston Daily News, December 10, 1872

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The Carolina Life Insurance Company. It may be remembered that upon the recent suspension of the Memphis Savings Bank It was stated that the Carolina Life Insurance Company was among the losers by the failure. It was immediately afterward ascertained, however, that the loss to the Carolina Company was only about eleven thousand dollars, which is a small sum as compared with its total assets, and the card from General Wade Hampton, the resident vice-president for this State, which is published this morning in another column, should be sufficient to allay any apprehensions that may have arisen conerning the present stability of the company.