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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (July 2, 1905)
THE OMAIIA ILLUSTRATED BEE. Pioneer Bankers and Banking During the Early Days of Omaha 'A - n a i -i, 1 I II I! 1 II 1 I it 5s U J ..v.. .. - . - . - r tft:-l'tr!! I I ill " BANKING HOUSE OP J. A. WARE & CO. IN 180. ' ni'T.n the shades of 1863 take a I I little automobile ride through I Omaha's minclral etreets today thoy would rub their eyes and pinch themselves and express thomselves In words of amazement at the Change wrought In the two score and two years. The pioneers of Omaha's early banking colony bullded more wisely than they knew, although some had unbounded faith In the future of the commonwealth with which they cast their lot. Some of those sturdy men have lived to see and enjoy the fruits of their labors and to realize their dreams, while others have (tone to the great beyond, after seeing a partial completion of the great work in (which they were a part. The first office opened In Omaha for the transaction of a general banking business was In the spring of lSoS, when the West ern Exchange Klre and Marine Insurance company opened an office at the southwest corner of Twelfth and Farnam streets, where the United States National bank Is now located. From that time until 1SC3 various concerns put their shingles out to solicit such business as In those days came under the head of "general banking." The Western company was the first financial institution to be established in Nebraska Under a charter from the legislature. Jumping from 1857 to 18S3. during which latter year the real banking history of the city began, the only1 banks in Omaha were the Kountze Bros. and the bank of Bar rows, Millard & Co., the former then lo cated at the northwest corner and the latter at the southwest corner of Twelfth and Farnam streets. ( While both of the banks referred to had been established at the locations mentioned some years prior to 1863, that year stands (out In the banking annals of the city as a red letter one, in that the first national bank to be organized In the state waa established that year and that two men, now at the head of two of Omaha's banks, began their banking careers here at that time. Earlr Days of the Dank. MUlton T. Barlow, the only organizer of the United States National hank now alive, began his chosen profession in 1863 with the firm of Barrows, Millard & Co., at the same corner where the United States National bank is now located and of which Institution Mr. Barlow has been president since 18S7. Speaking of the early days, Mr. Barlow said one day last week: "When I dropped into the firm of. Bar rows, Millard & Co., In 1863, Mr. Ezra Mil lard was at the time alone in the bank, C. W. Hamilton, then the bookkeeper, was in Missouri buying corn with which to fill government contracts, while T3. S. Cald well was in the east to be married. To get an idea of what constituted banking In those days it must be remembered that Nebraska did not raise enough corn with which to fill a government contract calling for 10,000 bushels; besides there were no railroads, packing houses and other in dustries Uiat today make banking what It la. But few men of those days realized what a future Omaha had. Other places nearby apparently had a better start, but have since been lost in the running. In the early days of my banking experience banking consisted principally of land war rants and gold dust and paying taxes for nonresidents, besides writing Insurance." M.'. Barlow says his first duties in ths bank of Barrows, Millard & Co. were what ever came to hand. He climbed gradually and surely, staying at the same location for forty-two years, being still at the old stand as president of the United .States National bank. Quaint Features of Current Life Flit Fight to the Death. .TjnVVTI of nennlA In Pftru. Tnrl . i I witnessed a fight to death be- I tween two black baas In an aquarium in the show window of the store of Jones St Beck, durin their absence. A male bass weighing two pounds attacked another one that weighed two and one-half pounds and finally killed it. The male bass made a nest in the aeuarium and when the other fish came near the fight began. The water fairly boiled wtth the fish darting hither and thither and Inside of ten minutes every fin and the tall of the larger bass were torn off by the smaller one. After that the smaller fish frequently caught the larger one in its mouth and broke its bones. In a short time the cripple turned over and died. This is the third bass that has been killed py the two-pound fish. Dies from Inhaling; flairs. William Crawford, a barber of New Al bany, Ind., Is dead from the effects of small particles o f h air which were Inhaled while he was following his trade and which entered his throat and lungs. He began complaining several months ago of severe pains In his throat and lungs, which Increased in intensity until he was compelled to give up his work. It was at first thought he was suffering from consumption, but the attending physi cian believes the lacerated and Inflamed condition of tho throat and bronchial tubes was due to particles of hair, which became imbedded In the tissues, worked them selves Into the flesh and caused ulceration to follow. His suffering for several weeks before his death was Intense, and his screams during the severe paroxysms of pain could be heard throughout the neighborhood. Crawford waa 66 years old, and had been a resident of New Albany nearly all bis life. Snake la Cyclone Cellar. If there is any place where a Kansas man wants to feel free from Intrusion It Is in his cyclone cellar. The Kansas City Jour nal relates how the family of John Moore, In northern Comanche county, went to their place of refuge from a tornado the other night only to find they had got Into a cave barefooted with a rattlesnake. The Interior of the cave was In complete dark ness, when the inmates were startled by hearing the unmistakable sound made by a rattler. Mr. Moore hastily struck a match and by Its faint glimmer saw the snake in the attitude of striking. The hiatch went out and the family began to scream. An other match was lighted, and the snake was still visible and rattling furiously. Then Mr. Moore made a flying leap for the steps. Jumping over the snake, opened the doer and secured a pitchfork. Then, while his wife held a match, he killed the rattler. Precautions In Those Times. Henry W. Tates Is the other man who has helped make the year 1863 one to reckon from In considering the history of local banks. Mr. Yates is well known, through out the west particularly and the country In general, as a financier and an authorita tive writer on financial subjects. He came to Omaha In 1861 and in 1863 entered the service of Kountze Bros., bankers, at the northwest corner of Twelfth and Farnam streets, at which location Mr. Tates now presides as chief officer of the Nebraska National bank. With some business ex perience to rely on, he was employed as confidential clerk and cashier by the Kountze brothers. During 18G3 Kountze Bros, organized the First National bank, two doors east of the present location of tho Nebraska National bank. After nine teen years' service with the Kountze Bros, and the First National bank, Mr. Tates, In the spring of 1882, with A. E. Touzalln, organized the Nebraska National bank. Mr. Tates tells some interesting reminis cences of the days that have passed. "For years at the old bank," says Mr. Tates, "gold dust was the chief considera tion In banking circles. The miners from Colorado, Montana and Idaho would bring In their dust in buckskin ags. After blow ing the sand out of the dust we would , weigh It and pay' the miners In various f jrms of tender, principally Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, and Ohio state bank notes. Every evening we would save the sweepings from the bank floor to get the gold dust that might have dropped. When a sufficient accumulation of the dust had been bought FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILXIINtt, 1864. we would send a consignment to the gov .nment assay office. (iniirdlno, the (iold llnat, "It whs not unusual for some one to sleep In the back room of the bank at nights. The old Kountze bank was a little frame building something like 20x10, with one front door and two windows. At t)ie rear of the bank the ground sloped in such a manner as to leave part of the floor ex posed. In that connection I remember a good Joke on Luther Kountze, now wtth the New Tork bank of Kountze Bros. There was a scare current here that the 'Jaybawkers' were rampant in Kansas and might get up to Omaha and attack Its banks. On one particular evening Mr. Kountze secured a hammer and a lot of na'ls and fastened wooden bars over all the windows. We viewed his work together and were unanimous in the opinion that the Jayhawkers would find it no easy task to get Into the Kountze Bres. bank without resistance. Uneasy laid the head of every Omaha banker that night. Fortunately the Jayhawkers did not come farther north than Nebraska City. The next morning when we looked around the bank to see If all was well we noticed that in his zeal Mr. Kountze had overlooked the exposed flooring at the rear of the bank. From that day to this Mr. Kountze always takes a walk around the. rear of the bank when locking up for the night. Omaha was a great outfitting point In those days and that create business for the banks. In time the railroads entered, other commer cial enterprises made their appearance, until today the city rests on a strong finan cial foundation." First of Nattontl Banks. The First National bank owes Its exist ence to the Kountze brothers, August, Her man, Luther and Charles, who established themselves In a small store on the north side of Farnam street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, soon to move east where the Nebraska National bank Is now. On the windows of the little old bank were the letters: "Exchange Bought and Sold." "Gold Dust and Government Vouchers Bought." In 1863 the First National bank was organized with Edward Creighton, president; Herman Kountze, vice president; Augustus Kountze, cashier; H. W. Yates, assistant cashier. The business of the Kountze Bros.' bank and the First Na tional were merged and Jn .1866 .moved Into a two-story brick building at Thirteenth and Farnam streets, on the site where the present large buildings was erected In 1886. The present site of the First National bank nil oocupled many years ago by a two-story frame hotel, kept by Landlord Vergus, and was the place where the Ger man farmers stopped when they came to town. It was known as the "Farmers' Home," and sported a large and commodi ous stable In the rear, next to the alley. At Prominent Young Iowa Attorney : ivr y-m V Y ':" "7 K j..i.-;-,.--v.-v - nhf-iA"- --'- . JBnnlJh,- - - - 1m"m ti lS" - ,'. -v-ajTi liii.i'i' .-T. --i ' ' ' - . "TZ !mm!'1- '' i'inl l'l'WIM-''''-'""''W' UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK IN 1S66. the dinner hour the landlord would go up on the roof and vigorously beat a large ' triangle, which would be heard all over the town and surrounding country. Imagine Ralph Kitchen or Rome Miller todiy getting on top of the Paxton or Her Grand to call the hungry to the flesh pots! Birth of a Present Bank. Each of Omaha's banking institutions has a history peculiar to Itself. The United States National bnnk is the oldest estab lished banking house In the city, the parent Institution being the old firm of Barrows. Millard & Co., which located during 1856 on Harney street, to soon after move Into the two-story building previously occupied by the Western Exchange Fire and Marine company at Twelfth and Farnam street, and a reproduction of which building Is given, showing the sign of Caldwell, Ham ilton & Co., to which name the firm was changed In 18G8. Many of the younger gen eration living in dmaha today can remem ber the old Caldwell, Hamilton & Co. bank building. The old landmark was torn down eighteen year ago to give way for the splendid structure that now covers the site. The original firm of Barrows, Millard & Co. Included Wills rd Barrows, Ezra Millard, J. H. Millard and 8. S. Caldwell. The firm name was changed to Millard, Caldwell & Co. In 1865, when C. W. Hamilton, pre viously bookkeeper, was admitted as a member of the firm. Then Mr. Hamilton bought the interest of Ezra Millard and the name of the institution was changed to Caldwell, Hamilton & Co. S. S. Caldwell died June 6. 1884. His son, Victor B., is now cashier of the bank. Senator Millard, a member of the original firm of Barrows, Millard St Co., Is now president of the Omaha National bank, organized In 1866 by Ezra Millard, deceased. In 1883 the United Slates National bank was organized with a paid-up capital of $100,000. Expedient of a Pioneer. The Omaha National bank was organized July 2, 1866, Ezra Millard, formerly of the Barrows, Millard St Co. bank, being the first president. The original directors were Ezra Millard, R. A. Brown, Joseph N. Field, S. S. Caldwell, J. J. Brown, Thomas Martin and A. J. Simpson. Senator Millard, now president of the bank, entered the lnstitu- 4f y Xy ' f'':::: -(, lf?-y r -zz J " A B. S. CALDWELL. M. T. BARLOW. EZRA MILLARD. Gossip and Stories About Noted People IEORQE W. EGAN, Logan, la.. who made the closing argument in behalf of Tom Dennlson In his recent trial at Red Oak., was born and reared In Iowa. He Is a clas sical soholar, having received from the state university of Iowa the degrees of master of arts and master of laws, cumlaude. While at the university he took highest rank in the art of public speech. He rep resented Iowa In the national oratorical contest and won prises In extemporaneous debate. Although one of the youngest moil In the practice of law, he is considered one of the leading lawyers of the state. He has a wide reputation as a lecturer and after dinner speaker. His recent argument in the Dennlson case was considered a mas terpiece for logic, beautiful diction and stately oratory. Prayer and Poultice. The late Joseph Jefferson was suddenly taken ill while visiting at the home of a friend. The wife of the gentleman whose tospltality he had enjoyed became alarmed over his condition, and. being of a relig ious turn of mind, wished to instill In the mind of the actor her belief In the necessity for spiritual contemplation. A call to his room for the purpose of applying a poultice gave her the much-desired opportunity "Mr Jefferson," she said, nervously shift Ing the poultice from one hand to the other, "for your sake, for the sake of your friends, your family, I I. would like to' pray for you." The actor listened attentively, and his answer came slowly. "Yes, madam," he said, "you may for my sake, for your sake, for everybody's sake, but fur heaven's sake put on the poultice." GEO ROB W BA.OAN, A. it LU U Or LOGAN, IOWA. Morton Seared Telephone Company. Secretary Morton entered the cabinet on Ju le 4, 1904. and at the meeting on August I he submitted a proposition which startled his colleagues and horrified certain capi talists In Washington. For years the local telephone service, unrestricted by competi tion, had been charging the government for several thousand telephones at rates which Mr. Morton regarded as extravagant. At the cabinet meeting he brought the subject to the attention of the rrideif "What are you suing to do about 11? There is only one telephone company In Washington," remarked another member of the cabinet. "Organize a government company," coolly replied the secretary, and he proceeded to unfold his scheme, together with careful estimates of the cost, the saving to be made, etc. It never became necessary for the government to construct its own Jlne. The local company saw the point and low ered its rates to suit Mr. Morton's ideas. Tom Reed and Ills Collars. Among the prominent men of New Eng land there was none, perhaps, who wore a larger collar than Tom Reed. One hot day In the summer of 1901 Reed was In Ports mouth and having, to wait oe,r for a train, he decided to make an Impromptu toilet, changing his collar, etc. So he hied himself to the nearest haberdasher's and began a general survey of the collars displayed In the store. "Waited on, sir?" queried one of the clerks. "Not yet," responded Reed, and then added: "I would like a collar." "What size?" piped the clerk. "Size Ul." answered Reed. "We don't keep collars so large, but I think you may be accommodated at the store Just around the coriur." Reed fou-id the store around the corner to be a har ness shop. 1, Getting; Their Attention. Dr. J. Bond I-lttlg, senior professor of the New York College of Dentistry, has original and decidedly clever views as to how to catch and hold the attention of the Gotham collegian, says the New York World. "There Is no use trying to overawe the up-to-date New York youth," he remarked the otht-r Jaj. "Such tactics may or may not succeed with kludents in rural colleges, but young Manhattan Is a law unto him self. Many a professor has gone down to failure because he didn't or wouldn't understand this. "I remember a particularly restive class of embryo students to whom I was lec turing not long ago. It was difficult to catch' their full attention, and as the lec ture was important 1 decided on a rather peculiar appeal. I stopped the discourse for the moment and said: " 'Gentlemen, am not perhaps as uung tton in 1866 as cashier. The bank originally was located at the northwest corner of Fourteenth and Douglas streets. Writing of the early days of the Omaha National bank one historian has this to say: "It was customary for one of the em ployes, before the day's business began, to secure a good-sized bundle of currency from the more secure vault and burglar proof safe of Millard, Caldwell St Co., and. having disguised It by wrapping It In an old newspaper, to walk unconcernedly through the streets from Twelfth and Farnam streets to Fourteenth and Douglas streets, as though carrying a bundle of old clothes. The package seldom contained less than $20,000. When business was over for tho day the ceremony of the morning was again gone through with, to get the funds of the bank to a place of safety for the night. This was kept up until January 1, 18C7. when the bank occupied Its quarters at Thirteenth and Douglas streets." Joseph N. Field, one of the original direc tors of the Omaha National bank, is now in Manchester. England, representing the firm of Marshall Field & Co. of Chicago. Genesis of the Others, In the fall of 1866 J. A. Ware & Co. opened a banking office at the northwest corner of Thirteenth and Farnam streets. The orig inal firm consisted of J. A. Ware, Posey S. Wilson and John W. Hugus. This Institu tion was later known as the State Bank of Nebraska, to be finally changed to the Merchants National bank, now one of the foremost banking houses In the city. The late Ben B. Wood was cashier of the old State Bank of Nebraska, while the late Frank Murphy succeeded W. D. Morton, brother of the late J. Sterling Morton, as president of the same bank, holding that position with the Merchants National until the time of his death last year. The Mer chants National bank has been known by that name since October 2, 1R82. The Commercial National bank, one of tho younger of Omaha's financial Institu tions, was established May 1, 184, by the late Ezra Millard, who was the first presi dent of the bank. Two years after the Commercial National was established the Union National was added to the cl y's banking row. After long years of service with the First National bank Henry T. Yates established the Nebraska National bank wtth A. E. Touzalin, April 27, 1&S2, with a paid up capital of 0,000. In 1881 Mr. Touzalln was appointed vice president of the Chi cago, Burlington & Qulncy Railroad com pany and later president of the Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railroad company, Blnce bought by the Burlington system. Omaha has had other banks of various kinds and at various times. Some of those have been forgotten, while time in Its flight Is fast healing the wounds caused by others. Out of the years it can be said that Omaha has reared a great financial establishment that Is a credit to the city and state and to those who had given of their brains and energy. Curious and RQmantic Capers of Cupid Three glstera the Brides. HE three pretty daughters of Mr. and Mrs. George Henry Gillette of Waterbury, Conn., were mar ried on the 24th Inst, at the first triple wedding ever held In New England. Helen Maude Mabel Electa and Annie Laura are their names, and from their earliest recollection they have been as In separable almost as though they had been born triplets . The wedding party entered the parlor, preceded by two clergymen and four ush ers. Then came Miss Helen, with Pearl J. Skilton; Miss Mabel, with Morton R. Chlpman, and Miss Annie, with Edward J. Ranslow. Three distinct ceremonies were performed. The parents of the three bride grooms were present. The brides wore gowns exactly alike, of white silk trimmed with duchesse lace and rut without trains. The bridal party drove to, the railroad station together, where their frst separation took place, each couple going In a different direction for the honeymoon. I.leenae Granted. A young countryman was on his way to Wichita, Kan., on Decoration day, and con fided to some mischievous fellow travelers that he Intended getting a marriage license In that city. One of the other passengers said that it being a holiday no license would be issued unless by authority of Governor Hoch. This decleratlon was In dorsed by all the conspirators, so when the countryman reached Wichita he appealed to the governor, who waa there. Governor Hoch joined in tho Joke and gave the young man the following written on his personal card: "To the Probate Judge of Sedg-wlck County and Whom It May Concern: All laws which In any way Interfere with the marriage of this young man. the bearer, on this date are hereby declared null and void. E. W. HOCH. "Governor of Kansas." oTely In Wedding; Reception. A new social experiment was tried In New Tork the other day and apparently met with success. The bride at a large wedding did not live In that city. Her very con servative family, which has lived for years In a home on the Hudson, shuddered at the idea of a weddlns; reception In a restau rant. It happened that a house on Fifth avenue owned by a friend of the family was for rent. It was completely furnished. So It was rented for the day and there the wedding reception was held in the e.;cln siveness of a handsome home which might have belonged to the family. Noted Orator Who Will Speak at Omaha July 4 as I once was. When I have passed away you will regret that ytu did not pay closer attention to my words. . Years hence you will pass a grave. Above it will be my name. And on the headstone will be en graved the following consistently dental epitaph, composed by myself: " 'Stranger, draw nigh and gaze with flt ting gravity; Within is Lit tig. filling his last cavity!" "1 had o trouble, for the rest of the lecture. In engaging the class's attention." Senntnr Klttreilae as a Speaker,. Throughout his three years' srvlce In the United States senate 8"nator Kittredge of South Dakota has consistently and persist ently maintained the reputation which pre ceded his going to Washington of being "tho silent man." For years he has demon strated his belief in the old saw that "Si lence Is golden," though he has at com mand the power of exquisite expression. The senator does not crave the reputation of being u orator, but a few evenings ago he astonished some of hts most Intimate friends. A body of visiting students from Norway were entertained at his home town of Sioux Falls and the senator delivered a short address. His subject was "South Dakota." and he treated it In a masterly fashion, rousing his hearers to great enthur'asm by the terse ness and fine vigor of his utterances. Balked at the Brink. The late General Kltzhugh Lee had a large fund of war-time anecdotes. He used to tell this one: On account of the shifting of officers to replace losses, a young Irish captain was given command of a raw trwip of volunteers who were under fire for the first time. Their b.--o-tisin must have unnerved the recruits, for they never huriKcd at the command to charge. A second command likewise being dlsoheyed to their leader's stupeflcatlon. he rode along the line glaring ! iproanhf ully at Ills men and demanded sarcastically, "w hat alls you fellows, anyhow T D ye want to live forever?" ; '.-,' -. V . y. - " . A i f ' VV-' . . . ,: , A ' V "'',' 1 .... V--I' " ' V : '.';. C -'t & ' 1 ,'.'.;'.'" I ' . . . '.--.. i. ,-. -j"-"" """ew -t " ' "'". V'-V"" ! V'- ' ..".:;.'".: . ' v . t y .' v "'' J )) J PATXICK EHZSXT CRT AN O ClIICAUq t