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Show may be stated that the four important industries are agriculture, transportation, manufactur ing and BANKING. Agriculture produces the raw material ; transportation carries it to the manufacturer and consumer ; the manufacturer turns the raw material into finished and usable products, and the bank envelops the whole with its binding forces of financial and credit machinery, thus making all these possible. The inimitable function of the bank is to furnish the capital and credit. The other industries employ it. The bank is the strong buttress, the steel girder and stay supporting the giant structure of commerce. When one enters the marble wonder of our present day banking institution ; as he moves through offices magnificently finished, seeing here a long line of wickets, each manned by IT pro-cesse- ss a well-ke- pt teller, .who waits graciously on the public; behind them a vast crowd of bookkeepers, listers, watchmen, collectors and messengers; as he sees there desk after desk occupied by alert oficers, giving sound advise on all supplementary matters of finance; as he notes with what consummate ease the business is devided and handled, like some huge power machine made of the best metal, he is struck with admiration for a thing so immense, so far reaching, yet so graceful and perfect. It is difficult to imagine that the science which it is practicing and developing the science of attending the personal and community financial needs had a beginning long ago and that in the beginning it was a tiny, crude, undeveloped happening, not even a definite calling. Into just such an institution has the first bank founded in this valley nearly 70 years ago, the Walker Brothers Bank of Salt Lake City, developed. Colorful Development Dame necessity always has been a potent influence in altering prevalent conditions and the lives of men. To meet every crucial need of advancement she has sown the seed of invention and noble pioneers of industry have nurtured the plant through many hardships to maturity so that all who followed might reap the rich fruits and benefit thereby. In the annals of the romantic history of the Inland Empire we turn to the banking industry and find a narrative colorful and interesting, embracing some element of chance, but largely initiative and vision. After all, every successful industry today was once an idea and the courage of the person who believed in that idea. The first bank was a banker. In 1855, during the early days when families were coming into this virgin territory from the East, the South and the North, seeking homes and fortune, the four Walker Brothers and their widowed mother, all recently from England, traveled many days by covered wagon and team over the plains from St. Louis to reach this valley. The boys obtained positions as clerks and having a natural aptitude for business and finance soon attracted the attention of a representative of one of the largest wholesale houses in the country at that time. Store at Camp Floyd With the help of their small sav- ings and the assistance of the wholesaler, the Walker Brothers were soon able to start their own store which they did at Camp Floyd. This is where the United States troops were ' quartered under the command of General Johnston and their business proved profitable in supplying the soldiers and settlers in the vicinity. An opportunity for an exceptional business . strike arose early in 1859 when orders were given to abandon Camp Floyd. Under the direction of the secretary of war, guns and munitions valued at thousands of dollars were either destroyed or sold at any price obtainable. Bacon was disposed of as low as 1 cent a pound and other supplies in proportion. The brothers took advantage of this . opportunity and bought all the goods -- |