Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-09-28

wild runs on some of the smaller
banks, but all were in a fair way to
restore confidence when out came the
rumor that the Bank of Manhattan Is
land was in trouble. Colonel PrentisS
Drew, railroad magnate was the presi-
dent Of this bank.
When the bank opened for business
on the Tuesday following the failure
there was stampede of frightened
depositors. Before ii o'clock the run
had assumed ugly proportions, and no
amount of argument could stay the on
slaught Colonel Drew and the direct
ors, at first mildly distressed and then
seeing that the affair had become Sc
rious, grew more alarmed than they
could afford to let the public see. The
loans Of all of the banks were unusu-
ally large. Incipient runs on some had
put all of them in an attitude of eau
ton, and there was a natural reluc-
lance to expose their own interests to
jeopardy by coming TO the relief Of
the Bank of Manhattan Island.
Monty Brewster had something like
500, 900 In Colonel Drew's bank. He
would not have regretted ON his own
account the collapse of this institution,
but he realized what II meant to the
hundreds OF other depositors, and for
the first time he appreciated what his
money could accomplish. Thinking that
his presence might give confidence to
the other depositors and stop the run,
he went over TO the bank with Harri-
son and Bragdon. The tellers were
handing out thousands Of dollars to the
eager deposirors. His friends advised
him strongly to withdraw before 1t was
too late, but Monty was obdurate. They
set 1t down to his desire to help Barba-
ra's father and admired his nerve.
II understand. Monty" said Brag-
don, and both he and Harrison went
among the people carelessly asking one
another IL Brewster had come to with
draw his money. mo, he has over
100000, and he's going to leave it."
the other would say.
Each excited group was visited In
turn by the two men, but their assur-
ance seemed to accomplish but little.
These men aud women were there to
save their fortunes; the situation was
desperate.
Colonel Drew, outwardly calm and
serene, but inwardly perturbed, finally
saw Brewster and his companions. He
sent messenger over with the request
that Manfv aox,aa t<, fI,o v~ociaor<,a .x~t
vate office at once.
He wants to help you to save your
money" cried Bragdon In low tones.
That shows it's all up"
Get out every dollar of It, Monty.
and don't waste minute. It's smash
as sure as fate" urged Harrison, a
feverish expression In his eyes.
Brewster was admitted to the colo
nePs private Office. Drew was alone
and was pacing the floor like Gagged
animal.
sit down, Brewster, and don't mind
TX seem nervous. OF course we can't
hold out but 1t is terrible, terriblel
They think we are trying to rob them.
They're mad-utterly mad"
Il never saw anything like it, colo
mel. Are you sure you can meet all
the demands" asked Brewster, thor
oughly excited. The colonePs face was
white, and he chewed his cigar nery-
ously.
I'VE can hold out unless some of our
heaviest depositors get the fever and
swoop down upon us. / appreciate
your feelings in an affair OF this kind.
coming so swiftly upon the heels of
the other, but I want to give you my
personal assurance that the money you
have here Is safe. called you In to
impress you with the security OF the
bank. You ought to know the truth,
however. and / will tell you In conf
dence that another check like Austin's,
which we paid q few minutes ago,
would cause us serious though tempo
rary embarrassment"
81 came to assure you that have
not thought Of Withdrawing my de-
posits from this bank, colonel. You
need have no uneasiness'-
The door opened suddenly. and one
Of the officials Of the bank bolted In
side. his face AZ white as death. He
started to speak before he saw Brew
ster and then closed his lips despair
insly.
What IL It, Mr.. Moorer' asked Drew
~ calmly as possible. Don't mind Mr..
Brewster"
sOglefhorp wants to draw $25o, 000, =
said Moore tn strained tones.
"Wsll he can have It. can't her
asked the colonel quietly. Moore look
"a halpsessly at the president Of the
bank. and biz silence spoke more plain
y dan words.
~brswster. II iooks bad. said tn
eolonsl. turning abruptly to ths young
man. Tho othsr banks are afraid o.
run. ard ~ can't count "a much
help from fhem. oome Of them havs
helped n and othexs have refused.
Now. I net only ask Jon - rofrah
fxom drawing out your depesaf. bat I
want you 10 help " b this crucial
Uomentr Ihe ooIonel Hooked twenty
years e,der. and III volco shook pefl
ocDf1blx. Bxewotnx'a nifv vvent os,t a.