THE NEW FIRST NATIONAL BANK (1888)

First National Bank next to Firemen's Hall, Main Street, Cortland.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 22, 1888.

The New First National.

   The officers of the First National have transferred their business into their new building on Main street where, it is believed, they have a bank building which is inferior to none in this section of' the State. It is built of brick three stories in height, with basement. The front of the first story is of brown stone and plate glass, and the others are handsomely trimmed with stone. The whole building is constructed after the Romanesque style of architecture, and makes a marked improvement in the appearance of our principal thoroughfare.

   The room in which the business of the bank is transacted is located on the first floor, and is fitted up with everything necessary for the expeditious handling of their immense business. The walls are of terra cotta work, the ceiling of Georgia pine, overlaid heavily with antique oak, which gives to the building an air of solidity and massive strength. An oak counter, surmounted by a brass railing, runs the whole length of this room. A fire place, surmounted by a marble mantel on which rests an elegant plate glass mirror, has been put in on the north side of the room, and adds very largely to the attractiveness of the same.

   The vault was made by the well known firm of Herrick & Co., of New York city, and is in every respect a model. It measures eighteen feet in length, eight in width, eight in height, and is constructed in such a manner as to be impervious to any of the cracksman's tools. A steel lattice work partition divides it into two compartments, the front of which is devoted to the banking business, while in the rear are located the safe deposit boxes for the accommodation of those having valuable papers which they wish to preserve safely. Each of these is supplied with a key which the depositor carries, but entrance into one of them cannot be had until the master-key, which is always in the custody of the officials, has been inserted and the lock turned partly over. The doors of the boxes are of steel, and fitted with tin bolts at the rear, which slide into the frame work so that even if the hinge were broken it would still be impossible to affect an entrance.

   The doors to the vault are fitted with double combination time locks, and are marvels of massive strength. The vault rests on a solid foundation of stone, and is overlaid with a plate of steel rails on which is a layer of flagging stone, the whole being surmounted by a mass of brick four feet in thickness, firmly cemented together. The money in the bank is kept inside another heavy safe placed in the front partition, and this is also secured by time locks on the front door and a combination lock on the cash drawer.

   The stairway to the upper floor is of oak, and leads into the rooms occupied by the Hon O. U. Kellogg, the bank's attorney. The rooms are finished in hard woods and are extremely pleasant, commanding, as they do, a view of nearly the whole length of Railroad street [east view across Main Street to Central Avenue—CC editor]. On the third floor are also located several very desirable offices.

   The officers of the bank are men of recognized standing and ability in financial circles, and they give their personal attention to all business entrusted to their care. Depositors at the First National may rest assured that their funds will not be carried away by cracksmen, and that they will at all times meet with prompt attention and fair, honorable treatment at the hands of the gentlemen who conduct the business of this prosperous institution.

Eightieth Annual Meeting of the Cortland County Medical Society.

   The regular meeting of this society convened at the Messenger House last Thursday at 1:30 P. M. There were present Dr. H. D. Hunt, of  Preble, Drs. C. Green and Geo. D. Bradford of Homer, Dr. H. C. Hendrick of McGrawville, and Drs. W. D. Costa, Moser[?], J. Angel, M. F. Wood, F. D. Reese, H. T. Dana and F. W. Higgins, of Cortland. Although the attendance was small a very interesting session was held.

   A paper on "Catarrh" was read by Dr. F. W. Higgins. Although one of the minor ailments, it was urged that it should not be neglected by the profession. The treatment of the ordinary forms was sketched out.

   "A Memorial Sketch of Dr. Frederick Hyde" was read by his old friend, Dr. Green. It gave a very full account of his early life and personal attainments. Dr. Green was requested to secure the publication of that memoir in pamphlet form.

   "The Care and Treatment of the Chronic Insane" was the title of a very able paper by Dr. Geo. D. Bradford, which was read by request. It contrasted the treatment of such cases by the state or the county authorities. It would appear that with facilities and management similar to that in Cortland county, it is much better to keep these incurable cases in their own county than to collect them all in an immense state asylum.

   The President's address on the Practice of Medicine was read by title. It was resolved that hereafter the meetings of the society should be held every three months instead of every six months as heretofore. There will be an endeavor to make the September meeting a most interesting one.

   The following officers were elected for the coming year:

   President—Dr. Geo. D. Bradford.

   Vice President—Dr. J. Angel.

   Secretary—Dr. F. W. Higgins,

   Treasurer— Dr. C. Green,

   Librarian—Dr. F. H. Green.

Teachers’ Association.

   Commissioner Stillman called together the teachers of his district at Marathon June 15, for a two days session. A permanent organization, under the name of the Teachers' Association of the 1st Commissioners District of the County of Cortland, was effected. The officers elected were President, Prof. W. Y. Foote, Vice Presidents, Prof. D. E. Smith, Prof. F. M. Wilson, Miss Clara Greene, Hon. M. M. Brown, Mrs. J. W. Livingston, Oliver Jenniston, Mrs. Dr. Hammond, and S. K. Jones; Sec. and Treas. J. L. Warner.

   A very interesting programme was rendered, and all the teachers appeared enthusiastic in our new organization. Forty one of the teachers of this district enrolled themselves as members.

   Hereafter semi-annual meetings will be held at such time and place as the executive committee may decide.

   Prof. D. E. Smith gave a lecture on Personal Experience in Central America; and all were pleased, though he left us in the interior of that country and where it rains 360 days out of the year. Commissioner Knapp of 2nd Dist. Tompkins Co., was present and told what his teachers were doing. J. L. WARNER, Sec.

HERE AND THERE.

   Thursday, at 1 o’clock P. M., the thermometer registered 95 degrees on Main street.

   Tornado Hook and Ladder Company, of Ithaca, will attend the Firemen’s Convention to be held in Cortland August next.

   Frank Wood of Homer recently caught a mink that made its home under the barn and had been living on Mr. Wood’s chickens.

   Mr. Porter Crittenden has recently sold his farm, stock, implements, etc., to his son, Amos, and intends to move West in a short time. —Cincinnatus Register.

   By a law passed in 1886, the age exempting men from poll tax was changed from sixty years to seventy. This will be news to many, and is authoritative.—DeRuyter Gleaner.

   The work of putting in the Electric Fire Alarm system is progressing rapidly, over three miles of the wire having been now placed on the poles. It is expected that the system will be in full operation by July 1st, when a thorough test of the same will be made.

   Rev. B. F. McLoughlin and Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald, of this place, have purchased the Curthbert Fisher farm, on the west road to Homer, for $12,000. We understand that the west part of the same will be used as a Catholic cemetery, while the balance will be added to Mr. Fitzgerald's fine farm.

   Under the proper heading will be found the announcement of the marriage of Editor Will E. Bennett, of the Cincinnatus Register, to Miss Carrie, the accomplished daughter of W. E. Potter, Esq. We extend congratulations and good wishes.

   The Hitchcock Hose Co. have been accepted by the fire department and will come in as soon as their new carriage is completed. They have it now in the shop fitting it with thills, so that a horse can be attached in case of a fire. The members have ordered new suits and will be a valuable acquisition to the Department. They will be known its Hitchcock Hose No. 6.