Palmetto State Bank Robbery

Constructed in 1907, this building originally housed Farmers and Merchants Bank. In 1934 the newly formed Palmetto State Bank opened here. On Sept. 5, 1934, three armed men robbed the bank, which had larger than normal deposits on hand because it was the height of tobacco marketing season, and a reported $114,082 was stolen. Frank English and his wife Geneva were the only people tried for the crime. At trial it was alleged that English was an associate of George "Baby Face" Nelson and that the notorious criminal was involved in the robbery, but that was never proven. Frank English was sentenced to 25 years and Geneva English received one year as an accessory. Palmetto State failed because of the robbery, but depositors were repaid by the newly established FDIC. It was the first time an FDIC insured bank had closed in S.C.

Lake City, South Carolina · United States