# Mexico Independent, 16 December 1937 — Page 1 (Front Page) — "Mexico and State Mourns Death of Dr. Avery W. Skinner"

**Source:** Mexico Independent, Thursday, December 16, 1937, Page One (Front Page)
**Collection:** NYS Historic Newspapers (nyshistoricnewspapers.org)
**Record ID:** mxi19371216-01.1.1
**URL:** https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=mxi19371216-01.1.1&srpos=3&e=-------en-20-mxi-1--txt-txIN-skinner---------
**PDF asset:** `/?a=is&oid=mxi19371216-01.1.1&type=staticpdf` (single-page PDF of Page 1)
**Captured:** 2026-03-27

**Related document:** The full article text and tributes continue on Page 4 — see `2026-03-27-mexico-independent-1937-12-16-avery-w-skinner-obituary.md` for the complete transcription.

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## Research significance

This is the **front-page banner obituary** for Dr. Avery W. Skinner in the Mexico Independent, published the day of his burial (Thursday, December 16, 1937). It ran alongside his **photographic portrait** — the only known photograph of Avery W. Skinner identified so far in this research.

Key elements on Page 1:
- Full-width banner headline naming both Mexico and New York State as in mourning
- Portrait photograph of Dr. Avery Warner Skinner (head-and-shoulders, facing slightly left)
- Tribute box announcing that **all school flags in the Mexico Central District are to be flown at half-mast on December 16, 1937**
- Opening article text confirming his sudden death on **Monday, December 13, 1937**, at Albany
- Subheads summarizing his life: born Mexico 1870; organized Regents Plan; worked for village advancement
- Announcement: **"LAST RITES TODAY"** (December 16, 1937)
- Masthead: **Volume Seventy-Seven, Number Fifty**, Mexico, New York, Thursday, December 16, 1937
- Motto: *"With Malice Toward None, and Charity for All" — Lincoln*

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## Visible text from Page 1

### Masthead

**Mexico Independent**
*Motto: "WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE, AND CHARITY FOR ALL" — Lincoln*
VOLUME SEVENTY-SEVEN   MEXICO, NEW YORK, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1937   NUMBER FIFTY

### Main headline (banner, two lines)

MEXICO AND STATE MOURNS
DEATH OF DR. AVERY W. SKINNER

### Left-column subheads

**Worked Untiringly For Advancement Of This Village**

**Born in Mexico in 1870, Famous Educator Organized Regents Plan**

**LAST RITES TODAY**

### Tribute box (center column, above fold)

> In respect to Dr. Avery W. Skinner all school flags in the Mexico Central District are to be flown at half-mast, Thursday, December 16, 1937.

### Opening article text (Page 1, left column)

All residents of Mexico and educational circles of the State of New York were saddened late Monday afternoon to hear of the sudden death of Dr. Avery Warner Skinner, [article continues — see Page 4 transcript for full text]

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## Portrait photograph

Page 1 carries a prominent **halftone portrait photograph** of Dr. Avery W. Skinner occupying approximately a third of the front page below the headline. The photograph shows him as an older man, head-and-shoulders, in a dark suit. This is the primary visual record of Avery W. Skinner identified in this research.

The photograph occupies columns 2–3 of the front page, beneath the main headline and alongside the subheads and opening text in column 1.

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*Transcription notes: Page 1 serves as the banner announcement; the full obituary text continues on Page 4 (record mxi19371216-01.1.4). Both pages are from the same issue: Thursday, December 16, 1937. The portrait photograph is clearly legible in the PDF screenshot at 51% and 67% zoom.*