Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-12-12
How a Run on the Bank Was stopped.


When was married had $4,000 in
hard cash and had been assistant CASH
ier in bank. | concluded to 60 west
to some promising town and open bank.
There was one bank where | settled,
Barton's, that previous to my entering
the field had done all the business there
was to do. Barton was very much dis
gruntled at having to give up any OF II to
me and did all he could covertly TO iniure
me and my credit He was not liked,
being considered a skinflint, and ! grad
ualIy cut into his business. This gain on
my part was partly due to my wife, who
made herself very popular with her ac-
quaintances and brought me many valua-
bic accounts.
The town was growing, and there was
business for two banks. II | had not oc-
cupied the field some one else would
have done so. But Barton wanted it all
and acted accordingly.
All went well enough Till the panic of
1893 came on, when we were all in for
hard times. Barton was known TO have
much more capital than !, but most OF
those having deposits with me felt friendly
10 me or TO my wife or 10 both Of US, and
| was able to keep pretty steady rein
on them. A few drew their accounts and
placed them With Barton. This would
have been all the detriment TO me that
would have occurred during the panic
had not Barton, through others in his in
terest, circulated reports that ! would not
pull through.
One morning when went TO business
found crowd waiting for the opening
OF my doors and knew that the blow had
| fallen. was in for run, Calling the
employees together, gave them instruc-
tions in practicing the usual delays re-
sorted to by bankers while standing a
run. Then at the opening hour the pay
ing teIler's window was thrown up-there
was no likelihood of the receiving tellers
having anything 10 do-and the struggle
| commenced.
had got in some gold the night before
by express after banking hours and had
kept il at home. thought it might be
advisable TO leave it there for awhile, for
in case my bank should 90 by the board
| would need something to put me on my
feet again. When went home at noon
to dinner told Lizzie that in case |
should send for the money to bring il to
me herself, carrying itin such way that
the waiting crowd of depoSiorS would
presume that she was bringing me gold.
Two days after this, when most OF our
ready cash had been paid out and il ap-
peared that we would have to 90 under,
| | looked over list of depoSitorS still un
paid and decided TO put in my reserve,
hoping with il TO weather the storm. So
| sent a messenger TO Mary TO bring il 10
me.
In due time, looking out the window
OF my private office, saw her alight from
a cab with the messenger, who came in
and said he wished man 10 assist in re-
moving treasure. The two went back
to the carriage and brought in sack that
it required both Of them to carry. was
astounded, for the amount had at home
could easily have been carried by Lizzie.
The crowd, seeing the load going into
the bank, set up a cheer, and some Of
them left the line and went away.
The sack was brought into my office.
opened it and found my gold on top OF
several hundred pounds of nut coal. |
threw my arms about Lizzie'S neck,
pralsing her inventive genius, then or
dered the gold-not the coal dumped in
a heap on the paying teller'S desk. Those
nearest the window set up another shout,
and the paying teller, by my order, be-
gan paying out the gold with consider
able alacrity. More OF those in line went
away without waiting to be paid, and !
was pleased 10 see they were those to
whom owed the largest balances. Be-
fore the closing hour the line had dwin-
died TO few persons having merely
household accounts. The backbone OF
the run had been broken.
But Barton in undermining me had de-
stroyed confidence even in himself, and,
while was feeling the tail end OF run,
he was in the hottest part Of one. Liz
zie, who had gone home, returned, pass
ing Barton, and, seeing the crowd, con-
ceived the idea Of extending to him the
succor she had given me. Continuing
on 10 the bank, she confided her plans to
me, and, placing 81 900 in gold on top OF
the coal, sent two Of our messengers
with ii to Barton. They were recognized
by the crowd in line as our messengers,
and the depositors, presuming they came
with loan, went wild with delight. !
sent note by the messengers TO Barton
suggesting that he pay out the gold as !
had done.
| was greatly relieved to see the throng
before Baron's gradually dgindle, and
when both banks opened the next morn
ing there were no frightened depositors
waiting before either.
|, or rather Lizzie. was wiser than
Barton, who in destroying confidence in
me had undermined himself. Byhelping
him we re- established confidence and
gained the name OF having pulled him