The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-01-09

The answer to
'.How are your banks for solidity and sound
nessy' tells the whole story of any communi
fy's prosperity or failure. Wichita never
experienced bat one bank failure, and tina
was directly traceable to the panic that sweep
from existence thousands of such institutions
The building of the First National, which
cost. exclusive of fixtures, $4,000, Il now
owned by the county and occupied by hei
officers. cut OF which will be found else
where.
The FIRST ARKANSAS VALLEY BANK, the
oldest monetary institution in this valley, was
established by w. &. Woodman, Esq, in 1870
in connection with his son. W. 5. Woodman.
Mr.. Woodman, as a financier and successful
commercial man, enjoys more than local
reputation. having by his able articles and
ESSAYS done no little in mojing the financial
policy of the Government during the rebel
lion and having since addressed the Congress
and boards Of trade of many cities upon that
subject. His institution here has done an inn
mense business in foreign and domestic loans,
involving vast real estate operations, only
second to those of railroads in the west. In
addition to the banking business proper, he
is the owner of a very large amount of real
estate in both city and county, having built.
among others, the finest store or commercial
room west of the Missouri river. which adj
joins his bank on Main street. His home.
"Lake Side on the bank of the Little river,
north of town, is romantic spot, a picture
- :; Il, l.. al Mr. l.,
thorough energetic and wide-awake bust
ness man, possessing, in addition. large social
qualities whihc secure him an JInmeasured in
hucnce. W. :. Woodman, the cashier of the
Valley Bank. H. gentleman of fine culture
and an artist. Wallace I. Woodman. another
son, is the bookkccpcr whose pleasant
home is situated In the southern part of the
city.
The WICHITA SAVINGS BANK was estab-
lished in the springof y. since which time
il has occupied the corner building of the
Eagle Block. and with the EAGLE. which was
established the same month, has sailed
through every storm, and il is conceded TO be-
one OF the soundesi and strongest banks in the
west. with an unlimited credit in all the large
commercial cities. The men that took the
helm at the start still holds it, and Mr.. Sol IL.
kohn, its president. has demonstrated that As
financial expert lac has few equals. SO far
as the directory. or patrons, or the world
knows he has never made single mistake or
erred in judgment. The panic OF - and the
one o! last year did not create ripple in the
affairs of the Wichita Savings Bank. The
confidence of the people has been 80 great in
its management, and the consequent deposits
SO large that no interest has been allowed on
deposits for nearly year. Mr. \. \. Hyde.
the cashier, was originally from Mas>aehu-
sets. He is Mr.. kohn's equal in many re-
spccts. As judge of securities, his accept
ancc or rejection of paper settles many bus
mess mans credit Mr.. Hyde paid the first
cheok that ever passed over the Savings
counter. and IL he should fail TO be in his
place for single day it would be the town
talk. Large Drained and generous of soul the
hundred thousand capital stock nor the great
er sum of average deposits will ever suffer 80
long as he fills his present place. The other
attaches of the bank are ii. L. Kramer and {.
A. Walker bookkecpers. Board of directors,
Charles Schattner, Samuel Levy, Morris kohn,
y.
The FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK, the
youngest institution of the character in the
city. was established by II. W. Lewis I'm 1876,
as a private bank, but the following year its
capital was increased to 100000 and it was
incorporated a. State institution. under
charter, with full set of officers and board
of directors. The banking house situated
on Main street Is of solid cut stone from the
heavy projecting cornice and artistic window
and door frames 10 foundation sills, a picture
of which heads this article. Colonel Lewis.
the president Of the Farmers and Merchants
was formerly of rfiin, Ohio. and when he
came 10 Wichita did not depend upon organ
izing men of capital. but brought of his own
abundant means sufficient TO put his bank on
the tirmest of foundations. From the first
hour of its incorporation il has moved along
without Il reverse, increasing in business aud
reaching out in its influence until its stability
has become recognized fact throughout this
section. As business man Colonel Lewis l.
cool and sagacious. possessing indomtable
energy and all those elements that mean sue
cess. when combined in their possessed Mr..
George &. Strong. the cashier OF .hc above
growing institution, is young man of line
business qualifications and splendid social
parts, consequently. j. very Popular--lesciN-
eddy so his many friends win aver. The d.
our best men. a. An.cs l.. Houck. Thomas ii.
Lynch, W. :. Corbeti. George G. Strong and
ii. W. Lewis.