Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-11-27
Plank Roads.

1t is to be regretted that a strong pre-
judice exists against plank roads, gener-
ally, in the minds of a large part of the
community, and that in consequence of
this prejudice. and the unfortunate fact
hat investments in plank roads have not
generally proved very profitable to the
stockholders, that it is likely that as fast
as the plank on them all become dilapida-
ted they will not be replaced with new ones,
but the roads, one after another, be given
up to the township authorities. 1t is un-
deniably true that there are som Objec-
tons which can be urged against plank
roads, that during a large part of the
year the dirt roads are decidedly prefer
able, and that paying toll at.any time is
not exactly pleasant, but still there is a
part Of the year when a large portion of
the dirt roads in this vicinity are absolute
ly impossible for heavily loaded teams,
and then plank roads seem TO be almost
indispensable.
For the last six or eight years. there
has been five plank roads leading into this
rlace, and the consequence has been that
the town has enjoyed asteady, uninterrup-
ted trade dutring the whole Of that time,
both winter and summer. Those roads
could be travelled at all times, and although
sometimes they were 4 little rough, they
were vastly better than mud twelve to
twenty inches in debtb. A pair Of horses
can. draw a load OF two tons, on a good
plank road, with ease, while the SAINT team
could not have drawn one-fourth Of that
weight in such mud as we often have on
the implanted reads in the winter and
spring. Those who have driven a team
drawing q wagon heavily loaded, FOR five
or ten miles through the stiff clay mud
with which Trumbull county abOunds, viii
P anting horses WEAKLY dragging along th'
load for y few rods at ! time, then stop.
ping ten or fifteen minutes for them to re
cover their breath, sometimes stuck fast il
a hole, and throwing of half the load, o.
applying to a roadside farmer for a pair Q
exen to hitch onsahead Of the horses; sucl
men when they reach a plank road wher'
their team can walk or trot easily along
can appreciate it, and will net grumble t
pay the toll.
1t cannot but be a great inconvenience
to the people of the county, and very dot
rimental to the interests of the citizens o
both country and town, if the plank road
arc allowed to go to ruin without any en-
deayOr to replace them, or provide sem
other substitute than mud roads.
Within the last few months, the MahO
ming Plank Road, drumming from this plRc
to Salem aud the Niles & AustintOwl
Plank Road have been abandoned by tn
Companies. The SAM will probably b
the case with the Warren & Lake Fri
Plank Road, as soon as the plank shall be
c.me a little mere delapidated than it i
now. We believe the two first mentiORe,
roads never paid any dividend; the las
has paid s per cent after the first year
and on One or two occasions, a larger div
idend. The Warren S Braceville Plan
Road was tbs only n built in this vicin
ity which was net in debt at its completion
Sufficient stock was subscribed and pal
in to build it, and the consequence has bee
; that it has regularly paid 10 Per cent ev'
ry year, except one, and would have pal
the same dividend that year had it NJ
been for the carrying away of the Due
Greek bridge by a fycshet, to rebuild whiG
cost some 500.