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CLOSED LEWIS BANK SOLVENT, SAY OFFICIALS State Bank Superintendent Takes Charge Of One Institution MONTEZUMA, Dec. 13. - (Special)-T. R. Bennett, of Camilla, state bank superintendent, arrived here today from his headquarters in Atlanta and took charge of the Lewis Banking company's affairs. The bank did open for business this morning, pending a complete examination of its condition. Its officers insist that it is in a solvent condition, but that many of the assets are in land loans, which cannot be liquidated quickly. The closing of the bank followed the suicide by shooting late last Friday evening of Former Congressman Elijah B. Lewis, its head. The First National Bank ,of Montezunia, of which Lewis was also the president, opened this morning as usual, having been examined Saturday by a Federal bank examiner and found to be in a satisfactory condition. W. H. McKenzie, son-in-law of Mr. Lewis, stated that the directors and all others who are familiar with the affairs of the Lewis Banking company know that it is solvent. He said that most of the loans of that institution are on farm lands, upon which it is impossible at this time to make collections. The Lewis Bank company was different from the First National bank, in that its assets are not as "quick," to use a banking term, Mr. McKenzie said. As to the financial investment that Mr. Lewis had made in the Georgia and Florida Railroad, now in the hands of the receivers, Mr. McKenzie said that this investment did not exceed $5,000. The high esteem in which the former congressman was held throughout this section was shown by the big crowd that attended the funeral at the residence at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. There were floral tributes from many men of prominence in the business life of Georgia, down to the negroes of Macon county. who were largely represented at the funeral. It was to Mr. Lewis that credit had been given for building up Macon county. He had placed his own wealth at the hands of the farmers through out that section for many years and hundreds of these people shared with members of the family their genuine sorrow over his loss. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. Graham Forrester, pastor of the Baptist church, assisted by Rev. J. B. Johnstone, of the Methodist church.