Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-13
First National Bank )ccu :
pies New Quarters.
Rooms Aaleng Haadsenest IA
State, and Most Convenient.
Doors Opened 10 Public saiNty---huoas
Inspected By Auadleds.

After having for nearly two years
shared the banking rooms of the Au.
gusta Savings Bank. as one of the re-
suits of the great fire of Jan. Z, 1904
when the Meonian Hall block was de-
stroyed and the North block was badly
Quilted. the First National Bank will
once more open its doors for business
in it's own quarters, this morning. and
within a few doors of the place where
the bank did business for many years.
The old banking rooms were comfort
able. and fairly adequate to the re-
quirements of the institution. but TINS
is IN era of progression, and in open
ing the doors of the new bank, this
morning, the officials can do so with
the feeling of satisfaction and priae
that they have for their business one
of the most up-to-date, best equipped
and handsomest finished suites OF
banking rooms in the State.
Tho bank was really opened TO the
public, Saturday although 1t was an
opening for inspection purposes. Inc
last finishing touches were added, Fri
day, and upon invitation of Cashier
Hichborn. the bank was visited by
hundreds of the citizens during the af-
ternoon and evening, and every portion
of the rooms thoroughly inspected. Mr..
Hichborn did the honors of the occa-
sion. and it can truthfully be said that
during the afternoon and evening he
was one Of the busiest men in town.
1t was due to his courteous attention.
also, that the visit proved to be one of
pleasure to all who had accepted the
invitation.
Some reference to the elegance of the
finish of the banking rooms has been
made in previous issues of the Journal.
but such mention was of the nature of
report of progress. and a general de-
scription of the completed work is now
given. not only as a matter of record.
but also for the purpose of showing
the advancement which is being made
by Augusta institutions.
The bank is located in the White
house block, which was purchased and
fitted for the purpose. In the suite are
the banking room, a large directors
room. a waiting room for ladies. room
for the cashier, public telephone booth.
toilet rooms, and, of course, the big
vault, all of which combine to produce
commodiOus and convenient quarters.
The bank is finished throughout in
Honduras mahogany. giving to the
apartment a degree of richness which
cannot easily be excelled. Around the
room is a deep wainscoating of this
deep red wood, having at the bottom
a hnC Of Italian rbla
The same is true of the long counter
1T which the business of the bank will
De transacted. This counter is of hand
some design. and is surmounted by a
nigh counter guard of mahogany, and
leavy French plate glass.
The grills which guard the wickets
are of brass. with the dull finish known
IS old brass. which is now very stylish.
The two wickets will be used for the
receipt Of deposits or the paying
teller, as the case may require. At the
street end of the counter the glass in
the guard is ground q portion of the
way up. and here the bookkeeper will
have his department. The counter is
fitted with drawers, closets and shelves.
the drawers being lined with sycamore.
The room behind the counter is fitted
with two mahogany desks for use of
the clerks, also steel cab with
roller shelves and drawers. Just be-
You'd the east end Of the counter is the
cashiers room. which is a cosy apart
ment and fitted with a handsome ma
hogany desk. also table for the use
of dcpOsitors.
Behind the cashiers room, and OPEN
Ing into the banking room. is the big
vault. This is Of steel, set in concrete.
running down through two floors and
to depth of six feet below the ground
The vault was constructed by the Mos
Tor Safe Co. of Hamilton. Ohio, and is
the most modern of its kind. The work.
ing mechanism of the vault is very
handsome, being of polished steel and
nickel The big outside door is a dainty
piece of forging. and weighs about
seven tons. but it is hung on ball bear
ings. and i'm spite of it's great weight it
can be moved by the strength of one
finger. and kept i'm motion by a piece
of Irvine. The door is controlled by two
combination locks and three Yale time
locks. On the floor below is another
large vault. for storage purposes.
But that is only the outside door.
upon opening that. one encounters the
steer grill day gate. which works auto
natlcally. and is always fastened. Be-
yohd that are two steel doors, of the
same style as the outer door, and after
passing through these. one enters the
vault proper, or rather the outer half
LOT me vault. which is, inside, feet
,"'hes by IL feet, is divided by an
"'her section Of steel grill work. with
gaze which locks automaticsllv. ONT
sue the grill work is case of safe do
poslt boxes for the use of the banks
patrons. and beyond is the banks safe
I'm. ms safe is the same that was used IN
.ne old bank. but it is a good one AVA
burglar proof in every way. even shomia
crook De able to reach its location ~
outside the banking department .ns
az az TN. ,he southeast corner of the b,,,,d; anu
- .ne directors room. This ;s = Lib
department. lighted by three w,nS do,,lS
,n Is a handsomely carved n,a',s;
n"nked by Corinthian columns nm
iianoSany. and beneath n 60 i vi