Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-07-03

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this state among the first buildings
erected is a bank, along with the first
store and the first elevator. In other
new settlements outside of our state,
almost the first building erected III the
town is generally the saloon. 1t seems
to me that this is indicative Of the
character of North Dakota people, in
that the first institution planted in the
new settlement is an institution to
take care Of their money, an institu.
ton to foster saving, an institution
that seeks to build up and encourage
thrift and industry, while on the other
hand the other business encourages
loose, careless habits, makes loafers
and debauches manhood. That such
is the beginning in the new towns
seems to me to be a great compli-
ment to their character. The North
Dakota country banker is a young
man.
g.. q ! ~ rs ( Y = s
North Dakota is distinctively a
young mans country, and the smaller
banking institutions Of this state are
managed almost exclusively by young
men. hardly know Of any business
In this state that has offered any bet
ter advantages to the young men than
has the banking business. In this
particular our country banks differ
very materially from our old ideas
OF what a country banker was. Back
east where I was raised ais a boy, the
banker was an elderly gentleman with
gray hair and dignified appearance,
Who walked down to the bank every
morning swinging gold headed cane,
a man who never solicited an account
outside of his bank or went outside
of his institution for new business.
His bank opened and closed exactly
to the minute. The receiving of de-
posts and the making of loans was
the only business he engaged in. Out
here in North Dakota we find aggres.
sive, industrious young men manag.
ing our country banks who are d.
rectly opposite to this type of an
eastern banker The bank cashier in
North Dakota that makes success
of his bank must needs be up early
Iand late, he must be continually on
the lookout for new business. His
bank is not Only the center for the
deposits and loaning of money, but
also represents in most cases a live
real estate agency, an insurance of.
flee, a collection agency, notary pub
lie and all of the business of a con-.
mercial law office. The cashier gen.
orally writes a large part of the deeds
and mortgages. contracts and other
legal instruments that are made in
the community, and he finds often
times that he is approached on bust
ness matters which seemingly should
have been presented to older heads
than his for consideration
4 have often thought when good
careful farmers have come to our
bank and asked advice when they
have had difficulty with their renters
with their hired help, with their
threshers, or in the matter. of dis
posing or acquiring of property, OF
consulting on some business ventures
OF which they have been thinking
what a great responsibility rests upon
the active officers of the bank. The
sturdy German and. Scandinavian far
mers OF this state have by very hard
work and economy added to their
holdings Of real estate and personal
property until they are able to buy
out not only one, but sometimes four
OF i've of these smaller banks, de-
post their money in these institu.
lions with the utmost faith in their
soiidity and business management. /
have always felt complimented when.
ever one Of these men has come into
the institution, because I feel that
ne has come to the conclusion chat
the cashier of the bank in town is
worthy of his trust and confidence,
after careful consideration, generally
after talk with his wife and older
sons at home. These farmers. though
not schooled in business affairs, have
many of the essentials of character
that make for success in banking as
well as in farming. Generally speak.
ing, they have accumulated all their
wealth by good hard work. being
careful in the management Of their
own affairs, and the young man en-.
gagged in the banking business must
learn these same things. The larger
trade he gets from substantial farmers
the better his institution will be. Ey.
cry one seems to be patting the young
man on the back in this state, and
people are anxious to help him along.
When he starts the business, it is
to large extent a real estate, insur-
ance and collection agency, and the
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