The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-11-14
JOHNSON 'EvENS
UP BY BUYING
WESTERN BANK
That Institution Forced Him to
Move 10 Years Ago,
OFFICE BUILDING PLANNED
Deposits American Now Sill
100000; Removal Made,

Nineteen years after being forced
from his office by the organization Of
the Western National bank, which
usurped the quarters he had been oeeu-
pying, Frank p, Johnson, president OF
the American National bank, "evencd
up" by buying the Western National
and consolidating it with his own insti-
tuition, making it the second largest in
the state.
Deposits Of tii,0oo,ooo.
Consolidation OF the Western Ma
tional bank and the American National
was announced by Mr.. Johnson late last
night. The new bank has deposits in
excess of $ll,0OO0OO and capital, sur.
plus and unvidided profits OF N00.0Oo
This is the original capital, surplus and
undivided profits OF the American Ma
tional That OF the Western National
is not combined with the assets Of the
new bank.
Only the Exchange National bank Of
Tulsa now exceeds the American Ma.
tional bank In point OF deposits. At
the close OF business on September ii,
date Of the last bank call, the Tulsa
bank had deposits OF sl8sl6.4l0.1 and
capital, surplus and undivided profits
OF 81 ,5e9 9,6O4.s8.
In speaking OF the consolidation this
morning, Mr. Johnson recalled the fact
that when the Western National was Or
ganired by NJ. L. Turner In 1898, he
tMr. Johnson) had an office In the
building at Main and Broadway occu'
pied by the bank until il was moved to
the American National location a,
Main and Robinson this morning. Wher
the hank wss mvvs&-iut otbe building
Mr.. johnson was compelled to move hi
insurance, loans and mortgage business
to the second floor OF the building,
Bank Sold is July.
Ava f. Smith, president OF th. West
ern National. bought the bank from NJ
L, Turner, its founder, In July Of this
year. He assumed control on July |.
Mr.. Smith, previous to buying the West
ern National, was located at Dustin,
Okla, where he still owns the Dustin
State bank. Deposits Of the Western
National grew from approximately
81 $4,000 at the time he assumed charge
to about $l7S0OM when the consolida-
tion took place. Mr.. Smith several years
ago was In charge Of collections and
foreign exchange fot the American Ma.
tionsl bank. He will be associated
with il in the future In q semi.offieial
capacity, II was announced today.
The American National bank was or
ganired by G. G., Sohlberg, s. NJ Gloyd
and others in 1901. At that time 1t
occupied room on the corner now oc-
cupied by the Crosby Drug company in
the Lee Huckins hotel. When the old
five-story hotel building burned, how
ever, in 1908, the bank was moved.
The present American National bank
building was built IN 1902
President In 1905.
Mr.. Johnson, now president OF the
bank, became associated with it as
cashier in 1909, Previous to that time
he had been cashier, vice president and
president, respectively OF the Okla
homa City Savings bank. He was
made presidents OF the American Ma
tional in 1905. three years after his
affiliaiion with it. In that period he
has seen its deposits grow from a
modest sum to thtir present proper.
tions OF SllOO0,0O0'
Mr. Smith, retiring head OF the
Western National, will devote his time
henceiorth to growing cattle loan
business in which he is interested, and
in caring for real estate interests. He
owns between $4,000 and 1000 acres
OF land in various parts OF the state.
Plans for the erection OF twelve
story modern office building on the
present site OF the Western National
will not be halted BY the consolida e
ton, Mr.. Smith announced this morn
ing While work will not start at once
because OF the scarcity and price OF ma.
terials, il is Mr.. Smiths intention to
build as soon as practicable
Employees Move, Too.
All employees OF the Western Ma
tional were moved to the American
National bank this morning and all
business OF both banks was transacted
in the same room Mr.. Johnson said
that results this morning indicate that
only a small percentage of the West.
ern Nationals business will he lost by
the change Practically all It's pat
rons came to the American National
this morning to transact their business
The status OF officers and employees
OF the two banks will not be changed
for few days, according 10 Nj John
son Al officers and every smployc OF
the Western National was at the Amerl-
esn National when the doors opened
today Announcements Of possible
changes Of personnel will not Ne made
until after meeting Of directors Of
the new bank.
Consolidation Of The two banks and
The increase in business il will cause