57 INTERLOGUE Boyce State Bank The bustling town of Boyce, Virginia was experiencing an economic boom in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Farms were profitable and the Boyce train station was a major stop along the railroad line. Businesses thrived and discussions soon centered on the need for a bank to be headquartered in Boyce. Bank of Clarke County had been in operation for twenty-six years and had provided banking services to citizens in the southern half of Clarke County. But, there was a feeling that increasing commerce in the Boyce area fully justified the existence of a separate bank. Potential investors began to meet and originally concluded that a national bank would suit the town best, and proposed the name of BLUE RIDGE NATIONAL BANK. This bank was to have $50,000 in stock and a $25,000 surplus. A meeting of promoters was held on Wednesday, September 18, 1907 at the Boyce offices of attorneys Harrison and Lewis. Present were Mr. Guil Barber (a banker from Troutville), Mr. George B. Harrison (a lawyer in Boyce), Mr. M. L. P. Reed (a livestock dealer in Boyce), Mr. H. G. Martin (a farmer from Millwood), Mr. R. P. Whiting, Mr. R. G. Green and Mr. W. J. Manning (merchants in Boyce), Mr. E. A. Lindsey, Mr. William M. Gaunt, Mr. H. L. Pipher and Mr. R. S. Bryarly (farmers from Boyce), Mr. George W. Garvin (a grain dealer in Boyce) and Mr. J. T. Sprint (a shipper and Justice of the Peace in Boyce). These gentlemen represented 71 shares of stock. Other potential investors were Mr. E. F. Barr (a miller in Stephens City), Mr. Louis C. Bradford (an editor in New York), Mr. M. R. Strode (a clerk in Boyce), Mr. J. T. Burwell and Mr. H. G. Martin (farmers in Millwood), Mr. J. J. Jolliffe (an express messenger for the railroad in Boyce), Mr. M. J. Dunlap (a Norfolk & Western agent in Boyce), Mr. R. G. Mitchell, Mr. G. S. Garver and Mr. J. S. Carper (farmers in Boyce), Mr. J. T. Dixon (a mechanic in Boyce), Mrs. Julia A. Anderson (a widow from Boyce) and Mr. William A. Bradford (County Treasurer in Berryville). Each investor agreed to buy his or her pre-determined number of shares with the stipulation that 50% of the subscription value would be paid on the day the bank opened for business, providing the working capital needed for day- to-day operations. Shares had a par value of $100 and 100 shares were issued, totaling $10,000 in capital stock. The remaining 50% would be paid when the Directors called for the additional capital. After further review, it was decided that a state charter would be the most advantageous and the bank name was finalized – BOYCE STATE BANK, INC. Incorporation occurred on December 17, 1907. The charter listed the bank purpose as follows: “to conduct a business of a bank of deposit, and the business of banking generally, and all such incidental business, including certificates of deposit, buy and sell exchange, coins, bullion, negotiable bills of exchange, promissory notes, drafts, negotiable notes, and other evidences of debt, to lease, purchase or sell any such, to loan money on