"The pioneer bank of Gregg County, First National Bank, began in 1884 as a private bank established by A. E. Clemmons and sons Tom and Joe, and was located at 106 East Tyler Street.

In 1889 it was organized as a national bank with the name First National Bank of Longview, under a twenty-year charter. Joseph R. Clemmons, president, Thomas Clemmons, cashier, and one bookkeeper and one teller kept the bank operating. At this time its location was moved across the street.

Promoted by influential stockholders of First National Bank, Peoples State Bank [not a National Bank] was organized in 1908. Both People's State Bank and First National Bank operated in the same building on Tyler street until they were notified that it was against banking regulations to do so. First National sold the building to People's State Bank and moved into an adjoining building. A doorway was cut in the rear wall between the two buildings and the same vault was shared by the two banks.

First National later built a 2-story brick structure on the corner of Tyler and Fredonia street."

"In 1911 First National's two-story bank building was moved to a lot at the rear of the bank's property on Tyler Street to make way for construction of it's new facility at the same location. First National Bank moved into its new 5-story headquarters in 1912. This building was the pride of the community. All offices in the building were soon occupied and the Elks Lodge took up the entire fifth floor. It had a lovely roof garden." (http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~katloregen/BI_FirstNatlBank.htm)

The Officers.

The Bank Robbery

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