53 It is most unlikely that there will be any return, immediate or otherwise, to the apparently excessive but unreal prosperity of the banking business during the inflationary period of ten years ago. Addressing myself more directly to our own institution, a steady and sound growth should be our constant aim and purpose. Along that road lies the only real prosperity”. The Clarke Courier reported that Clarke County was the only county in Virginia to refuse direct Federal relief. The county’s Board of Supervisors stated that the county didn’t want any help, they were able to take care of their own needy and the wages the government paid on those relief projects had a bad influence on farmers and other business employers. “We occupy a very unusual position in the eyes of the rest of the counties in Virginia. Who knows but that in the future we may be referred to as ‘The Unusual County of Clarke’!” The first FDIC examination was conducted on January 24, 1935 and uncovered one suggestion – strengthening the vault. Negotiations began in the spring of 1935 with York Safe and Lock Company to purchase a new vault door and delayed time lock. The 5,400 pound door was delivered on March 31, 1935 and took until April 3rd to install. Crowds of interested bystanders gathered around the building as the door was unloaded. A score of men from H. N. Ritter, George B. Thomas and other workmen had their hands full unloading the door and getting it into the bank. Inside the bank other workmen were busy taking the old door from its hinges and widening the breach to fit the new structure. The time required to cut the opening in the vault exceeded the time allotted to the company by fifteen hours and was caused by the thickness of the concrete reinforcement. The weight of the new door exceeded the weight of the old one fivefold. The door was five times thicker than the old door and was equipped with two combination locks and one time lock that could only be opened at set hours. The current vault was located over a similar vault in the basement of the bank that insured safety in case of fire. Also in the spring of 1935, application was made to the Federal Housing Administration for approval as a mortgagee under the provisions of Title 11 of the National Housing Act. On April 18, 1935, a committee was formed to determine the advisability of the purchase of the banking business of the Boyce State Bank by Bank of Clarke County and to submit to the Board conditions, stipulations and limitations of such a purchase and sales agreement. The following motion was approved: “Whereas, the Boyce State Bank of Boyce, Virginia and the Bank of Clarke County at Berryville, Virginia are within the County of Clarke, Virginia, are similar institutions both chartered and organized for the purpose of conducting a general banking business; and Whereas, it is the unanimous opinion of this board that it is for the best interests of both banking institutions as well as for the public served by them that the Bank of Clarke County acquire the banking business of the Boyce State Bank by a sale and purchase agreement and that in case of such union the same will be made in good faith and the spirit of cooperation. Now therefore Board approves, ratifies and confirms each and all of the terms, conditions and provisions.” After consultation with the Board of the Boyce State Bank, the following