The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21
How the First National Has Kept
Pace With the City and
the State.
From a Modest Beginning to the
Heaviest Financial Institu-
ton in This Section.
The Men who Have Piloted 1t Safely to Its
Present PositiOn-What the Last
Statement Showed.

A resume of the enterprises which have
prospered in Helena without a mention of
the First National bank would be most in
complete. It was organized in 1886, the first
bank in Montana to receive charter from
the United States government, and has
grown and prospered with the city and
state. There is not a citizen of the state,
probably, but who knows of the First Ma
tional bank of Helena, and will tell you
that it is the Oldest national bank in the
state that s. T. Hauser is its president and
that +. w. Knight and Z. H. Kleinschmidt
are respectively its cashier and assistant
cashier. When tho Montanian goes east
and is asked about the state and city and
their prospects, after telling of the mani
fold advantages Montana offers. he invaria-
ably clinches his remarks with a
statement of the business done by the First
National of Helena. When investors visit
Helena the record of the same bank is
pointed ont as sufficient guarantee of the
stability of the city and the state; because
while the bank is Helena institution, its
operation extend all over the state. This is
not surprising when it is remembered that
for years many sections of the state were
without banking facilities. and men living
many miles from the capital did their bust
ness with the First National. During re-
cent years this has been changed and there
are now banks all over Montana, but this
has not diminished, to any great extent, the
outside business of the First National.
The bank was organized March II, 1866,
by Ex-Governor S. L. Hauser. who was
elected its first president and has ever since
remained at it's head. It's directory has al
ways contained the names of the strongest
men, financially, in Montana, while The
men who have taken the active part in its
| management have been thoroughly con-
versant with the men and enterprises of the
state. and while careful and conservative,
have nevertheless greatly aided in building
up Montana. at the same time adding to
the profits of the shareholders. The cap
ltal at htst was placed at 100000. This
again to SSW,O60. The dividends paid to
date aggregate S212,OOo. while the surplus
and profits amount to $3.50, 600, Though first
IN the field. the First National has not had
II all to itself. because there are now five
other national banks in Helena, but this
mas not effected its aggregate business
winch shows an increase every quarter.
10 the fact that the bank has been under
the same head since its rganization and
| that the changes in it's other officers have
been SO few, is undoubtedly due much Of
the Prosperity and popularity which ha.
President Hauser is so much a part of tn.
bank, that in thinking of one it is impossi-
bic net to be reminded of the other
Though identified with many large ani
prosperous enterprises. with which til,
growth OF the city and the state are init
mately associated. it is doubtful if there i
any other thing which gives him so mucl
tional. or in the popularity and prosperit,
OF when he takes SO much pride. And b.
would pc more than human did he not. III
has seen 1t grow from bantlinR to til
ereatess financial institution between 81
Ra1l and Portland. known Ill over u