M. R. Draper, manager of the Dodge City branch of the York, Parker & Draper Mercantile Company. The company was incorporated under the laws of Missouri in 1881, with a paid-up capital of $150,000. Now have a surplus of $150,000. They deal in general merchandise and livestock, and carry a general average stock of merchandise of $25,000 in Dodge City, Kansas, and opened trade in the latter city in 1881. They also have a branch house at Caldwell, Sumner County, Kansas. Their rooms are 25 feet wide by 110 feet deep, and a warehouse 25 x 75 feet. They have a stock ranch in the Pan Handle of Texas, where they keep at present 15,000 head of cattle on a range 12×20 miles. They employ twenty-five men. F. B. York is President; M. R. Draper, Vice-President; D. T. Parker, Secretary and Treasurer. M. R. Draper, manager of the Dodge City House, came to the latter city in 1876. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 23, 1850, and was raised in his native State. He came to Kansas in 1865, located near Leavenworth. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1870. He then went into the employ of Parker, York & Co., at Parker, Montgomery County, Kansas, and continued until 1873; thence went to St. Louis, Mo., and there engaged with the United States Express Company and continued until he came to Dodge City. He was married April 23, 1877, to Miss Cora E. Collins, of St. Louis, Mo. They have one daughter, Cora E. Draper. His wife died November 2, 1881.
