Year: 1859

EDITOR DEMocRAr: How Is It that the
Branch Of the State Bank was located at
Arrow Rock? We are given to under
stand that the Directory Of the Mother
Bank had determined upon Marshall as the
place best suited for the Branch, and were
somewhat astonished at the announcement
Of its location at Arrow Rock. Please en-
tighten US upon the subject. ae


INQUIRER.


As much interest has been felt through !
out the country, and much has been said
about this matter, we propose giving his
tory of the transaction throughout, SO for, at
least, as we understand 1t.


1t must be understood, in the first place,
that SO far as we are personally crncernsd,
the location of the Bank at any place was Of
interest to US, as we have no spare funds to
iavest in Bank stock; but as a matter of in
terest to the largest number Of our patrons,
we favored its location at Marshall-being
central in the county.


1t will be remembered that some time in
the month of Januaty last, letter was re-
ceived by John W. Bryant, Esq, from a
gentleman high in authority with the Banks
and an influential citizen of our county,
This letter was published in the county pa
pers, and designated Marshall as the CEN
tral point and the proper place for the loca-
ton of Bank intended for the benefit of
the county. All the reasons which exist
for the preference Of Marshall over any 9TH
er point in the county were ably set forth
in this letter, and with degree Of fairness
and candor which at once convinced almost
every one in the county of ths propriety Of
the suggestions. On the faith of this letter
the citizens of Marshall and vicinity Il once
went to work, and tock the incipisnt steps
towards the establishment Of Bank at this
point, with the full concurrence of every
part Of the county, except, perhaps, a few
in Arrow Rock. A subscription paper was
put in circulation, and almost the entire
amount of stock necessary was taken with
in few Days, and every assurance was
that the balance could be taken with little
or no difficulty. This stock, too, was taken
by our most substantial citizens-men who
were in earnest, and who would have met
every dollar of it promptly. Assurances of
full cooperation in this move came from
every quarter Of the county; in Miami, (the
most important business point IN the eoun-
ty,) the location of the Bank at Marshall
met with a unanimous sanction, and the
Bank stock would have been taken heavily
in that township, as in our own and every
ether.


At this juncture Of the affair, several Of
our citizens visiting St. Louis made it con-
venient TO consult with the Directors of the
Bank Of the State Of Missouri relative to the
location Of branch Of that institution here,
and all agree that they received such assur-
snces as left but little doubt on their minds
Of the intention Of the Board to that effect.
Indeed, such was their confidence in this
matter, that all overtures from other Banks
desirOus of locating branch at Marshall
were at once lost sight Of.


after the Mechanics Bank had disposed
Of her Branch, and the Legislature had sd-
journsd, dame Rumor began to whisper
tha. '.there was cheating around the board;"
that the Directors of the Bank Of Missouri
had had the scales torn from their eyes;
that Marshall was no place for Bank, but
that Arrow Rock was, par excellence, TIE
placs-snd accordingly the Bank was looa-
ted there. 1t is not our purposes here to
point out the causes Of tbs change Of mind
in the Directory, nor to in,inuate that there
has been any political or financial legsrde-
main brought to bear in this case. As .
public journalist. it is simply our duty to
state facts, "in order to vindieats the truth
Of history" lsating to the more discrimi-
mating public mind to trace out "causs and
effect.n To our friends in Arrow Rock,
who are disposed to ofejoics SO loudly over
their imaginary victory, let US state that,
towards them we do not, nor does any one
else who is posted in the matter, entertain
the slightest feelings Of uukindness. Let