Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-06-07
The Plank r DAD.


The official notice required by law Of the organ
ization of this company will be found in adver-
Using columns. The communication which follows
was written by gentlemen in answer to some en-
quiries propoundea to him by another, who, al
though residing out of this State, has invested five
hun drcd dollars in the stock of this road. We
would call the particular attention of the farmers
along the contemplated line to the latter part OF this
communication. They will see that it will be greatly
to their advantage to give the right Of way through
their land to the company.
DEAR Sir There are four plank roads leading
out of this city, in different directions, all of which,
feel fully justified in saying, meets the expeCta-
tons Of those who have projected. carried forward
and furnished funds to build them.
AS to cost, this depends very much on cost Of
lumber, right of way, grading filling up vallies and
many other things occurring under varied circum-
stances.
Lumber at about five dollars per thousand, and
laying down old road, with open bitches, good
sluice to carry off the water, and contingent expen
ses, all embraced, will give you road for from
thirteen to sixteen hundred dollars per mile, inclu-
ding toll houses, &C.
Should you attempt to do much grading it will in
crease the expense, of which you can judge by the
amount to be done, and cost of doing that part BY
building road on netc soil the expense is very
much increased. is best in all cases where prac-
ticable to keep on the line Of old roads.
Our roads are built of hemlock plank, eight feet
long, four inches thick, laid stringers by A. the
stringers laid down in such manner as To have the
plank laid them and at the same time fiat on the
ground. No pinning or spikiRg is necessary, but
let the earth be flush with the top OF the plank
the ends, and the plank laid firm on the earth. The
strlngers are not to be depended on for any thing
more than to steady the plank.
1t is best not to be too particular about the grade
OF hllls-where very steep cut down some and fiji
up vales. A rise of from six to twelve inches the
rod - not much consequence for short distance.
One OF our roads has grade of eleven inches ia
the rod for short distance, but team draws over
it three and half tons Of coal at load and the
same team on our common roads in November and
October could not have drawn more than one ton
from Utica TO its place Of destination, about fifteen
miles.
We have generally laid the plank on one side OF
the centre OF the road, sometimes the right and
sometimes the left hand side, calculating for the
loaded teams to have the of the plank ed part
Plank should be laid the right hand side of the
road up hill, in order to give the loaded team 20.
ing up the advantage of it. The other part of the
road should be flush with the top of the plank, and
made smoothly, and all small round stone thrown
off, This will induce many light teams TO travel on
1t and thereby save the plank.
We calculate our roads to last from FIVE to seven
years, when probably the plank will require to be
renewed.
They are kind Of road every body seems to be
pleased with. and men are enabled TO do business
at all times ofthe year them, being Just as good
one day as another; and If a man wants to 70 to
market he has e,fs to decide in his mind as to the
ueafher, the roads a'says good. In short they are
the farmers railroads and very democratic all being
allowed to use them, by paying for it.
Iconslder every farm. through which plank road
runs increases in value at least tue dollars PEI, acre
since commencing this letter two very respectable
ana intelligent farmers came into my office, and
asked them the question, and they readily acknowl.
edged my position to be correct, and they further
say that many farms are made more valuable than
what estimate.
Plank roads have tendencyto equalize business
very much1h our city, and business men, mer-
chants, mechanics and all classes fully agree as 10
their importance and value to their business.
My own opinion is fully confirmed, having been
long an advocate for them. and the wonder now
seems 70 ne, wth the mass, that should not have
| discovered their value before. TIL rAxroN.
Utica, May II, 1s4e.