Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-05-24
From the sandusky (obio) Daily Mirror
PLANK ROADS.

A@AANAh AtOIADNs
We are happy to learn that the citizens Of
our town have already subscribed in individual
subscriptions $4,000 of stock 10 the plank road
leading from this city to Viewers Corners, on
the old Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike. =
This makes $4,000 of stock for this road by
Ssndusky city. This is full our proportion. II
the people along the proposed road come up 10
the work in tho same spirit, it will be construct
ed without delay. We trust they will do so.--
They cannot but see the absolute necessity to
their prosperity of taking their proportion of the
stock Immediately.
So great is the confidence in this kind of i'm
provements, chat if we had tho capital not other
wise appropriated in this city, no call would be
made upon the country to take stock. Upon
this point we copy the following from the Onei.
da Herald, published at Utica, New York.
There Is no reason why these kind OF roads
should not prove us good investments here es in
in New York.
PLANK ROADs.--How THEY OPERATE.
Never was a betterinvestment made than that
which has been embarked in by the citizens of
Utica. The appearance Of the streets, crowded
daily at this naturally unfavorable season, with
well-f'led wagons, laden with lumber, manulac-
tured goods, butter, cheese, grain, and other
staple produce Of the country, coming to trade
with our merchants, affords perfect evidence of
eral expenditure Of money in the construction
OF these roads.
AT this period Of the season, one year ago, our
streets wore the appearance of tho Sabbath
Tho wares of the merchant lay gathering dust
on his shelves the produce of the farmers was
diverted fom our city by more accessible COM
munlcations with other outlets TO market, and no
lumber found it's way TO The city except through
the channels OF water communication. Wood,
that indispensable article of domestic comfort,
in this lnhosplable season, came TO the city
only in small quantities from the surrounding
county, and commanded prices which rendered
II almost too great luxury for common con-
sumption. 1t was not only pinchng time for
the poor, but the Inconvenience of being cut off
from easy communication with the country, was
seriously felt by all classes of inhabitants. The
notes OF The merchant, gwen in anticipation Of
the fall trade, fell due, but his wares remained
unsold on the shelves and counters. Extension
Of time, bank accommodations, and in many
cases, usurous loans, had to be resorted 10 IN
order to averi the sheritf''s call.
That these same evils are not experienced
now, is in main degree attributable to the
Plank Roads Business in our city is as active
at this time as it has usually been in the most
favorable seasons OF the summer and winter
There is great store of wood, of lumber, and
and of all kinds of country produce in market.
and prices are kept at moderate rates by the
wholesome competition.
The four roads extending from our city are
now in full operation, and the amount of travel
OH them greatly surpasses the estimate of their
projectors. The Bridgewater road, we believe,
Is doing The best business and paying the best
profit. The northern road, which was the last
to be completed, Is doing more than double what
was anticipated. The road is some twenty.two
nil in fro, fba ,,,,
within few miles of Boonville, TO and beyond
which place it is to be extended next year,
The route very difficult and expensive
one. The right OF way on the northern turnpike
had originally 10 be purchased at cost of near
~ $4,000. The grades were, many of them, very
heavy and difficult. In one place, to avoid a
mi, the turnpike road was abandoned, and new
circuit Of some five miles through the woods, at
an expense of five hundred dollars mile for
clearing away the lumber alone. The whole
cost Of the road was about $4,000, or upwards
Of $4,000 per mile, which we believe is nearly
double the cos, Of the southern road.
The business at this time Of the year is most
ly the transportation of butter, cheese wood,
and sawed lumber TO this place for market or
shipment. or the latter an immense amount
has been brought into the city within few
weeks past. We have noticed scores of teams
coming in with planed flooring, prepared at the
extensive WiIIs oI hut9er w. Miller, Esq. Of
Boonvll'e, each wagon containing more than
double The usual load drawn on the ordinary
roads. The Butter teams are equally heavily
laden. The receipts for tolls at the first gate
on the northern road during the week ending or
the 18th were S90-an average Of nearly Slj
per day. There are three gates on the road
one, we believe, for every seven miles. If the
receipts continue at the same rate, the profits o.
the road must pay its whole cost in four or five
years.