Benton State Bank (Fort Benton, MT)

Episode Information

Episode UID
93010171476
Episode Type
Run → Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Bank ID
9301017 routing
Routing Number
93-0101
Start Date
December 26, 1922
Location
Fort Benton, Montana (47.818, -110.667)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
fd04edb794e66040

Response Measures

None

Events (5)
1. December 26, 1922 Run
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Heavy holiday withdrawals combined with inability to realize on loans triggered depositor withdrawals
Measures
Directors ordered suspension of business (closed by board order)
Newspaper Excerpt
Inability to realize on loans and the heavy withdrawals of the holiday season were given as the reasons for the closing of the Benton State bank
Source
newspapers
2. December 26, 1922 Suspension
Cause
Bank Specific Adverse Info
Cause Details
Board suspended operations because loans could not be realized and withdrawals were heavy
Newspaper Excerpt
Benton State Bank Suspends Business on Directors' Orders ... the closing of the Benton State bank Tuesday morning on order of the board of directors.
Source
newspapers
3. April 2, 1924 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
John T. Phelan, Receiver of the Benton State Bank, a corporation, substituted for Benton State Bank, a corporation, Plaintiff ... (summons dated April 2, 1924).
Source
newspapers
4. May 14, 1929 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Sell Benton State Bank Assets Receiver John T. Phelan held a sale of the assets of the Benton State bank ... The assets of the bank were sold to J. A. Robinson for the sum of $1,000, subject to approval of the court.
Source
newspapers
5. July 25, 1934 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Receiver John Phelan ... has filed with the Clerk the District Court his final account of the affairs of that institution and has also petitioned the Court for authority to pay the final dividend for the bank.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (7)
1. December 27, 1922 Great Falls Tribune Great Falls, MT
Article from Great Falls Tribune, December 27, 1922

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Article Text

Benton State Bank Suspends Business on Directors' Orders Special to The Tribune. Fort Benton, Dec. 26.-Inability to realize on loans and the heavy withdrawals of the holiday season were given as the reasons for the closing of the Benton State bank Tuesday morning on order of the board of directors. The decision to suspend business was made by the directors at a meeting held before banking hours hours Friday morning. Officials of the institution expressed the belief that with the collection of a good part of the outstanding paper, depositors could be assured of payment of a large percentage of their accounts. The Benton State bank, organized about 10 years ago. was capitalized at $125,000, and carried a surplus of $75,000. The directors and officers are: C. J. McNamara, George B. Bourne, Conrad Koulage, A. E. McLeish, E. G. Lockwood, F. J. Moyer, J. G. Williams, J. S. Brown, C. B. Power, L. D. Sharpe, F. J. Flanagan, C. B. Power is the president, L. D. Sharpe. the vice president, and F. J. Flanagan, the ceashier.

2. April 18, 1924 The Chouteau County Independent Fort Benton, MT
Article from The Chouteau County Independent, April 18, 1924

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Article Text

NOTICE OF SHERIFF'S SALE In the District Court of the Twelfth Judicial District, State of Montana, In and for the County of Chouteau. Capital Trust & Savings Bank, a corporation, Plaintiff, vs. Lowell Shriner, Maggie Shriner, U. S. G. Sharp and L. D. Sharp, co-partners doing business under the firm name and style of Sharp Bros., Vimy Ridge Oil Company, a corporation, L. C. Stevenson, Trustee, John Ward, Trustee, Flora Ward his wife, A. L. Bradley, Hager-Stevenson Oil Company, a corporation, Defendants. To be sold at Sheriff's Sale, on the 12th day of May, A. D. 1924, at 2 o'clock P. M., at the front door of the court house in the said County of Chouteau, the following described property, situated in the County of Chouteau, State of Montana, and are particularly described as follows, to-wit: The South Half of the North-east Quarter (S½ NE¼), the Southeast Quarter of the North-west Quarter (SE¼ NW¼), the East Half of the South-west Quarter (E½ SW¼), the West Half of the South-east Quarter (W½ SE¼), and the North-east Quarter of the South-east Quarter (NE¼ SE¼), of Section Nineteen (19), in Township Twenty-five (25) North of Range Nine (9), East of the Montana Principal Meridian, containing Three Hundred Twenty (320) acres, according to the Government Survey thereof; together with all and singular the tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances thereunto belonging, on in any wise appertaining with the reversions, remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof. Dated this 7th day of April, A. D. 1924. GEORGE BRUNDAGE, Sheriff. G. C. Schmidt, Fort Benton, Mont., Attorney for Plaintiff. ALIAS SUMMONS In the District Court of the Twelfth Judicial District of the State of Montana, In and for the County of Chouteau. John T. Phelan, Receiver of the Benton State Bank, a corporation, substituted for Benton State Bank, a corporation, Plaintiff, vs. Joe Stark, Defendant. The State of Montana sends Greetings to the above-named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the complaint in this action, which is filed in the office of the Clerk of this Court, a copy of which is herewith served upon you, and to file your answer and serve a copy thereof upon the Plaintiff's attorney within twenty days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. This action is brought for the purpose of recovering judgment upon a certain promissory note made, executed and delivered by said defendant to said Benton State Bank, a corporation, on the 20th day of March, A. D. 1922, in the sum of two thousand nine hundred eighty-eight and 75-100 dollars ($2988.75), together with interest thereon at the rate of ten per cent. per annum to date, together with costs and attorney fees. Said cause of action being fully set forth in the Complaint herein on file, to which reference is hereby made. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court this 2nd day of April, A. D. 1924. GEO. D. PATTERSON, Clerk. (SEAL) By Paul K. Louther, Deputy Clerk. Miller & Wiley, Fort Benton, Montana, Attorneys for Plaintiff. (First publication April 4, 1924)

3. April 26, 1925 Great Falls Tribune Great Falls, MT
Article from Great Falls Tribune, April 26, 1925

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Article Text

STOCKHOLDERS OF BANK SUED Receiver of Benton State at Fort Benton Seeks to Collect $46,900 From Owners of Shares. Special to The Tribune. Fort Benton, April 25.—An action was filed in the district court here Thursday by the receiver of the defunct Benton State bank, for the collection of a 100 per cent assessment on the stock to satisfy the claims filed against the bank. The total amount asked for in the complaint amounts to $46,900. Those made defendants in the action are D. G. Lockwood, J. P. Williams, F. A. Flanagan, Edward Reichelt, J. S. Brown, Alice M. Overfield, Frank J. Morger, Katherine Frields, as distributee of the estate of George W. Frields, Johana Hagen, Belle F. Lockwood, Vernon E. Lewis, John F. Sullivan, as executor of the will of the late Jeremiah Sullivan, Cyrus Neubert, Lucy Brinkman and Ruth Taylor as executors of the estate of Theresa Neubert. The complaint states that a number of other shareholders who have not been made defendants to this suit, have either paid their assessment in full or in part or have made satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the same.

4. May 15, 1929 The River Press Fort Benton, MT
Article from The River Press, May 15, 1929

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Article Text

seniors present the farce comedy play "A Lucky Break" in three acts. The cast will be composed of fifteen members of the Senior class and the play will be under the direction of Miss Helen Nelson. Reserved seat tickets are on sale at the Benton Drug & Jewelry company The price has been reduced to 50c for all seats. According word from those watching the ractice of this production it will be one of the best yet produced by the high school graduating class. Other commencement arrangments have been completed. The Baccalaureate sermon will be delivered on Sunday evening, June 2, by the Rev. W. P. Jinnett, pastor of the Methodist Episcopals church, of this city. The commincement exercises will be held on Toursday evening, June 6th, and Dr. E. Klemme, president of Intermountain Union college, will deliver the ad- more detailed account of the Senior class play will be found in another part of this issue. All residents of the community are urged to attend this production. Mary Esther Ridenour Wins Another great honor was brought to Chouteau County High school during the past week by the winning of the girls' division of the state declamatory contests held at Missoula on last Thursday evening, by Mary Esther Ridenour, daughter of V. E. Ridenour, of this city. Miss Ridenour had previously won the local meet from a number of contestants and was sent to Missoula as a representative of the Chouteau County High school to participate in the state contest. Miss Ridenour was awarded first place in the girls' division of the state contest with fifty-five others participating. This is indeed quite an honor and reflects great credit upon the local high school and on Miss Ridenour's abiliW as well as on her coach, Mrs. Wm. Vielleux, of this city Mrs. Vielleux also coached three winners in the county wide declamatory contest held here on May 3, two winning first places and one a third. Both Mrs. Vielleux and her pupil are to be heartily congratulated on this new honor which they have brought to the Chouteau County High school. She was presented with a fine gold medal for winning first place. Last Rites For Mrs. Louther Hunderds of friends gathered at the Louther home in this city on last Thursday afternoon to pay their last respects to their departed neighbor and friend, Mrs. Lydia M. Louther. The funeral services were held from the home and were conducted by the Rev. Dan W. Brown, pastor of the Christian church in this city. A quartet composed of Mrs. H. F. Miller, Mrs. L. H. Morrow, L. K. Miller and Harold Roudebush sang several songs. Rev. Brown paid a high tribute to Mrs. Louther, her work in the communuity and church life of the city. This was the largest funerals held in Fort Benton for many years, nearly a hundred cars accompanied the remains to the Riverside cemetery where the impressive funeral services of the Eastern Star were read by Mrs. O. A. Tschache. assisted by other members of the order. Fort Benton Chautauqua Attention is again called to the coming Fort Benton Chautauqua, which will be held in this city starting June 29th. The local committee of guarantors, who signed up the contract for this four-day entertainment last year, are awaiting advertising material and further information regarding the programs to start on their arrangements for this week of instruction and amusement. We have the assurance of the Chautauqua bureau that they are sending us the best four-day's entertainment that they have ever provided and that the coming Chautauqua programs will be far ahead of that provided this city last year. The bureau has added new equipment this year and will travel by cars and trucks. Watch for further announcements and set aside the four days starting June 29th as a vacation week. Bootleggers Defeat Fort Benton After leading the Bootleggers for the first six innings of the baseball game played on the local diamond on Sunday afternoon Fort Benton lost in the last innings of a fast game to the Great Falls team by a score of 10 as to Both teams played good baseball all the way The game was featured by the heavy hitting of both teams, three home runs being made as well as four three-base hits. The next game will be held on the local diamond in this city on next Sunday, May 19th, when the fast Geraldine team comes here for a game. This will be the last home game for three weeks as the team will play return games away from home The Fort Benton aggrrgation is developing into a first class baseball team, in fact the best team we have had here in years and deserves the support of all baseball fans. The following is the box score and summary of Sunday's game: Great Falls 002303101-10 Fort Benton Fort Benton AB E Morger, 3rd 3110 Trenne, rf 5000 Van Sickle, 1st Zimmer, SS 3100 Walton, If 4 Hindle, p 3120 Rassley, 2nd Smith, cf 4010 Thomas, c 4010 Clem*, 3rd 2120 1000 Daniels***, If Sell Benton State Bank Assets Receiver John T. Phelan held a sale of the assets of the Benton State bank on Tuesday afternoon of this week at which time three bidders were present. The assets of the bank were sold to J. A. Robinson for the sum of $1,000, this sale being subject to the approval of District Judge Chas. S. Hartman. The assets included all notes due the bank, which was about $260,000 and all judgments held by the bank amounting to about $55,000. The assets were first sold in parcels but as required by law they were also offered for sale in bulk and the bulk price proved to be the highest, which was accepted by the receiver, subject to approval of the court. The bank building and all real estate was reserved by the trust and will be handled by the receiver, we are informed, on a percentage basis. The bidding was all confined to local people. Mr. Robinson is receiver of Stockmen's National bank. To Give Public Recital Mrs. Helen E. Burnett is presenting her pupils in a piano recital at the high school hall on Monday evening, May 20th, to which the general public is cordially invited. The program is follows: Negro Spiritual, "Come in at the Door" Girls' Chorus Priscilla on Wednesday Etude Helen Cox Hollyhocks Risher Jean Winter Fairies' Carnival Anthony Winnie Gordon Around the Christmas Tree Virginia Dammrose Lullaby from Ermine Myrle Virginia Lippard Reading Selected Imogene Gallagher The Happy Darky Cur Marie Lempke Little Professional March Giles Helen Hoffman Bringing up the Family Franklin Alice Brown Am Waiting For You. Helen Ramsey Satanella Schneidler Sylvia Gruel Butterflies' Lullaby Ellis Beryl Anderson Falling Waters Truax Marian Smith Forest Voices Cook Clara May Vielleux Solo-May Morning Denza Mrs. Helen C. Burnett Duet- Anvil Chorus n Trovatour Hilda Kelly and Myrle V. Lippard Moonlight on The Hudson Wilson Ray Wainwright Gold at Twilight Kern Hilda Kelly Grand Gallop de Concert Holst Myrle Virginia Lippard Negro Spiritual- "Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet" Chorus Graveling Work Started Work was started Monday morning on the graveling of the Lockwood and Teton hills by the Fort Benton Commercial Club. Ike Hunsberger has the contract for hauling the gravel and has two trucks at work on this project. The first day over 200 yards of gravel was placed on the road, it being estimated that it will take about 3000 yards of gravel for the project under way. So far the committee on the raising of funds for this road has not completed this work, but the same will be completed this week. Those who have not been seen would confer a favor on the soliciting committee if they would leave their checks at the Chouteau House. The committee is short quite a little to pay for this work and it is hoped that all solicited will promptly give a check for their share of the work. NOW IS THE TIME TO ADVERTISE 39 3 *Substitute for Morger **Substitute for Hindle **Substitute for Walton Great Falls AB E E. Furlong, 1st 3011 D. Furlong, 2nd 5210 Valicich, SS 5010 Evans, cf 5 0 Ross, If 3330 Grassech, 3rd 0 0 Olds, rf 4 0 5120 H. Furlong, p 3210 Engberg, rf 1000 Totals 39 10 11 Summary Home runs Morger, Clem, D. Furlong. Three base hitsVan Sickle, Hindle, Ross, H. Furlong. Two base hits- Walton. Struck out by Hindle-6, Adams 3; H. Furlong 4. Hit by pitched ball-Ross. Umpire- J. A. Smith.

5. July 25, 1934 The River Press Fort Benton, MT

Article Text

Files Final Account For Bank Receiver John Phelan, of the Benton State bank, has filed with the Clerk the District Court. his final account of the affairs of that institution and has also petitioned the Court for authority to pay the final dividend for the bank. The hearing has been set for August 3rd. which time the will The bank has already paid per cent depositors since was closed in 1922. The assets of the bank were held for some believing that conditions become better and could realized from the properties owned the trust. weeks the bank building and remaining assets sold to the highest bidder. Just the amount the dividend has not been determined, but will not be large

6. August 15, 1934 The River Press Fort Benton, MT

Article Text

the Stanford Hannah and family, Gridley, California, visited for an hour or two in Fort Benton Wednesday, They enroute to Lewistown spend several days with Mrs. Hannah's mother and had come from had taken them to many points, including Chicago fair. At BelviIllinois, they visited with Stanford's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hannah, former residents Fort ton. Near Glendive they stopped to his sister, Georgia, now ried and living near that city. While Fort Benton they were unable visit more than few old time friends. Stanford asked that we extend greetings those whom not able to The Hannah family came Fort Benton some twenty years and homestead the top the hog back hill, still holding this land. The children attended the local school and Mr. Hannah was eler Lockwood store. After the Stanford attended college and later taught agriculture. About ago he moved Gridley to ter the schools there capacity. The party the tour included Mr. and Mrs. Hannah, their three children and Mrs. Hannah's Dividend Chouteau county the largest gainer by the recent payment of final dividend to depositors the Benton State bank Receiver John Phelan. county treasurer, received check for as the county's share in the dividend. This county had on deposit approximately the the the bank 1922. Some time bank the closed the county was forced to the pay state, and school district in full for their share the money kept in the bank deposit and this county showed of in the might be interest our readers know just how that vided into the various funds belonging the county. The general fund ceived total of the poor fund the bridge fund the bond sinking and interest fund ceived largest of the this amounting to the library fund received $133.94; the road fund $875.55 and the gopher fund the amount. will now be possible for Chouteau county to charge off the balance this account and get their books straightened out. The money right this time will come in pretty handy several of the funds to which

7. August 15, 1934 The River Press Fort Benton, MT

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Depositors Mistakes seem to have habit of creeping into news articles and no exception to this rule. writing up the article regarding the dividend of the Benton State bank, which was paid last week by Receiver John Phelan, figure eight failed drop the heading the article and this made read: Paid Percent During Term when should have read 38.78 percent. This was quite ference and was easily noticeable by anyone familiar with the bank. The main part of item rect to the amount but the heading made the payment very small deed. Mr. Phelan has mailed large number of the checks and wishes dispose of of them just as possible. Depositors urged send in their receiver's certificates mediately that checks may be out once. We very sorry that this mistake occurred and are too glad to correct