The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1907-05-21

good. substantial basis Hypothecat.
ing the stock of bank and starting
new institutions was formerly a we'll
worked plan in this section OF the
country. but the imprisonment of
Leonard lmboden in Denver. Col
orado, and Rufus Connella for ten
years in Oklahoma for following such
practices has had good effect. and II
is practiced but little in comparison
with the custom a few years ago.
Joseph w McNeal. president Of the
National Bank cf Commerce Of Guth.
rie and the man who started the first
bank in Oklahoma territory following
the opening to settlement in 1889, Ills
an interesting story OF an early day
Kansas banker who was operating h'a
bank on but little capital bat Win
plenty of nerve. McNeal was IN the
banking business in Kansas prior to
his locating in Oklahoma. and says
that the same wildcatting methods
were frequently tried there. in the
early days, as they were later in this
territory.
The man in question operated in
southern Kansas twenty years or more
ago, and he cut wide swath in bank
ing circles as long as he lasted. When
he opened up in a southern Kansas
town he did a thriving business and
was the most popular banker who ever
did business in that locality. lie loan.
ed large amounts of money on the
personal note of men from whom he
knew the amounts could not have
been collected by law, and generally
got the money. He knew men well
and hardly ever made a mistake in siz-
ing man up.
Afterward he began branching out
and organizing banks in neighboring
towns. one of these new institutions
was launched in "A cattle-center town
and soon he had the bulk OF the
catt'e business which was the pig
business of that locality. The cattle
men took to him and deposited their
wads with him, trusting him implic-
lilly.
Disquieting rumors got abroad, by
and by, about the bank and somehow
or other the word got afloat that It
was shaky and the depostors made
a rush for their mo-ey. When they got
To the bank, they found 1t closed.
They were not t-.e sort of men to
trifle with. these bronzed men from
the territory ranges. In a few hours a
mob had collected and the mob was
provided with a rope. They surround
ed the bank determined to hang the
man who had got away with their
cash.
The banker was not feeling at all
hilarious. but he was keepins perfect
ly cool A minister of the gospel, who
thought il about time for his ser.
vices. pushed his way through the
crowd and asked the privilege of Of
fering up last prayer for the doom.
ed man. 1t was granted reluctantly
by the crowd. lie went in To offer up
the last prayer, but the banker would
have none of it.
III you have any prayers that will
influence that mob not to hang me,
say them, and say them - quick
demanded the banker, but unless You
have there is no use ior You to waste
your prayers here. II must hang, !
will settle with the Almighty myself
and in my own way"
The wife of the banker appeared on
the scene about this time She had
heard that her husband was in trouble
and came to the rescue. She was not
hysterical, but showed as cool nerve
as did her husband. She went outside
and cody faced the mob. lnstinctively
she picked out the leader and address
ed herself to him. knowing full well
that II she could influence the leader
she had the mob under control.
You" she exclaimed, ARE a brave
man and a man OF sense, Otherwise
you could not be leader OF men,"
1t was shot that hit the bulls