First National Bank (Chicago, IL)

Episode Information

Episode UID
801294
Episode Type
Run Only
Bank Type
national
Bank ID
80 national
Charter Number
8
Start Date
October 30, 1907
Location
Chicago, Illinois (41.850, -87.650)

Metadata

Model
gemini-3-flash-preview (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
1f14d8f6565fec1b

Response Measures

Accommodated withdrawals, Borrowed from banks or large institutions, Clearinghouse loan, Fed/other loan, Public signal of financial health, Capital injected, Partial suspension, Books examined

Other: The bank imported gold from London to reassure depositors and cancel withdrawal notices. It also issued clearing house certificates (scrip) to manage currency demand.

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

Description

The bank experienced heavy withdrawals during the Panic of 1907 and used clearing house certificates and gold imports to remain open.

Events (4)

1. June 22, 1863 Chartered
Source
historical_nic
2. October 30, 1907 Run
Cause
Macro News
Cause Details
Systemic financial panic (Panic of 1907) leading to heavy withdrawal notices.
Measures
Imported gold from London and issued clearing house certificates.
Newspaper Excerpt
Savings depositors who had given notices of their desire to withdraw their funds, returned today in large numbers and asked that the notices be cancelled.
Source
newspapers
3. November 6, 1907 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
The first certificates [about $200,000 worth] were released. Within three days there were more than $1,000,000 of the checks in circulation.
Source
newspapers
4. December 1, 1907* Other
Newspaper Excerpt
By the middle of December... With resumption of currency payments deposits and withdrawals almost normal course
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (14)

Article from The Minneapolis Journal, December 1, 1903

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

TOLD IN A LINE Chicago-Major Charles E. Kilbourne. U. S. A. paymaster of the department of Dakota, is dead. Hamilton. Ohio-Stay of execution was granted Alfred A. Knapp, sentenced to death for the murder of his wife. New York-Directors of the Republic Iron and Steel company postponed the usual dividend at the meeting yesterday. Jackson, Mich.-Charges of attempted bribery caused the prison board to postpone the award of a $15,000 contract. Omahn-The federal grand jury has resumed its investigation of alleged bribery in connection with postoffice appointments in Nebraska. Chicago-Cashier Francis B. Wright of the First National Bank of Dundee. which suspended Nov. 22, was arrested for embezzlement. Carthage, Mo.-Two men were blown to atoms and four injured by an explosion in the mixhouse of the Independent Powder company. Peoria-The price of whisky has advanced from $1.25 to $1.27, effective to-day. Spirits have been advanced half a cent. The demand is strong. Hodgenville, Ky.-Custer Gardner assassinated Squire Osborne and his son David and wounded two others. He was caught and pailed after a desperate fight. Dallas, Texas-The Beaumont confederated oil and pipe line company has been placed in the hands of a receiver. The company was capitalized for $2,000,000. Greensburg, Pa.-Alleged confessions by Charles E. Kruger, under sentence of death for murdering a policeman, were invented to promote the sale of a story of his life. Laredo, Texas-Yesterday Governor Lanham raised the quarantine against yellow fever, which had been in force since Sept. 26. Ther ehave been 1,025 cases and ninety-nine deaths. Manila-Lavedo Toledo, the ladrone leader who gave the military authorities considerable trouble by his operations in the province of Albay, has been convicted and sentenced to death.


Article from The Daily Morning Journal and Courier, August 6, 1904

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Rush of Depositors Starts Early-Doors and Kept Open Until Eight O'Clock DeClosed Until All Those Who i manded Not Their Money Got It-Over [ 3,000 Withdrawn Accounts-Rumors Another Peace Effort. , ) of Aug. 5.-The strike in lost the e Chicago, houses was practically ate packing to-day in the excitement and sight of a run on the Drovers Trust yards tending bank, one of the stock Savings The rush of the depositors beinstitutions. bank started early to-day that one to the of an unfounded rumor had cause packers' representatives instituof the his money from the bank was withdrawn reports that the as tion and used by the packing companies new embeing adjunct in paying off their places of an who have taken the of ployes etrikers. All day long hundreds whom had the depositors, most of stood excited small accounts in the bank, When 1 only line to withdraw their deposits. there a in time came this afternoon waitclosing were at least a thousand officials persons of the their money. The the emergening for determined to meet and the place bank, called in extra tellers every depositor D cy, was kept open himself until at the window winwho presented The paying until V had been satisfied. bank were kept Nearly open two dows of 8 o'clock the to-night. the last man in before that his deposit in had been ceased line hours after paid time had coming. 3,000 full and fresh arrivals upwards of t is estimated that withdrew their dedepositors day. When t posits its height the the a It at during called the and with bank withdrew the Com- run was of its deposit and a like r mercial $100,000 National bank National bank, amount from the First any possibility ob- of the in order bank to being prevent unable to meet its to meet S 5 ligations. "We have plenty of said money Vice President had a any kind A. of Tilden, a run," after night. the bank "We had K William closed for the vaults, and bebeen $300,000 in our taken own from the down e sides over the $200,000 received offers of bank asr town banks have the First National bank d sistance Chicago, from the National Standard Park Trust S of York and the of these offers d bank of New be of accepted, New York. as we None Our have windows on hand will all e will the money we until need. all of the depositors be kept open but from the appearance instiof ended to-night." on now are things satisfied, I think the run on our strike o 1 tution Many of the workmen have deposits in d e in the packing Trust plants and Savings persons bank, who the Drovers' majority of the to-day to g but about the small their money the stock h mand gathered the business place were in who are trades- yards de- not e men doing and working connected people in a labor r district have not been plants. The of a capacity and with union, the packing the members $2,000 on deS in Teamsters' on strike, has effort was d this which are the bank, but money no to-day, t d posit to withdraw the union declaring is, made the secretary of will remain where it h that the money is as solid as a rock. conference 1 as the bank of another peace strikers were h Rumors the packers and appearance d. o between occasioned o-night exchange by the of John M. at the Live and Stock M. E. Montana Milner, president Round- dro1 Boardman secretary of the organization of 2 3 and association, an nearly 250,000 head of Up which sends each year. cattle vers to the yards yards officials knowl- and 2 that stood Althoupepresentatives the stock move, denied it is under- try to 3 packers' edge of any the peace Montana men will 4 by to-night 1 packers it increase arrange In a statement a conference. is given asserted out in that to-day's there 3 The the a considerable of yesterday. over declared was business to-night that would be that "active." the the 1 2 When union, the strike strikers from President now on returned Donnelly, to Chicago of west he from a trip a The to-day Butchers' immediately went through into leaders conference here. other labor day and when with the lasted nearly said all that another when meeting up it was to-morrow, of the it broke would be held calling a strike city e will be taken. meeting action truck in regard drivers to throughout the


Article from The San Francisco Call, April 28, 1905

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

OWES EXPOSURE TO HIS BROTHER . MILWAUKEE, April 27.-The latest step in the career of Frank G. Bigelow, the former bank president who defaulted in the sum of a million and a half dollars, is the filing of a petition in voluntary bankruptcy. The revised schedules show a total liability on the part of Bigelow of $3,277,000, of which $1,975,000 is wholly or in part secured. Of the remainder $1,110,000 is a secondary liability on notes and bills discounted, in which Bigelow figures as indorser. These items are notes of the National Electric Company, the Grand Rapids Edison Company and S. W. Watkins, and are evidently connected with the financing of the National Electric Company. The balance, $192,000, represents unsecured loans, the largest one being an indebtedness of $100,000 to the Brodhead estate, of which Bigelow was executor. The assets of the bank are estimated at $1,849,800, against which a homestead exemption of $5000 is placed. The rest of the assets consist chiefly of stocks in various industrial and other enterprises and 1600 acres of coal land in Huerfano County, Colorado, valued at $100,000. The filing of the schedule revealed the fact that Bigelow, who has been looked upon as a model of business sagacity, pursued startlingly loose methods in the transaction of his private business. He was not positive of the names of several of his creditors, and had no memoranda with which to refresh his memory. Under the bankruptcy laws the turning over by Bigelow of $300,000 worth of property as a restitutionary measure to the bank is null and void, the transfer having been made within four months of the filing of the petition in bankruptcy. This, however, will not affect the bank, the directors having more than made up the entire deficiency caused by the defalcations of the president. Late to-day Judge Landis appointed the Wisconsin Trust and Security Company receiver of the bankrupt estate of Frank G. Bigelow. CHICAGO, April 27.-William Bigelow. cashier of the First National Bank and brother of Frank G. Bigelow, defaulter, accidentally exposed his brother to the directors is the story that is accepted in banking circles as the true version as to how the crime It became known Saturday night. seems that Frank G. Bigelow was called out of town Saturday and that the affairs of the bank were left in the hands of his brother. Saturday morning a telegram came addressed to Bigelow from a New York bank, stating that it was willing to take care of a draft for $50.000, even though the bank was already indebted to the New York house for $200,000. William Bigelow could not understand the matter and was more puzzled when he discovered that the New York bank was charged in the books with being indebted to the First National for $200,000. He asked the bank to explain and found that the telegram was correct. An examination of the books followed, and he found so many queer things that he decided not to wait for his brother to return, but to consult with Mr. Pfister. They immediately suspected one of the cashiers of defaulting and called a special meeting of the directors. Frank G. Bigelow returned, but did not see his brother until he reached the bank in the evening to attend the meeting. When the directors had assembled William Bigelow told what he had discovered and stated he had no idea of the amount taken or who the criminal was. Thereupon his brother arose and made the startling disclosure that he was a defaulter for more than $1,000,000.


Article from The Daily Morning Journal and Courier, December 19, 1905

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

BANKS GUILTY OF TRICKERY (Continued) from First Page.) should make a simultaneous investigation. This showed that the institutions had lent a large amount, estimated all the way from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000, on the securities of the railroads that were owned almost entirely by Mr. Walsh. It is said that the paper for these loans was signed by clerks, and that the collateral was the bonds of Mr. Walsh's railroads, the Southern Indiana, the Chicago Southern, the latter an extension of the Southern Indiana, and the Wisconsin and Michigan. When the examiners had concluded their report Mr. Walsh asked for time, saying that he could raise the money to straighten out everything. He was not as successful in this as he hoped to be. When Comptroller Ridgely was informed of the situation he came at once to Chicago. Comptroller Ridgely called a meeting of the members of the Chicago clearing house and informed them of the situation. The meeting was held in the office of the president of the First National bank and continued from 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon until 5 o'clock this morning. It was then announced by the comptroller in a statement that the banks had suspended and that all depositors would be paid in full by the other banks of the city.


Article from The Denison Review, December 21, 1905

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

The offense of John R. Walsh might have brought great loss and hardship to every man in Crawford county. Let us suppose that the clearing house had not come to the rescue; not only the First National but every bank in Chicago would have been subject to a great run. The country banks would have withdrawn their deposits if possible before the crash came, but if the crash had been general, they, too, would have been heavy losers. There would have been a shortage of funds for legitimate business; loans would have been called in and in spite of the law of supply and demand the price of every bushel of corn or of every pound of pork or beef in Crawford county would have decreased. These bankers, then, hold tremendous interests in their hands, interests involving millions of people beside their depositors and when found guilty the only safe course is to punish them to the full extent of the law. The Russian revolution is approaching its second stage, the next will be absolute anarchy following the deposition of the Czar, the third stage will see the Russia's gradual regeneration. It seems impossible to us that the Russian empire should remain as a unit save as an absolute monarchy The people are so various, the races so incongruous that without the strong arm of military oppression the state will fly to pieces and a dozen minor governments will spring up. This will afford pretext for Germany and Austria and Turkey to acquire new territory, an opportunity which they will sieze with avidity. It will be many years before Europe gets back to normal and the mystic "balance of power" is restored. Did you ever stop to think how much of brains and self-sacrifice there must be behind this apparently spontaneous uprising of the proletariat of Russia? There are Murats and Robespierresand perhaps Napoleons moving behind the screen of history. Men living, now unknown to us, whose e names will some day be as well known to the student of history as are the S names of the monsters and the martyrs of the French Revolution. In spite of police, of spies, of Cassacks, of S prisons and of death, the work of the d revolutionists has gone on irresistibly. Somewhere there is a great brain at e work, urging, plotting, plannng with a shrewdness far beyond that of the e emperor. Part of this history will y some day be written, but the greater part will never be known, not even by e the people who will owe their freedom to the master minds now being sarcificed for them. n d The railroads of the west have sole emnly and ostentatiously agreed that is hereafter they will obey the laws of the United States. The convention nt was duly signed and sealed and broadff ly heralded. No longer will the railbe roads be criminals-and if they are nthey will tell on each other, so runef neth the agreement. Now that the cy penitentiary does not stare them in nthe face, nothing but a paltry fine, they will be good. They have been criminals. iff Alas; Alack. Sry shippers. They were forced to it by the greedy bBut now! he Oh, Joy! ur us They will be good. of The whole farce is an insult to the en American people, and yet these self confessed criminals have the effronter to ask the people to leave the rat making power in their hands alone a go they are the only ones having tha a "intimate knowledge" of the ques is. tion necessary to fix rates with fair an ness and justice to all. ck Bah!


Article from The Denison Review, December 21, 1905

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

EDITORIAL It is so long since conditions have been normal in the Review office that we confess that our editorial department has been somewhat neglected. It is hard to collect one's thoughts when the collection has to be taken in a room filled with the noise of machinery and the confusion of building and plumbing and the like. We would like that our editorial columns should be more than a collection of cheap witticisms on the events of the day, more than a rehash of the dailies and more than a running, endless, useless and purposeless controversy with other papers. To avoid these ruts is difficult. To discuss the tariff is to become involved in bootless argument under present conditions-and yet there is a good deal of hypocrisy about the tariff question. There are several facts that are conceded on all hands, first, that the protective policy is the one best adapted to America, and second, that the present schedules are faulty in many places. Granting these two premises, there should be no difficulty in revising the tariff. But there is. Why? Because we do not trust each other or ourselves. Because recent revelations have made us distrustful of those in high position. Because the east distrusts the west, capital distrusts labor and the farmer distrusts both. If we felt sure that the Congress was composed entirely of honest and unselfish men it would cause hardly a ripple in the business world were the tariff revision undertaken. It is because the "special interests" have overreached themselves until they have aroused an antagonism which they well may fear, because they have themselves forced the alignment of those favoring corporate interests and those against them. Were the question of tariff revision left to the Supreme court there would be no fear, but every one dreads the uncertainties and the procrastinations of congressional action. In other words the most violent stand patters would welcome tariff revision in many instances, could it be done over night, while the revisionists are forced to admit that the chief danger in carrying out their policy is the delay and uncertainty of congressional processes. Thus it would seem that the tariff question like the railroad rate question, the insurance question and every other question leads us back to the absolute necessity of wiping out the "special interest" control from our government. Tariff revision is thus subordinate to the greater issue of electing honest as well as capable men to office. *** The First National Bank of Chicago has failed, carrying down with it a number of subordinate institutions. The Chicago clearing house, after an all night session, decided to stand back of the institutions and secure the de positors. It was not philanthropy which prompted this action, but proba bly the knowledge that they were al in the same boat and that if this bank was unprotected a general panic would follow. Comptroller Ridgely, who had the affairs of the fallen bank in charge i quoted as saying, that John R. Walsh the president, was doubtless guilty 0 fraudulent banking, but that as no on would lose anything he would probab ALL ly not be punished. We regret that goverment official should be guilty o such a statement. Mr. Walsh un doubtedly used the funds of his depos itors to back his private speculations He made them take the risk while h stood to win if any profits arose Banker Bigelow is in the penitentiar for the same offense. His investment turned out badly and the depositor lost. Mr. Walsh's investments prov ed too much for him to carry, but th depositors may come out even. Ac cording to Mr. Ridgely, the degree o guilt depends wholly upon the degree of success. Had Mr. Walsh made millions by the use of depositors' funds he would have been a great man, as he plays even he is an unfortunate man, had he lost heavily he would have been a fel on. It is this tendency of public opinion which has fostered the spirit of wild speculation which has been ram pant for the past few years and which if continued will bring panic and des titution to this country in spite of any industrial or agricultural prosperity


Article from The Topeka State Journal, September 14, 1906

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

LOOMIS AND HIS 0. K. He Approves Compromise in the Devlin Bankruptcy. Referee N. H. Loomis this morning entered a decree in the United States district court1sauthorizing the compromise between the Corn Exchange National bank of Chicago and the trustees of the Devlin estate which the trustees recommended and by which the former turns over to the trustees notes, interest coupons and drafts in return for which the trustees convey all right, title and interest in the collateral security held by the bank to cover the loans. There was a whole lot of juggling with figures in the original transaction, spurious fictitious values which on paper would take away one's breath but when simmered down did not represent very much after all. The face value of the securities held by the bank approximate $850,000 but their real value will not exceed $150,000. The loan itself amounts now to about $152,780 with accrued interest. The Devlin estate is really the gainer by the compromise for the value of the securities is less by almost $3,000 than the notes of the Devlin Coal company, the Mount Carmel Coal company, Toluca, Marquette and Northern Railway company, Southwestern Fuel company, and interest coupons on the Devlin Coal company and the Toluca, Marquette and Northern. The face value of these were $420,000 and most of them were drawn during the spring of 1905. The bank had filed suit in the district court at Cook county, Illinois, but will withdraw this suit upon learning of the compromise. It will pay the court costs. The ten days for creditors of the Devlin estate to file objections for the setting aside of the compromise between the trustees and the receiver of the First National bank made last Saturday and approved by Judge Pollock expires next Tuesday. The advertisement for the sale of the properties held by the trustees will be made soon after, the latter part of the week. Bids will be asked for.


Article from The Springfield Herald, May 3, 1907

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

president stands by his former assertions and declares that the actions of the friends of the accused men are flagrantly improper, in that they are trying to influence judge and jury in the coming trial. Charge C. King. president of the bank of been arrested in D., First has National Scotland, Chicago the S. charged with having misapplied funds of the bank, which recently failed. The Zoeller packing plant at Pittsburg, Pa., was recently destroyed by fire. Five hundred thousand pounds of lard in one building was entirely at consumed. The loss was placed $300.000, Four million bushels of coal were shipped down the Ohio river from Pittsburg in one day recently, breaking all records for this time of the year. The supreme court of Kansas has appointed Judge S. H. Allen, G. all H. Whitcourt and Judge T. F. Garver, of Topeka, as receivers for the Kan- A sas property of various breweries. joint bond of $15,000 was required. Secretary Wilson, by executive orhas created the board of food and drug der, inspection, whose duty it shall be to adminiter the national pure food law. The president heartily approves the plan. Frank H. Butler, who was charged at the murder of the Marvin boy has been for want of with custody, Dover. Del., sufficient released from evidence*against him. Frank H. Butler, a steamer deck- with hand, has been arrested charged son the murder of the four-year-old of Dr. Horace N. Marvin, who disappeared from his home in Dover, Del., March 4. A movement has been started in Milwaukee. Wis., to set aside a day the May on' which every union in country in is to protest against Presi- that dent Roosevelt's assertion Moyer, Haywood and Debs are undesirable citizens. A recent bulletin issued by the secof the Oklahoma board of agriculture retary states that the wheat crop is only 60.8 per cent and the oats crop 30 per cent. The Kansas supreme- court Gen- has granted the petition of Attorney in eral Jackson for a receivership the ouster injunction cases against been the brewery companies who have to doing business in Kansas contrary the prohibitory law. The main features at the opening the the Jamestown exposition were spectacular of naval display and the The address of President Roosevelt. exposition itself was not ready exercises for visitors when the opening were held. The suit of the Copper Range Con- C. solidated Mining company Colbert othBurrage, Thomas W. Lawson and court. ers, has been settled out of The government forestry service this issued a circular saying that between has consumes every year than country three and four times more wood same is grown in all its forests in the time. Miss Violet Spencer, of Alton, near III., was recently attacked by a negro the abhome and slashed across cloak her with a razor. A heavy Several domen was all that saved her life. f suspects have been arrested. Superior Judge Hebbard. of San Francisco. has sworn to a complaint Attorney against Assistant District Heney charging criminal libel. W. H. Harroun, ex-president of of the St. Harroun Eelevator company forgery Joseph. Mo., pleaded guilty to sentenced fourth degree and was later in to the 18 months in jail. He was paroled. Maier. a Topeka jointist has He Chris pardoned by Gov. Hoch. in been a $1,000 bond never to engage gave the liquor business again. new field gun with which armed the The artillery is being has Japanese an effective range of about 8,500 yards. Each gun costs $5,000. Washington advices are to the ef- in the peace negotiations have fect that in Central America progress to a deadlock and that a recome of hostilities seems probable. Amernewal Architectual league of WashThe holding a convention in from ington ica is with delegates present all sectons of the country. the instigation of the depart- States At of agriculture the United Kan., ment attorney at Topeka, the district commence 41 suits against of will Island railroad for violation 28-hour Rock livestock shipping law. French arsenal at Toulon was of The damaged to the extent to recently by a fire which is believed have $900,000 been of incendiary origin. recent decision of the statute United By a supreme court the solicit States it a misdemeanor to in making for intoxicating liquors been Kansas orders is held constitutional. filed in the federal Suit has Tulsa. I. T., by a minor in court at Indian. involving property be the Glenn Creek Oil pool estimated to worth $1,000,000. Gov. Hoch. of Kansas, has an-


Article from The Birmingham Age-Herald, October 31, 1907

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Much Gold for Chicago. Chicago, October 30.-Savings depositors who had given notices of their desire to withdraw their funds, returned today in a that the nolarge numbers and of tices be cancelle. ce was given such patrons that aly would the it that interest notices be disregar on the accounts by the notices e as though the would be paid tl filed. President notices had not National bank said Forgan of the that he had ord ,000,000 in gold from London. On y / the First National 4,000,000 in gold. John bank arrange DE t of the Illinois Trust J. Mitchell, p announced today that and Savings he had arry o secure $500,000 in gold direct from on. The total gold engaged for the week so far by Chicago bankers is $3,500,000.


Article from Vernon County Censor, November 6, 1907

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

DEPOSITORS K!LL THEIR NOTICES Chicago, Oct. 31.-Savings depositors who had given notice of a desire to withdraw funds returned yesterday in large numbers And asked that the notices be cancelled. Assurance was given such patrons that not only would the notices be disregarded but that the interest on the accounts affected by the notices would be paid the same as though the notices had not been filed. President Forgan of the First National said he had ordered $1,000,000 in gold from London. This will come to Chicago direct and be credited to the First National's London account. Tuesday the First National arranged for $2,000,000 in gold, but this was against merchandise then in transit. Yesterday's importation was in the nature of a transfer from London to Chicago. John Mitchell, president of the Illinois Trust and Savings bank, announced that he had arranged to secure $500,000 in gold direct from London. He said that while foreigners had been striving to prevent exportations of gold, American bankers are getting it in fairly large amounts. The total gold engaged for the week so far by Chicago bankers is $3,500,000. Comptroller Helps Circulation. Washington, Oct. 31.-Comptroller Ridgely yesterday issued an official statement which says: "The comptroller's office will in every proper way facilitate the immediate increase of national bank note circulation. With this end in view all such national banks as have an amount of bonds in the hands of the treasurer of the United States to secure deposits and also have any available capacity for increased circulation will be allowed to substitute other bonds satisfactory to the secretary of the treasury as a basis for the government deposits, provided the government bonds thus released are used to increase circulation."


Article from The Maui News, November 23, 1907

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

Head Officials of a Bank to be Prosecuted for Larceny.----Mrs. Hartje Wins.----A Family is Cremated. A TAHITIAN PRINCE IS JAILED. Runs Expense Account He Cannot Pay and is Arrested for Dodging Autorrobile Bills.-Japanese Make Charges Against Swansey. (SPECIAL TO THE MAUI NEWS.) Sugar 96 deg. test 3.80 Beets 9s. 3d. HONOLULU, November 22.-Alexander Garvie is dead as a result of an operation for kidney trouble. Wallach demands changes in the proposed agreement with the Board of Health whereby he is to treat lepers. As a result of this the row may be reopened. The Japanese accuse Swansey of announcing the Vancouver riots. They say it is a scheme of the Hawaiian planters to hold the Japs here in the islands. SAN FRANCISCO, November 22.-Prince Salmon is in jail here. MELBOURNE, November 22.- In the automobile long distance race here one machine made 774 miles in twenty four hours. ,NEW YORK, November 22.-The President, the Cashier, and one of the directors of the Brooklyn Bank have been arrested as a result of an indictment charging them with larceny. MUSKOGEE, November 22.-The next Trans-Mississippi Congress will be held in San Francisco. PHILADELPHIA, November 22.-Mrs. Hartje has won the final decision in the divorce case. HAMBURG, November 22.--Moeller, the manufacturer of shellac and candles has failed for two million dollars. MARIETTA, November 22.-Edgar Grubb, his wife and two children were cremated here today by the burning of their house. NEWTON, Mass. November 22.-Mrs. Hodges killed herself and two sons by asphyxiation. HONOLULU, November 21.-Rev. Doremus Seudder was yesterday installed as Pastor of Central Union Church. Work has begun on the leprosarium. Attorney General Hemenway has decided that the Government can cut wood from the Forest Reserves and sell the same. Acting-Governor Mott-Smith has refused Consul General Miki Saito a transcript in the Lovell trial. HONOLULU, November -Consul General Saito has requested an abstract of the evidence in the Kauai murder case. Harmon, President of the Mormon Church at Laie, is to be arrested for subordination of perjury. The constitutionality of the liquor law has again been attacked. The Kihei deal may be delayed but it will be completed. COLUMBUS, O., November 21.-A league of Republican Clubs has endorsed Foraker for President. WASHINGTON, November 21.-Miss Shonts will marry the Duke of Chaulneas. CALCUTTA,November 21.-Striking engineers havestopped transportation and 6000 passengers are held up in traffic. WASHINGTON, November 20.-Mrs. Bradley swore that she did not know she fired the shot that killed Senator Brown. Hereafter gradunting exercises at West Point will be held in February. TOKIO, November 20.-Japan will limit Japanese immigration. SACRAMENTO, November 20.-The Senate has approved four amendments to the San Francisco Charter. MUSKOGEE, November 20.-Governor Frear has introduced a resolution recommending the deepening of Pearl Harbor and inviting the Atlantic fleet to visit Hawaii. HILO, November 19.-C. C. Kennedy was married yesterday evening to Mrs. Laura Marsh at San Jose California. They will arrive on the Enterprise. HONOLULU, November 20.--The Supereme Court issued a writ of habeas corpus yesterday in the case of Attorney Vivas sentenced to five days imprisonment by the District of Court Wailuku for contempt of court. The County Supervisors held a peaceful meeting last night. The Steamer Admiral Boreson, from Seattle to China with lumber put into Honolulu yesterday dismasted and with her deck load of lumber washed away as a result of a tidal wave. MONTGOMERY, November 20.--Alabama voted yesterday to become a dry state. LONDON, November 20.--The profits of the round trip of the Lusitania were $60,000. NEW YORK, November 20.-Mrs. Leslie Carter, the actress, is bankrupt. CHICAGO, November 20.-The banks here are ready to resume business on a cash basis. They will redeem all clearing house certificates.


Article from Imperial Valley Press, January 11, 1908

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

NEWS IN BRIEF Happenings of the Week Boiled Down For Busy Readers New York landlords cause great suffering to poor people on East Side by wholesale evictions. U.S. Senator Owen, of Oklahoma, accused of acquiring illegally 4,000 acres of land from Indians. Chicago banks have returned to cash basis and financial situation is just what it was before the pinch. President Roosevelt denounces the patronage system and urges enforcement of civil service rules in Census Bureau. Chicago Great Western railroad has been placed in lhe hands of receivers. Overcapitalization caused the trouble. H.O. Havemeyer's will leaves estate of $25,000,000 to widow and three children. No bequests to public institutions. Many gun fights, assaults and on in of tumults Brooklyn and New other Year's camps day the wild and woolly east. This is really important. Los Angeles court decides that a woman need not pay for a tailormade suit that doesn't fit. George Pettibone, accused of complicity in murder of Ex-Gov. Steunenberg, of Idaho, acquitted. Case against Moyer dismissed. District Court of Austin, Texas, appoints receiver to take charge of all property in the state belonging to Standard Oil. Proceedings to dissolve combination between Union Pacific and Southern Pacific to be begun soon by Attorney-General Bonaparte. London Times passes from control of Walter family and into hands of C. A. Pearson, publisher of several newspapers and magazines. Jury in Caleb Powers case disagrees, ten for acquittal and two of for conviction. Fifth trial Powers for the murder of Goebel set for July 6. John D. Rockefeller gives $2, 000,000 to Chicago University as New Year present, making total contribution more than $23, ,000,000. But he hasn't paid that fine yet. United States Supreme Court, by five to four, decides that the employers' liability act, applicable to common carriers engaged in interstate commerce, is unconstitutional. F. Augustus Heinze, the copper operator, indicted and arrested in New York for aiding his brother in looting the Mercantile National Bank to the tune of $400,000. Fowler banking bill proposes to retire all outstanding national bank bond secured notes, and thorizes in lieu thereof a currency based on the general assets of the bank. Hudson Maxim announces invention of torpedo boat to travel


Article from The Guthrie Daily Leader, February 21, 1908

Click image to open full size in new tab

Article Text

FORGAN AND VESTED RIGHTS James R. Forgan, president of the First National bank, Chicago, supposed to be the strongest bank in the I Central states, If not in America. has written an open letter to William Jennings Bryan, stating that the sunport given the bank guaranty law is unfair, unstatesmanlike and against all public policy. Mr. Forgan goes to some length in stating the value of the shares of stock in" his bank are worth two dollars for one. He insists the management of that Institution and the wisdom of its directorate have won for the bank a name and fame worthy of being made much of, insisting, also. that any at tempt to place all banks on the same level, makes of the speculator the same kind of banker the men who have weathered all financial storms. and retained the confidence and good will of the people throughout all the times, good or bad. Mr. Forgan also relates it is unfair to the stockholders of his bank to have it insured by a state, and thus permit the little bankers who have not the capital or foresight to stem financial gales, to become on a parity who his and like concerns. All of which is interesting, but con tains no element of fact, and in no way considers the Interests of the great depositing public; the losers in all cases of failure. Last fall a certified check on the Forgan bank was turned down in a city not one hundred miles from Guthrie. The check was properly cer tifled to, and called for $3,200.00. The holder had taken the check because of alleged convenience, and, when he needed money, had as well been possessed of some cigarette paper. The stockholders of the Chicago bank may have been serene, trustful and filled with a tremendous confi dence, but the poor traveler, out here in a land where all men are considered honest until proven otherwise, had to wire a relative to send him a few dollars by American Epres. before he could pay his laundry bills. Moreover, Mr. Forgan, as a depository for certain country banks, had some $40,000,000.00 of other bank moneys, and he kept it throughout the panic, Issuing clearing house certificates thΓ©refor. If it were not for being a plain, vulgar way of stating a fact. The Leader would assert Mr. Forgan received cash from others, and, gegin here in return, he actually asked the people to receive clearing house certificates until such time as he felt called upon to hand back the actual cash. Mr. Forgan chirrups of vested rights. The pirates who sailed the Spanish Main were the original vested rights champions and they held whatever worked their pockets bad, was against the law of the Main. They were not as strong on prayer and writing open letters, but the same selfish motive actuated them as does make of the many men in our country the chirruping birds of wall and lamentation. A bank is sound and good in proportion to what It can pay on the dollar deposited, and what good it works for the community. If It be run for the simple purpose of making dividends to the shareholders. well and good, but, when such is the case, It is not fair they raise a howl over a measure enacted that the men who deposit their all may have assurance they, too, can have their money when they get the idea they wish to use some of it. Of the 8,000,000 people in these United States, but a small number of them are stockholders in a bank of any description. Shall this vast majority continue the prey of the banks which break each year, that the sharehold ers may reap a larger dividend, or shall these depositors have the protection, surety and safety guaranteed


Article Text

CLEARING HOUSE SCRIP AIDS CITY IN PANIC OF 1907 Recall Successful Operation of Certificates. Issuance of clearing house certifiChicago during money panic recalled yesterday many banking authorities considered adoption of the system operated satisfactorily quarter century ago. famine forced Chicago deposit the 1907 October of and demand for some medium exchange the special of Bankers for begged revision the laws. were advocated. Plea for Certificates. On the John late R. Thompthen county treasurer. the late Forgan, president the National bank. joined in for certificates. officials of the clearing they would adopt the proposal the movement sufficient impetus. Business leaders announced they would accept the certificates. Labor unions and other workers joined in the demand. For time agitation ceased when $3,500,000 gold was brought First National bank from London. It carried across the ocean on the Lusitania which was sunk torpedo ten years later in the greatest marine tragedies the Only Temporary Relief. This offered only temporary relief cry for certificates sumed. On Nov. the first cates [about $200,000 worth] were leased. Within three days there more than of the checks in circulation. The certificates were issued in $1, and $10 each denomination on paper of color. In appearance they resembled They Stocks bonds total value onethird than the amount of the certificates circulation were deposited for the checks. The certificates ac. cepted throughout the city and them found they back to the banks deposits. Spreads to Other Cities. Soon the plan spread to other cities also proved Within two weeks Banker Forgan initiated resume currency After with banks in the midwest the certifi. from circulation. By the middle of Decem ber, at the expiration of the period of had to reney payment. With resumption of currency payments deposits with drawals almost normal course the great panic of 1907 became history. D. Kelly. president of The Fair store, who was the organizers of the plan the clearing house certificates recalled those times last night. The clearing house certificates worked." said Kelly. turned out to be very practical."