The Keota Eagle VOL. 138 NO. 24
“THE OLDEST BUSINESS SERVING KEOTA AND COMMUNITY FIRST - SINCE 1875”
Farmers Savings Bank Hits Milestone
Pictured above is where the bank stands today at 225 E. Broadway Avenue in Keota. Photo by Tomisha Sprouse, KE Editor. The year was 1893, the date was May 26, when The Keota Eagle first wrote about “Jones the contractor” and his “bevy of workers” that began work on the original Farmers Savings Bank building. The actual building of the bank was done swiftly and it seemed during the construction not a day went by that there wasn’t a crowd of onlookers as the workers “worked like beavers” and there was “no loafing allowed”. Of course the spectators were described like “clustering flies around a sugar treat”. Once construction was completed there were thirty original stockholders and the bank staffed two people. At the end of only one year, the bank had a total of 42 customers. By 1901 business had taken off and a new typewriter was purchased in hopes that someone would be able to figure out how to work it. In July of 1904, the bank was remodeled to make more room for customers and employees. J.W. Helscher’s first day at the bank was in 1907 and he spent the day clerking a farm sale. Farmers Savings Bank thrived up to 1933 when everyone felt the hit of ‘The Great Depression’ era. The bank reorganized under Senate File III of the 45th General Assembly. An agreement by the depositors to accept 50% of their deposits was a hard pill to swallow for many, but the depositors stuck with the bank and over a course of six or seven years, 92% was paid back, not just 50%. Farmers Savings Bank stood tall and kept their doors open, while many other banks at this time did not fare so well and closed their doors. Between 1934 to 1937, improvements were made at the bank. A modern bookkeeping machine was installed, which worked a great deal better than the old hand-cranked method. Also, a part-time employee was hired to help run errands and clean up when needed - those that knew him would call him “JohnnyBob” and by 1942 he was hired full-time. J.R. Helscher’s first days were spent clerking farm sales just like his father J.W. Around 1958, Security State Bank in Keota started suggesting to customers that they transfer accounts to Farmers Savings Bank. Tom Mills (cashier at Security State Bank) spent countless hours trying to convince Security State customers to move their accounts. In 1959, Farmers Savings Bank purchased Security State Bank. August 1, 1966, was a dark day for Farmers Savings Bank. At around 9:40 a.m. a man walked into the bank and pointed a gun at Bill Henderson, a cashier at the time, demanding money. The ‘lone bandit’ made off with $6,000. When the Sheriff arrived, Bill was able to give a description of a gun that was at ‘least three feet long and had a muzzle that was around three inches in diameter’. The Sheriff processed the information and then declared, “By golly, I know who that is!” Though he never returned to Keota for trial, the armed man was convicted in
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Minnesota for other crimes. Farmers Savings Bank had a milestone in 1968 when construction started on a new building. J.R.’s comment about moving to a new building, “well, we just outgrew the old one.” Once the building was finished the transition from the old to the new began. Only in Keota, Iowa, could safe and lock boxes be moved down Broadway Avenue in the middle of the day with no worries. Unfortunately the town of Keota was hit with 10 inches of rain and the basement at the new facility flooded. Stacks of boxes and old records were wet. Everything was cleaned up and the bank was in order for its dedication which took place on October 11, 1970. The time sign was put into place around the same time in front of the bank to be designated as the “C.A. McCampbell Memorial Clock.” The Memorial Clock was named after Mr. Charles A. McCampbell, bank director for 42 years, who left the bank money to be used for a clock that would benefit the whole community. In 1971, J.R. Helscher became the new president of Farmers Savings Bank and by 1973 the bank was completely computerized “once they figure out how the computers work”. An ‘Open House’ was held in 1983 to celebrate the banks 90th anniversary and J.R.’s 50th anniversary with the bank. By the 1990(s), Farmers Savings Bank introduced debit cards to be used for point of sale purchases and at ATM machines. In 1993 as the bank prepared to celebrate it’s 100th year anniversary, J.R. Helscher passed on. The Helscher legacy continued on as Charles Helscher became president of Farmers Savings Bank the same year. Growth continued and once again the bank outgrew it’s quarters. The barbershop that was located just west of the bank was purchased in 2000. It was then demolished and a new addition was constructed, resulting in the current facility. “None of the growth would have been possible without the continued support of the community and surrounding area,” commented Charles Helscher. Presidents of Farmers Savings Bank: Goldsmith Gregory 1893-1894 Israel Davis 1895-1898 S.S. Wright 1899-1923 J.C. Mayer 1924-1928 George Stevenson 1929-1932 J.W. Helscher 1933-1964 Walter Stoutner 1965-1970 J.R. Helscher 1971-1993 Charles Helscher 1993-present Join Farmers Savings Bank in celebrating their 120th Anniversary on Thursday, June 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lagos Acres Golf and Country Club. There will be a picnic style meal served and a drawing for prizes. The bank will be closing at 2:00 p.m. the day of the celebration. Written by Tomisha Sprouse, information from Farmers Savings Bank 100 year celebration book, and Charles Helscher.
Community Events Keota Farmer’s Market Every Monday Night The Keota Farmer’s Market takes place every Monday night from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. June 17 will feature ribeye steak sandwiches. Farmers Savings Bank Celebrates 120 Years June 13 Farmers Savings Bank of Keota will celebrate 120 years with a picnic style meal on Thurs., June 13 at Lagos Acres from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The bank will be closing at 2:00 p.m. the day of the celebration. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry June 14 The Knights of Columbus will host a Fish Fry on Fri., June 14 serving from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. There is a charge for this event and the public is welcome to attend. Keokuk County Expo ‘Figure 8’ Race June 15 Keokuk County Expo Raceway will have ‘Figure 8’ Racing on Sat., June 15 starting at 6:30 p.m. Clayton Brown Fire Benefit June 15 There will be a Clayton Brown Fire Benefit on Sat., June 15 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Longhorn Saloon in Barnes City. Keota City Wide Garage Sales June 21 and 22 Keota City Wide Garage Sales will be Fri., June 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sat., June 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon. Huntley Brown in Concert June 23 International Christian Concert Pianist Huntley Brown will perform on Sun., June 23 at the Sigourney United Methodist Church starting at 2:00 p.m. Keota City Wide Clean-Up June 24 Keota City Wide Clean-Up will be held on Mon., June 24. For more information contact Keota City Hall at 641-6362266. A list of items that will not be taken can be found on page 3. Buch/Hammes Reunion June 30 The Bi-Annual Reunion for the descendants of Peter and Anna Buch Hammes family will be held at the KC Hall in Harper on Sun., June 30 beginning at 12:00 noon with a potluck. Sigourney Fun Run July 4 Atwood Electric Inc., Fun Run Races will take place on Thurs., July 4 beginning at 8:00 a.m. on the north side of the Courthouse. Race day registration is from 6:45 to 7:15 a.m. Registrations forms may be picked up at Atwood Electric or H&M Farm Store. For more information contact natwood@atwoodelectric. com Tri in July July 7 The Sigourney Iowa Super Sprint Triathlon 2013 is at Legion Park in Sigourney on Sun., July 7 starting at 7:30 a.m. For more information or to register contact Amy Molyneux at 641-622-2404 or amyjoellen@hotmail.com
WEDNESDAY June 12, 2013 www.keotaeagle.com keotaeagle@cloudburst9.net
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Keota Fun Days 2013
The annual Keota Fun Days took place from Thursday, June 6 to Sunday, June 9. Beautiful weather helped to make the events even more enjoyable this year. Pictured clockwise from the top: The traditional start to the Keota Grand Parade; 70 year Alumni, Kenny Pepper; Anthony Westendorf, son of Scott and Cherie Westendorf, at the Kiddie Parade; Mick Morgan holds on strong during the Garden Tractor Pull; the Keota Brass performs during the ice cream social at Maplewood Manor. More photos can be found on pages 4 and 5. All photos by Tomisha Sprouse.
McDowell Memorial Sign at Lagos Acres
Driving down the Keokuk-Washington Road, a new sign is visible at Lagos Acres Golf and Country Club. The new sign is in memory of Bob McDowell, one of the original board members in 1963 and was built by Michael McNurlen. The golf clubs within the sign are unique because they were formerly owned by Bob himself. “The golf course and the memories and friendships revolving around dad meant a great deal to him and I think it is a fitting memorial that he would be very pleased with it,” commented Bob’s daughter Gina Bennett.
Farmers Cooperative
Visit your friendly Co-op 641-636-3748 or 641-636-3439