The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-17
SUICIDE FOLLOWS
BANKS COLLAPS
President Dies by His
Own Hand.
TRAGEDY AT EMP0RIA, KANS.
UNr1MEY END oF CHARLES S.
CROSS.
When the Institutions Doors Close
He Retires to His Ranch and
Kills Himself With a
Bullet.
tragedy AT EMPoRIA, KANS.
UNTIMEY END OF CHARLES S.
CROSS.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

EMPORIA, Kans., Nov 16.-Th1s
afternoon the First National Bank OF
Emporia was closed by order OF the
Comptroller of the Currency. An hour
later Charles S. Cross, the banks presl-
dent and one of the best-known breed
ers of Herefords in the West, shot and
killed himself at his farm near the
town.
Speculation is said to have led to
Cross downfall. His fortune had
doubtless gone down with the bank.
Among the heavy losers by the failure
are Lynn County and the city Of En-
poria All the city and county funds
were deposited in the institution. Cross
was custodian of his fathers estate,
which is also said to be in a wrecked
condition.
Cross ending was tragic. To the
majority of the people of the town the
Comptroller's card on the door Of the
bank came as a surprise, but in imam
cial circles both here and throughout
the State the result has been expected
for six months. Examiner Charles
Jobes, who closed the bank on an order
from the Comptroller, has been going
over it's books for the past week.
There was a smile on Cross face as
he passed his friends on the street. He
went Immediately to the Sunny slope
farm and, speaking pleasantly to the
employees, passed into the bedroom of
Manager Evans house, When he did
not come out Evans entered the room,
He found the banker lying in pool OF
blood with his pistol in his hand. Death
must have been instantaneous.
The news of the suicide was on the
streets of Emporia a few minutes after
the card appeared upon the bank door
and created an intense sensation.
The banks statements have been
growing bad since last May. Small
Withdrawals of depositorS resulted, put
most of the business men kept faith in
the bank and up to o'clock to-day
heavy deposits were made.
The last statement is shown as fol-
lows: Liabilities-Capital, 100000; sur
plus and profits, $101,2S9 80; due to de-
positors, bankers, s513,5s9 Az; circula-
ton, $22, 500; total resources, 1881, 1873 30.
Examiner Jobes has been wrestling
with the problem Of the assets for
week and it is authoritatively stated
that he found them badly shrunken.
He said:
while 1 do not know exactly what
the outcome of this matter will be, l
think l am justified in saying that the
depositors will not suffer seriously. fet
when thing like this occurs 1t Tops on
% per cent of the assets of the bank
at one blow"
WASHINGTON, Nov. 16.-Mr. Dawes,
the Comptroller of the Currency, has
issued an order closing the First Ma
tional Bank of Emporia, Kans., and
has appointed Charles S. Jobes receiver.
The banks last statement. September
! % saws: Capital, 100000; surplus
and profits, s101 ,2ss; due to depositors,
other banks and bankers, $51S,59s; cir
culation. $22,500.
TOPEKA. Kas., Nov. 16.-As result
of the failure of the First National
Bank at Emporia State Bank Commits
sioner Breidentha1 tonight directed the
State Bank at Madison, has.' 10 Sus.
mend business. According to its last
report the Madison Bank had $4,000
in the First National Bank of Emporia
| 1t is not thought that any other banks
will be involved.