The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-10-17

A Handsome and Substantial Edifice.

The officers of the Hartford National Bank are
now dOmiciled In their new bank build
ing the books and money having been removed
The building is Of brick, one story in height and
besides being INTELLECTUALLY beautifulit has been
constructed throughout in the most thorough and
substantial manner.
1t is situated adjoining the Masonic Temple, on
the corner of CORTLAND and Bond streets, facing
dimensions are 40 by 80 feet. the walls which are
mostly two feet thick, being made of the best hand
made brick laid in cement mortar. The walls are
faced with Baltimore pressed brick, with heavy
trimming Of Seneca brown stone, which affords a
pleasing contrast and suggests massiveness and
sOldity. The front entrance is at the east corner
and over 1t are two large stone linelS, upon which
Is carved in raised letters the name of the bank.
The building is ornamented with heavy copper
cornice. The roof is of Peach Bottom slate.
The interior consists of one large room with
ceiling % feet in height, and is we'll lighted by four
large windows, each 10 by IS feet, protected by
heavy iron guards.
The walls are lined, wainscotng high, with i'm
ported English glazed bricks capped with quarter
ed oak moulding. The floor outside OF the counters,
including the yestibule is ofmarble tiling of beau
tiful design. The trimming on the wood work and
furniture Is all of Quartered oak.
The building has been made fire proof as well as
burglar proof. The floors are constructed with
iron beams filled in between with lime of tell con-
crete and the basement floor is made OF cement
concrete.
The protection OF the valuables from burglars is
complete. The main vault rests on solid abut-
ment 10 feet square, beginning at a considerable
depth under the cellar floor and is built OF solid
masonry to the main floor. The outside walls OF
the vault of brick laid in cement. These walls,
including the lining. three feet in thickness
Even If they were penetrated by rogueS itwOuld
take long time for them to break through the
lining of three inch chilled steel, which covers the
top, bottom and sides Of the vault. There are two
sets of doors leading to the vault The inner doors.
finest combination locks There is a small vesti-
bule between the doors of the vault proper and the
outside door, which is closed by steel gate attach
ment for use in the day time.
The outside door of this massive and handsome
vault is of chilled steel, six inches in thickness,
protected from intrusion by two combination locks
and time lock of the latest design. Inside of the
vault is burglar proof safe. Therefore to get at
the money and valuableS deposited in the bank
burglar would have to break through three feet OF
solid masonry, cut through three inches OF solid
steel and then discover that the object of his
search was snugly hidden in safe strong enough
to battle all his efforts to open it.
In addition to the vault which protects the
money and securities there is fire proof book
vault in another part of the room. In the ceiling
of this vault is tank holding 900 gallons of water.
which supplies the building. This supply comes
from the roof, but connection will be made with
the town water supply when it is completed.
The building is heated by furnace and will be
lighted with gas.
wrought by hand into artistic patterns.
Altogether, the Hartford National now has one Of
the handsomest and strongest bank buildings in
the State 1t is an ornament TO the town and a
suitable home for this important financial institu-
The drawings and specifications for the new
bank were prepared and furnished by MIR. George
Archer, architect of Baltimore. the work being
executed by Mr. Clinton Smith, contractor, of Bal
timore, under Mr.. Archer's supervision.
The mason work was done by Geo. T. Corneal;
n brick 4an wo ST 9 s@Ser r Ba GS
work by G. King g. Sons; fire proof work by the
Fire Proof Building Company: glass by, VIM.
by VIM. King & Co.; Stating by E. II. Morgan;
English brick by John s. Bullock; plumbing by
os RG ny so work ark BY 1cGn
stone work by w. j. Foster-all of Baltimore
The painting was done by Mr. Edmund Lee, of Bel
Air.
The safe. which is of the latest design, was made
by E. c. Morris s. Co., OF Boston. Besides being
massive and strong it is handsomely finished
throughout and adds very much to the interior of
the building.
The building committee consisted of Col. &. H.
Webster. John MooreS and S. a. Williams.
The officers of the bank are as follows
President-Col Z. HI. Webster. Directors-E
H. Webster, s. A. Williams, John Moores. Allen
Hoffman, John G. Rouse, James Lee, Nathan
Grafton. Jas. McAfee, VIM. II. Harlan. Cashier.
VIM. NJ. Hines; Teller. William w. Finney; Book
Keeper, John A. Evans; Messenger. Moores May
The Hartford National Bank was the outgrowth
of an effort which originated in the Deer Creek
Farmers Club at a meeting held April 1st. 1882,
at the residence of Messrs. S. B. Silver & Bro
The need of bank in the county was apparent and
the project being discussed, the members present
resolved themselves into committee to solicit
subscriptions. At another meeting held at the
residence of of r. Harris Archer, April Goth, the
matter was further discussed and the members
present agreed to subscribe S11.000 to the capital
stock of the proposed bank. A public meeting
was held at the Court House on June 9Th. when it
appeared from the reports Of canvassers that 800
900 had been subscribed. A committee was ap-
pointed to make the necessary arrangements and
the capital stock was fixed at $4,000. The bank
went into operation on the LIST of November. 1882.
The success of the bank from the first demon
strated the necessity for its existence Since the
ganzation OF this bank two others have been orga-
niZed and are in successful operation in the coun
ty. namely, the Second National Bank of Bel Air.
J. T. c. Hopkins President. and the First National
Bank OF Havre de Grace, A. p. McCombs President.
The Hartford National Bank has been managed
with ability and carefuness and it has proved
For the first four years dividends were declared
the profits being allowed to accumulate for the pur
pose of erecting the new bank building. For the
past four years stockholders have received an
annual dividend of 10 per cent. on their shares. The
surplus and undivided profits now equal the amunt
of capital stock originally subscribed and the stock
is valued at from $3.50 to $500 per share the original
value being $780, The new building cost complete
600