39 Economic conditions in Clarke County were expressed in The Clarke Courier during 1921. “Total County deposits remained nearly at the record level they had in 1919 and 1920, two big years when high prices prevailed and when money inflation was rampant in the land. Deposits show that Clarke Countians are passing through the “deflation” period of 1919 and 1920 in good shape and those who made money in the big years of 1919 and 1920 have saved it for the “rainy” days that have been with us financially during the past 6 or 8 months and are still hanging around to some extent these days.” The end of 1921 saw the resignation of John B. Neill as an advisory member of the Board due to mounting health concerns. Mr. Joseph F. Moore was elected to the Board of Directors. Mr. Bradford spoke to the stockholders on January 12, 1922 and addressed agricultural woes in the County: “Depositors did not lose much ground during the year 1921 despite the terrible deflation which the agricultural sections of the nation experienced during that period. Apple crops sustained an unusual and devastating loss in 1921 and have deprived the bank of the ordinary inflow of deposits. Increases in savings deposits indicate that customers during the so- called hard times are putting their money away.” Another Board resolution on December 3, 1922 memorialized the passing of Mr. M. W. Jones: Whereas Mr. M. W. Jones, a member of the Board of Directors of his Bank departed this life December 3, 1922 and desiring to preserve among our minutes some permanent record of our sense of loss and some fitting expression of our appreciation of his services; and whereas, he was at the time of his death the last acting member of the incorporators of the bank in the year of 1881; Now, therefore, be it resolved that in his death this Board feels that it has lost one of its most valuable members; one who commanded our respect and confidence; whose judgment was sound, whose ability was recognized and whose sense of fairness was one of his distinguishing characteristics. Never blessed with abundant health, his intelligent interest in the success of the bank and his conscientious sense of duty made him regular in his attendance at the meetings of the Board. Clear-minded and careful it was easy for him to distinguish truth and error; and when his conclusions were reached they were sound, logical and just. Resolved, that the remaining members of this Board will hold him in affectionate remembrance because of their long years of pleasant association. 1923 heralded the single largest gain in deposits since 1881, resulting from Mr. B. B. Jones’ Audley Farm payrolls (due to significant construction on the property), redemption of Victory Bonds from World War I and the Berryville Basket Factory (whose payroll had grown to $1,000 per week). In February 1924 a proposal for the stockholders’ meeting called for an amendment to the bank’s charter authorizing a change in the par value of its stock