INTRODUCTION I remember receiving the commemorative 1981 Bank of Clarke County Annual Report and marveling at the rich and varied history of a community bank that was celebrating its 100 years of operation. In four short pages, bank highlights were illustrated that spoke of the struggles, successes and changes that this community bank had endured over the decades. Little did I know that I would be joining the Bank of Clarke family in 1983 and beginning a multi-year research endeavor in 2003, leading up to the bank’s 125th anniversary and the publication of an extensive history, uncovering heretofore forgotten details. In combing through dusty minute books, leather-bound journals and boxes of aged correspondence, I sensed a pace of life that existed in the bank’s early years. The carefully crafted letters and documents were rich with flourishing script and poetic writing style. It was interesting to see that the Board of Directors, unencumbered with such modern day headaches as regulatory burden, technology obsolescence and competition, had the time to deal with issues large and small as a matter of course. No detail was too small for them to consider and document. It was also interesting to note the special collateral held by the Bank over the years on loans, including cows, sheep, wheat, furs, apples, oriental rugs, firearms, cash, stock, bonded whiskey certificates, Caterpillar tractors and a horse named “Sporty.” There are many people who have contributed to this book, although I will not have the space to personally recognize each and every one. Please know that your contributions were appreciated. However, I do want to thank the following people who made a significant contribution to the creation of “Since 1881,” including: Amanda Warfield, who tirelessly viewed microfilm, conducted oral histories and performed other duties as my research assistant during the Summer of 2003; Margaret Barthel, who was my single most valuable resource for verification of dates, names and other difficult-to-obtain information and who served as a dedicated guardian of the bank as official historian for many years; and contributors of long-forgotten stories, photographs and images, including the estate of Camille Wisecarver, Eddie Wisecarver, Ron Paget, Audrey Hudson, Bill Shackleford and Bobby Levi. I end this introduction with a sincere plea to my readers – take the time right now to talk with family, friends and business associates about the past. Throughout the process of writing this book, I often found myself wanting to talk with Camille Wisecarver, A. Garland Williams or Hobson McGehee, and ask them about their past recollections of Bank of Clarke County. I knew them all and their association with the bank spanned decades – and now they’re gone. Don’t ever miss that opportunity. The loss of history is irreversible. - John Hudson