Evening journal., 1915-04-12
BANKERS
ON FIRST DAY
IN new HOME
Opening of the Wilmington
Branch, Farmers Bank,
Delightful Event
Governor miller AND
DIRECTORS RECEIVE FRIENDS

Under ideal spring weather condi- |
tions the handsome new banking |
house OF the Wilmington branch of
the Farmers Bank Of Delaware at
the northwest corner of Third and |
Market streets was opened this morn
ing. The imposing building, which |
stands as a fitting monument to more |
than a century of successful banking |
business, was crowded with patrons |
and friends from the time the bronze
portals first opened for business at
o'clock this morning until closing |
time this afternoon.
Today's program included a pub
lie reception formally to open the
new bank. and it was all that the
name implied. The directors headed
| by Governor Charles r. Miller, the
president, we're kept busy receiving
! the hundreds Of citizens who called
to pay their respects and congratu
| late the officials in having such an
elaborate, beautiful and down-to-the-
minute structure.
The committee Of arrangements had
left nothing unspared to make the re-
ception a success. Handsome carna-
tions with a fine booklet containing
a history of Wilmington as well as
the Farmers Bank we're presented to
all women who called, and cigars that
bore a band with the name Of the
Farmers Bank of Wilmington on them
were presented with a booklet to the
men visitors. The booklet was de-
signed as a souvenir, being printed in
soft tones and the cover de-
sign contained picture of the en-
trance and majestic pillars Of the
banks facade. The book contained
history, illustrated. Of the bank.
Scattered about in the spacious
public lobby we're palms, and on tho
balcony was Robinson's orchestra OF
ten pieces. which played classical Sc
lcctions throughout the receiving
10 Charles A. Feilaisweler of No. 3ll
Market street, belongs the honor of
being the first citizen TO make a deposit
in the banking department of the bank
in its new home. Mr.. Fell was one OF
the first callers. and Thomas B. Donahoe,
: receiving teller, WAS the official who had
the honor to take the first deposit.
Joshua Conuor, of No. 237 Market
street. harness manufacturer, was the
, second one to make a deposit in the
banking department.
In the savings fund department the
, first deposit was made by Herbert Wat
, son Fritz. son of George Fritz, of the
, George r. Fritz Furniture Company
, Irwin Snollenburg son Of David Snellcn-
burg, a director of the bank, who has
charge of the savings department, re-
, ceived this deposit.
All callers we're greeted by the re-
, ception committee, who comprised
Governor Charles R. Miller. president
, of the bank; Charles f. Dubell, David
. Snellenburg, Vincent Walker, direc-
, tors. and Ezekiel Cooper. cashier.
They were busy throughout this morn
p ing and early afternoon meeting and
! shaking hands with friends of the
bank who called there to inspect the
p building and extend congratulations.
Edward Candy May. architect, who
? drew the plans for the new banking
institution, assisted the receiving COM
= mittee. Mr.. May was complimented
: by hosts of callers, 1t being conceded
that he had won new laurels with the
- erection of the new palace of finance.
The massive vault which greets the
! eve of everyone who enters the build
, ing. was admired by all. Officials of
the institution explained in details
the working of the mechanism of the
, door. which weighs fifteen tons alone,
while the hinges weigh five tons, max
eI ing a total of twenty tons in all.
>. The directors of the bank will hold
10 a reception at their new home tomOr-
= row between 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock,
r. when State, county and city officials,
lel as well as officers Of various banking
is institutions in Wilmington and from
mi ether cities, will be entertained
A pretty tribute was received from
=. Union National Bank in the form of
r a large bouquet of flowers, with a suit
ably inscribed card attached. The
70 bouquet was placed on a table along
AL side of where Governor Miller was re-
Q ceiving.
Snap dragins aid Easter lilies COM
n. prised the large floral tribute from
iel Union Bank
orl Up to / o'clock this afternoon sew
eral thousand men and women had
called at the bank. At all times il
was thronged with patrons and friends
of the institution, all of whom were
w. urstinted in praise of the beautiful
II =. building and its furnishings.
While the massive door Of the vault
4 was a great object of interest, there
n we're many who compared il with tho
no old iron chest used for the storage of
money in 1913. which occupied place
in the public lobby