The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-10-04
HANDSOME BANK IMPROVEMENT.
Marked Changes in the Union National
Bank Building Some Interesting History
of Two Banks.

The Union National Bank of this city has
recently completed handsome and valuable
improvement to its banking house, giving to
the bank additional facilities for the conduct
of its large business. 1t has thoroughly re-
modelled the front OF the building with new
and enlarged plate glass windows, handsome
mahogany double doors and large granite
steps to ihe entrance. These, with the brown
stone finish of the building, give it very at
tractive and substantial appearance.
The most striking part of the improvement,
however, is in the interior of the banking
room. In this there has been placed a most
beautiful and substantial marble counter, with
desks and fnishings of handsomely carved
walnut, surmounted by strong wire guards
reaching almost to the ceiling. This elaborate
marble counter was presented to The Union
National Bank Of Westminster by The Com
mercial & Farmers National Bank of Baltl-
more, and there is connected with it some
local history, of nearly century ago, which
we are sure win be read with interest.
The Union National of Westminster and
The Commercial & Farmers of Baltimore are
among the Oldest banks of the state, AID the
lai;er, indirectly, instituted the former, in this
way: When the British forces under General
Ross threatened Baltimore in 1874 the Com
mercial & Farmers Bank of that city removed
a :
and with them came John Walsh from that
bank. This circumstance was the means of
opening up here what was known at that time
as an 'sOfiice of Pay and Deposit. This
gave TO the people of this section of the coun-
try, which was at that time a part of Frederick
county, some notion of the conveniences and
advantages of banking institution in their
midst, so that when the Legislature convened
in 1916 an application was made Tor charter
for The Bank of Westminster. Under this
chariertle bank was organized and continued
as State bank until 1865, when it went into
the national system under the name OF The
Union National Bank of Westminster. John
Walsh became its first Cashier, and from the
organization of the old bank TO the present
time there have been the closest personal and
business relations between it and The Com
mercial & Farmers Bank of Baltimore.
The Commercial & Farmers Bank has re-
Gently purchased and is now renoyating the
banking building formerly occupied by the
Equitable National Bank of Baltimore, and
the marble counter which now stands in The
Union National Bank of Westminster was
formerly in the Equitable Bank building.
The plans for the necessary changes were such
that The counter could not be used advanta-
geously by The Commercial & Farmers Bank
and they generously, through the courtesy of
their President, Mr.. Lawrence b. Kemp, an
Intimate personal friend of Or. Herring, Cash
Ter of The Union National presented it to
their old friend OF nearly hundred years, The
Union National Bank of Westminster
The work of this improvement was done by
Mr.. John Beaver, marble worker, Mr.. j..
Webster Ebaugh, carpenter, Mr.. Samuel K.
Yineling. painter, Mr. Adam Reigel, mason,
Mr.. Joshua Stevenson, plasterer, all of this
city. William A. Gault & Son furnished the
granite work, Henry Sein & Co. the plate
glass, and the wire work was done by Dufur d
Co.. all of Baltimore. The Electric Light Il
Power Company of this city furnished the
electric light fixtures.
We are glad to note the handsome remod-
eling of the banking house of this old and
substantial institution, whose history is so in
tinately connected with that of our city and
county. We wish it continued success.