Mexico weekly ledger., 1888-09-13
ouR cITY's YOUTH.
Storehouse Yields In
t~eresting Reading Matter
Early History of
Mexico.


MExIoo, Mo-, Sept. i2,-The APP
pointed time for the old citizens re-
kunion being near at hand, incidents
in connection with the early histo-
~ of Audrain county fast crowd
themselves into my mind, and l re-
call the joys, SORROWS, friendships,
and loved ones of the long ago,
which alike, are pictures of inter-
est, hung in memory's chambers.
When fond recollection brings to
view the scenes of other years, we
60 back and live them over again.
How distinctly do l reccollsot the
day that l, a merry laughing girl of
six, arrived at the site upon which
Mexico now stands. How lovely
in all its native wildnessi Two
single rooms marked the spot of
our abode. One a hewn log cabin,
erected for the occupancy of the
family, which consisted of six
members, the other being used
as a store, and was the first build
ing erected in Mexico. In this,
was deposited all articles of mer-
ehandise, then required in the mar
ket.
Never could we forget the gro
tesque appearance of the "original
Settlers" as they came with their
boarded supplies of wolfscalps and
furs of wild animals, to Of
fer in exchange for goods. Some
of them wore caps made of the skins
of the coon, or wildcat, tanned with
the fur on; others, vests made OF
the skin of the fawn, similarly tam
ned, while many of the number
were dressed in full suits of buck
skin. How vivid in our reeollec-
ton is the fringed, fantastic, buck
skin suit worn by Capt. Anderson
while surveying and naming the
streets of Mexico. He was tall
and erect in form, with piercing
black eyes, and even in such rude
apparel, presented rather a striking
appearance. He was exceedingly
fond of hunting, spending the great.
er portion ofhis time In the forests,
in search of wild game. In de.
scribing the figure of Capt. Ander.
son, we are forcibly reminded Of
Hezekiah Fulcher, the man who
taught the first school in Mexico,
His pupils will not easily forget
his striking appearance AS each sue.
cessive morning, he brought into
the room a select assortment of the
hazel shrubs, which grew SO pain.
fully near the door. Mr.. Fulchel
died during the progress of the
term and was succeeded by a Mr.
McGrue.
A prominent picture now OF
memory's tablet is that of the
first bride of Mexico, Miss Jane
Fenton, an intelligent and accom-
plished woman, and daughter O
James E. Fenton, (the first hote
keeper of the place. who was unit
ed in marriage to Lockwood Ram
sey, first saloon keeper here. The
ceremony vas performed by Rev
R. G. Mansfield. The bridal dress
was made of elegant white flower
ed satin, being unadorned excep.
by the charms of the beautiful
wearer. Yet how magnificent How
marked in contrast with those o
coarser material usually worn in ear
ly days. Miss Fenton was also pos
SCISSOR of the first piano in Mexico
which strangers daily called to see
regarding it as a wonderful instru
ment.
The next incident presented t.
/ my mind, is the burial of Geo
Milton, infant son of Thomas an(
Nancy Stone, and whose death wa
the first that occurred at this place
The funeral procession consisted o
about eight persons, who walked il
single file along the brier-tanglet
pathway leading to the old GENE
terry, where, without ceremony, thu
corpse was inferred. The fathe
constructed the coffin.
Next on the panorama of remi
nences is the announcement of tn
/ birth of a II pound boy-Payton L
Morris, born November s, 1887
the first in Mexico; and, by tn
way, he weighs but little NOR
| now.
n While memory lasts, we shall
never forget the honered names o
the pioneers or their noble deeds
Few of them are living now, thu
majority having found a''shelteret
. niche" In that beautiful city, no
made with hands. M. E. S.