W.W. Lewis was the first cashier. No other help was needed unless he was ill or went out of town, then Marion Howard went in and took over. In later years, John White Farmer was the assistant.
Banks in Harlan was a new experience for pioneer people. The hours were a little longer. As one old timer said, they opened early and closed at four. Saturday's and Monday's and "Court days" were the busiest.
Most of the general stores opened by day light and stayed opened until dark. At the opening of the bank, the capital was small but grew fast. Their slogan was, "No account too large for us to handle, none to small."
The safe that was used in the bank ws bought in Pineville. Lee Carmical had the contract to haul the safe in on a log wagon.
Jim Smith owned the first blacksmith shop in Harlan. He was affectionately known by his friends as"Old Ring." his first shop was on Second Street but later moved to East Mound Street. There, one of the first voting places was held. The precinct is still called the Shop. The other one was at the courthouse.
Lee Creech, a native of Poor Fork, maintained his general store on Central Street where the Krystal Kitchen is today. His heirs still own the property.
W.Z. Gregory owned a hardware store on the cornor across from the bank. It was the first hardware in the county. The merchandise was brought over two mountains from Hagan, Va. The hardware merchanant also was the only casket dealer for many years. Gregory, always a staunch Republican, told many a listener he was born on the day "the rebels fired on Ft. Sumter," at the beginning of the War between the states.
He used to step down to Powers and Horton's Store and tell them to bring him some suit samples when they fot their new ones, "but don't bring any of that rebel grey."
After the hardware burned he opened a music store where the Brock building is today and it burned. In later years he established the Cumberland Valley Music Store which is here today.
Mose W. Howard was circuit judge of Harlan County for many years. Later he became county judge.
Tom Ward and his brother, M.G. Ward owned a store on Central Street adjoining that of Lee Creech. In later years Tom traveled for the Armour Packing Company. At one time he was a deputy sheriff.
John Blair was a salesman and lived in the Old Harlan Hotel, first built where the Bank of Harlan now stands and later moved to Cumberland Avenue. Dr. Nobe Howard, one of the pioneer doctors of Harlan, rode horse back over the county to treat his patients.
Judge J.S, Forester, who lived on Third Street near the Margie Grand Theatre, held numerous political offices. He served terms as county attorney, county judge and circuit judge for Harlan and Bell Counties. His brother, J.G. Forester, lived across the street from Jim, where the present Denver Miller home is.
His first public office was superintendent of Harlan County Schools. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention in 1890 from Harlan, Bell, Perry, and Leslie Counties.
He held the officies of circuit judge and commonwealth attorney and was appointed supervisor of the census for the old 11th Congressional District by President William McKinley.
Early in the history of Kentucky, the State of Virginia held grants or patents that covered most of Eastern Kentucky before Kentucky was settled. The thought of this cast a cloud over land owners here. Judge Forester offered the provision to forfeit the large Virginia grants and saw its passage.
After the First State Bank, other similiar institutions were erected in Harlan County. These included the Peoples Bank, The Citizens National Bank, The Bank of Harlan and the Harlan National Bank.
Sunday October 12, 1952
Volume 52 Number 241
Pages 1 & 8
