Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-09
AUGUSTA BANKS.
The Banking institutions Of the Past and
Present in Our City.

Prior to 1904 the banks at Wiscasset
provided for all this portion OF the
kennebec valley but on March OF that
year the Augusta and Hallowell bank
was incorporated. 1t was intend u to
benefit both towns and also the sur
rounding country. The charter loca-
ted the bank at HalloWell, but at The
first meeting there was a sharp contes,
for the organization, and Augusta pre-
vailed. James Bridge was elected
president, but served a very short time.
John q. Page was the second president
and served during the existence OF the
bank. During the hard times preceu-
ing the war of 1872 the bank fan. d
with a large amount in circulation. Al
effort was made to hold the stockho.d-
ers responsible and many suits were
brought for that purpose, but the books
of the bank disappeared and 1t was
impossible without them to find out
where the stock was held Jeremiah
Dummer was the first and only cash
Ter.
The Kennebec bank Was in, orporated
June %, 1872. Its incorporators were
John Chandler, Benjamin Dearborn,
DR.. Ariel Mann, Eben I. Warren, and
first and only president, and John
Chandler was the first cashier, being
followed by Jesse Robinson. Their
banking room was in the basement OF a
brick dwelling then standing in the
southwest conner of the present court
house yard Here the business was
transacted until 1916 when the bank
was moved to Hallowell, where it failed
May /, 1926.
The Augusta bank was chartered
January Il, 1874 the first directors De
ing James Bridge, Daniel Cony, John
Davis, Benjamin Brown, Jr., John Eve
Ieth, Samuel Wood and Thomas w.
Smith. The capital stock was $loo'ooo.
James Bridge, the first president was
succeeded by Daniel Williams in 1884,
Thomas w. Smith in 1S41 and Samuei
Cony in 1855. Its cashiers were Geoi g
Crosby, George w. Allen and Joseph >.
Eveleth. The bank surrendered us
charter in 1864. The bank had a Duilo-
ing upon the present Cony house site.
In lS4S it was robbed of $29,5OO as de-
scribed in another column.
The Freeman's bank was chartered
March 2, 1888, with capital STOCK OF
$4,000, subsequently increased to $loo'-
900. The first directors were Benjamin
Davis. John Eveleth, William Dewey,
Watson F. Hallett, John Mulllken,
George Cox and William H. klttredge,
Mr.. Davis was the first president ana
Harlow Spaulding the first cashler.
The only other president was MI. Hal
lett. and the succeeding cashiers were
William Caldwell and Dan ell Pike. Inc
bank reorganiZed as the freeman
National bank, April 9, 1864, with wat
son f. Hallett, John Mulhken, Charles
F. Potter, Russell Eaton, Thomas Lam
bard. and O. C. Whitehouse. MI. Hal
LETT was continued as president until
his death. also Mr.. Pike as cashier, ana
was succeeded by All Brooks, Jr., j. L.
Adams and Frank H. Adams. IN
charter expired in 1884 and the bank
closed IN it's business. The fixtures
were sold to the new Augusta National
bank.
The Citizens bank was chartered
January 26. 1888 with capital STOCK OF
1000. The first directors were John
Dole, John Potter, Reuel Williams w.
Fl. Fuller. James l.. Child, Greenllef
White and Allen Lambard. John Dole
was the first president, followed by
Reuel Williams and the cashier was
Asa Redington. In 1871 the stock OF
the hank was sold to parties who pro-
posed to operate it in the West, but
the same year the affairs of the BANK
were wound I'D in the hands of re-
ceivers.
The state bank was organized in Au-
eusta lime Z. 1854, with George w