47 the radio -- giving the first of many “fireside chats” -- to explain his plan to Americans and to assure them that their money would be safe in the re-opened banks. During the following weeks, Americans returned nearly $1 billion dollars to bank vaults across the country. In response to the impending national bank holiday, the Board met on March 3rd to discuss the local and national developments: “The purpose of this meeting is to consider the unprecedented banking situation now existing throughout the country and more particularly in the nearby states of West Virginia and Maryland and the District of Columbia and, after calling the further attention of the Board to the action this day taken by the Banks of the neighboring city of Winchester whereby further withdrawal of deposits is limited to 5%, the following resolution is duly adopted: Whereas, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Clarke County an emergency may develop due to the existing demands by depositors upon the Banks in this and the neighboring communities and Whereas, in order to conserve the assets of the Bank of Clarke County for the protection of the interests of the depositors, Be it resolved: that application is made to the State Corporation Commission of Virginia (Bank Division) for the right to limit withdrawals of deposits in the Bank of Clarke County to 5% per month, commencing at the close of business on March 3, 1933 and continuing for such a period as the Board of Directors and the State Corporation Commission shall determine.” Eight days later, Bank of Clarke County opened an account with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond for the deposit of money and the deposit and collection of checks, drafts, notes and other items. Two days after that, the Board met to discuss an application to re-open through the State Corporation Commission: “Pursuant to a resolution for limiting deposits, the State Corporation Commission entered an order in case #5199 granting certain rights therein specifically set out limiting and restricting the withdrawal by depositors of funds on deposit with said bank until the further order of the commission. Whereas, it is the unanimous sense and judgment of this Board and each and every one of its individual members that the present condition of the Bank of Clarke County is such as to warrant the lifting of such restrictive powers and the resumption at the earliest practical date of its general banking business.” That request was made to annul the previous order of deposit limitations and allow Bank of Clarke County unrestricted conduct of its banking business. After the receipt of the necessary licenses from the fifth Federal Reserve District and the State Corporation Commission, Bank of Clarke County was allowed to reopen on March 15th, the first day available for banks nationwide that had proven their stability and soundness. More confidence was noted in depositors with the bank’s reopening than anytime since 1929. Business in the county was reported to be normal and deposits exceeded withdrawals. An increase in shoppers in Clarke County stores