Mexico weekly ledger., 1893-01-05
Facts and Figures.
SHOWING THE GROWTH OF AU-
DRAIN COUNTY DURING THE
YEAR JUST CLOSED.
Fine Business Houses and Hand.
some Residences Erected In all
Towns In the County
Exports Of Live
Stock, &c.

The progress of Audrain county
seems to demand the special notice
of the LEDGER. We have, therefore,
compiled the following for its col
umns and those of the next State
agricultural report.
Referring all that are curious about
such matters to what appeared in the
23d annual report of the State Board
concerning the situation, topog-
raphy and capabilities of Audrain
county, we proceed to notice what
the revolution of a year has aecom-
plished.
AS the progress We are calling at
tentlon to is most visible in several
of the towns of Audrain county,
we commence with its county seat.
MEXICO.
During the past year more fine
residences and handsome stores
have been erected in Mexico than in
any similar previous period. Grant,
old sidewalks have been introduced
and a system of thorough drainage
commenced. Its fair grounds have
been enlarged and a modern mile
track constructed. Its population
has been increased and a marked
advance made in the rents and value
Of its real estate. Its Fire Brick
factory, recently destroyed by fire,
has been rebuilt and operated on an
enlarged scale. Its planning and
Touring mills and its other indus
trial workshops have been constant
ly employed. Its institutions of
learning - Hardin College, Fleets
Military Academy and its Public
Schools-all opened with increased
patronage and many farms in its
vicinity have changed hands at
handsomely advanced prices. In
short, the town of Mexicohas devel-
oped into a third class city and the
views of many of its inhabitants
correspondingly enlarged.
The towns of Vandalia and Mar
tinsburg have experienced similar
revivals.
vANDALIA.
Vandalia is situated in the heart
of a fertile region inhabited by
thrifty and intelligent farmers, and
portions of Rails, Pike, Montgomery
and Audrain counties contribute to
its welfare and trade. 1t is q pros
porous town and second in import
ance in the county. During the
past year it has made great pro-
gress. There is not a vacant build
ing within its bounds. All its
dwelling and business houses are
occupied. Its coal mines, manufac-
tory of fire brick and Touring mill
have been fully operated, and it is
estimated that over half a million
bushels of oats have been shipped
from there during the past year.
MARTINsBURG.
Martinsburg has been growing for
sometime and now, that the char
acter of the coal is recognized, it is
improving faster than ever. Its
mine, situated about half a mile
from the town, is connected with
the Wabash railroad and furnishes
from 600 to 1000 bushels of excel
lent coal daily. Its creamery is also
very helpful and makes about 5000
pounds Of butter per month that
finds ready sale at 80 cents per
pound. 1t has a Sharpless separator
and consumes most of the cream of
its neighhorhood. Its other indus
try is Friedman's picture frame
mandatory, whose output finds
sale over a vast territory. Its mer-
chants are prosperous and enterpris-
ing and the town obviously has a
future.
THE COUNTY.
The evidences of progress in Au-
drain county are not confined to its
towns. Many new dwellings and
barns have been erected and a gen.
eral advance in the value if its
farms has taken place.
IT'S PRESENT WEALTH.
Although assessed at much less
the farm lands and town lots of
Audrain county are worth at current
rates over SIT 900 900, and of its
personal property amounting to over
ten millions, without including its
railroads, be added thereto, the sum