Nevertheless, with all these cumbersome requirements over half of the colonists were ready to depart, but unfortunately, at this time the departure date was still pure supposition.

Further anguish ensued as the colonists learned that the Mexican government had denied their request of duty free concessions. Mr. Blalock reported that they had in fact been denied by "stoney heart”(ed)...officials.[5] Mr. George Ingram remained in Mexico City in an attempt to reverse the set back.

Amid the tedious delays of Mexican red tape a letter to the Quanah Tribune Chief newspaper was republished in the January 22, 1903, issue of the Mangum Star. It quoted Dr. B. F. Hart, M. D. as saying that a good friend of his who has lived in Victoria, Tamaulipas, 60 miles north of Escondon, described the conditions as unhealthy. His friend stated that, “…the water was very bad, and it is very unhealthy in that vicinity." Dr. Hart sent his note encouraging the would-be settlers to rethink their plans for the move. Below Dr. Harts letter, The Mangum Star published a clarification stating that, “The STAR has definite information that such conditions as portrayed above do not exist in said community if the words of the Americans who live there are to be relied upon. The country bought by the colonists is almost entirely surrounded by a high mountain range, which is some in favor of its healthfulness. This feature was especially looked after and the inquiries of the dozen or more of our people who have been on the land has proven satisfactory every time.”[6]

Stock Certificate and First Laws

According to the Mangum Sun Monitor, a large number of colonists met on Saturday, February 7, 1903, in Fraternity Hall over Jackson & Wilson's store for a last meeting prior to departure. "...About eighty-five families expressed their readiness to go at once..."[7] Monday, February 16, 1903, was selected as the newest departure date for the first wave of the Blalock Mexico Colony emigrants. Thirty to forty families had been waiting to leave for their new life in Mexico since the early fall. The colonists who did not depart in this first wave would leave in the spring.

The assembly was encouraged to see Mr. George Blalock in attendance even though, due to his injury and fatigue, he abstained from exercising the duties of his presidency. He was able to give a little speech. At the meeting, shareholders were issued their stock certificates [See fig. 1-3]