In Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City," the narrative intertwines the stories of the Chicago World's Fair and a series of murders. One significant event highlighted is the failure of Lazarus Silverman, a prominent bank in Chicago, on August 3. This event exemplifies the financial turbulence of the time and its impact on the city's development.

The collapse of such a large bank not only reflects the economic challenges faced by Chicago but also sets the stage for the larger themes of ambition and vulnerability present in Larson's work. The fair was meant to showcase progress and innovation, yet the bank's failure serves as a reminder of the underlying chaos that accompanied this period of change.