The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1913-03-28

OlBAO " 00A D1oASAAO
ALWAYS IN lead
Caldwell is one Of the richest and
most substantial towns in the west.
From the standpoint OF bank tootlngs
the per capita wealth OF the communi-
ty is over $oUU.UU, and we doubt it
there is another city in the country,
without regard to size, that can make
the same showing. The merchants
and business men of the community
stand relatively the same as the peo-
PIE generally. They. carry large
stocks, IN the main own their own
buildings for home and tor business,
and are altogether in good financial
standing. Owing to the reputation
made by the early Caldwell bankers
and since maintained by newer men
engaged in the business the banks OF
Caldwell transact the business for men
livlng hundreds OF miles away. We
have no doubt but that much of the
trade coming to this city was started
in this direction by the local banks.
otockmen, ranchers and inning men
living back in the hills found that the
banks of this city were strong
enough to finance their operations
and nothing more natural than that
they should come here to trade. The
The business men OF the city have
been found to be upon par with the
bankers in integrity, stability and
willingness and ability to accommo-
date. 10 the banks, however, great
credit is due for the beginning OF a
great deal of business that comes to
this city.
Panics may come and go but the
banks of Caldwell go on their way
confident and secure. In 1898 Cald-
well established a reputation at time
when there was only one bank here.
A greater reputation was established
again in 1897 when our financial insti-
tutions were able to do business with
out resort to clearing house certiti-
Gates or cashiers checks. There were
very few towns in the west and none
in Idaho who were able to do this
In consequence the reputation OF
Caldwell grew and spread, until now
it stands alone among the smaller
cities OF the west,
The Sebrees Set the Pace.
With the greatest admiration and
miration and respect for those who are
now engaged in the banking business,
both for ability and integrity, The
Tribune believes that the influence OF
the Sebrees is still being felt in this
city. They set pace that was hard
to maintain but one that could be
slackened. To the infinite credit OF
Caldwell bankers it can be said that
they have tried and succeeded in
coming up to the expectations of a
community that had for over ~ years
MIR. Howard Sebree as our banker and
most prominent business man. He
made the First National Bank one OF
the strongest institutions in the state
and his successors have maintained
the position. While taking in new
stockholders from time to time the
management of the First National re-
manned the same until the Cosgroft
interests of Salt Lake bought the in
stitution. Since they purchased the
bank Mr.. Lyons has succeeded Mr..
Smell as cashier and there have been
changes on the board of directors.
With these two exceptions the First
National has undergone no changes in
the last quarter Of century.
Mr.. Sebree was banker of great
ability but in 1894 another man came
into prominence as leader in busi-
ness and financial circles. That man
was the late A. K. Steunenberg. The
Commercial bank was established by
a number of substantial farmers and
business men and under the control OF
Mr.. Steunenberg became one of the
biggest banks in the state. With the
exceptions of the changes necessitated
by death there have been no changes
in the Commercial bank. The original
stockholders are still interested in
the institution. Others have become
interested from time to time, but the
general policy has changed very little.
Mr.. Steunenberg was one of the most
progressive and enterprising business
men Caldwell has ever had. Today
the Commercial bank is one of the
most progressive and enterprising
business houses in the city. An in
tluence set to work, in business as in
everything else, goes on and on for
ever. We doubt not but that today
the officers of the bank when con-
fronted with grave problems ask
themselves what A. K. would have
done. If similar circumstance arose
during his administration of the bank.
under similar circumstances, his
course would be followed today.
The Later Institutions.
The fame of Caldwell having
spread and the town having grown
and showing every indication Of con-
tined growth, the Western National
bank was established. Except to
change the cashier this bank has un-
dergone little change since it opened
for business. The stockholders and
board of directors remain about the
same as they were six years ago.
Since the beginning the Western has
grown. While it grew the two older
banks continued to grow. This shows
that there was room in this city for
third bank. Outside capital was
interested. Business was attracted to
the new bank which for one reason
or other did not go to the older in
situations. This shows that no matter
how good or how strong a bank, or
anything else, maybe there is no such
thing as suitinR everybody. The