Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1902-05-08
PRAIRIE LANDS poYcorrEp.

PRAIRIE LANDS BoYooTrED.
Remote from both of the great nav
igable rivers, with not a mile of i'm
proved road-rail, plank, turnpike OF
other-to any Of the great market
centers of the State, and three-fourths
Of its lands being prairie and, there
fore, boycotted byesettlers for many
years, 1t Is no marvel that Audrain and
its county seat, Mexico, were tardy in
securing increased population, pros
periJy and development.
In respect to prairie lands increased
knowledge and greater experience
have very radically changed the opin,
ions of the people. Official statistics
justify the change. A census bulletin
issued only a few weeks ago, a copy Of
which is now before me, shows that at
last the fiat or undulating prairie, in
its natural state almost bare of trees
but covered with luxuriant grasses,
now constitute the topographic di-
vision Of the United States which con
tains the greatest population. The
prairie as the home of American clti-
zens has outstripped all competitors.
Neither the populous New England
hills nor the great Atlantic coast
plain, with its large cities and many
thriving towns, nor yet the vast tim
bered region with all its wealth and
opportunity, has kept pace with the
beautiful pralries of the West, and the
Central West, Of which the prairies of
Audrain were typical specimens.
INCREASE OF POPULATION.
Mark the development Of popula-
tion and vote during the first and sec
ond historic periods of 20 years respec-
tivelly. From 1910 TO 1860 the popula-
tion of the county increased only a
little more than 5000, and during the
same period of 20 years the vote less
than 500. The Presidential vote in
the county in 1860 was: Bell, $50;
Breckenridge, 2O6; Lincoln, l. Total,
1877. From 1860 to 1880 the population
increased from S,075 to 10, 739, and the
vote from 1877 TO 1922, as follows;
Hancock, D., 1922; Garfield, r., go;
or, from another point of view, the
single Republican vote for Lincoln in
1860 had during IAN incubation of 20
years multiplied itself into $40.
But lest our Republican friends be-
have themselves unseemly by loud
boasting over this exhibit, they should
be reminded that the 206 Democrats
of 1860 Matched out tenough Democratic
ROSTERS in 20 years to vote two thous-
and three hundred and twenty-five
q, 322) and are still "a hachin'.n
Games jackson, Democrat, who de-
clined the appointment of Sheriff in
1887, was the first Representative to
the Legislature from the county. He
was elected in 1888 and again in 1910.
COURTS ORGANIZED = A DRAM SHOP
THE FIRST THING.
On February 6, 1887, two months
after the General Assembly passed a
bill organizing the county, James Har-
rlson and James E. Fenton met at the
residence of Edward Jennings in New
Mexico 10y which name the present
town Of Mexico was called by the peo-
pie, and in legal documentsl and or
ganlzed the first County Court Of Au-
drain. Each of them held commits
sion signed by Gov l.. W, Boggs by
whom he was appointed pursuant to
law. James Jackson was also appoint
ed sheriff, but declined. Joel Haynes
was appointed clerk and accepted the
position, with John B. Morris, George
w. Turley and James Jackson sureties
In the sum OF 5000. Court then ad-
journed.
The next day, Feb. I, 1887, the court
met pursuant TO adjournment and the
third Judge, Hezikiah 1. NJ. Doan, ap-
peared, presented bis commission, took
the oath Of office and his seat. Where
upon the first thing the court did was,
on motion Of Judge Fenton himself,
to grant him license to sell liquor at
his home in New Mexico for 6 months
from Dec. II, 1896, for So, which peri
cd included and protected his dram
selling during the Xmas holidays. He
was also granted a tavern license.
This anecdote is related growing
out Of an incident which occurred at
the judges tavern in 1899. During
that year Sam Newland and several of
his neighbors from near Fulton, In
Galloway county, on their way to Pal
myra on horseback stopped for the
night at Judge Fenton's tavern. Ap-
preciatlng the responsibilities OF inn
keeper he put the oyercoats and sad
die bags Of his guests in closet and
locked them up for safe keeping. Next
morning his guests found out the