This listing is for the photographed 1896 Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co. Exchange Check, first issued to Assistant Treasurer Jay A. Hendry, countersigned to ensure its arrival to the treasurer of Mexican Central Railroad Company, C. A. Browne. The check, made for $15,000, was drafted on April 9th, 1896 and sent to Mexican Central Railway Co. Treasurer C. A. Browne, deposited at the First National Bank on April 17th, 1896. Several stamps, signatures, pin holes, and hole punches follow the checks journey from its issuance in Mexico City, to its deposit in New York. The check is an earlier issue from this company, as most other checks of this kind are issued from 1897 onward. The check is very tattered, but still in sturdy condition. Half of the company's name is ripped off the check, along with some other staining and wear from age. Paychecks from this company printed in English and sent to New York are a rarer find compared to their Spanish printed counterparts, making this a great addition to any collection!
The check was transferred between two treasurers from the respective companies, which along with the check's high amount, likely meant the check was an exchange for a service. The Mexican Central Railway Company connected Mexico to the United States through their lines, so it is possible that the company was responsible to transporting the Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co's goods to the United States from their production sites in Mexico City. This would mean that this check issued to the company was made for the railways work in transporting refined ores to the U.S., making for a very unique and fascinating find!
The Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Company was established in 1880 in the business of refining ores, which were sourced from both Mexico and Colorado. In 1887 the company consolidated with other mining and refining companies, expanding their practices across the U.S. South and Northern Mexico by the 1890s. Soon after they became the highest grossing refining and smelting company in the United States, establishing itself as a key contributor to silver and gold industries in the late 19th century. The company was known as having some of the largest number of employees at their facilities, along with having some of the highest wages. The company merged again with other companies in 1899, shortly after this check was issued, and became the American Smelting and Refining Company.
There were two different paycheck varieties for the company's workers, depending on where their check was being deposited. Checks printed in English were issued to employees who deposited their checks in the United States, holding a temporary residence by their respected production sites, most of them being foremen and in other advanced positions. Those printed in Spanish were issued to employees who would deposit their checks in Mexico, mostly miners and other laborers, with the stamp "Pagado Mexico" embellished in the center of each deposited check.
This rarer version of a paycheck from this nationally renowned company steeped in the history of the mining franchise in the United States and Mexico is a must have for anyone interested in American history and industrialism!
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1896 Consolidated Kansas City Smelting and Refining Co. Paycheck - Jay A. Hendry Issued, Countersigned - Mexico City Exchange Check 1896