Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-09-09
Miscellaneous.
OLD-TIME BANKING.
From tho Detroit News

AOME funny stories nrc told of business
81 methods in the oldeD times, one of which
will bear repeating as an illustration of the
advantages silver dollars possess as bank 70.
serve, and which, by the way, we especially
commend to Secretary Sherman.
The old Farmers aud Mechanics Bank
was established in Detroit in 1889. In 1915,
owing to some disastrous operations in Ohio,
it was temporarily badly crippled, and to
tide over the crisis the directors lent their
best energies The bank had large volume
of notes outstanding, all rcdecmable in coin
on presentation, and it was apprehended that
tho moment the condition of the institution
became known u run would cnsuc, compell-
Gg the closing of their doors. Nowadays
bank officer would throw up the sponge un>
der such circumstances, and suspend pay
ment like a little man; but then bankers
were both bold and fertile of cxrcdicnt. The
coin had run down very low, and there was
no time to be lost. Tne services OF friend
of the institution were secured, and he was
privately sent to large creditor, U.yell, the
subsequently defauting banker, by the way)
to whom tho critical state of the bank was
whispered, and the wisdom of some measures
for protection. sugsested. ,Lyell snapped
at the bait, aud, upon hint from the OH
cious visitor, rushed around TO the nearest
court and got out injunction forbidding
the bank to pay out any more coin pending
the order of tho court. This cfcctually saved
the concern, for when note holders subse-
qucntly presented the banks papers for re-
demption they were politely met with tho
reply, 1--WE should be very happy to oblige
you, sir, but unfortunately VIC are FOR few
days tied up By process of tho Wayne Cir
cut Court We hope the injunction will
bo
1t was late in the afternoon when tho in
junction was served, and the stock of coin had
somo hours previously dwindled to S53. The
cashier in the meantime was on ncttlcs. If the
injunction did not como quickly the concern
was ruined. At every opening of the door
the poor man trem6lcd in his shoes lest the
new conner should be n note e-holdcr in quest
of coin. Ono more demand would close the
concern forever. Slowly the clock licked off
tho minutes, full thirty of which must yet
elapse before the hour Of closing. Would
that I'M junction never come! At last the door
opened, and a nervous. bustling man hurried
to the counter. The cashier saw at glance
that it was all up with him, but while there
was still hope, he thought.
Here, Mr.. Cashier, I've got $500 of your
notes l want coin for"
The cashier endeavored to preserve plac-
ID exterior while he deliberately bethought
himself how he might delay a refusal of pay
rnept for little while, until, perchance, an
officer would como in with the hoped for in
junction.
$50 you want coin for your bills, do you?"
suavely remarked the cashier, glancing with
tho corner of his eyes through tho open
window into the all too quiet street.
why, yes! live in Dexter, and 1 want
Al 4 - hrr
up the specie"
CAN right! What's the news in Dexter?
How do the crops look? How's my old
friend-? Is he living there still? And,
by tho way, what in the world can you do
with specie in that little country town that
Farmers and Mechanics bills won't accom-
plish?"
'.Oh, never mind. Give mo my money,
SO that can catch the train. The fact is,
there ia little furry ont there about the
safety of Jour bank, and want to mako sure
Of my money"
"Ha! hs! ha" laughed the cashier; "afraid
of our bank, are they? Well, tEey must bo
getting pretty fastidious when the conserva>
tive old Farmers and Mechanics won't suit
them. Why, my dear sir"
"Never mind the pedigree of your bank,
but give me my mouey, or shall miss my
train"
"CertaiDIy. my dear sir" (aDother glance
through tho window, but still no sheriff in
sieht) Aside: "What shall do?"
There, I've only got ten minutes 10 catch
my train. If you will assure me upon your
honor that it is all right, and that the bank
is not going to bust, I. wont wait now. but if
you are going to shut up L want my money.
Come, how ia it2"
Really, sir" replied the polite cashier.
"'you place me in very delicate position.
If tell you the bank is safe, and anything
happens hereafter. you will blame me; on
the other hand. if tell you it is shaky
shall be unfaithful TO my employers, aud
shall very justly be discharged. prefer not
to make out any statement. but simply count
out your thousand half dollars" (HaIf dol
lars were the principal coinage in circulation
at that .imc.)
Turning, screw driver in hand, to stron.
! wooden box, apparently tightly screwed to.