Milwaukee Bank Riots of 1861
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Images
Letter written by Jerry Flint, June 28, 1861, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers, River Falls Mss BN, University Archives & Area Research Center, University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
History of the Milwaukee Bank Riots
The Wisconsin banks and the overall economy were on the verge of an attractive recovery in 1860 until the secession of the South challenged the stability of the system as well as confidence in southern
On the other side, Milwaukee citizens remained suspicious and entirely unsure of which banks were accepting or discrediting various bank notes, as the situation offered widespread confusion. In response, many Milwaukeeans hastily spent questionable bank notes, although many businesses were reluctant to take such notes, effectively stalling the local business environment.
Information was a privilege in this banking fiasco between April and June, 1861, and large groups of German workers in Milwaukee, as well as others, were nothing less than confused about the bank notes. Then, on Friday, June 21st, 1861, Mitchell and other Milwaukee bankers secretly listed 10 more bank notes as unacceptable. Bankers cleansed their vaults, and passed the discredited bank notes to the manufacturing firms picking up their weekly payroll packages. At the end of the next working day at these firms, after the banks were closed, the manufacturers payed their employees with a worthless currency.
The following Monday, Mitchell listed the 10 discredited and unacceptable currencies, and a mob inevitable gathered and attacked several banks in downtown Milwaukee.1
First-hand Account of the Riots
The following is the New York Times coverage of the riots, published on June 26th, 1861:
“MILWAUKEE, Monday, June 24.
The feeling against the banks which has been growing for some days, culminated this morning in an attack on them by the mob.
The mob afterwards attacked the State Bank of Milwaukee, the
SECOND DISPATCH.
The riot to-day caused a greater loss of property than at first was supposed. The attack is ascertained to have been a regularly organized one throughout. Yesterday, meetings were held in the upper part of the city, and about 10 o'clock this forenoon, the rioters marched from the Sixth and Ninth Wards, through East Water-street, to the Mitchell Bank, attacking it with stones and bricks, soon riddling the windows completely. The clerks barricaded the doors, in order to gain time to secure the valuables, which they did in a great measure. The mob then broke down the doors, and soon stripped the room of everything, throwing the furniture and books into the street. The State Bank, on the opposite corner, and J.B. MARTIN'S office were then attacked, and served in like manner.
The Bank of Milwaukee was also stoned, but suffered little damage. ALLEE & MCGEORGE'S real estate office was completely gutted, and the books, valued at $6,000, destroyed. The Junean Bank was also an object of their wrath, but they were contented with breaking the windows.
The Mayor and Police were promptly on the ground, but were utterly powerless.
The Montgomery Guards, a company of 40 men, were ordered out, but declined to do anything for fear of being overpowered. The Zouaves were then ordered out, and charged on the mob, which immediately broke and run. The streets were soon cleared, and a guard was stationed at the street corners, and a squad at each bank.
About fifty rioters were arrested and confined in jail, under a strong guard of Zouaves and Home Guards.
This evening the mob are in force in the Second and Sixth Wards, where inflammatory speeches are being made. They have one cannon, and threaten to attack the jail to-night, unless their friends are released.
The Governor has declared martial law, and telegraphed to Racine and Madison for State hoops, who will arrive to night.
As far as can be ascertained, the following are injured:
ALEX. MITCHELL, slightly.
C.H. LARKIN, Jr., paying-teller in Mitchell's Bank, badly bruised.
Judge STARKWEATHER, trampled on; badly hurt.
Mayor BROWN, knocked down by a stone; slightly hurt.
Mr. HAYDON, book-keeper State Bank, considerably hurt.
One rioter was badly cut in the shoulder, and another had his band cut off. One was wounded in the leg by a thrust with a bayonet.
The riot was caused by the action of the bankers Saturday, in throwing out the circulating notes of a large number of the Banks of the State.
MILWAUKEE, Tuesday, June 25.
All is quiet in the city to-day, though a constant guard is kept at the jail and in the streets. There is no apprehension of a fresh disturbance to-day.”2