The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-10-09
the balance were taken to the annual fair
held in November ut
SAN JUAN DE Los IARGAa.

where they were in demand at large profit
This annual fair, it may be interesting L
know, was then one of the popular insti,u
tions OF the Mexican Republic, and is vel
remembered by all the old traders. In tn
interstate economy of Mexico genersll,
custom duties are allowed to one state a
against goods imported from other states
Not so at this annual fair. Here an inter
change or purchase of commodities is per
United without duty. The fair continue.
usually for about ten days. and is an occa
sion for an ingathering of traders with
their products from every state in the Re
public
| In the second caravan he took of with
him $50 mules from Zacatecas, with which
he proceeded via Sante Feto Independence
Here he purchased wagons paying Sl5(
each, and awaited the arrival of the gools
His partner had started for England in
February. 1916, via, Vera Cruz, to make
the purchases, which in this instance
amounted TO $50, 900 first cost, and required
twenty wagons to transport the yOOis
While the goods were in transit the
MEXICAN WAR BROKE OUT,
and the chances of transporting by the
route agreed on were dubious. How yer.
ii was beset with embarrassments and de-
lays to undertake the sale of the goods a.
Independence while in bond, and the
wagons aud teams were already in hand
for transporting.
II was about this time that Col. Sterling
Price started with the I'd Missouri Infant
~ to reinforce the command which had
left Fort Leavenworth a few weeks before,
under Gen. Kesrney, for New Mexico and
the Pacific coast Nothing dannting, the
goods we're loaded, and with a passport to
himself as an Englisman having English
goods In transit, our young friend launched
his fleet upon the prairie ocean and fol.
lowed Col. Prices regiment into New Mex
ice. Santa Fs being in possession of the
United States troops there wss no necessity
Tor making the usual port of entry, and
the grass being better outside of the localities
occupied by the army, Mr.. Gentry took a
direct route for Vslverde, where he made
camp and awaited the return of Col. Doni.
iphan, then on an expedition with his reg
iment to the Navajo country. Col. Doni-
phan had received orders 10 proceed with
his regiment on his return to Chihuahus.
to report to Gen. Wool, who, it was under
stood, would, BY that time, have returned
DOriphan 6nally returned, but was delayed
in procuring supplies. Gentry's employees
becoming restless under the delay and un-
certainty, he determined to
RISK THE SITUATION,
and accordingly broke camp and proceeded
on his way. He was only one hundred
miles in advance # Doniphan at the bat
nf -
The confusion OF war preparations. Thus
ne run the embargo OF war, and finally
had the good fortune to arrive at Zacatecas
with no greater embarrassment than his
arrest and detention for few days at Chi
huahus. His passport held as an English
man served him we'll. The director of the
mint At chihuahua, the latter being under
lease to English capitalists, Interested in his
behalf and by oruer of Governor Angel
Trias. Gentry was permitted To proceed
without further trc Uble.
This WIS his last venture in Mexico. He
remained In the country a couple of years
His firm In the meantime making sale of
the goods, and he d-voting his chief ener-
gies on be half Of his own firm, and others
TO securing the proceeds By a safe transit
out of the country. This was done to tine
amount OF $4,000 in silver coin ex-
changed with General Zachary Taylor,
quartermxs,er at MatamOras, for bills upon
New Orleans
During 1913 he made final wind mp of
his business and his last trip out of the
country, taking with him by train to Mat
amora-, large anonnt in bullion, and
from thence he safely reached New Or
leans.
In the last venture, Notwithstanding the
desperate risk,
HIS FIRM CLEARED 800 600.
over and above expenses.
The average profits of the Santa Fee
trade before the Mexican war was over was
200 per cent. on 6rst cost. The goods i'm.
pOr ell were principally domestic dry
goods. Beyond few buffalo pelis and
few Of the beaver there were no return
freights. The Gust of overland freighting
was Sl2 per hundred pounds from INDIE
pendenee to Santa Fe, and as much more
from ,n,a Fe to Zacatscas.
The lie; cost of freights from New York
TO Zscatecas via Santa Fe, was 20 per cent.
upon the New York cost. The custom
house duties were Jumped Oft at Santa Fe
at 500 per prairie schooner cargo
We have thus briefly referred to the ex-
perisnces of Mr.. Gentry in the early mer-
of the country, and as aGording
a striking contrast with the facilities Of
to-day.
Mr.. Gentry, in common with others OF
his time, secured competency and return
ell TO the states. He married in Kentucky
and settled down and has there remained
ever since, no doubt, happy and comfort
able.
With his brother he departed on yester-
days Pacific express for Ell Paso and Chi
huahua. He will now make the entire trip
from Kansas City to Chihuahua in les,
than six days, where it required three
to make the same trip when he
passed over the same route thirty seven
years ago.