The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-08-09

OF pork adequate to make amends for
the absence of venison. This kind Of
new settlers soon eSt themselves and
others out of :" house ard home"
Col Wilcox was energetic, and in
the course Of couple Of years subscrip
tionS were raised sufficient to make the
turnpike from Bishops to II Mile
Spring, which completed the entire
conncxion from Ridgway to the York
State line. On this last section there
were some terrific log ways" which
thoroughly tested the axles and springs
of every vehicle that crossed them
They were afterwards covered with
carth-but bad as :hey were, journey
from Ridgway to Smethport could be
accomplished in one day; it was a sub
ject of boast by those who accomplished
it. Col. Wilcox may be regarded as
one Of the most efficient agencies that
contributed to the opening Of this por-
tion of Northwestern Pennsylvania. The
confidence of his fellow citizens has been
manifested by their sending him as
their representative TO Harrisburg three
terms, and once to the Senate, the last
year of which term he waschoscn Spea-
Eer. 1t was during one Of his first
terms in the House of Representatives
that an appropriation was secured of
$4,000 to bridge the Susquehanna at
Karthaus it has before secn observed
OF the difficulties and delays in crossing
the river, indeed it was at many period de
of the year complete Jarrier to any
travel on that section OF the Milesburg
& Smethport Turnpike. The appropri-
alton was subject to and under the di-
rectian Of the managers Of the Turnpike
Road Company. The writer, as one of
the managers of the road, attended upon
the spot to fix the location and let the
contract for building the bridge. There
was large attendance Of bidders, with
plans and specifications 1t was appar.
ent to the writer, as well as q ma jority
Of the managers, that, taking into con.
sideration the width of the river, the
appropriation was inadequate. Propo.
sails we're made upon very simple and
cheap plans, at q price below the maxi
mum. The adoption of such or more
perfect plans, was, in the opinion of the
board, certain to insure particular re.
suits. The first would not stand any
length of time, and the latter would be
loss to the contractor, unless further
compensation was made to the builder
1t was awarded to company whose
plans and specifications were conside rec
as the best they taking the risk of OBJ
tanning further aid irom the State. The
result justified tho action Of the mana
gers. There was loss which subse
quent Legislature made up. The build
ing of the bridge had such an important
bearing upon the travel and transit o
the mails through Ridgway to Harris
burg and the east, that it is worthy o
particular mention, besides its accom-
plishment was SO greatly influenced b!
the citizens of Ridgway and the dele
gates from the district. The construc
tion of the bridge was stimulant to
the making of the last connecting linL
of the turnpike from Riders near Kar
thaus to Caledonia. This was fuall
accomplished in 1886. Although thi,
last work was but specifically perform
ed, yet it was road-and during the
winter and sleighiug-a good one
Thus ended that arduous work-the
completion of the Milesburg and Smcth
port Turnpike road-which we agair
assert, that, under the circumstances
cW compare in magnitude ,otth the Sun
bury & Erie Railroad. We shall neec
say no more in regard to it, futher thai
that the whole with the exception of tn
Snow Shoe section, has been surrender
ed to the townships through which j
passes, and is incorporated with tn
township roads and kept in repair a
such.
Mention has heretofore been made O
: the road from MontmOreucy to Warren
A charter for a turnpike had bee
granted from Ridgway to Warren, Q
which about IA miles, j. e., from ALE
gheny Run to the forks of Tionasta hat
| been made. The remaining 2l miles L