State Bank of Table Rock -- Strong enough to last 130 years

The State Bank of Table Rock

is table rock going to have that bank?

December 2, 1882 Argus. At the top of the social snippets: "Is Table Rock going to have that bank?"

According to a history of the State Bank of Table Rock from “Hassler’s – History of Pawnee County 1896,”another bank pre-dated it. No name is given. It is simply said that the "first bank in this town was started by W. M. Forbes and Wheelock." It was then succeeded by the State Bank of Table Rock.

"Is Table Rock going to have that bank?" Something was in the works in 1882.

1885 -- State Bank of Table Rock founded

The State Bank of Table Rock was founded 130 years ago. The magic date is November 2, 1885.

The bank president -- and presumably the founder -- was General David Remick, a Civil War veteran. The photo at left of Civil War General David Russell Remick, buried in Iowa, is believed to be of him. He was reportedly named as Brevet Brigadier General for "faithful and meritorious services as Chief Commissary of Subsistence of the 4th Army Corps, and afterwards of the Army of the Tennessee during the campaigns of Atlanta, Savannah and the Carolinas."

1892 -- bank building constructed

Hassler's said, "In 1892, a fine two story brick building was erected at a cost of $5,500, which was used as the bank’s home."

Photo 202, below, probably shows the bank in 1893, when it was a year old.

The basis for dating the photo: The bank was built in 1892 the Opera House and the building on its north side (now the Legion Hall) in 1893. The Opera House is here but not the Legion Hall. So, it appears that this photo was taken some time in 1893.

There are a lot of men out front. There were a lot of people in Table Rock, almost 700 in town. Pawnee County had a population of over 10,000 then. (In 2010 it was less than 3,000.)

Photo 202.

1892 - Interior of the new bank finished "in an elegant manner"

Hassler's 1896 history said of the "fine" building that cost $5,500, "It is finished throughout in an elegant manner, the counters being made of birch wood. The valuables of this institution are safely ensconced in a Diebold safe surrounded by a strong brick vault, which makes it perfectly secure. It is supplied with all the appliances for safe and conservative banking." Photo 183 below shows the interior of the bank decades later, but probably much the same as it was in 1896.

Photo 183. L. J. Duder and Guy Bonham.

According to Hassler's, the bank started with a capital of $10,000. The capital, and quickly the surplus, were commonly advertised, as can be seen in some of the many advertisements that have appeared in the Argus, below.

A city directory in 1911

Document 42: A 1911 Pocket Directory contained business advertisements, including one for the State Bank of Table Rock.

the bank building at the corner has long been an anchor for the town

Photo 202, some fun excerpts:

Photo 408, some fun excerpts

It has also been a place from which to view the town.

Bank owners and cashiers - nice people

According to Hassler's, in 1896, "The officers are pleasant and accommodating gentlemen.” It went on to describe the cashier, and assistant cashier, with no mention of the president, Gen. D. Remick.

General Remick was not mentioned in 1896.

The head cashier -- D. K. Miller -- was “an old settler” who owned a lot of land and had a fine farm with a “large and commodious” home.

The assistant cashier -- C. J. Wood -- was a “popular young man held in high esteem by the people.”

Photo 154. L. J. Duder & Guy Bonham, undated. Bonham was born 1895, Duder in 1906.

Some fun excerpts from Photo 154:

December 1955