The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-03
THE MEMHIs CITY BANK.

banks, sound, stable, accommodating and
prosperous. Prominent among these is
the Memphis City Bank. This institution
was organized in May, 1871, rs the Mem
phis City Fire and General Insurance Com.
pany. The subscribed capital was $780,
900, with $4,000 paid in. The com.
pany commenced business in the Of
fees, No. 10 Madison street, where
1t has ever since remained until last
Wednesday, February ~. Its business
was only moderately successful for the
first eighteen or twenty months, when IL
was partially reorganzed and in January,
1873, Col. Il. NJ. Apperson, then one OF
our best iinanciers, was made President,
A. Vaccaro, Vice-Presidcnt and Henry J.
Lynn, Cashier. Mr.. Lynn, who is The
only one now living OF the officers at its
organization in 1871, has over since his
first election been the trusted and honored
Cashier. Napoleon Hill, who was one OF
It's founders, four years ago succeeded Col.
Apporson ~ President, holding that pc.
sition until August, 1887, when the company
under n resolution passed in June, 1887,
changed its business from that of insur-
ancd TO banking, and Mr.. Hill, being
president Of the Union x Planters
Bank, resigned. Dr. Wllkorson, the vice.
president. then became president
aud 80 continued until the regular
meeting in December, 1887, when John
X. Speed, one Of our best iinancicrs and
most popular business men, was elected
president aud reelected in December, 1883.
The present officers OF the bank are: John
X. Speed, president; X. ID. Frayser, vice.
president; Henry J. Lynn, cashier, assisted
by Frank G.. Dixon, teller, J. +. Davis
and Henry j. Lynn, IT., as bookkeepefs
The directors are w. n. Wikerson, VIM.
/. Cole, John League. ID. Il. Myers, X. f.
Semines, q. y. Grosyenor, NJ. Gavin, Dr.
A. q. Sinclair, n. Fonlaino, John A.
Denic, Jno. II. Sullivan and Il. Nj. Mans
ford, n most thoroughly representative
body OF business men. Early in 1882,
eleven years after the organization OF the
company, IL completed the payments from
its earnings OF the residue OF the sub
scribed stock OF S25O,0O0, making the
stock fully paid, besides having kept on
hand good strong available surplus.
In April, 1883 the management con-
coiyed the idea OF moving onto Main street
into quarters moro adequate 90 the neces-
sites of their business. Negotiations for
the purpose OF securing such a building
were entered into With Mr.. u. Vaccaro,
trustee Tor the John Sturla children, who
arranged 10 construct for them such a
building on the southwest corner OF Main
and Union ArceLA Plans aud specified.
tons were prepared by G. q. koscnplanler
one Of the leading architects OF the city
and, being accepted by both parties, the
general contract was given 10 q. O.. Chamber.
lain x Bro. contractors aud builders. This
building was constructed with especial ref
erencc to the purposes for which IL was to
be used, contains all possible modern
Improvements and conycnenccs. The
building Is leased Tor term Of ten years TO
the Memphis City Bank, enabling is ON.
ccu 10 electually control aud select the
occupants oi the rest OF the building.
most important arrangement for u bank.
The bank occupies the Whoeoi the ground
iloor, aud the other Offices are rented 10
good advantage TO most desirable tenants.
Mcssrs Chamberlain 4 BRO. snblct their
contract the general brick work 10 Joseph
llaincs, the cut stone work 10 John
kasiner. the galvanized iron aud lin work
10 the Memphis Metal and Wood Company,
the east and wrought iron work 10 the Liver.
moro Foundry Company, the plaslering 10
Egn x Mellon, painting aud lettering to
A. \. Davis, ccmcnting areas and thing
for basement TO the Miller Paving Com.
pany, mantcls, CRATES and Tile flooring in
bank room To II. Wrlicr Manufacturing
Company, wrought iron railngs. oio., %
w. Cross, tho hardware 20 Parent, Will.
inms & CO., the counters AMI finish.
ing brass ratings and trimmings and the
plate glass TO the Cole Manufacturing Com.
pany. the beautiful aud artistic stained
glasswork In the hall and staifways aud the
fourth story windows TO John lluyhcs. the
heating apparatus 10 J.. w. X. Browne,
the chandeliers AMI iixturcs b. ]. A. Bal.
ley, aud the plumbing tO Bruce Ruiledgo.
This minute detail Oi the mbcoBtrlciOrs Is
given that those OF our citizens who In.
spcct tho elegant aud comm0lious rooms
OF the bank may see what thorough aud
skilliul mechanics Memphis possesses,
and how conscientOusly and cxauis.
itcly all the work has been CON.
pleled. There Is not flaw or imper.
lection from foundation stone % roof
aud Il Is all the work Oi Memphis mechanics.
and dealers. Tho management OF the
bank Il especially 30 be commended for
this act Of sound business sense and iudg.
ment II has received lis prosperity and
made IL money ont OF Memphis. aud nov
when u had money 10 pay out and profit
20 give, II gave tito McmphA A leadin.
feature OF the entiro building Il the fine
light In all the rooms aud Offices. II i
the best naturally lighted building ever
put up In this city, aud IL the frat round
corncrcd front building ever constructed
here. Tho directors aud officers In plan.
ming the rooms Of the bank aud the accom-
modations aud couvcnienccs have fully
realized tho fact that comfort aud taste are
valuable adluncz and assistants TO busl-
ness There Il not a more beautiful or
better arranged banking house in the
South. The whole establishment Is mar.
vel OF good taste and cultured embcllish.
mont, without In any way deiracling from
its business appearance OF he usefulness.
Tho chief attraction j. the beautifully In.
iuhcd woodwork. The counters and into.
rior fnishlngs arc Of cherry carefully Sc
lccied, and sxquisitoly carved by
hand, filed, oiled and polished
In the most artistic manner. First IL the
cashiers room, iaclng the front window,
with dcak aud chairs 10 match the cherry
trimmings; the door Is a gem, and on Ia
ccnlcr panel. below the glass Is n bcauti.
fully executed hand carved wreath OF
leaves aud berries, then the tollcr's room,
surrounded inside with an open work
screen OF poli3hcu nrass, and provided
with abundance OF drawers, shelves and
pigeon holes; then the general business
room with desks, shelves and all tho ct.
cclcra Of a well equipped bank, all this il
cherry, polished In the same manner; the
counter extending iis whole length Is sur.
mounted by screen Of polished brass