Security Bank Papers
Geographic Locations: Louisiana, Alexandria, Pineville.
Inclusive dates: 1927-1972.
Bulk dates: 1931-1953.
Languages: English.
Summary: Business papers kept by the Murchison family. The papers include information about three separate, family owned business—Security Bank, Hyams Realty Company, and Pineville Investment Company. Security Bank papers are primarily composed of legal opinions, and correspondence with indebted. Hyams Realty papers are primarily composed of ledgers, tax information, and mortgage information. Pineville Investment Papers are primarily detail the creation and dissolving of the company.
Access: No restrictions.
Biographical/Historical Note
Scope and Content Note
Security National Bank papers illustrate the operation of a bank that operated in Central Louisiana during the Great Depression. The bank’s papers contain lists of investors names, numerous specific legal opinions concerning various aspects of banking throughout the twentieth century, the bank’s charter (1927), stock certificates, and numerous correspondences and paperwork that was generated through the attempt to collect on defaulted debts. Debt collection paperwork makes up a significant portion of the bank’s paperwork. This paperwork includes loan and check slips, letters from credit recipients, legal judgments and various other material related this the topic of debt collection. (1943-1953) The correspondence is addressed to areas ranging across Central Louisiana, (Pollock, Bossier, Monroe, Alexandria, Pineville, Grant Parish, Winn Parish). The collection also holds a books of Security National Bank stocks with ledgers of sale and stockholders names (1932). Federal deposit insurance certificates for 1934, 1944, 1950, 1974. Due to Security Bank’s affiliation with the Louisiana Bankers Association, there is paperwork concerning membership with the association and treasurers reports (1942-1944). There are also warrants, “process verbals”, judgments, deeds, correspondence, and government statement’s that detail a land dispute that originated in 1830 and was not resolved until 1938.
The Pineville Investment Company papers are limited in scope. The papers include everyday business for the company—check stubs, checks, minutes, and tax information. The papers also tell the story of the company, from its birth to its death. Founding documentation, an act of incorporation, detailed mortgage paperwork, and then legal documents and correspondence with the State of Louisiana detailing the company’s dissolving (1931-1939).
The Hyams Realty papers include tax information and books of stock. There is everyday business paperwork, checks, receipts, judgments, ledgers and business correspondence. (1931-1939) The Hyams realty company was dissolved in 1938, and this is recorded in the collection.
This collection is composed of the papers of three separate companies, all of which were directly controlled by the Murchison family--namely, Henry, Julian, and D. Cameron Murchison. There is no personal information detailed in any of the collection, and it is primarily focused on the main business venture, Security Bank. The two smaller real-estate companies make up only a small portion of the collection.
Series 1 [Security National Bank]
Papers generated by Security National Bank through everyday business. These papers detail debt collection, affiliation with the Louisiana Bankers Association, relationships with the federal government during the great depression. There are various other business related documents including stocks and ledgers. [Inclusive 1927-1987] (Primary range 1930-1955)
- Subseries 1 [Legal Opinions] (Box 1 (folder 1))
- Specific and detailed legal opinions pertaining to specialized banking needs. [names included: Henry Murchison, Julian Murchison, D. C. Murchison, Ernist Bennet, Henry Blake][Dates: 1942-1972]
- Subseries 2 [Corporate Security National Bank](Box 1 (folder 2), 3 (folder 1), 4 (folder 1-2), 5 (folder 2))
- Correspondence between Security Bank and the Department of the Treasury discussing Security Bank becoming a “National Banking Association” with the name of “Security National Bank,” in 1944. Numerous books of stocks with names of investors as well as copies of a 1987 stock offering agreement which discusses prices, business goals and risk factors.
- Subseries 3 [Debt Operations of Bank](Box 1 (folder 3-4) -2 (folder 1))
- Memos, legal documents, and various papers regarding the collection of debts and detailing the machinations of the indebted. [Areas listed: Alexandria, Pineville, Pollock, Bossier, Monroe, Rapides Parish, Grant Parish, Winn Parish]
- Subseries 4 [Other business] (Box 2(folder 2), 5(folder3,9)) (Green book in oversized container)
- Deposit slip books from 1943 and summaries of banking activity that range from 1941, then 1953-1967. Register of Securities purchased to Customers. (1969-1977. Federal, City, and Municipal tax information)
- Subseries 5 [Federal Relations](Box 2(folder 2), 5(folder 1))
- Copies of Federal law concerning banking and Federal deposit Insurance Certificates 1934,1944,1950,1974.
- Subseries 6 [Louisiana Bankers Association] (Box 5(folders 4-7))
- Correspondence between members of Security National Bank and the Louisiana Bankers Association concerning everyday business (1942-1944), and treasurers reports for the association discussing common organizational happenings (1942-1944).
Series 2 [Pineville Investment Company]
Papers generated by the everyday business of the Pineville Investment Company as well as founding documentation and legal documents that describe how the company was dissolved [1931-1939].
- Subseries 1 [Everyday Business] (Box 5 (folder 9,10), 6 (folder 1) and oversized box)
- Everyday business of the Pineville investment co. This ranges from check stubs, checks, meeting minutes, ledgers and tax information. [inclusive dates 1931-1934]
- Subseries 2 [The Creation and Dissolving of Pineville Investment co. ] (Box 5 (folder 9))
- Legal documents and correspondence with the State of Louisiana concerning how the company is to be dissolved. Certificate issued from the state officially dissolving the company.
Series 3 [Hyams Realty Company]
Stocks, papers, and legal documents detailing everyday business and how the Hyams Realty Company was dissolved [1931-1939].
- Subseries 1 [Business](Box 5 (folder 9), 6 (folders 2-4) and oversized box)
- Checks, receipts, judgments, mortgage slips, ledger books and books of Stock all concerned with the everyday operation of the company.
- Subseries 2 [Dissolving of Company] (Box 6 (folder 4))
- Correspondence and legal documents detailing how the Hyams Realty company was dissolved. [1938]
Series 4 [Land Dispute] (Box 5 (folder 8), and oversized box)
Warrants, “process verbals,” judgments, deeds, correspondence, and government statements about a land dispute that lasted from 1830-1938. This includes a modern plan of usage of this land [1992].
Box 1
Folder one, “Legal opinions”.
- Specific and detailed legal opinions pertaining to specialized, but everyday banking.
Folder two, “National Security Bank.”
- Correspondence between “Security Banking” and the Department of the Treasury discussing Security Banking becoming a “National Banking Association with the name “Security National Bank.” [1944]
Folder three, “Debt.”
- Memos, legal documents, and various papers regarding the collection of debts and detailing the machinations of the indebted. [1936-1947. Pollock, Bossier, Monroe, Alexandria, Pineville, Rapides Parish, Grant Parish, Winn Parish]
Folder four, “Debt.”
- See above 1943-1948. Some miscellaneous telegrams and Stocks from “Mr. Adams Company inc.” and “The Home Investment Co.”
Box 2
Folder one, “Debt.”
- See above 1948-1953. [Bunkie]
Folder two, “President’s annual report to stock holders.”
- A collection of reports from the Bank’s President to stock holders [1943-1967], summary of activity in 1942, and a collection of federal laws in 1944.
Box 3
Folder one, “Stocks.”
- Four books of Security National Bank stocks with stubs detailing purchases.
Box 4
Folder one, “Stockholder’s ledger”
- A stockholder’s ledger with names.
Folder two, “Offering agreement.”
- Five copies of a May 1, 1987 stock offering agreement which discusses policies, business goals, and risk factors.
Box 5
Folder one, “Deposit insurance.”
- Federal deposit insurance certificates [1934, 1944, 1950, 1974].
Folder two, “Stocks.”
- Book of stocks for National Security Bank with stubs detailing purchases [1939].
Folder three, “Deposit slip books.”
- Three deposit slip books from 1943.
Folder four, “Louisiana Bankers Association 1.”
- Correspondence between members of Security National Bank and the Louisiana Bankers Association concerning everyday business from 1942-1943.
Folder five, “Louisiana Bankers Association 2.”
- Same as above, 1943-1944.
Folder six, “Louisiana Bankers Association 3.”
- Ledgers and Treasurers reports for the Louisiana Bankers Association discussing common organizational transfers [1942-1944].
Folder seven, “Louisiana Bankers Association 4.”
Folder eight, “ Land dispute.”
- Warrants, “process verbals”, judgments, deeds, correspondence, and government statements about a land dispute that took place from 1830-1938.
Folder nine, “Tax and corporate information.”
- Tax information for Security National Bank and Pineville Investment Company’s founding documentation, act of incorporation, detailed business papers related to mortgages, and finally, legal documents and correspondence with the State of Louisiana concerning how the company will be dissolved.
Folder ten, “Pineville business 1.”
- Everyday business of Pineville investment co.—check stubs, checks, meeting minutes, and tax information [1931-1934].
Box 6
Folder one, “Pineville business 2.”
- Business ledger [1932-1934].
Folder two, “Hyams Realty Company business.”
- Tax information for the Hyams Realty Company [1932-1939].
Folder three, “Hyams Realty stock.”
Folder four, “Dissolving of Hyams Realty.”
- Checks, receipts, judgments, and correspondence concerning the business and how the company was dissolved.
Oversized Box
Tax returns for the Pineville Investment and Hyams Realty companies. A Hyams Realty business ledger [1932-1933]. Plans for the Pineville expressway. A land study concerning the ownership of Security National Bank (blueprint).
A 1992 land use plan, and a Security National Bank “register of securities purchased for and delivered to customers” [1969-1977].