Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-08
the most elaborate and elegant Of any on our

sash mandatory of J. P. Wyman & Son, and re
| fleet much credit upon The workmen employed
| there Their cost, besides the trimmings, was one
| hundred dollars.
This door leads directly into the banking room
proper, which is 10 by27 feet having maple floors
oiled and vanished. The flooring throughout the
| rooms are of the same quality. This room is to be
supplied with black walnut settees and chairs, for
the accommodation of customers.
A black walnut counter runs the entire length
of this room, at the light of the entrance, and
separates it from the cashier or treasurers room,
which is Of the same dimensions the banking
reception room, and is fitted up with view to
make everything handy and convenient, having
desks, tables, closets, and drawers for the
holding OF papers and documents. The counter
the top. 1t is made, like all the inishings, CT
black walnut, having elaborate pilasters, deep set
pannels, and other ornamentation suggested by an
architect of taste. The counter is surmounted by
a ballsrade, with plate glass panels, arches and
doors being placed at the paying and receiving
telers departments. The balistiade is feet and
inches high. The rooms mentioned are lighted
by two large windows in front, four panes each,
y by 80 inch French plate glass West of these
rooms is the Trustees room, divided from them
by black walnut partition and ground glass lights.
The entrance is directly opposite the main en-
trance; dimensions Of the room, 90 by % feet
This room is lighted in front and rcar is fitted up
with water closet and sink, and in every respect is
well adapted to the purposes for which it was in
tended. Light is conveyed from this room to the
cellar by means by "dead lights" in the floor.
The vault is built into the Trustee room and has
an opening into that Of the Treasurer. 1t is ten
eet square, CT brick and cement masonry. twenty
inches thick. 1t starts from the cellar and extends
to the ceiling Of the banking room, being capped
with heavy granite. 1t has two iron doors, made
Of boiler iron. The vault is prominently fire
proof, and it would take good deal Of hammer
ing for professional burglar to make his way in
to it, The bank safe rests within the vault, upon
raised platform, that it may be opened conven-
ientlv. The safe is the one that has been used by
The bank for some time, Is of steel, has one Of
Sargents double chronometer locks, and is ter
ror to bank robbers
The plans for the banking house were furnished
by F. II. Fassett x Son, Portland, and the work
mas been executed by Mr. G. II. Snow of this city,
"a workman that needeth hot to be ashamed"
The walls were frcscoed by f. w. Parkhurst of
Gardiner, and the fitting and furnishing of the
walls and counter has been done by Mr.. Hysom
of Beal Il Co.'S paint establishment. The rooms
are heated by furnace. The idea of fitting up the
rooms so as to make them easy OF access and
every way worthy of the Institution, was conceived
by the President of the bank, Col. Thomas Lam
bard, who has personally superintendent the work
in its progress.
1t may be proper, now that new departure
is taken, to glance briefly at the history Of this
institution. The bank was ncorpsl ated in lS4o,
and commenced business in September Of the
same year. Only two savings banks existed in
Maine at that time. OF the original corporators
four only are now living, viz Lot NJ. Morrill,,
Allen Lambaid, VIM. r. Smith, and i. A. G..
Fuller. Judge Fuller, having removed from the
State has ceased to be corporator. Others have
been added. The first board Of Trustees consisted
of VIM. Woart. President; b. \. G. Fuller.
Treasurer; Reuel Williams, Luther Severance,
Benz. Swan, W. II. Smith, David Bronson, Henry
Williams, James W. North, Geo. w. Morton,
James A. Thompson, Joseph p. Dillingham;. All
Of whom have deceased except Mr.. North and Mr..
Smith, (who still remain connected with the nsti-
tution) and Mr.. Thompson, who has removed
from the State.
The whole amount Of money received by the
bank, on deposit, up to August l. 1875 is S5,416,-
3il39. OF this amount, s., $50 AS was on de-
post at that date. This large amount has been,
from time to time, as it has been received invested,
and no loss fanny amount has yet been experience
ID. Great has also been exercised in the pur-
chase of securities.
The amount paid dcpositors as interest, is $780,
3l0.4S. For many years afterit organization the
bank paid depositors only per cent. per annum.
The oldest deposit now remaining in the bank
was made on the day it commenced business, and
was $1,000 1t now amounts to Si6.5S. The
depositor is receiving the original deposit,
nerest at the rate of over twenty seven per cent
ier annnm. The actual surplus of the Bank Is
nearly 100000. The securities now held have
advanced largely on their cost and could be sold
to-day at a handsome advance. Every liability of
the Bank can be paid from its assets, and have a
.aree surplus left. The Bank has paid to the State
of Maine, in taxes, the past year. $50, ljS12, and
to the L. 5. government 50, 0f9.Sj.