The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
ONLY A BUFFALO HEAD.
But 1t Signifies the Progressive
History Of Strong Finan-
cial Institution.
From a Small Beginning It Has
Rapidly Grown In Solid
Prosperity.
Where the Biggest Cash Transactions In
Montana and the Famous Gold Bar
Originated.

| montana ana the Famous Gold Bar
| Originated.
The other day four gentlemen were dis
cussing the more striking objects of inter
est to pilgrim on his arrival in Helena
All disagreed, but curiously enough unite,
after a suggestion from pilgrim who ha
been in town but three days. They wer
| standing on the east side of Main street il
front of the Montana National bank.
Now" said the new arrival, watch tn
procession passing upward on the opposit
side OF the street and see if their attention
il attracted in any special direction
1t is doubtful if any business corner il
the northwest possesses more architecture
effect. On the southwest end is the nev
building of the Montana National bank. l
rises in majestic columnof terra Gotta ans
polished granite surmounted by pictur-
esque tower of the old English style. Or
the north side is long row of great plate
glass windows cut through slabs of white
stone. The entrance on the corner carries
the visitor directly into the counting room
of the bank.
The gentlemen chatted for moment,
Watching the cosmopolitan throng seen al
most every day on Main street.
Il guess you are right" said one "It il
that buffalo heads
It may be of interest to know that the
only sculptured form of buffalo head in
this state is over the entrance to the Mon
tana National bank and in this connection
how many Montanians ever saw a carved
buffalo head anywhere else? Seven years
ago the man whose business nerve and
public spirit have done SO much for Helena
and Montana, determined to construct a
new building. When finished it was the
finest block of the kind in the northwest.
The old inhabltant will tell you that people
would stand for hours and gaze in admira-
tion at the building. The croaker was there
of course, for he is always about with dis
couraging remarks when improvements are
in progress. With cynical smile he told
Col. Broadwater that the buffalo would be
running down Main street ten years from
that time. Ten years have passed, but
the buffalo are not here yet. The head,
beautifully carved in enduring granite, is
there to remind the croaker of his prophe-
cy. But, more than this, it is typical of
one mans pluck and energy, and it signifies
in addition the financial solidity of the in
stitution within.
The history of the Montana National
bank is that of speedy and healthy growth
among the great banking corporations of
the great northwest. From a bare begin
rank of the country's financial institutions.
The men who have so carefully and faith
fully guarded its interests have been re.
warded for their vigilance by the increased
confidence of the shrewd business men Of
Helena and the east in the future of the
bank. On November IL, 1882. The INDE-
PENDENT recorded the opening of the Mon
tana National. The counting room, located
where Mr.. Harris's store now stands, was
then one of the largest in the mountains,
Besides the president, Colonel Broad
water, two men were employed. One
Of them is Mr.. S. E. Atkinson, the
present assistant cashier, whose efforts have
largely contributed to the great success of
the bank. Mr.. E. Sharpe was cashier at
that time. The financial backing at the out
get was so solid that the business conf
aencey OF customers was at once firmly
secured. With capital of $250,OOO, the
irst official report shows that the deposits
1883 the capital was increased to $500. 900.
ND the report for the last year shows that
he deposits reached $780, 900, or more
han five times that of the first year. These
igures tell the whole story Of business
;rowth in nearly eight years. Twelve men
re now kept busy in the counting room
ooking after the various departments of
he institution.
During its history several of the largest
nd most important cash transactions in /
= ontana have been made through this bank, |
ne first great boom given to Montana mines /
broad was the sale of the big Drum Lum-
ION At Marysville. The finances at this
ma National and on Feb. IL, 1888, Mr..
homas Cruise received $25OOO0 in cash
YER the counters of this bank. At thnt
me 1t was tbs largest cash transaction
lade in Helena, and the largest but one
'er made in Montana. But the bank
,llpsed this record last year by paying
b6O, 600 in cash for the English purchasers in
10 sale of the Elkhorn mine. In import
ace and amount this record has never been
pproached by Helena bank. it illus
ates to degree me confidence in the
ank abroad as we'll as at home.
The biggest and most substantial adver-
sement ever given bank in this country
!! the Montana National. It is still
liked about whenever golf bars are
entioned. It was cast from smaller bars
bullion from the spotted Horse, the
rum Lummon and the Jay Gould mines. !.
hese. after exhibition at the bank, were
ken to thu assay Office when after eight
ours OF hard work by six men, great bar
solid gold was cast. 1t weighed over 300 ,
FUNDS and at actual value was worth
100, 36.29, making it the largest and rich
It gold bar ever known in ths world. This
reat product of Montana was sent to the
Minneapolis exposition. whore it formed
" center piece of the banks magnificent
ineral exhibit. 1t attracted tbs greatest
'tention there and was then shipped to tbs
st. It was on exhibitionat the Chase Ma
onal bank for some time. gold bar Of ,
~ size was novelty to New Workers, but
e biggest gold bar in the world was SEN
ton.
From the beginning the bank has been
lder the presidency of Colonel Broad
atsr and under his guidance it has grown I
strength and reputation. Two years ago
:. sharpe was succeeded by Mr.. L. 6,
helps one of the youngest but one of tie
st known financie.s In the northwest. T
:. Phelps has made study of finance in !
Q broad sense of the term beyond the !