By Charles Rockwell | Thanks to several of my thirteen readers for telling me that they enjoy reading about times past. Since I started in first grade in 1932, that was a long time ago, with not quite so many laws, rules, and directives. My teacher in first, second, and third grade was Miss Bohlayer (later Mrs. Albert Clark). She had high standards and we pupils made a strong effort to please her. I suppose it was when I was in third grade a high school student would bring each teacher their monthly pay check. Then Miss Bohlayer would send me to the First National Bank to deposit same. The interior of the bank was all shining marble with bronze grating on each teller window. I felt out of place, but must be carried out her wishes for I think it became my monthly duty. Even in this present time, when I enter the bank, I fear I will make a mistake. |
Historically I recall when the bank burned the plate glass windows melted and ran down as red hot liquid.
The vaults could not be opened for 30 days after the fire or they might explode. The brown brick Farmer's Bank Building that still stands on the corner of Main and Center (the telephone co.) was vacant and it was owned by First National. They then set up the bank in that location. The main trouble was that all the fixtures of the Farmer's Bank had been stored in the basement of First National and had been destroyed in the fire. So they made counters out of plywood. It had a rather informal, friendly atmosphere.