The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-05-20

On Monday morning the First Ma
tonai Bank Of Sumter opened its
doors for business In It's handsome
home on South Main street which has
just been completed at cost Of
$4,000. '''
About two years ago the board Of
directors decided that the bank should
build its own home and with this OBJ
ject In view purchased q lot on South
Main street for the site of the build
Ing into which they are moving today.
The First National Bank of Sum-
ter was organized In october. 1887.
a. the Simonds National Bank and,
its original capital stock was $4,000.
The capital stock was later increased
to $4,000 and the name of the insti-
tuition changed to the First National
Bank Of Sumter. This was all Of the
cash ever paid In, but the capital has
been increased since that time by a
payment OF dividends in capital stock.
making Its present capital and sur
plus 3225,000. The bank since It's
organization has paid out almost this
amount In dividends. which have
amounted to slightly more than $780,
600 In the twenty-seven years 1t has
been doing business.
Tho bank was organized with DR..
Andrew Simonds Of Charleston as It's
president. r. M. Wallace. vice-pres-
14npssAuesw>s Alssen Pringie, 'Jr., as
casls1sH Upon the death Of DR..
simonds Mr.. Wallace became presi-
dent. He was succeeded by DR.. A. J..
China. who In turn was succeeded by
the incumbent. Cashiers succeeding
Mr.. Pringle were L. 6. Carson, r. l..
Edmunds and the incumbent.
The present officers and force Of
tho bank are: President. Neili O'Don-
nell: Vice President and Attorney II.
d. Lee; Cashier. ]. l.. McCallum;
Teller. o. L. Yates; Bookkeepers, a,
X. Bernshouse and r. T. Brown; in
charge OF collecting department, j,
william Kinard.
The First National Bank Is the old
est bank In the county and has al
ways been q conservative and strong
force In the business of the city. 1,
has had steady and continuous
growth corresponding to the growth
OF the city and the prosperity Of the
county and has a large list Of patrons
In this city and throughout all of the
surrounding country. Its policy
while conservative. has always been
one OF progress and It's officers have
always been obliging. In so far as the
rules OF q sound banking system
would allow. and courteous to all who
have had business with the institu-
ton.
The bank building is a handsome
and substantial appearing structure
with front Of granite and cooper
IL has been erected at a cost Of $32.-
900. and with the vault and fixtures
the entire cost will be about $35. 1000.
The lot on which the building Is sit
uated was purchased by the bank two
years ago from Messrs. Manning,
Rowland. Shore and Wilson for s2l,-
200. making the total cost of build
Ing and lot approximately $4,000.
The lot has a front of twenty seven
fet eight inches on Main street and
a depth OF two hundred feet. The To-
cation Is good one. near the center
Of tho business section of the city
and In a position convenient to all OF
its patrons and friends.
The footings Of the building are OF
Portland cement concrete. The ex-
terror walls are twelve inches thick
and are Of hard burnt local brick laid
up In Portland cement mortar. The
front Is Of New Hampshire granite
with a backing OF brick work, each
granite block being secured By iron
anchors. The large opening in the
front Is filled with copper kalamein
work and gives the front an appear
ance OF stability. The roof girdcrs
and. beams are of steel. supporting a
reinforced cinder conrete foundation
for the vitrified tile roofing. The
skylight is ten by thirty feet and is
cs the studio type. admitting only
northern light and relieving the inside
OF the building OF the direct rays of
the sun. 1t has framework Of steel
covered with asbestos mill board and
an outside covering OF galvanized iron.