Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-09-10
Gboife Mlisteualrp,
That Bushel of Bank Notes.

We copy communication to the Gin.
cinnati Commercial, which sufficiently ex-
plains itself. The transaction to which il
refers will doubtless be remembered:
Mr.. Wilkins Micawber, in his structures
.on the Citizens Bank, in last Sundays En-
-quirer, speaking of the bushel basket Of
sank notes sent to Ellis g. Sturges by the
Citizens Bank, hints that the larger notes
were on top, and that underneath they d.
unfinished in size and quality. Now, Mic,
we admit that the twenties, fifties and hum
'dreds were uppermost, but we pledge our
honor that the basket contained nothing
but good bankable money.
But, dear Mic, as you seem to take so
warm an interest in the Citizens Bank, we
will give you for your edification brief
history of the whole affair. You must know
then, that on the S:h of November, 1853,
the banking house OF Ellis & S,urges expe-
Tienced heavy run for deposits.
Their funds being nearly exhausted, Mr..
Ellis called in the evening on Mr. Smead
for assistance, offering to pledge the bills
receivable of the house as security Tor any
amount Mr.. Smead might advance.
"How much do you owe!" inquired Mr..
Smead.
Fifteen hundred thousand dollars" re.
piled Mr.. Ellis.
"If all the bankers in the city were 10
place their spare funds at your disposal" !"
responded Mr.. Smead, ait would not save
you, should the run continue
"Do you think you ca n arrestit!" eagerly
asked Mr.. Ellis.
al will try," responded Mr. Smead.
On this assurance Nr. Ellis left.
MIR. Smead, knowing that the strongest
argument would be Intellectual, determined
to address the understandings of the excited
crowd, through their eyes, and formed his
plan accordingly.
At an early hour the next morning, the
bank was besieged by an immense multitude,
gathered from all parts of the city, literally
filing Third and Walnut streets in that vi.
cinity.
All the garrets and cellars mad disgorged
their inmates; all the thieves and pickpock.
cts intent on plumber were there; and there
too, were all ZEE desperate rufians of the
city, prepared for deeds of brutal violence
among them was low, wide-mouthed
rufian, cut throat looking wretch, who
with violent and savage gesticulations, was
declaiming against banks and bankers il
the silest terms, and endeavo:ing to excite
the throng to an onset upon the bank.
Nine O'Clock came; the doors were open
ed and in rushed the crowd, completely fill
ing the large area within. To all appear
ance the fate of Ellis & Sturges was sealed
their friends gave them up in despair. A
this moment was seen issuing from the Cit
izep's Bank two stout men bearing between
them large bushel basket, filled with banl
notes. They passed slowly down Mali
Street to Third followed by Mr.. Smead.
He penetrated the dense mass to the doc
Of the beseiged bank, entered and passin!
behind the counter, deliberately unloade
ahe basket in presence of the gazing multi
tude. In retiring, Mr.. Smeae halted at tn
outer door, as if to say something he ha
forgotten, and addressing Mr.. Hubble, tn
paving teller, called out in q voice lou
enough to be heard by the people withou
as well as those within, "Tell Mr.. Ellis
he should want another basket of ban
notes I will send it down to him."
The success was complete, for the crow
seeing the bank so strongly fortified. a
once quietly dispersed; all anxiety to draw
their money having ceased from the momen
they felt assured they could get it.