The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-20
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
 OCCUPIES NEW BUILDING
Ik IS One of Most Imposing Structures in City and
 Banking House Complete in Every Detail.

Inc first days business was transacted nSsterday by the officials and force of the 4lrst National Bank in their elegant Hunrters on the ground floor of the banks, etekely six story office building. on Com zaSrce Street. The removal to the new u<lucture from the temporary quarters 6ctlpied by the bank on Court Square N v made after business hours Saturday.
 The richly arranged first floor of the building, which the bank will occupy. was Thrown open to the public for the first 1tme This building is as near fire-proof oa human ingenuity can make 1t. There q no wood work on the first floor in the h4m1's quarters beyond the mahogany 6oots. entering into the directors room. Inc quarters are especially beautiful, as 4lekant perhaps as any office fittings in any building in the South. The entrance to the building is through a vestibule fur utshed entirely of marble, having mar bls, mosaic floor.
 s The three sets of entrance doors are Of copper and the door to the hall and bank 1nG room are of mahogany. The hall 2ending co the elevator is furnished in m6rble and metal, no wood work of any lind being used The banking room is pcrhAps the most modern >and ire proof nj the South.
 The floors and wainscotings are of marble. The lower part of the bank acfeen is of Italian marble. the metnl part CT solid bronze with plate glass. All inc desks lockers, drawers and fixtures are of steel, the only wood used on this floor is the mahogany doors making it as near fireproof as building can be made
 The directors room. situated to the xeAr of the banking room Is the hand ecfnest and most imposing in the building me room Is of generous size and the in- {erior is particularly impressive. The mott striking feature of the room is an e1ea1nf marble mantle, with rounded columns and exquisite carving. rising neariy to the height of the room. The furniture here is of solid mahogany. The decorations of the room are quite, artfs- tic and beautiful.
 There were many visitors yesterday to 2vfew the handsome work of the archi- tecfs, builders and decorators and not a few expressed regret that litigation against the erection of the handsome columns in front of the structure had prevented the completion of the building s beautiful exterior.
 The First National Bank which built and will occupy the main floor Of the structure was organized in 1871 and the charter which was granted the bank In that year was extendeo Tn lcSi.
 The organizer and first president or the bank was pr. w. o. Baldwin. one Of the most progressive and public spirited citi- zens who ever lived in Montgomery. The Frist National Bank is monument to his ability as an organizer and financier. pr Baldwin remained as president of the bank until his death in 1886. In that year A. M Baldwin went into the bank as cashier. He served in that capacity until the death of Hon. H, c. Tomp- kins. the president of the bank. in lsss. Mir. Baldwin succeeded him as president and his since remained at the head of the prosperous institution.
 Assistant Cashier J. c. Stratford has been connected with the bank since the day of it's organization over thirty years ago. " |
 The Board of Directors of the bank consists of A M. Baldwin. C. G. Aber-