Flora Spiegelberg: "Another Civil War Story"
At times during the Civil War there was a great scarcity of small
silver coins, and in order to remedy this inconvenience to business the
Federal government granted the privilege to reliable, trustworthy
merchants and bankers to issue "Script." It was paper money
like our bank notes or greenbacks, in amounts of Ten, Twenty and Fifty
cents. The names of the merchants, or bankers was printed on this white
Script paper, and they were responsible for the amount of every issue.
This Script was given the unpleasant nickname of "Shindplaster," possibly
by those who disapproved of it.
Spiegelberg Brothers were among the first merchants and bankers out
West to have been granted the privilege to issue the Script, and they
considered it a great honor.
During the Civil War the Second National Bank of Sante Fe New Mexico
was organized. Lehman Spiegelberg was elected President and Willi
Spiegelberg Cashier. At that time it was obligatory for the President
and Cashier to personally sign all greenbacks, it was indeed a strange
sight to see thousands upon thousands spread out to dry.
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