Benchland State Bank (Benchland, MT)

Episode Information

Episode UID
93016771485
Episode Type
Suspension → Closure
Bank Type
state
Bank ID
9301677 routing
Routing Number
93-0167
Start Date
September 1, 1923*
Location
Benchland, Montana (47.079, -110.018)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini (chosen from majority vote of a three-model LLM ensemble)
Short Digest
78c564946e187dd3

Response Measures

None

Description

Sources state the bank closed in fall 1923 and later had a receiver who paid depositors in full by 1926.

Events (3)
1. September 1, 1923* Suspension
Cause
Local Shock
Cause Details
Closed in fall 1923 due to local conditions affecting the bank (described as purely local).
Newspaper Excerpt
Mr. Kirk's bank was closed in the fall of 1923 due to conditions that were purely local
Source
newspapers
2. March 5, 1926 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
G. H. Kirk, receiver of the Benchland State bank, recently paid another 20 per cent to depositors of the bank. This payment makes 90 per cent the bank has paid since it closed and Mr. Kirk states that he expects to pay another 10 per cent soon.
Source
newspapers
3. April 19, 1926 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
George Kirk, former banker of Benchland who as receiver of the Benchland State bank ... has just paid off depositors 100 cents on the dollar without calling upon stockholders for an assessment
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (5)
1. December 15, 1924 Lewistown Daily News Lewistown, MT
Article from Lewistown Daily News, December 15, 1924

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Article Text

BENCHLAND MAN TAKES HIS LIFE STANFORD, Dec. 14.—Louis E. Derenleau, one of the pioneer homesteaders of the Louse Creek bench district, committed suicide in his home at Benchland some time Thursday night by shooting himself with a .30-30 calibre rifle. Two notes left by Derenleau told of his intention to take his own life, one of them in addition asking for attention to his burial and the other referring to business matters. Brooding over his estrangement from his wife and losses in gambling are considered to have been the causes of Derenleau's despondency. A short time ago he attempted a reconciliation with his wife but was unsuccessful, according to his friends, and of late he had been gambling while on visits to Moore and Lewistown. A considerable portion of the proceeds of his crop was lost shortly after he marketed his wheat and later on his remaining crop money and additional cash that he had received as a depositor's dividend from the closed Benchland State bank also went in the same way. Some of Derenleau's close friends say that he had expressed his determination to kill George Kirk, head of the Benchland bank, and Dr. W. E. Eastabrook of Hobson, and in the notes found near his body he referred to his intention to take their lives before he destroyed himself. For some unknown reason his plans to kill the men were not carried out. He had $2,500 in the Benchland bank when it suspended business and men who know Derenleau intimately assert that only the recent dividend prevented him from killing Kirk. Little or nothing is known concerning his grievance against Dr. Eastabrook. One of Derenleau's notes was addressed to Sheriff Charles Kelly and the other to Joseph Higgins. The sheriff was asked to attend to his burial and Higgins was asked to attend to some business matters. Evidence of suicide was so conclusive that the sheriff and the coroner decided that no inquest will be held unless a request for an investigation into his death is made. Deranleau and several of his relatives first located near Moore, they being among the first homesteaders who followed the arrival of the old "Jaw Bone" railroad, now a part of the Milwaukee system. Deranleau lived with his parents near Moore until he took up his Benchland homestead, and his relatives have since left this portion of the state. They now are understood to be living near Polson.

2. December 18, 1924 The Argus-Farmer Lewistown, MT
Article from The Argus-Farmer, December 18, 1924

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Article Text

BENCHLAND FARMER TAKES HIS OWN LIFE STANFORD, Dec. 14.—Louis E. Derenleau, one of the pioneer homesteaders of the Louse Creek bench district, committed suicide in his home at Benchland some time Thursday night by shooting himself with a .30-30 calibre rifle. Two notes left by Deranleau told of his intention to take his own life, one of them in addition asking for attention to his burial and the other referring to business matters. Brooding over his estrangement from his wife and losses in gambling are considered to have been the causes of Derenleau's despondency. A short time ago he attempted a reconciliation with his wife but was unsuccessful, according to his friends, and of late he had been gambling while on visits to Moore and Lewistown. A considerable portion of the proceeds of his crop was lost shortly after he marketed his wheat and later on his remaining crop money and additional cash that he had received as a depositor's dividend from the closed Benchland State bank also went in the same way. Some of Deranleau's close friends say that he had expressed his determination to kill George Kirk, head of the Benchland bank, and Dr. W. E. Eastabrook of Hobson, and in the notes found near his body he referred to his intention to take their lives before he destroyed himself. For some unknown reason his plans to kill the men were not carried out. He had $2,500 in the Benchland bank when it suspended business and men who know Deranleau intimately assert that only the recent dividend prevented him from killing Kirk. Little or nothing is known concerning his grievance against Dr. Eastabrook. One of Deranleau's notes was addressed to Sheriff Charles Kelly and the other to Joseph Higgins. The sheriff was asked to attend to his burial and Higgins was asked to attend to some business matters. Evidence of suicide was so conclusive that the sheriff and the coroner decided that no inquest will be held unless a request for an investigation into his death is made. Deranleau and several of his relatives first located near Moore, they being among the first homesteaders who followed the arrival of the old "Jaw Bone" railroad, now a part of the Milwaukee system. Deranleau lived with his parents near Moore until he took up his Benchland homestead, and his relatives have since left this portion of the state. They now are understood to be living near Polson.

3. December 18, 1924 Hysham Echo Hysham, MT
Article from Hysham Echo, December 18, 1924

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Article Text

HAD PLANNED TO KILL BANKER BEFORE SUICIDING Louis E. Deranjeau, a pioneer homesteader of the Louse creek bench district in Judith Basin county, committed suicide in his home at Benchland Thursday night by shooting himself with a 30-30 caliber rifle. Two notes left by Derenleau told of his intentions to take his own life, one of them in addition asking for attention to his burial and the other referring to business matters. Brooding over his estrangement from his wife and losses in gambling are considered to have been the causes of Derenleau's despondency. A short time ago he attempted a reconciliation with his wife but was unsuccessful, according to his friends, and of late he had been gambling while on visits to Moore and Lewistown. A considerable portion of the proceeds of his crop was lost shortly after he marketed his wheat and later on his remaining crop money and additional cash that he had received as depositor's dividends from the closed Benchland State bank also went the same way. Wanted to Kill Kirk. Some of Derenleau's close friends say that he had expressed his determination to kill George Kirk, head of the Benchland bank, and Dr. W. E. Eastabrook of Hobson, and in the notes found near his body he referred to his intention to take their lives before he destroyed himself. For some unknown reason his plans to kill the men were not carried out. He had $2,500 in the Benchland bank when it suspended business and men who knew Derenleau intimately assert that only the distribution of the recent dividend prevented him from killing Kirk.

4. March 5, 1926 The Producers News Plentywood, MT
Article from The Producers News, March 5, 1926

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Article Text

BANK PAYS 90 PER CENT G. H. Kirk, receiver of the Benchland State bank, recently paid another 20 per cent to depositors of the bank. This payment makes 90 per cent the bank has paid since it closed and Mr. Kirk states that he expects to pay another 10 per cent soon. On county deposits, Treasurer Crof of Judith Basin county received $2,130.66.

5. April 22, 1926 Belt Valley Times Belt, Armington, MT
Article from Belt Valley Times, April 22, 1926

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Article Text

BENCHLAND BANKER WHO PAID 100 CENTS MAY OPEN ANOTHER Billings, April 19.-George Kirk, & former banker of Benchland who as receiver of the Benchland State bank, which he organized, has just paid oft depositors 100 cents on the dollar with out calling upon stockholders for an assessment, was in Billings this week renewing old acquaintanceships. Mr. Kirk's bank was closed in the fall of 1923 due to conditions that were purely local, His standing in the community was evidenced by his appointment as receiver of the bank. Billings friends of the Benchland man say that his townspeople now are urg ing him to start another bank and pledging him their support and cooperation in such an enterprise.