Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-05-03

mill, president of the Corn Exchange
bank. came up from Chicago and
were in consultation with the direc-
tors of the First National bank all
day in regard to the proper course to
pursue and to devise way and means
of allayiDg any alarm which might
arise from the news Of the 3falcatjon.
People Gather on the Street.
Twenty policemen of the central
station day detail in charge Of Sergts.
Adam Schneider and Hugh Williams
were detailed to assist in handling
the crowd. At . o'clock in the after
noon a line of people four deep and
extending from the bank doors along
the north side of Wisconsin street half
way to Broadway. were awaiting an
opportunity to gain an entrance to the
institution. In spite Of the apparent
anxiety, the crowd was orderly and
we'll behaved. On the south side of
Wisconsin street. the pavement was
packed the better part f the distance
between Broadway inc East Water
street by a crowd of urtous specta-
tors. At that rirle although the
bank doors were TO close at 3 o'clDc1
depositors were still gathering and
joining the line in spite Of the fact
that It would be impossible for them
to secure recognition before the bank
closed for the day at o'clock IT,
tectives in plain clothes we're also
detailed tn the hank by Chief ]. T
Jansen 70 assist in maintaining order
within while the money was being
changed Similar scenes were en-
acted on the East Water street side Of
the institution, where the entrance 10
the savings department IS located
Everybody Accommodates.
Shortly after midday a number OF
anxious people a few women, among
them. gathered in aud about the First
National bank. They formed in a line
Leading 20 the window of the paying
teller. and whilc st the receiving win
dows some leading business men ap-
peared 90 be making their usual daily
deposits there were several who pre-
scented checks for payment Of money
The tc!}ers and assistants promptly ac-
commodated all who desired casf
While this was going on, officers
and directors Of the bank and Mayor
Rose occupied a position inside the
railing which sm.onnds the desk of
eX-President Bieelow and Vice Presi
dent William BjeeIow The crowd
was orderly and quiet and as the
line moved slowly forward from tho
main entrance r. The paying teilers
window a t.a further corner Of The
bank. scarcely q word Was spoken
While on the sidewalk nea- the en-
trance hundred more We're gathered
mostly through curiosity.
4 Speech by John T. Beqgs.
Shortly after sae noon hour John T.
Beggs. a director Of .he bank. made a
public statement TO the people inside
the building He stated THAT the
bank had on hand Sl.200O03 surplus:
that the directors guaranteed $500,
600 more. and that SI.5oo.o00 aas com.
/ ing up from Chicago for the emer.
~ncy. He stated that there hal
been "A misrepresentation Of money.
but that the bank was perfectly solv-
ent and that il could pay all of it's
obligations without any trouble Fo,,
lowing the speech q number of depos-
itors left the bank without withdraw.
| ing their money.
Closed at the Usual Hour.
The bank closed the days business
al the usual hour. O'Clock. and the
I police in and about the bank dispersed
the crowd which had assembled Not
| ali of those who had formed In line
We're able 10 reach the bank windows
before the closing hour arrived. The
second assistant cashier made the
announcement thar the closing hour
had arrived and said the bank would
open at the usual hour on Tuesday.
Laid 70 Wheat s7ecul alton.
An intimate friend OF President
Bigelow said Wheat speculation has
cost the Bigelows their name and the
bank a large sum of money IL is a
family tragedy. as wen as shock to