Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-15
|SCHMELz BROTHERS IN
NEW BUSINESS HOME
Handsome Banking Building Will be
Thrown Open to Public
Tomorrow.
GROWTH Of THE INSTITUTION
Messrs Henry L. And George A. Sch.
meIz Established Branch of Their
Hampton Bank Here in 1890. After
Five Years Of Success in Their
Native Town.

Vp'h tncl' HOW business nome. ut
Washington avenue ana Twcnty-fifth
street, to their patrons and the pub
lie tomorrow morning. The bank
force worked yesterday for the last
time in the temporary quarters, at
26O3 Washington avenue, and the
transfers to the new building was of.
iected yesterday afternoon and last
night.
The new building which is one OF
TIC handsomest in the State, and
which will compare iayorably with
any In the South. Is located on the
site of the old structure in which
Mcssrs. Henry l. and George A.
Schmelz began business as bankers
III Newport News III iS9Q The bank
outg.ow its home. and several years
ago 1t became apparen, that larger
quarters must be provided. The ola
site was most desirable one. so 1t
was decided to secure temporary
quarters. tear down the house and
,build.
Capt. Marye the Architect.
Captain p. Thornton Maryc. the
young architect who began his career
mere and who has since become one
Oh the foremost men of his profession
IN me South. designed the now build
ing Th:re all important matters were
gwen careful consideration in the
pl"iis' Ihc bankers had in view, cspe.
ciaiiy, the following objcctg-a build.
ing simple and handsome inside and
ont which would be fitting home for
employees, and the comfort of their
employees. and the convenience of
their patrons. All three objects have
been accomplished.
inc building is of Colonial brick
with grey granite base and white ter.
RI Gotta trimming and columns II
occupies lot % feet wide and 100
feet deep, fronting on Washington
avenue ana having an entrance on
| Iwenty-iifth street. The structure
rises to a height considerably above
that of the ordinary two.story biild.
iiig but one large airy banking room
occupies about sixty feet OF the en-.
TIRE building. from front TO rear. the
room, having height OF 80 feet f.bm
ceiling to floor.
Interior of Building.
Entering on Washington avenue
one finds the office of the president
Mr. George A. Schmclz, and the cash.
Ter, Mr. T.. S. Danton. OH the right.
ON the left are two check desks OF
massive plate glass. supported by
braces Of bronze. A few steps farth-
or on is the department of the re.
ceiVlng teller with two windows
fronting on the aisle. Then comes
me entrance. 10 the ladies' room. n
! littic compartment with windows from
the departments of the paying and re
celving tcllers, having n check desk.
| so that the ladies may enter and
transact their business without having
10 wait at the general windows.
| Next comes the paying teller. who
mas two windows ON the aisle. Back
Oh THIS department are the windows
oi tho two individual hookkccpers and
me safety deposit window Inside in
inc rear of the paying teller's depart.
mont are the desks of the six book
i Keepers
The Great Vault.
! The great vault, located immediate.
! iy In the rear of the bookkeepers
probably may be said to he the cen,
lrai feature of the building. II is n
thrcc-story affair, with the vault pron
or opening upon the main floor. and
having storage compartments above
ana below. Ii was bnilt by the Die
bold Safe K Lock Company. of Can,
ION, ONO. and Is model of up-to.dato
vault construction. 1t is built OF
On i'ome steel plates in three layers
each plate being one and onc-hali
inches thick the whole being sur
rounded by heavy brick walls.
Eight thousand pounds of solid
chrome steel does duty ms
as the outside door of tho
main compartment This door. which
is five inches thick. is cauipped with
a triplc-clock. automatic time lock
| and when the lock has lien set and
the door closes, tho valaables inside
are as safe rs they could he if guard
co by regiment of soldiers Thcr,
Is no combination, and nothing Is pro
scented on the outside upon which the
expert craftsman may try Ills skill
except five inches OF tho hardss
steel in the world The vault mus
remain closed until the hour fol
"hich The clocks have boon set ar
rivcs, then the great bolts on the IN
side spring back into place of theii
own accord. and the door may be
opened my means OF the automati,
cont 'oller.
Inside of the main door is another
plate of chrome steel, two incha.
thick, which is fitted with the usua
safe combination. Then comes tn,
day gate grill OF nickoled stee
and ONO. which automatically clos
es and locks behind the cashier OF
! other official leaving the vault.
i, What Is Inside.
!. the vault floor measures 10 b,
10 feet aud has u height of ten feet
On the left, after the day gate" /,
: passed, are 300 safely deposit boxes
and on the left are the check. lettcl
and document files, Still furthei. bncl