Reading, an incorporated city of the third class in Lyon county, is located in Reading township 16 miles northeast of Emporia, the county seat, on the Marais des Cygnes river and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. The main lines of business enterprise are represented. It has a weekly newspaper (the Herald), a bank, good churches and schools, telegraph and express offices, and an international money order postoffice with three rural routes. The population, according to the census of 1910, was 289. Reading is a trading point for a large and prosperous farming community. The tract of land which forms the town site was originally owned by McMann & Co., of Reading, Pa. At the time the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe R. R. was built a town company was formed consisting of James Fagan, T. J. Peter and M. S. Sargent. A depot was built and the postoffice was established in 1870. A number of business enterprises were projected, among which was a store opened by Bothel & Buns, and a tin shop by a Mr. Coleman. The first carpenter was D. L. Pettinger, who built all the first buildings.