The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota*

War declared on Germany; Plainview bank substantially renovated

March 23, 1917 - April 13, 1917

PAGE 83

Scandinavian dialogue over the telephone by Messes Bahke and Petterson deserved the Lady’s prize. (NOTE: These ladies were teachers in the public school). Lack of space prevents mention of all actors, but especially enjoyable were the "cornet solo" by Mr. Turner and Mr. Sylvester’s reading "Mary had a little Waist." Games followed the decision by the judges, after which delicious refreshments were served.
March 23, 1917- Annual party by Traveler’s Club. City Hall March 19.
Farce- "How the Vote was Won" was enjoyed.
"Iphigene"- Mrs. G. F. Sylvester.
"Fair Rosamond"- Mrs. E. L. Sylvester.
Home talent play Friday and Saturday "A Prairie Rose."
4 acts western comedy drama.
Byrl Sylvester- a wealthy lawyer.
Mesdames G. F. Sylvester and G. A. Walker entertained a company of friends at a 6 o’clock dinner last Thursday evening. The home was prettily decorated and a delightful repast was served. That the guests enjoyed the evening at this hospitable home need not be said.
April 6, 1917- C. W. Donaldson, C. L. Waterman, Vern Smith, Byrl Sylvester, and Irl Richmond left for Winona Monday morning to attend the meeting of the Scottish Rite.
Mrs. G. F. Sylvester and daughter Marion, spent Monday with Winona friends.
E. L. Sylvester left for Winona Thursday morning to be present at the Scottish Rite Banquet.
April 13, 1917-

President Wilson proclaims war on Germany.
Local Banking Institution is Much Improved
Plainview’s Oldest Bank Now has Greatly Enlarged and Neat Quarters
New Fixtures are Installed.
The splendid improvements that have been underway for the past several months at the Plainview State Bank have been completed and not only has the interior been greatly enlarged and beautiful but many conveniences have been added for the benefit of their customers. In addition to enlarging the structure, the interior has undergone a complete change.
The new structure besides giving additional room, is a model of convenience, and will greatly facilitate work. It has taken a number of months to make the many changes, but those who perform their duties there each day say the new conveniences are worth many times the trouble and inconvenience they have had to forego during the time involving the changes.
The main floor has been covered with heavy linoleum, the new fixtures are of plain, but handsomely polished oak, with bronze grill and Tennessee marble base. At the left of the entrance lobby is a most convenient customer office 8 X 9 feet with heave oak desk a most convenient and handy place for customers to transact small business matters. The main lobby has been considerably enlarged. It is 10 feet wide at the front and tapers gradually to the rear, extending 35 feet into the building. The office and work room has been entirely rearranged and enlarged. The cashier and assistant cashier windows open from the main part, while the teller window is conveniently located in the rear where fixtures are made to project beyond the old vault to enclose a larger working space. Beyond the tellers office is a good sized room 11 X 24, useful for many purposes and from which is reached the new safety deposit box vault. Leading from this room are also nicely arranged closets and lavatory.
At the rear of the building are two private rooms each 12 X 12. These are neatly furnished with polished hardwood floor sand oak finishings. Aside from making admirable private offices they may be used for board meetings and other transactions of a private nature that is so often required in a banking institution. These rooms are not only convenient to the main portion of the bank, but are accessible by a rear side

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* SOURCE: Manzow, Ron (compiler), "The Sylvester Family of Plainview, Minnesota - a collection of information taken from the Plainview News, other newspapers, letters, and diaries beginning in 1884": Plainview Area History Center, 40 4th St. S.W., Plainview, MN 55964. Compiled in 2001.

NOTE: from Ron Manzow, December 2001: "Feel free to reproduce the pages for anyone who wants a copy. It was compiled to be shared... All I ask is that they consider sending a check to the [Plainview Area] History Center to help us out. That should be enough."