Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-10-11
For tie Brrlin cton Hawk.Eve

Mr. EDiToR:-l send you for publication letter
from T. J. Paxton, ESQ.,, Of Utica, New York;
gentleman connected with the Plank road Compa-
MES Of that State, and familiar with their construc.
ton and operation.
My especial object is to invite the attention OF
farmers in Des Moincs and Henry Counties to the
letter.
We have had innnmerable difficulties in securing
the right OF way, and have not yet got il to Middle
town. The captious and silly objections of indi-
vi!uals have prevented the Directors from pushing
through the road 10 Middletown this fall. Farmers
will be applied to soon, for right Of way, all the
way to Mt Pleasant II it can be obtained the whole
road can be completed next summer. If not we
must wait until Legislature will enable us to run
on the best route. HENRI w. STARR.
ONCE OF the New YORK, Albany Buffalo Teiecra oh Co
Utica, Sept. 2G, ls49. !
H. w. STARR, EsQ.-Dear Sir--Yours of 18th
inst, came duly to hand. its contents noticed-and
in answer allow me to say, briefly, what, it seems
to me, no rational, calculating man, and one used
to travelling and teaming on public highway, will
deny, and that is, that these Roads, dhat is plan.
roadsJ are eminehtly calculated TO promote and ad-
vance the interests and comfort of oil who nse the
--or through whose farms or lands they may run.
We have now seven Plank Roads leading out OF
this city, one Of which is 90 miles in length, and
others OF less distance, and all Of which are fully
meeting the expectations Of those who built them.
one word as to the mode of construction. Our
Roads are generally laid on the old bed of travelled
roads, with few exceptions, where it was thought
best to straighten the line, or go round hill.
The surface Of the Road way should be % fret
wide, raised up, turnpike fashion, with good drains
ana sewers to carry off the surplus water, it being
very important to have the road wei, drained
We use plank feet long, 3 or inches thick,
according to the business done on the road. The
plank should be laid on one side of the center-this
leaves good road at the side OF them, il well made
and levelled down flush with the rank, and will
enable teams to turn out with convenience at any
point, and any particular for turning GU. is not nee
essary.
We use stringers by 4-but in your loomv soil
l should recommend using 2 by or BY 8 as better
ihese must be let into the ground, so that the plonk
when laid down will be on the ground fully, the
suihsers being intended only to steady them-no
spikes or pnnin5 of the plank is necssary-fIl the
earah hush up with the ends and let the blanks lie
hrmiy on the ground, and there viii be no difficulty
about their remaining firm until worn or rotte, out
Our roads run through valuable lands and highly
cultivated farms; and the farmers so far as know
their views on the subject, are well satisfied and
consider the money well spent that they pay for toll
ana well they may, for il gives them good road
every day in the year, and when man, living 90
miles from the city, desires to come and see u.s. he
has only to make up his mind whether the weather
Will be agreeable through the day, rhe condition of
MS road giving him no trouble,) and Off he starts
with his tons OF hay, IS bushels OF corn or wheat
100 bushels of oats, cord and half Of wood, or
any thing else in proportion-thus being enabled to
do two days work in one, and very little wear and
tear of team, harness or wagon.
Farmers here unhesitatingiy acknowledge their
farms to be much benefited by plank roads; and
some Of them, very competent to judge of their own
from five to ten dollars per acre. and this think is
the fact in many cases.
Commissioners of highway have generally given
quit CLAIM or free title to the Road Way for mere
nominal sum; and this they may well afford to do,
as it relieves the inhabitants of their highway taxes
and enables them to make better roads in other
parts Of their towns.
Your Legislature will find it necessary to make
good and wholesome laws TO protect your roads
from trespassers, and to secure your rights after
having expended your money in making the roads.
lwii send you copy of our plank road law, as
soon as can get one.
Yours Respectfully, IT,. PAXTON,