The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1886-10-17

of this vault-the safe ITSELF This is one
lof Herring's newest and most improved
burglar-pIoof chests. It is an innocent
looking piece of furniture, but boasts of a
dead solid fighting weight of about fif-
teen thousand pounds. Its walls are
nine inches thick, of welded steel
and Franklinite; has two doorsit main
body of chest, one thee and one half,
the other three inches thick, made efthe
same material, and supplied with twelve
double acting bolts each. When closed
these doors swing independent of hinges
and join against dove-tailed and rubber
packing, rendering the chest proof
against the introduction of nitro glycer-
inc or giant powder or other disturbing
elements. Inside this chest is still
smaller chest, alike in all protective fea-
lures and appointments designed for
keeping the t'reserve fund" as required
by the United States government
THE SECOND FLOOR
has been divided into two suits eftioable
rooms, and one single room, designed
for Offices. This floor is reached by a
seven foot stairway in rear of bank and
is protected at the head of stairs by a
substantial storm-door. An eight-foot
hall runs entire length of building.
Rooms open into each other by folding
doors. The windows are very hand
some, upper sash being of cathedral
glass, lower of plate and double German
glass. The transom over the outer door
to tke::stairway is of very beautiful cathe-
dral glass.
On this floor the Western Union Tel
egraph Company will occupy two rooms
for an office; Mr.. Joseph S. Adams, So
licitor of the French Broad Bank will
occupy another, and the two front rooms
will be occupied by Drs. W. L. and W.
D. HiIIiard as Offices. These rooms will
all be furnished elegantly, according to
the tastes of the occupants of each.
The building, every room and halls, is
well heated by one ofScates' Improved
furnaces, manufactured specially for this
bank, with a heating capacity of one
hundred thousand cubic feet. This
heating arrangement is very interest
ing feature, and will prove an economi-
cal system of heating the building.
About two tons of coal per month will
be required to supply the furnace.
The building is furnished with water
by cistern also from the city water
supply. Closets &c. on each floor. The
building is separated from all others by
dead wall, and its only fire exposure
is protected by heavy iron shutters.
THE PRESIDENT.
Capt. William E. Breese, the Presi-
dent is young man, of indomitable
energy, quick perception, with turn
for business thoroughly ingrained in his
every fibre. As mere boy he entered
the Confederate service, when coming
out after the surrender being only Is
years old. He soon thereafter entered
the counting room of Geo. w. Williams
& Co.. as junior clerk, and by his
pluck, strict fidelity and intelli-
gent appreciation of business mat
ters and methods rose step by
step until he became cashier of the
6rm. from this position he was sought
by the First National Bank of Charleston
succeeding his father as cashier of that
important institution, and gave to it his
best energies and contributing to its
management with such success as is best
evidenced by the fact that the stock of
said bank on his retirement was selling
at three hundred dollars per share. His
training as banker has been all that
could be desired and the proof of the
great confidence reposed in his charac
ter and capacity is shown in the sub
scription of his old firm of Geo. W. VIII
liams & Co., and many of the stockhold-
ers of the First National Bank, including
DR.. Andrew Simonds who is recognized
as one of the foremost bankers of the
country to the stock of our bank. OF
very pleasant manners, of great
public spirit, feeling great pride and
confidence il the home of his adop-
ton, Capt Breese will prove most use
ful, as he hes already proven a most wor:
thy citizen.