Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-05-13
THE PRIZE ARTICLE.


Mexico, the county seat of Audrain
county, Missouri, is situated at the in
tersection of the Wabash, st. Louis &
Pacific and Chicago 4 Alton Railways,
at a distance ofll0 miles from st. Louis,
and l56 miles from Kansas City.
The town was founded December II,
1886, by J. H. Smith and Rev. Robt.
Mansfield.
Its growth was very slow until the
establishment of the North Missouri
Railroad in 1857, since when there has
been a continual growth, both in popu-
lation and interest.
The situation of Mexico is, in every
way, conducive to. prospsritX-i it being
In the midst of one of thesmost fertile
and healthful districts of the country
The town lies on tho rolling prairie
bordering upon the woodlands of one
of the tributaries of Salt River. The
country has fine natural drainage, and
consequently, there are no malaria
breeding sWamps or lagoons.
Coal of excellent quality and in pay
ing quantities has been found in many
places in the vicinity, the veins being
from II to 30 inches in thickness, and
easily reached by drifting" At the
present time coal mine is in operation
within the city limits.
Potters clay is also found within a
short distance of the city. 1t is said by
competent judges to be of superior
quality. Along the banks of the va
rious water-courses are frequent out
groupings of limestone, well adapted
for building purposes.
The population of Mexico is rapidly
increasing; the growth moreover is
steady and natural, and not caused by
the influence of feverish ''booms." A
census taken by the city authorities
in 1885 showed total of 5075 inhabi.
tants within the city limits. Besides
these, there are many of the most in
fiuentiaI and wealthy business mer
residing in the suburbs. The people
are industrious and intelligent, and a.
a large proportion of them are property
owners they are willing and anxious t.
improve the city in every way.
The manufacturing interests arr
numerous and in most prosperous
condition.
There are two Touring mills: one tn,
"City MILL" operated by VIM. Pollocl
& Co., is a model of it's kind; the build
ing is large four story brick structure
supplied with the latest improves
machinery. The other, the "Custon
Mill" is the property of NJ. NJ. Conger
As implied in the name, this establish
ment is almost exclusively devoted t.
a custom business, and has large pa
tronage.
Situated near the City Mill is tn
Mexico Foundry, where all kinds Q
casting and repairing are done. Thi
business is vel! conducted by Edwar
! Carberry. Besides these are brick
yards, marble-works, boot and sho
makers, blacksmiths, carriage an
wagon factories, harness makers, ci
gar and tobacco factories, pottery
soda and mineral water mandatory,
wool combing establishment and saw
/ mill.
The business center is in the squar
surrounding the court house, and tn
neighboring streets. There are abor
twenty-five grocery establishments, tie
: or fifteen dry goods houses, and dealer
. in all the commodities to be found i
the larger cities. The business house
are almost without exception sui
stantial and handsome brick building
D Many are finely finished with iron an
5 plate-glass fronts, and would do no di
+. lrredit to st. Louis or Chicago.
Shipping facilities are afforded by tt
C & A. and w, st. l.. & ?. Railroad
already mentioned; besides these is tt
$ Cedar City Branch of the G. &. A. Thl
!. Mexico has railroad outlet in five dire
ltions. There is Union Depot, ar
twelve passenger trains arrive eye'
u twenty-four hours, giving direct Co
{ nection with St. Louis, Chicago ar
! Kansas City.