Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1870-09-15

Washington G. H.-lis Rising ImpoT-
tance and Rapid Growth-Fayette
COunty-Its Importance aud POsi-
tiOn-Brcad Cast Bpon the Waters.

I
tance and Rapid Growth-Fayettt
COunty-Its Importance aud Posi-.
tiOn-Brcad Cast Bpon the Waters
1t is said figures will not lie. 1t may b.
so, but | think great deal depends upon
who does the figuring. Where it is done
inthe discharge Of official duty and undel
the obligations Of oilioial trust, we may
as general rule, adhere to their truthful
ness
Before the census was taken, the brisk
and stirring town of Washington G. H., in
her modesty, made no pretensions to any
great Importance or dimensions; she tac-
lily acquiesced in the boasted superiority
size and extent of population Of her neigh
boring county towns, and seemed to be
generally regarded outside Of her own lin
its, and indeed within the same, as the
smallest county seat in this section Of the
State. But 10 ! the facts and figures that
don't prevarieate or exagerate, which the
census furnishes, shows that Washington
is larger than either London, the county
seat of Madison, or Wilmington, the eoun.
ty seat of Clinton; and also shows that
she is pushing Hillsboro for the suprema-
cy. Greenfield, that has always claimed
greater size and population than Washing.
ington, is laid away back in the shade, and
Circleville, Xenia and ChIllicothe, that in
their young cityhOOd feel as proud as a
boy in his first breeches, will have to look
to their lRurels.
But it is not Washington alone that has
SO materially and preceptibly improved
and advanced. Within the last few years
the whole County of Fayette has changed
almost like magic, and is now one Of the
most beautiful and habitable counties in
the State. The change in the appearance
of the County, to one who passes through
it, from what it was, robed in in its mud
and swamp and frog marshes of few
years ago, is amazing. We have no mud
roads any more; we have more improved
and piked roads than any county in the
State, with, perhaps one exception. Not
only all the roads leading into Washing
ton are piked, but many of the cross roads
of the County are also improved in the
same way, Any one attending a camp
meeting, fair, or other public gathering
must be struck with the great number of
buggies and carriages, compared with
what there were few years ago. But
did not commence this communication for
the purpose of painting out how, or in
what particulars our County has so mani
testify improved, nor for the purpose ol
speaking OF the cause, which is SO appar-
ent and which every body comedies, 0is :;
our improved and piked roads; but for the
purpose of calling attention to little mat
ter of history connected with the road
and some of the intelligent and
enterprising citizens of our County, who
are entitled to great credit for their wis
dom and public spirit in originating and
the enterprise.
1t is well known to some of our citizens,
hat in the summer of 1865, William A
Jstick, one of the most substantial and |
Energetic citizens of our County, in con-
unction with Mr.. William Harrison, after
consulting with some other friends, started
,ut on horseback, through mud and mire
70 solicit subscriptions and donations for
he construction of turnpike on the old
oil system, from Washington to Mt. Sterl-
ng. After struggling through mud and
alu end against the opposition which usu
lly presents itself to such undertakings.
or two weeks or more, and without that
Encouragement and success that ought to
ave attended their efforts, they concluded
hat not only could their purpose be &C
omplished in another way, but general
ystem of road improvement might be
dopted. Accordingly, one winters day
meeting was called, and assembled at
be Office of Judge Briggs, in Washington,
nd organized by eleCting VIM. Harrison
Jhairman, and A, O. johnson, Secretary.
IT this meeting report was made of the
forts and labors of Messrs. Ustick and
harrison, and then, after consultation and
lterchange of thought, Mr.. A. E. Silcott,
ne of the most public spirited merchantN
f your town, submitted resolution that
le Ohio Legislature, then in session,
hould be petitioned for the passage of a
w authorizing roads to be improved by
x. Although many doubts were ex'
ressed as to the constutionality and prao'
oability of such law, yet Che resolution {
as adopted, and Mr.. VIM, A. Ustick was
2pointed to lay the matter before Hon. -,
ills Gardener, then our Representative in i
le Legislature. Mr.. Ustick promptly !
nd effectually performed that duty, and 5
lie result was that general system o /
ad improvement was matured and adopt J
/, under which all our roads have been t
ked and improved; and not only in Fay k
te county, but all over the State, the a
lality and condition Of the highways
I'VE been greatly improved. T
And this is the bread cast upon the wa 4
rs (instead of the mud), and after (not)
any days the result is male manifest, t.
] nm one of those who believe, Mr., Edi'
r, that the magnitude Of the accomplish
ent, as well as its great benefit and i'm
entities It's history to preserva-
IN in the (only) historical records of
unity, the public newspaper, and that