The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-04-11
Good Roads,

To the Editors Of The Columbia Herald:
W hlle 1t Is conceded that railroads are
great blessing-and nc one wno lives where
the influence ~of a'raIlroad extends, will for q
moment deny this-we must conclude from
the geography of the Country andtne situation
of the town of Coluu bia, that in all our trav-
els and experience, we have met with no town
or village or country so nearly destitute of
good roads Columbia, and Maury and Mar
Shsll counties. The contemplated narrow
gauge railroad will no doubt prove of general
good to the country through which it may
run; but Columbia can never grow and make
rapid progression in the way OF improvement,
unless she turn herself about and give aid and
assistance to those of her friends and patrons
who desire good turnpike or graFef roads
through Me4Ty and the adjacent counties.
For Columbia to receive all the trade In the va
rIous departments of farm produce of Maury,
Hickman, Lewis, Giles, nearly the entire trade
of Marshall county, and considerable amount
from Bedford county, she must concentrate
her energies, subdue her PRIDE and in the
good thllg s she now lavishly enjoys, must
economic. Let her citizens direct their ener-
gies aud means, together with all of the intu-
ence they may be IN possession o., and assist
the country folks to build ter themselves
good pike roads, over which their cotton
pork, wheat, peanuts, and, In fact, everything
may be bought to market that is raised by
the farmer. If Columbia had a good pike
on the north side of Duck diver, extending to
Caney Springs in Marshall county, and from
thence to UnionvIlle in Bedford county, she
would be more richly rewarded and her in
terest and trade more rapidly increased, than
in any other way she could give her assist
ance; and to build this road alone she should
tax herself $50,UOO. This amount to some Of
her citizens for one pike road probably would
seem enormous. but let me say to all such, it
would only be very short time until Colum-
bia would be rewarded fourfoId. 1t would be
then she could enjoy the fruits of her invest
ment and OF her labor. There are no farmers,
or men of real estate, or 0! whatever their
wealth may consist, put of their substance
would not be eager and more than willing to
aid and assist with their money and best ei-
forts to accomplish so grand an enterprise.
This pike once built, connects Columbia with
Shelbyyille, to which place an arm of the n.
d q. K. K. extends, and Columbia with her
railroad and cotton market now already estab-
lished, together with the very fair prices she
now pays for other farm produce, would in
vite the farmers from all directions, From
Columbia, the Rike should extend TO Centre
vile in Hickman county, the famous place tor
peanuts, and from the net savings IN the
transportation of peas alone over good ma
cadamized or gravel road in four years could
be built. This could be self sustaining; the
net profits arising from tolls would be am:
pie pay for such an enterprise. Capital in
owner, and be fne paying property for a
parent to leave to his child. If the farmers
will go to work and mite their efforts on This
route from Columbia to CsntraTiIle, they can
build good pike with one, tenth the cost of
narrow gauge or any other kind of a gauge.
Now, / believe that the town of Coiun bia
would be proud to know she had given her
heart to such an improvement as the above.
Let this pike begin at CeHtrevIl!e, and run
through the bend well known as "a nderson's
Bend to Shady Grove" very nice Etls
village in the county Of Hifkman: Iaa--
to LIVES Branch, eFegsiaS 6a'e- ICE
near StrayheTB's, tAs--- --ey's Greek
aoapect IS - across the ridge and
H-- hammond Webster's with the
..Dpshire pike. BY engaging in this home
| enterprise we make for ourselves and chill
dren lasting wealth. The farmer by doing his
own hauling on road like this until he ar
riyes at n shipping point on some through
railroad line connecting the North and the
South, thus saves for himself what amount o