On the Bank of Columbia Falls

Another chapter in the history of the Bank of Columbia Falls was found in a 1925 newspaper clipping. Articles of incorporation were filed with the county clerk for the Bank of Columbia Falls, whose incorporators had acquired the James A. Talbott Bank.

It was stated there would be practically no changes made in the management of the bank except it would become a state bank and subject to semiannual inspections by the state instead of as a private one. Capitalization would be raised from $20,000 to $30,000.

Stockholders were James A. Talbott, George D. Watt, treasurer, A. J. Davis, C. E. Clemens, Emma J. Bartleson, O. M. Junkins, Dr. J. N.  Reynolds, Dennis Sullivan, P. O. Norris, J. E. Lewis and John Farr.

It was reported the Bank of Columbia Falls was first established in 1893 under the name Bank of Columbia Falls and was owned by James A. Talbott with William Read, first cashier. Name was changed to James A. Talbott Bank of Columbia Falls.

There is also an envelope with one cent stamp postmarked April 1, 1919. Return address on the brown envelope is James A. Talbott’s Bank. This contains a bank statement for Bad Rock Camp No. 5623, Modern Woodmen of America, with J. A. Brinkerhoff, treasurer.

In other news from 1925, a bazaar sponsored by Bad Rock Busy Bees raised $50 with all articles sold and cafeteria lunch served. It was held at Bad Rock School.

Tim Sullivan was cutting wood with his saw rig on the Tom Lee ranch. George Mattheisen and George Edwards were helping him.

E. J. Crum made a visit to Kalispell to visit Frank Brandenburg, who was confined to the hospital with a broken leg. 

Pemble and Michel were logging from the Samuel Leighty place to the river, sleighing being good. A. Peters and C. Schooler were doing the sawing. 

Barnum Bros. bought the yellow pine timber on the Louis Hanson place near Lake Blaine and were logging it to the river. Price paid was stated at $3 stumpage. Jensen and Weaver were doing the sawing.

Charles Mallory was taken sick while working as a track walker in Bad Rock Canyon. It was necessary to break a road and send a team out to bring him to town. He was at home getting along nicely.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.