The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-02-18
FREE TURNPIEES.

On our fourth page we publish let
ter on this subject from a Logan county
editor, Mr.. J. q. 4. Campbell, Of Belle
fontaine. We give the following from the
pen Of Mr.. A. w. Miller, editor OF the
Kenton Republican, showing how the
uatter stands il Hardin county. Let
our readers give it careful reading. 1t
was written in answer to inquiries from
the editor Of the Bucyrus Journal:
KEyToy, o., Jan. 81, 1876.
DEAR HoPLEY-In answering your
letters Of inquiries in relation to our Tree
turnLikes, must preface it with little
history, with which | am personally
more or less connected. When | came
to Hardin county, seven years ago-in
Jan. 1861 found just such a tempera-
ture and open winter prevailing as is
characteristic Of this This county was
then without a mile OF pike Of any kiud.
The roads of course were III a terrible
condition. in fact without bottom,
and our farmers were compelled to foot
it across tie fields, or at best with
double team, to draw an almost empty
wagon to town 10 obtain the actual
necessities of life We at once com-
menced through the columns of our pa
per, agitatIng the construction of free
turnpikes and published all the laws in
relation thereto. The County CoInmis-
sioners after time took the matter into
consideration, visited counties south of
this and examined pixies there construct
ed. In the spring, our most active citi-
zens petitioned for turnpikes on three or
four of our leading roads, to the extent
of q mile or two on each side of said
thoroughfares. There at once rose up
a ST. snuous opposition from the country
districts, and, headed by one or two
old fogy hard-h heaks in town, an anti
pike convention was held, and it was
expected that an anti pike ticket
would be placed in the field in opposi-
ton to the two political parties, neither
one of which would consent to lend its
opposition TO the movement. The Re
publican was denou need i'll most bitter
terms for the outspoken stand it had
taken in favor of their construction
Many had their names stricken from our
list, and predicted that we had injured
ourselves beyond all reparation. There
is not a question but had the project
it would have been rejected by large
majority. The Commissioners stood firm
the few miles of pike petitioned for
were promptly and well constructed.
The people were pleased with them, and
the feeling in their favor grew ike Wild
fire, and when. year or two subsequent
it was submitted to vote of the people
of the county. the law and the building
als
ing majority, and steadily these improve
ments have gone on, until Hardin county
now possesses over one hundred and
fifty miles of free, graveled and McAda-
mized roads with at least fifty more un-
der process of construction, or pending
by petition before our County Commis-
sioners. In regard 10 your inquiries:
|. How many miles of free pixies are
there in your county!
One hundred and fifty.
2. What was the average cost per mile?
About 50, 800 per mile.
3. IL for any cause, the cost of any
portion was very much more or less than
this average, will you please so state,
and why?
Some portions of our pixies being read
lily accessible to gravel beds, has been
constructed as low as S2, 200 per mile.
mile. In the northern portion of the
county where there is TO gravel, the
pixies are all McAdamized, and at an in
crease cost, ranging from g, 800 to 3, 500
per mile. The expense on the last
named roads could have been largely
lessened by employing a crushing MT
chine, the labor of this kind having all
been performed by hand.
4. Under Tnat law were the roads
constructedl
Under the law of 1869 (see page G2).
5. As far as the experience of your
county extends, under which law would
it lie preferable to proceed?
The afore mentioned law is generally
considered the most equitable and salts
factory to all concerned.
6. How are your farmers pleased with
what roads have already been built.
They wouldn't consent now To do
without them at double the cost.
T. What is the estimated increase in
the value of farm lands in consequence
of these roads!
Farms that sold before the construc-
ton of pixies at from S35 to S45 per acre,
are now held at from $50 to SIS per
acre. The entire cost has not been over
81. so to S2. 80 per acre on lands adjacent
and joining these pikees, while it has not
been SO much for those living near, but
not on the roads. Now, sir, L have Civ
Ell you outside figures, for it is always |
best TO over estimate than under esti- |
mate these expensive, but most excellent |
improvements. Some few miles have |
been built as low as 81, 800 per mile, |
while a few have cost over 81, ,210-but |
these are exceptional cases or instances.
Some parts of our county have inn
mense gravel deposits, and can construct |
roads cheaper than probably any other
county in the State; but our people will
build them, gravel or no gravel" Our
county has been advanced ten years by |
their construction. You cannot do bet
ter than follow our illustrious example.
a. w. MIIIEK