PRESENT PROSPEROUS CONDITIONS — NUMBER OF BANKS IN THE COUNTY — FIRST BANK — SECOND AND THIRD BANKS — FIRST NATIONAL BANK — EXCHANGE NATIONAL BANK — FOURTH BANK IN EL DORADO — ED. C. ELLET — OFFICERS AND CAPITAL — CITIZENS STATE BANK — BUTLER COUNTY STATE BANK — EXCHANGE STATE BANK — STATE BANK OF LEON — PEOPLES STATE BANK, LATHAM — BANK OF WHITEWATER — PEOPLES STATE BANK, WHITEWATER — TOWANDA STATE BANK — ROSE HILL STATE BANK — ROSALIA STATE BANK — BEAUMONT STATE BANK — CHARACTER OF BANKS — BANK COMMISSIONER.

The banks of Butler county at this date, May 1, 1916, are very prosperous, and their prosperity is merely an index to the financial condition of the people of Butler county. The banks in El Dorado city hold at this time $1,700,000 of deposits and the banks outside of El Dorado hold at this time the aggregate of $1,600,000, making the total bank deposits of Butler county foot up the extraordinary total of $3,300,000. With a population of less than 21,000 on March 1, 1915, this makes right at $150 for every man, woman and child in the county.

Very few counties in the United States can point to so large an aggregation of deposits in proportion to the population. It must also be remembered that only a small part of this aggregate is due to the oil field that is just now opening up so wonderfully, since the total bank deposits of Butler county are only $200,000 greater than they were a year ago on this date and a portion of this increase is at the same time due to the good crops of 1915 and the higher prices prevailing for agricultural products in consequence of the European war. In fact, the oil field has created a drain upon deposits through the processes of development and investment to such an extent that it may be that the entire increase of deposits is due to agriculture and the great cattle industry of this county. Indeed, it is not certain that deposits would not have been larger at this time had the oil field not have been discovered. Of course, it is certain that from the opening of the field enormous increase in banking deposits will ultimately result, insuring immeasurably to the benefit and prosperity of all the people of Butler county.

There are now the following banks in Butler county: Eldorado—The Farmers and Merchants National Bank, the El Dorado National

Bank, the Citizens State Bank and the Butler County State Bank. Augusta—The George W. Brown & Son State Bank and the First National Bank. Douglass—The Exchange State Bank and the State Bank of Douglass. Whitewater—The Bank of Whitewater and the Peoples State Bank. Leon—The State Bank of Leon. Latham—The People's State Bank. Benton—Benton State Bank. Towanda—The Towanda State Bank. Potwin—The Potwin State Bank. Rose Hill—The Rose Hill State Bank. Elbing—The Elbing State Bank. Cassoday—The Cassoday State Bank. Rosalia—The Rosalia State Bank. Beaumont—The Beaumont State Bank. Andover—The Andover State Bank.

The first bank established in Butler county was the Walnut Valley Bank, a private bank, organized by J. S. Danford, J. C. Fraker, W. P. Gossard and C. M. Foulks. Mr. Foulks was one of the pioneers of Butler county and a partner of N. F. Frazier in the mercantile business and father of J. C. Foulks, who is now one of the bank examiners of Kansas, and a resident of El Dorado. The bank was first established where C. H. Selig's drug store now stands and was shortly moved across the street on the lot now owned by M. J. Long, next door south of the present Butler County State Bank. This was in 1871. The building, a frame structure, now occupied by James Dodwell, pioneer harness maker, was the bank's home, constructed on the M. J. Long lot. John Campbell, now a printer in San Diego, ,Cal., was assistant cashier of this first bank of Butler county.

The next bank established in Butler county was the Brown Brothers' Bank at Augusta, no wthe[sic] George W. Brown & Son State Bank of Augusta. George W. Brown, now deceased and at the time of his death one of the wealthiest, if not the wealthiest, man Butler county ever produced, and his brother, C. W. Brown, now a prominent banker and wealthy citizen of Wichita, came here from Iowa, looking for a location. The came by Stage from Abilene and dropped in on J. H. Betts and N. F. Frazier, who were running one of the pioneer mercantile establishments in El Dorado. Finding that a bank had already been established in El Dorado, they went to Augusta where the United States land office was located. Mr. Betts said they were so anxious to get to Augusta that they did not wait for the stage but took their luggage and walked to Augusta and decided to move their Brown Brothers' Bank which they had established in Iowa in 1869, and this they did in 1872. The bank afterwards became George W. Brown & Son's State Bank, C. W. Brown selling his interest and moving to Wichita and Warren E. Brown, the only son of George W. Brown, becoming associated with his father. W. E. Brown still owns and runs this bank at Augusta and is recognized as one of the most conservative and successful bankers and business men in Kansas and is perhaps today the richest man in Butler county. The father, George W. Brown, whose name stood always for stability, safety and integrity of the highest order in Butler county, died in February, 1915, at an advanced age. The third bank established in Butler county

was the First National Bank of El Dorado on the conspicuous and historic corner of Main street and Central avenue in El Dorado. The present two-story brick building now occupied by the present Farmers and Merchants National Bank, was erected in 1873 by Gordy & Gault, as the home of the First National Bank, promoted by J. S. Danford and J. C. Fraker and absorbing the Walnut Valley Bank. This bank was sold by Danford to V. P. Gossard and his son, Alvin Gossard, and soon failed. It is said by old timers that the bank was in a failing condition when bought by the Gossards and that they were deceived at the time of the purchase as to the bank's real condition. Feeling aggrieved because he had a small deposit in the failed bank, T. O. Shinn, afterward a lawyer of prominence in Butler county, visited the home of V. P. Gossard, and Mr. Gossard was shot. Mr. Shinn was generally believed to have fired the shot, but was tried and the jury failing to agree, the case was never tried again. The Gossards were fine men of excellent character and were not criticised for the failure by those who were familiar with the conditions and circumstances under which they bought the bank. The fact that they lost all they had themselves was conclusive evidence of their good faith. Another bank failure occuring in Butler county was a small bank at Whitewater, which had been moved over from the neighboring town of Brainerd and failed about the year 1890. G. P. Neiman, now cashier of the Bank of Whitewater, a pioneer of Butler county and one of the safest and most successful bankers and business men in the county, was the receiver of this bank.

The First National Bank of El Dorado, after its failure, was succeeded by the Exchange Bank of El Dorado, founded by S. L. Shotwell, now deceased, and Niel Wilkie, now a respected citizen of Douglass in this county. It afterwards became the historic Exchange National Bank, which, in its palmiest days, had $100,000.00 capital and a large surplus. A. L. Redden was president and H. H. Gardner, cashier. Judge Redden was at one time district judge and one of the leading lawyers of Kansas. H. H. Gardner, a native of Canada and a pioneer merchant of El Dorado, was one of the best known bankers in the state, and helped to found and organize the Kansas Bankers' Association in connection with John R. Mulvane of Topeka and a few other prominent bankers of the state. George W. Brown of Augusta was vice president of the bank and J. D. Rearick, one of the clearest headed and shrewdest men ever engaged in the banking business in Butler county, as assistant cashier, F. R. Dodge, an educated gentleman, a fine penman and an expert accountant, was bookkeeper in this bank for twenty years. Failing health caused him to resign and he went back to his old home in Ohio and died a few years ago.

The Exchange National Bank finally passed into the entire control of George W. Brown of Augusta, after many stormy incidents in its career. Mr. Brown as vice president and a large stockholder being compelled to come to its rescue, in which he was associated with his brother,

C. W. Brown. Finally on January 1, 1897, Mr. Brown sold the bank to the Farmers and Merchants National Bank and the two banks were consolidated. Robert H. Hazlett, N. F. Frazier, E. C. Ellett and H. H. Gardner were the officers and largest stockholders of the Farmers and Merchants National Bank at this time.

The fourth bank established in El Dorado was a partnership private bank owned by N. F. Frazier and E. C. Ellet, now a banker of Mayfield, California. It was known as the Bank of El Dorado. Messrs. Frazier and Ellet conducted it most successfully, building it up from $10,000.00 capital to $80,000.00 out of its own earnings. They sold the bank after several years to W. T. Clancy, a wealthy and successful man, who afterwards liquidated it, confining himself to the loaning of his own funds. The sale to Mr. Clancy took place in about 1888. The next bank organized in El Dorado was the Merchants Bank, with Gen. Alfred W. Ellet as president and N. F. Frazier as cashier. This bank became the Merchants National Bank of El Dorado, with Mr. Frazier and Ed C. Ellet the leading stockholders. In 1892 Mr. Hazlett bought a big block of stock in this bank, and it was called the Farmers and Merchants National Bank, with Mr. Hazlett as president; G. H. Parkhurst, vice president, and Ed C. Ellet, cashier. Mr. Parkhurst was succeeded in the vice presidency by H. H. Gardner, who had been cashier of the Exchange National Bank.

Ed C. Ellet, now of Mayfield, Cal., was a leading factor in the banking business of El Dorado for twenty-five years and one of the most public-spirited and patriotic men, as well as one of the ablest, who ever lived in Butler county. Belonging to an old, wealthy and distinguished family and having a keen interest in all public matters, he was always a leader of great influence and power.

The leading banks of Butler county are now officered as follows: Farmers and Merchants National Bank of El Dorado, $50,000 capital; $50,000 surplus; A. J. Holderman, president; C. C. Shriver, vice president; William I. Shriver, cashier; A. B. Ewing, assistant cashier. C. C. Shriver and Wiliam I. Shriver own a controlling interest and are very wealthy men, of fine character. El Dorado National Bank, $50,000 capital, $23,000 surplus; Robert H. Hazlet, president; J. E. Dunn. vice president; Robert H. Bradford, cashier, and S. R. Clifford, assistant cashier. Bobert[sic] H. Hazlett and his nephew, Robert H. Bradford, own a controlling interest. Mr. Hazlett is the largest landowner in Butler county; owns one of the finest and largest herds of registered Hereford cattle in the United States, is president of the American Hereford Bredders'[sic] Association and is believed by many to be the richest man in Butler county. He is a shrewd, far-seeing, hard-working business man, giving careful and intelligent attention to his varied and extensive interests and is one of the most public spirited men in Butler county.

Citizens State Bank of El Dorado, $50,000 capital; $28,000 surplus; R. E. Frazier, president; N. F. Frazier, Jr., active vice president; W. E.

Brown, vice president; C. E. Thompson, cashier, and F. H. Cron, assistant cashier. R. E. and N. F. Frazier, Jr., own a controlling interest in this bank and are sons of N. F. Frazier, who died on August 8, 1907. N. F. Frazier came to El Dorado in 1868, and was first associated with J. H. Betts in the mercantile business, but soon devoted himself largely to banking, and at the time of his death, had accumulated one of the largest estates ever left in Butler county. The writer was associated with him for many years in the banking business in El Dorado. His interests were numerous and most extensive; he was an indefatigable worker; a man of indomitable purpose and courage; a stickler for fidelity and loyalty who made his word as good as a bond and required others to do the same; and was not only considered so by many, but was one of the shrewdest, keenest, boldest and safest business men and bankers that the State of Kansas ever produced. I pay this tribute to his memory in this special way, lest such an opportunity may never again present itself for my so doing.

Butler County State Bank of El Dorado, $25,000 capital; $7,000 surplus; C. L. King, president; E. F. Adams, vice president; J. B. Adams, cashier; H. F. Ferry, assistant cashier; L. D. Hadley, teller. J. B. Adams owns a controlling interest in this bank, which was founded on June 5, 1909, and is the last bank to be established in El Dorado. George W. Brown & Son State Bank of Augusta, capital $25,000; surplus, $25,000; I. M. Brown, president; W. E. Brown, cashier; R. A. Haines, assistant cashier. W. F. Brown owns a controlling interest in this bank, a fuller history of which is heretofore given. First National Bank of Augusta, $25,000 capital; $7,000 surplus; F. H. Penley, president, and W. A. Penley, cashier, is a substantial institution, with a constantly increasing business.

Exchange State Bank of Douglass, $25,000 capital; $8,000 surplus; D. P. Blood, president; W. E. Brown, vice president; C. P. Blood, cashier; A. B. Chauncey, assistant cashier. D. P. Blood and his son, C. P. Blood, own a controlling interest. D. P. Blood, the president, is one of the pioneers of Butler county. He first established himself in the mercantile business at Augusta and afterwards at Douglass and was very successful. He is a large landowner and one of the very wealthy men of Butler county. By close attention to business, sound judgment, high character and absolute fidelity and integrity, he has built up a fortune and gained the respect and confidence of the people of his community and county. State Bank of Douglass, $10,000, capital; $10,000, surplus; J. E. House, president; J. B. Adams, vice president; J. A. Middlekauff, cashier; and O. P. Cottman, assistant cashier. J. A. Middlekauff owns a controlling interest in this bank and is one of the safest and most conservative as well as successful bankers in Butler county. He devotes himself exclusively to banking and stands very high among the bankers of the county.

State Bank of Leon, $10,000 capital; $5,000 surplus; M. W. Mar-

shall, president, and W. S. Marshall, cashier, own a controlling interest. The bank has its home in the Marshall building, built in honor of the father, H. H. Marshall, now deceased, who was a pioneer, a man of great business capacity and unswerving integrity and who accummulated[sic] in his lifetime one of the largest estates ever left in Butler county. The Marshall building is one of the finest in Butler county, although located in the fourth town in size.

Peoples State Bank of Latham, capital, $10,000; surplus, $10,000; J. P. Garnett, president, and J. Ed Rankin, cashier, own a controlling interest and are among the best business men in Butler county with an institution of which they may well be proud.

Bank of Whitewater, $50,000, capital and surplus; is one of the strong banks in Butler county; I. H. Neiman, president; George P. Neiman, cashier, and J. D. Joseph, assistant cashier, make a strong combination. I. H. and G. P. Neiman are pioneers of the county, large landowners and business men of exceptional character and capacity. Mr. Joseph is, at present, State senator from Butler county, and is not only a splendid banker but a splendid public man of unusual ability and unquestioned patriotism.

Peoples State Bank, Whitewater; capital, $15,000; surplus, $10,000; W. M. Finch, president; G. B. Hanstine, cashier. W. H. Barker, one of the substantial men of the community, is vice president. The bank enjoys a growing and prosperous business. Benton State Bank, Benton; capital, $10,000; surplus, $16,000; is one of the strong small banks of the county; James Parks, president; L. L. Lane, vice president; Clyde McGrew, cashier. Mr. McGrew, the cashier, is recognized as one of the most careful, able and successful bankers in the county.

Towanda State Bank, capital, $10,000; surplus, $10,000; J. C. Kullman, president; A. C. Higgins, vice president; F. W. Robison, cashier. Mr. Robison belongs to one of the oldest and richest families in the county, and is one of the best business men in the county. He gives close personal attention to his business, and his bank is constantly growing Potwin State Bank, capital, $14,000; surplus, $15,000; J. S. Joseph, president; H. A. Kaths, cashier; J. O. Litner, assistant cashier. This bank was founded by William I. Joseph in 1904, and is a very strong institution. The president, J. S. Joseph, is one of the wealthy and able business men of the county, and is widely known for his integrity and ability.

Rose Hill State Bank, capital, $10,000; surplus, $10,000; James McCluggage, president; W. N. Harris, vice president; J. F. McCluggage, cashier; F. J. McCluggage, assistant cashier. The controlling interest is owned by the McCluggage family, one of the oldest and strongest in the county. Elbing State Bank, capital, $10,000; surplus, $5,000; H. Jansen, president; E. W. Melend, vice president; D. C. Crosby, cashier. Mr. Crosby is one of the most careful and thorough business men, and the condition of his bank reflects his ability.

Rosalia State Bank, capital, $10,000; surplus, $3,000; R. H. Hazlett, president; F. S. Liggett, vice president; J. H. Liggett, cashier. This is one of the new banks of the county and is under able management. Cassoday State Bank, capital, $10,000; surplus, $3,000; L. Harsh, president; O. S. Reed, vice president; Lyman D. Benton, cashier. Mr. Harsh is one of the old pioneers of the county and a very wealthy man. Mr. Benton is a very capable young man with more than usual business ability, and while Cassoday is an inland town the bank is prospering, and the town is growing.

Beaumont State Bank, capital, $10,000; surplus, $6,000; James Edgar, recently deceased and one of the splendid men of Butler county, president; W. H. Squires, vice president; F. T. Hopp, cashier; J. C. Squier, assistant cashier. Mr. Hopp was trained in a Kansas City bank, and is making a fine success of the Beaumont Bank, which is one of the new banks of the county. The Andover State Bank is just started. S. B. McClaren is president and is one of the successful business men of Butler county, recently removed to Wichita.

Butler county is fortunate in the kind and character of her banks. They are well officered and well managed and command the confidence of the people. Every bank, though many are small, is strong, the bankers of the county are friendly and co-operative and work together for the strength of their respective institutions and for the general welfare. The old bank fights of early days are a thing of the past and the banks co-operate for the public good and the general welfare, better perhaps than in any other county in the state.

I have written into this record the exact facts as nearly as they can he ascertained and trust that any inaccuracies that might possibly be found will be but very slight, as I am firmly convinced they are.

Butler county is signally honored at this time in having the bank commissioner of Kansas, in the person of Hon. William F. Benson, who, for many years, was active vice president of the Citizens State Bank of this city. Mr. Benson was appointed to this position two years ago by Gov. George H. Hodges, who had served in Kansas State senate with Mr. Benson when Mr. Benosn[sic] represented Butler county. Mr. Benson has made an ideal commissioner, his knowledge of practical banking, his long experience and sound common sense, being the necessary requisites to the proper conduct of his office.

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