Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-11-28

circulated for road down Cave bank to
connect with Elliot street. It was finally
given up for time, and foot path substi-
tuted. This, however. did not lessen the
demand for public highway fro.l West
ern avenue to the village with an improv-
cd grade 1t was ascertained road could
be built from a point nearly opposite the
house of c. II. Stevens on Western avenue
to a point on Elliot street near what is
known as the Doyle house, at grade not
to exceed four and one-haf degrees, at a
very moderate expense, and with very lit
tie ,amage TO the land owners. The sur
vey was made by Geo. CLARK, Esq, which
showed that a road could be built at
a grade of four deg. ees-certainly not to
exceed four aud one-half-on the whole
route of 100 rods. y petition signed by ff-
ty or more taxpayers was presented to the
selectmen of the town to lay the road.
They went on TO the route, and after
looking 1t through expressed themselves
perfectly satisfied that "A road could be
built strong and safe with very light
grade. They also claimed il would be
great public improvement, and would
eventually be built; but from the fact that the
town was considerably in debt, and know
ing. as they did, that the parties owning
the land through which it would pass had
determined to contest it, they preferred TO
leave the whole matter to a court commit
tee. Hence there was petition presented
to the court for d committee, which was
granted. The honorable committee, after
tlking look at the old roads, went on TO
the proposed new route and looked it
through, after which they convened at the
Office of T. w. Stoddard where the exam
ination of witnesses continued four days.
A statement was made on the start by re-
sponsble parties that they would build the
road for $4,000, although Mr.. Perry, the man
that built the West River road, made a low
err bid to private parties. 1t was shown
tina: the damage would be very light, as
most of the route was over a barren waste
and quite remote from any building except
the Doyle house on Elliot street. The OPP
position did not show itself at first with
much strength, although they had retain
ed all the lawyers in town bu one; but as
the testimony Of the petitioners increased,
and the great need of the road was 50 plain
ly shown, they mustered all their forces 10
defeat it. An effort was made to show that
few hundred dollars expended on the
brook road would make that a desirable
route for heavy freighting; but it VS.
proved by tho petitioners that the route
was moro than 100 rods longer, besides
being so inconveniently crooked that
it could be of no practical use to heavy
and FIJI 1Of al luSincSc tt.nDtI
be used but very little. The next effort
maze was to show that High street hill
could be graded but it was soon proved
that ii would result in untold damage 10
the real estate owners at the top Of the hill,
as the cut would be nine feet al the sharp
est point, to bring it TO four and one half
degrees besides, this move would mar the
beauty of that part of the village and dis
turb large number of water pipes. This
plan did not receive much favor. Another
mot made 10 influence the committee not
to lay the road asked for, was hat it would
be Impossible to cross the Western aque-
duct water pipe. TIL was really the weak
est point made, as anv pract cal man could
readily see how this difficulty could be
overcome without the least risk. The vri-
ter understands, as well as others owning
the water, that the p' es must not be NOV
ed to their dctriment.
The next m We made by the opposition
was 10 show that the road would be too ex-
pensive in time like the present. A pen
son unacquainted with Brattleboro would
have thought from some testimony given
that the town was bankrupt, and the bust
ness of the country so dead 1t would never
revive again; yet nearly all bushes, men
believe there is not the slightest cause of
alarm. This had very little to with the
case any way, as improvements will con-
Time go on as long as communities are made
up of live men. The next in their order
was to bring in remonstrance signed by a
large number of sympathyzing friends of
the owners of the bank and pasture through
which the road would pass. This docu-
ment went where all such documents usu-
ally go-passing into oblivion without any
effect whatever. Finally, the petitioners
were accused of attempting TO direct the
trade from High street corner to Elliot
street This, of course, did not amount to
anything, as the improvements asked for
Every influence was brought to bear that
could be thought of 10 defeat this public i'm
provement. Hardly street has been opened
in town in the last twenty years that has
not met with bitter opposition, but finally
was found to be Of great use.
The committee deferred their decision
see what the town viii! do about grading
hills on the old route. There is, however,
no expectation, or even hope, that High
street hill will ever be graded, as private
damages would be too great The brook
road should be made better than 1t now is,
bu, IL can never be made 10 take the through
travel from the west The ne " route now
under con temptation is the only true route
from the west into the village over which
loaded teams can travel without insapven-
fence and danger 1t is the shqtest route,
and the grade will be so unlot as to re-
lieve the trouble of claiming Awn, as is
often done on the present route. Resides,
it would relieve the old roXe offRavY
teaming, making 1t much safetssfor IfeAA
travel. The sharp hills could be Kept ID
much better repairlfth the ruts made by he&s3
teams could be done away with. ThefoVits
in question is much needed by people livA|
ing west of the village and by teamste$
from western towns, and will be pressed
until obtained. There is hardly man that
has teaming to do but would give more dor
the use of the road ono year, than his TAX
would be TO build II. Should this commit
tee conclude not to lay the road, the petit
TONERS wi | not forget their privileges.
TIE writer has waded through many diff
ficilties in he last twenty-five years 10