This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

Merchant's Bank,page 2
the cashiership of the new bank, and was at the post the morning of the opening. Other employees were the assistant cashier, Joseph E. Saucier, who later became Sherriff of Hancock County; and John B. Spotorno, Ass't.
Officers and directors had been previousle elected. They were:
L. H. Fairchild, Presidents John Osoinach, Vice-Presidents George R. Rhea, Cashier and Jos. E. Saucier, Assistant Cashier.
Directors:	J. A. Breath, A. F. Cameron, John K. Edwards, R. C..
Engman, L. H. Fairchild, G. G. Gardebled, L. M. Gex, Charles G. Moreau,
John Osoinach, W. J. Poitevent, Louis Spotorno. W. J. Gex was elected attorney for the bank.
First Statement published October 15th, 1903. Two weeks later it showed undivided profits, $185.36; individual deposits $8,000.33; loans and discouts $6,855.86, cash on hand $5,186.93. Exactly a year later, October 1904, deposits were $40,000.00 in 1905s	$72,580,	in 1906 $ 112,500.
and in 1907 $145,000. The bank declared dividends the first year, 14$; second year, 18$; third year, 20$; fourth year, 28$.
Success assured, the board considered and decided to buiffl ari move into their own building. From the Sea Coast Echo building the bank moved to	in 1907.
Southron R. Duvol, professional atchitect, and rector of Christ Episcopal church of Bay St. Louis was the architect for the new building.
His plans proved practical, both for an office and bank building and stands out in a class of its own.
Ferdinand Ramond was the builder and contractor, the lowest over three competitive builders, in the sum of $L8,926.73 with the new safe totalling over $10,000.
The brick work was sub-contracted jointly to John T. McDonald of Pass Christian and Joseph L. Favre of Bay St. Louis. It is of red pressed brick, cement trimming, with Spanish tile roofing. TA he lowere floor is occupied by the banking house and the second story a suite of offices occupied by the law firm of Gex & Gex.
''O iy 1 1 '	’	%
*
Moving into the new building, the President, Louis H. Fairchild had resigned a shosrt while previously, retiring from business, and Charles L. Hopkins was elected president with L. M. Gex as vice-president. Dr.
Roger deMontluzin was second vice-president. Directors then were: J. A. Breath, John K. Edwards, Mayor of the City; W. H. Gordon, Joseph 0. Mauffray
Charles G. Moreau, John Osoinach, R. R. Perkins, A. L. Stokoe, George R.
Rhea was cashier and John B. Spotorno, Assistant cashier.