The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-28
1t Saved the Bank.

| The foremost OF Mslwaukee's msllionaires
of the past was Alexander Mitchell. He
| left Scotland while young man and ser
| his fact toward the new world IN search
of access Of fortune. for he was already
weH-so-do. He settled in Milwaukee.
which was then the metropolis Of the north
west. in the early 'ies. and engaged in the
banking business. having for a partner
George Smith of Chicago, q relative and
kindred soul
On one occasion, when the bank was re-
ported 10 be shaky. there was a eonsidera-
bic run by depos.tors, 1t was before the
days Of the railroad. and communication
between Milwaukee and Chicago was car
ried on by means of stage coaches-ordina
rily a two days journey between the
points. Mr.. Mitchell upon this occasion
had been taken unawares. Without ap-
parent cause the run had been insugu-
rated at g time when be had comparative
ly little gold-the only currency OF redemp-
tion-on hand He sent post haste 10 Chi
eago for a supply. his partner. George
Smith. being his correspondent there.
| Steadily stream OF gold had been how-
ing from the bank for several days. and
one night when the doors were closed at
the regular hour. but a few hundred dol
lars remained Mr.. Mitchell spent a sleep
less night Through the long hours he
paced up and down his banking Office won
dering what the morrow would bring forth.
1 Would Smith fail him in this hour
of need? Would some accident oefan the
coach he had sent for the gold? Would
the run continue until all his resources
were exhausted? He became nearly fran
tic as the hours passed. AS morning ap-
preached he went frequently 10 the door
and listened anxiously for the rumble OF
wheels in the direction OF Chicago. II was
not until the gray of morning streakei
the east that his ears caught the sound
of wagons wheels in the distance. He
heard the horses clatter across Walkers
Point bridge without slackeaing speed, and
hope sprang high In his heart. Up the
plank road came the conveyance The
waiting banker listened for the conveyance
70 stop at the Cottage Inn. the usual des-
tinat.on Of the stages of the day. Instead
OF the Whoa" of the driver he heard a
resounding crack of the whip. and in a
moment. around bend In the street. dash
ed team OF horses. their fanks steaming
their every nerve and muscle strained. II
was the arx.ously awaited stage in front
or the bank. AS IL stopped in front OF the
bank, Mr.. Mitchell looked IN a. the door
Did you get tt?' he asked of the mes
senger. For answer the latter pointed 20
a p.le or canvas sacks thrown into a candle
box. Mr., Mitchell saw at glance that his
bank was saved, and great load was
lifted from his mind. 'It was the frs:
time in my life ever felt ike fainting."
he said once when relating the incident.
For a moment the whole world seemed 10
be dancing a mad Jig and wh!rling me
with Il. Although / had thought the mat
ter over all night long, I seemed 10 realize
at that moment what a narrow escape
had from disgrace and dishonor / tell
you 1 could have hugged that gold"
The news flew around town that a stage
had arrived early in the morning loaded
down with gold for Mitchelrs bank and
the panic among depositors began 10 sub
side. To show the banks solveucy a DOZEN
bags were placed in the corner window.
One in the center was open and lying upon
its side, and from its mouth flowed
stream OF gold coins. Perhaps the COM
panion bags were filed with gold also:
perhaps they only contained scraps of
iron. Sufficient for the purpose of quelling
distrust, they stood there all day, ana
were gazed upon with sdmiring eyes by
thousands. Depositors came to the bank
with demands for their money, but find
ing plenty of coin in sight, returned home
empty handed. Those who had previously
withdrawn their deposits came back with
their money and an apology for having
doubted the solvency of the bank
The Hardware Reporter makes the good
point that there are many dealers IN
hardware and every other line who get