Typed as spelled and written
Lena Stone Criswell

THE MARLIN DEMOCRAT
Thirteenth Year - Number 23
Marlin, Texas, Thursday, August 7, 1902
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MARLIN'S FIRST BALE.

       The "first bale" of this year's cotton reached Marlin at 1:20 p.m. Friday from Reagan.
       It was raised by Cain Hill, who lives on D. C. Webb's farm near Reagan, and weighs 504 lbs.
       It was ginned by W. Z. Burke at Reagan and owing to the bad roads was sent to Marlin by express, arriving here at the hour stated.  A handsome premium was given Cain for being the first to bring a bale of the 1902 cotton to Marlin.

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas