For the first time since The Journal was made an annual has it failed to appear at its usual time.

The sole reason for this was the want of time on the part of the editor.

We are pleased to note continued interest in the Association and Journal as manifested in payment of dues and in inquiries about the issue of The Journal.

This is the best evidence that the members-those who have manifested interest in the past-are not indifferent, that the real clan spirit still subsists and we trust will manifest itself in 1905 by presence at the next reunion, that the rule may still hold good that each last reunion is the best.

The general longevity of our members is shown by the fact that there are now living thirty-five descendants over 70 years of age, twenty of whom are over 75 and seven over 80, and one, David L. More, over 90 years of age. We hope they may all attend the next reunion.

If any member will take the trouble to look over the changes recorded in this Journal and compare them with the last, they will notice that there are a few less than those given in the previous issue, although two years instead of one are covered by the last issue. This shows pretty plainly that not a few births, marriages, deaths and changes of residence have occurred that have not been reported to the secretary.

We urge the members to be more careful in this matter and if any changes have occurred with them not reported in this Journal, that they will send them at once to the secretary for publication in 1905.

A VISIT TO MEXICO.

By Rev. James H. More, M. D.

Dear Cousin: In the month of March, 1902, I accompanied W. B. McKinley as his guest on a tour in Mexico. We entered that country at Eagle Pass. After crossing the Rio Grande everything looked strange and foreign. The people evidently have not provided themselves homes, comforts or attire as bountifully as in our own land. The disturbed condition of the country through so many years neither encouraged nor protected industry and thrift. We were informed that since the nation drove out the forces of the scion of royalty who, under the management of Napoleon III, and with the help of Pius IX. sought to establish an empire on this continent, the people have been inspired to improve their con dition, and are now on the up grade.

From Eagle Pass our objective point was the city of Monterey: the line of the railroad runs south and a little east through a country that seemed to one just from the fertile plains of Illinois scarcely worth defending and not worth fighting for. In the region of Monterey and probably nearer the coast than the line of the railroad it is more fertile and inviting, but could not win emigrants from the Prairie State.

Monterey interested us as the scene of some splendid displays of American val or during the Mexican War, and as the center of large mining interests, which we had not time to study and had to take on information.

From Monterey to Tampico on the coast we saw much more undesirable country. very little of which was under cultivation. There were but few forests. The trees seemed stunted scrubs. The me quite and palms were most abundant. Passing over this route once leaves you without any desire to see it again.

Monterey and Tampico both interested us by their quaint architecture. Their people, as we saw them in street and market place. seem far les alert and Purposeful than the same classes in the States. Tampico is one of the seaports and has been greatly improved in its facilities for shipping during the present administration.

From Tampico westward over the Coast Range we come by railroad to San Luis Potosi. The land improves as we go inward. Surrounding this city is a well cultivated region. The city presents, like all the Mexican cities, the same neculiar architecture. people and customs that we noted in the first city we visited.

Over another range by a wild and nie turesque route. we come into the Valley of Mexico. On the heights un which we crent were Indian villages whose people seemed physically superior to the peons

we had seen in the regions already trav ersed. The glimpse one gets from a swiftly moving railroad train gives but scant opportunity to study a people. We note on the surface view enough to show the backward condition of every interest that makes for a people's comfort and welfare.

The conditions of country improved with the apparent increase of fertility of soil until we reached the City of Mexico, where there seems aggregated everything in the way of climate and productiveness to make the home of a prosperous, progressive and happy people. Though the latitude is well within the tropics, the elevation so tempers the climate that parties from the temperate States can most of the year endure the climate without discomfort.

The City of Mexico seems in transition. The old and new in architecture, transportation and business methods are in juxtaposition. In the competition the old is rapidly yielding. Some quarters, so tourists told us who had seen the Spaniard in his native land, were like old Spain, while others looked like portions of some American city.

From the City of Mexico we visited the hot lands extending from the eastern coast to the mountains that border the plateau of Mexico on the east. There is a very marked change from temperate to tropical in the appearance of forest and field. The old city of Cordova interested us in many ways and we wished for days rather than hours to study its peculiarities. Those of our party who were so inclined had fine opportunity as the train swept around projecting spurs and into and around the gorges to study the geological formations. The strata of sedimentary rock seemed turned up on edge by the rising of the granites, which seems to make the sides of the depression where in geologic time must have simmered what is now the volcanic rock so abundantly in evidence within the bounds of the central plateau.

The station Esperanza is on the crest. From there the grade descends rapidly to the lowlands, and much more gradually toward the City of Mexico. From a point on the road west of the summit the three great mountains of Orizaba. Popocatapet and Estoscinottli are visible at distances of from thirty to sixty miles away. The lesser elevations and peaks that were not named to us seemed to stand in awe and offer homage to the towering majesty and grandeur of these snow-capped monarchs.

The most charming city we visited is Guadalajara. There we seemed to be surrounded by everything that nature and Spanish art could afford. The mountains that seem to border most of the fruitful plains of Mexico were in the dim blue distance like the toils of life

and its disasters seem to youth, while all around them bloom the fragrant flowers. Our stay of two days was all too brief.

This letter would be extended beyond all reasonable limits in recounting all that interested in a pleasant or painful way in our four weeks' flight into and across the Dominion of Mexico. We may be allowed to say that indications of the end of the painful history of centuries of oppression and fruitless revolutions have come, and the morning of a better day for this land, so rich in the elements of greatness, has dawned. So far as we could judge from what we saw in the glances we were able to take, there is much to commend in the line of effort wise rulers are making for the elevation of the masses. The common school has already become well established in the centers of population. In rural districts, owing to the hacienda system of immense holdings of land and the system of peonage by which they are worked, the school makes slower progress, and doubtless will only tardily do its beneficent work until the estates are broken up into smaller tracts and agricultural communities similar to those in our States established.

The brigandage that formerly almost isolated communities has been completely broken up, so that it is said to be as safe to travel unguarded between the towns and haciendas as it would be in our own country, and trains on the railroads are less subject to hold-ups and robbery than in our wild West

The revolutions, frequent when communication between the states and the capital was difficult, now that the railroad systems are extending from the City of Mexico to all parts of the country. affording facilities for rapid transportation of troops to cool the ambitions of any turbulent leaders, are impossible. With the quiet the country now enjoys the development of its immense resources will steadily progress, and Mexico will win an honorable place in the family of nations.

One can note abundant evidences everywhere of the kindly attitude of the Mexicans toward the United States, from which so much capital is coming to them to assist in the development of mines. construction of railroads and promotion of agriculture. It is scarcely true that the country is becoming Americanized, but rather that the Yankees are helping to kindle the fires that raise the steam for the engines of progress which Mexicans will stoke and utilize.

The people of Mexico are to be congratulated that they are delivered from the domination of that phase of Christianity which saw its highest glory in depleting the resources of its people in

[Continued on page 147]

BURR MORE.

The obituary record of the past year includes the name of Burr More, of Walton, N. Y., of the David line, whose death occurred October 15, 1902. One more name is therewith stricken from the roll of living grandchildren of John More and Elizabeth Taylor. The following obituary notice is taken from the Walton Reporter:

Burr More died at his home, the residence of his sister, Mrs. Harriet Guild, Wednesday evening at 11 o'clock, aged 75 years. His ailment was Bright's disease, from which he had suffered for the past year, gradually growing weaker until the end.

Mr. More was the son of David More and Elizabeth Gould. He was born in Roxbury, removing to Walton with his parents when twelve years of age. He has lived here since.

He was a quiet man, a great reader, especially of the current news. In politics he was a Democrat, and never missed an election.

He was one of a family of thirteen children, five of whom survive him: Hezekiah and Edmund of Walton; Andrew of Wattsburgh, Pa.; Mrs. Elizabeth Cone of Unadilla. and Mrs. Harriet Guild of Walton. He was never married.

He will be much missed by a large circle of friends and relatives.

JAMES EZEKIEL MORE.

Death of James Ezekiel More, an Esteemed Resident of Roxbury.

(The Delaware Enterprise, June 6, 1901) From Our Roxbury Correspondent.

James Ezekiel More, a prominent retired farmer and a member of one of the best known families of this end of Delaware County, died suddenly at his home in this village at 8 o'clock Saturday morning, aged 70 years. Mr. More was born in the town of Roxbury June 5, 1834, and bad been a lifelong resident of the town. He was a prosperou 3 farmer and owned a fine farm near this village. About two years ago he gave up farming because of impaired health and came to reside in this village. In boyhood and early manhood Mr. More was a schoolmate and fellow clerk of Jay Gould. Both young men were employed in the store of "Squire" Ed. Burhans, and it was here that Jay Gould first gained a knowledge of commercial values. Mr. More was twice married, his first wife being Caroline E. Faulkner and his second wife Ann McIntosh. He is survived by his wife and six children, Charles H.. of Montpelier. Vt.; George W., of Hobart; Carrie E., J. Mac., and Samuel, of Roxbury, and J. Gould, of Barre, Vt. Mr. More was a man of high character and strict integrity, and a person

much esteemed by all with whom he had business and social relations.

The funeral services were held in the Gould Memorial Church Wednesday morning, Rev. N. H. Demarest officiating, assisted by the other pastors of the village. The large attendance at the funeral gave evidence of the high esteem in which both the deceased and his family were held. The burial was in the Reformed cemetery, the brother and five sons acting as bearers.

Mr. More was very deeply interested in the More Family Association and History and Journal. He was for several years the member of the Journal committee of the Jonas Line and was faithful in reporting any information he thought would be interesting. Next to

Resolutions Regarding the Death of James E. More.

In the death of Mr. James E. More the Jay Gould Reformed Church of Roxbury, N. Y., has lost one of its most valued and efficient members.

Mr. More joined this churc.. by confession of his faith in Jesus Christ May 8. 1858, during a period of revival in the pastorate of the Rev. William E. Turner, and continued in active membership until the day of his entrance into the fellowship with the Church Triumphant.

During most of this time he was also a member of the consistory.

He was elected a deacon November 24, 1859, and served consecutively for twenty years, until chosen elder in November, 1879. He was again elected deacon April, 1898, and served as such the full term of two years.

He was chosen elder in November, 1879, and held the office, almost consecutively, over eighteen years, being an elder at the time of his death.

Loyal and conscientious in the discharge of every duty, his best energies and counsel were always cheerfully given to the service of the church he loved. His cheery presence, wise counsel and generous gifts aided in the discussion and solution of the many problems which the consistory were called upon to meet

As the consistory, and in behalf of this church, we desire to record our appreciation of his high qualities as a man, and of his very effective services as an officer of this church.

We extend our sincerest sympathy to his widow and children, and commend them to the comfort and love of the covenant-keeping God. whose blessing will never fail those who put their trust in Him.

We shall sorely miss him from his place in the sanctuary, and from his seat in the consistory. As a token of the high regard in which we held him, we therefore

Resolve, That the office of elder, so recently held by James E. More, be left unfilled until the next election of officers, in March, 1905. We also further

Resolve. That all of the above action be entered upon the minutes of the Church. and a copy of the same be gent to Mrs. More.

Done by the Consistory in regular session. June 4, 1904.

N. H. DEMAREST. President.
THOMAS S SMITH. Elder.
OTIS P. MORE,

A. K. ENDERLIN,

Deacons.

Alva Jennings Brasted has completed his second year in the divinity school of the University of Chicago. He is at the same time pastor of the Baptist Church at Wauconda, Ill.

GEORGE GRAHAM DECKER.

George Graham Decker, one of the most widely known and most highly respected members of our family association, departed this life after a long and distressing illness on February 25, 1903. Mr. Decker was treasurer of our association from its organization until 1900, when he resigned at our third reunion.

It was at his residence in August, 1889, that the first movement was made toward holding our first reunion and erecting our family monument. He gave liberally for the support of the association and carefully and wisely handled its funds from its inception until our last reunion. Himself and wife were one of the three couples that celebrated their golden wedding at that gathering.

We give below a sketch of his life, taken from the Catskill Mountain News, published at Margaretville, N. Y.

George G. Decker, whose death was chronicled in The News last week, was born in Roxbury on February 15, 1824, and was therefore in his eightieth year.

He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. William Decker, his mother's maiden name being Jane More. His parents at one time resided in Taghkanick. Columbia County.

Mr. Decker was educated in the common schools of Roxbury and Andes and at the Delaware Academy in Delhi.

After completing his course at the latter place he associated himself as clerk with the Hon. E. I. Burhans, who conducted a general store at Roxbury. After a faithful service covering a period of eight years he purchased an interest in the business and the firm of E. I. Burhans & Co, assumed a place in the business world

In 1849 the firm established a branch store in Margaretville and Mr. Decker came here as manager. It was one of the first enterprises of the kind in the village.

Six years later he retired from the firm of Burhans & Co. and embarked in business by himself. He built the store now occupied by Swart & Hitt, which he conducted with marked success until 1876, when he sold his stock to O. A. Swart, the senior member of the present firm.

Mr. Decker's long life was a singularly active one and was characterized by good works for Margaretville and its people. He was in all respects a Christian gentleman and an untiring church worker. As a result of his persistent labors to that end a Methodist church was built in this village in 1850 and for more than half a century he was the devoted superintendent of its Sunday school and a class leader.

Held in high esteem by the people of his county, he was honored by them with a term in the legislature, going in 1874 to the Assembly, where he served his

visor and school commissioner.

In 1849 Mr. Decker was united in marriage with Catherine H. More, daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Church) Moxe, who were natives of Roxbury. Three children, two of whom are living, blessed their union. Susie M., wife of S. W. Marvin, a well-known publisher of New York City, lived in New Rochelle. Alice A., who became the wife of O. A. Swart. died October 22, 1893. William M. is a prominent physician of Buffalo. Both Mrs. Marvin and Dr. Decker, with their

the Methodist Church in this village on Saturday morning. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the capacity of the edifice was taxed to its utmost. The services were conducted by the Rev. A. A. Walker, pastor of the church, the address, by previous request of the deceased, being delivered by the Rev. O. VanKeuren of Roxbury. Eulogistic remarks were also made by A. K. Sanford, superintendent of the Five Points Mis sion in New York, a former presid'ng elder, and the Rev. O. P. Dales of Pine