The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-09-30
CALHOUN COUNTY BANKS
GROWTH AND SUCCESS OF BANK.
ING INSTITUTIONS.
Fae Successes OF the Bank Of Gamer.
ON, Three Banks of St. Matthews
and the Bank of Fort Motto.

: The st. Matthews correspondent OF
The News and Courier says the Off
ciaIs and stockholders of the Bank OF
Cameron, this county, recently held
their annual meeting, and the in
stitution was found to be in vigorous
shape and solid as the Rock of Gil
braltar. Eight per cent was paid to
the stockholders and a handsome
sum carried over to the surplus ac-
count. The capital stock will be in
creased by $4,000, which augurs
still bigger and brighter future. Mr.
Fred Cutler, a leading citizen and
business man Of Cameron, will con-
tinue as president; G. D. Bull, vice
president, and James P. Dantz'er,
cashier. The other directors are w.
d. Houck, J. M. Stallings, T. S. Haig-
Ter. J. ]. Gee and ]. F. Rickenbaker.
There has been no greater devel-
opment in any line Of business activ-
5ty in this territory than in banking
circles. During the eighties little
bank venture was projected here,
with fear and trembling by the name
of the St. Matthews, Savings Bank,
which was the first throughout this
large and fertile area of Orangeburg
County. DR.. w. r. C. Bates was made
president and John W. Zimmerman,
cashier. Soon after the president
was elected State Treasurer, and Phil
in Rich, now deceased, was put in his
place. The game little institution
struggled bravely to keep its head
above water, and the returns uere
different and fuctuating. The lien
system held full sway among the
small fry, and the bloated land-hold-
ers and moneyed princes sent their
rolls of "long green" to Columbia,
Orangeburg and Charleston for safe
keeping. The public at large was
suspicious of banks and their exact
ing and prompt methods.
The ailing little matter of banks in
this bailiWick had still other trou-
bles, which are now ancient history,
and need not be dragged from the
uuietude of oblivion. But, Antaeus-
like, she rose from her fall and began
to flurish. There were regular 8 per
cent dividends. besides handsome
sums to the surplus balance from
year to year, until now her capital
stock is $4,000. ....
Last year was projected the Home
Bank, of st. Matthews, and it did
not die a-laboring. The establish
ed order of things quaked in its
boots over the advent of the new
venture, and there was much running
to and fro, but both prospered to
an amazing degree, and are impreg-
nable in their security. Both have
had the interior Of their banks thor
oughly oyerhauled and refurnished,
and it is questionable whether there
are two banks of any town Of similar
size in the State more entlcing In ap-
pearance and more successful in real
ity.
During the summer another Rich
mond entered the field, when the Far
mers' Bank and Trust Company, OF
st. Matthews, was organized, with a
capital of $4,000, all Of which was
devoured with relish by home capi-
ealists. Its fixtures are not all In,
but in due time it will "diIle" out
in comely apparel and meet with sub
stantial success. It's doors have been
opened for business about two weeks
in the Gazee block, on East Main
street, and the officials are already
greatly encouraged over the outlook
The Fort Motto Bank, the only re-
manning one to be noted in this gal
lery Of daubs," has been doing bus
mess for years. It's early life, before
it's ''pegs were cut" was also beset
with difficulties, but it has long since
shed its old skin, and is now pressing
rapidly to the goal of a brilliant sue
cess. Last year was the most pros
porous in its history, and the rumor
is that the year 1911 will reach high
water mark never attained before in
its onward march.
Such is brief review Of the bank
ing development and growth, which
not only speaks in trumpet tongues
Of the present condition Of Calhoun
County, but is a bright omen of still
better dayS ahead.