Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-03-22
Plank Roads.

Of this valley TO engage Immediately IN
the construction OF works-although
humber in characier--iliat are not less
important to them.
We shall therefore endeavor TO con-
vince the people of this region, who are
still skeptical that the construction Of
Plank Roads along our main thorough
fares will be eminently beneficial TO them
in every point of yiew-and that they
can do it within themselves without in
volving themselves in any embarrass-
ment.
We do not propose TO commence all
the roads demanded by the wants Of the
country al once: this would ensure the
almost certain failure of all. But let Us
frs, complete such as are generally con-
coded 10 be most important, without
waiting TO see whether it viii pass by
our very door or not, and when one is
completed commence another, and so on
until all are completed, II is 10 be hoped
that there are but few, ifany, in our
midst, so completely wrapped up in self.
as to fold their arms and refuse their in
| fuence and means TO so beneficial an en-
terprise, unless each particular road shall
run to suit their own views. We be-
lieve, all things considered, that plank
roads can be built in Iowa for $4,000 per
mile. Now we viii suppose that the
people owning the land along the pro-
posed route, (say for the distance Of on
| ly three miles on each side of the road J
are willing TO build it, land surely they
cannot do less. within 3 miles of a road
each way, we have in ore mile in length,
along said road forty-eight so acre lots
of land; and if $50 be subscribed Tone
share) for each 50 acre tract, it will
build the road. Now we put il 10 the
candid judgment of thinking men, which
is the wisest, to dispose of one horse,
and put the $50 he sells for, TO build the
road or to kill 2 horses and wear himself
out in hauling his produce TO market over
our present miserable roads? These
kind of roads are truly said to be the
farmers road, and our main design is to
convince them Of that fact. TO illustrate
ii, suppose a farmer lives sixty miles
from market, near plank road, aud
take $l00 worth Of stock, his dividend
would be at least ID per cent, which
would be good per cent. on his money;
but lei us suppose that he raises 1000
bushels of grain to sell; at % bushels
per load, and days to make a load, il,
would take him $40 days TO take his
grain to market, which would cost him
(allowing himself with horses and
Wagon 10 be worth SO per day. the sum
of $50 dolls. Now, how would the fig
ures stand on plank road! 1000 bushels
could be hauled with ease to the horses
at l3 loads. 1t would take 4 days 10
make trip, this makes 90 days at 50
per day, gives Sl04; add TO this the toll
say $50 for 8 loads and we have Sl24,
the entire expense Of delivering the
1000 hnshe of grain. Now if The esti-
mate is correct, we show a .'clear gain"
TO the farmer in the sale Of one crop, Of
1856, enough in the course of few
years to support his family handsomely
if put gu, upon interest, to this SIS
more is to be added, the amount of his
dividend upon the 2l00.
But there are other advantages, that
these roads secure TO the farmer, not la
ken into The above account, such as go-
ing to market on rainy days, when he
cannot work on the farm, aud choosing
his time to take his produce to market
when it bears the highest price, being in
dependant OF the weather and state of
the roads. And yet again the consiruc-
ton of these roads, in other states has
almost invariably doubled the price OF
land, within few miles on each side,
and every one knows that farms lying a.
long any public thoroughfare are more
saleable than any others. There are in
stances in Ohio and New York, where
the construction of plank roads have in
creased the price oflands in shor, time
from Is 10 $50 per acre.
If the farmers of this valley, desire to
keep pace with the advancements and
improvements of the age and country,
they must not be behind Others in works
of internal improvement within their
reach. If others have plank roads, we
must have them too. We cannot hope to
compete successfully with those who
can deliver as much produce in marker