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dominant in bringing about the prosperous condition which now exhists here. In this first article we will deal with the local banks. In the organizing of any new community the bank is one of the first businesses to make an appearance and. well may be, for the growth and advancement of the community is largely dependent upon the ability and disposition this institution to care for the financial wants. The first banking house to make its appearance in Hay Springs was the Farmers and Merchants which was organized Local Banks Responsible For Development about 1886 by D. Taylor Much of the detailed early history of this institution in inaccessable at this time. however, it known that much of the success of this pioneer bank was due two men. now residents of Hay Springs, who were cashiers of the Farmers and Merchants during two different periods. We refer to L. H. Barhite and Jim Plummer. The title given the gentlemen was that of manager and they "run" the bank acting bookkeeper, cashier, and as they tell us, janitor. Mr. Taylor was interested large land holdings which occupied much of his time and the bank was therefore left to the manager. The early operation of this bank experienced many difficulties, according to those illar with the early day history, and the loaning of money was very hazardous due to the uncertainty of crops in the pioneer times. Then in 1887 came more pioneer bankers and the Bank of Hay Springs organized with Mayes, of Freemont, as president and Geo. H. Rhodes as cashier. Many of the officers and stock holders of this bank were interested in organizing the Bank of Rushville at the same time. This latter bank encountered difficulties in 1892 and was forced close its doors. (Continued to Page