Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-18
WOODWARD BARNwELL.


SAVANNAH, GA, July go iS94.
To The Honorable Grand Jury Superior Court,
Chatham COUNTY:
GENTLEMEN-We. the Undersigned commit
tee, appointed by the grand jury to examine
into the condition OF the roads and bridges.
hereby submit our report
The Ogeechee road first received our atten-
ton. THIS is divided into two districts. Ovid
ing at the eight-mile post, the first of which
can be said in fair condition, although the
low wet place near Battery Park needs atten-
ton. TINS moisture is mainly caused by
natural causes, the ground being Of a spring
ike character, but could be remedied by
proper drainage. There are signs OF bitches
along the road which should be cleared out
Beyond this, the road seems to have received
attention. Many of the bridges have been
repaired, but the bridges near the three and
four-mile posts require that the sleepers be
looked after, for the blocks supporting them
are decaying and the bridge settling The
bridge above the four-mile post is in bad con-
ditiOn. the sleepers being decayed, and NAV,
IN time, prove unsafe. although the flooring is
IN good condition, which gives it a passable
look. The balance of the road to the ten
mile post is in passable condition Here we
find bridge in bad condition, and dangerous
10 passing stock, and should be repaired, as
the hole in the flooring issuficiently large to
do damage. Near this bridge the river in
spring tides, comes with considerable force,
snd Is making an abrupt curve, washing
against the pIling driven there as a break
water, and, as this piling has given away by
natural decay. the river new washes the road
gradually, and should receive immediate at
tentlOn or it Will eventually break through
the road. The rest Of the road TO
the Big Ogeechee is IN fair condi-
ton. The Quaco road, which begins
near the ten mile stone, running seven miles
to Sheftalrs store, on the old pine barren
road, was reported TO us by neighbOrs as in
fair condition. The Fort Argyle road at the
twelve mile post. running nine miles to
county line, reported in good condition by
Mr.. Macleod King. 1t being too late in the
day to give 1t personal attention, it was not
Travelled.
The Augusta road we found in good condi-
ton, as well as the bridges, until we crossed
the bridge over Cuisines creek at MOnteith.
This one needs immediate attention, as it is
in bad condition, there having been a recent
accident. Temporary boards have been laid
since then to make it more safe, but they are
too thin to stand the wear and tear of travel.
The bridge near the thirteen mile post over
Black creek, needs general repair After
turning back, we crossed through the Newton
road TO the Louisville road. coming out at the
en-mile post, to which we gave much atten-
ton. 1t seems from the nature of the ground
it is a difficult one to keep IN order. as it
seems almost impossible to drain it, and
could not be done without involving heavy
expense to the county. But something could
be done with the corduroy to make it more
passable, as in wet weather it is said badly
washed. If proper ditehing could be done to
carry of the waste water, the road, after
filling up few mud holes, would be in a
more passable condition, as there are no
bridges of consequence to keep in repair.
But the culvert about 100 yards belA~ Mr..
Fears house, which drains the Ian ID the
neighbOrhoOd, should be cleaned Ouf.~as the
water is stagnant, and is said to have been
stopped so that the water would benefit
Hartgrave's rice land, but this is thought to be
decidedly wrong, as the heavy rains viii
eventually overflow the culTert to the danger
OF washing the public road, and should be IN
vestigated.
Lovers Lane needs some filling up in
places. The ditching here is very ample. but
is crumbling in few places, which in time
NAV narrow the road, which little attention
would obviate.
Inc alsTs road, extending from the
Thunderbolt road nine miles to Pritchard's
place. was gone over and we find the two
bridges south OF Lovers Lane show decay,
with bad sieepers. The fourth bridge
has the flooring boards too wide apart, and
one of them so that mule might readily fas-
ten his foot in the assure.
s gate bars .the way at Sacks place, and
we are told the balance of the way was pri-
yate road, though used by the public; that
the county had commenced road to the right
Of Sacks gate, but had failed to carry it
through and were now still controlling the
old road. Tor which commissioners had been
appointed. The two small bridges south of
Sacks farm need some little repair, but the
large bridge south Of Lees farm is very bad
and unsafe for carriage and pair Of horses to
crOss-we believe so much so that we unhar-
messed and led the horses over and drew the
vehicle over by hand. We earnestly recon-
mend il TO be made more secure IL the road
The creek and backwater north of Pritch-
ards Dl ace was overfOwed and impossible
for our team to cross. there being no bridge
and The water, by sounding. too deep for us
to make the venture. Concerning this water.
some fault lays somewhere, and not be-
ing able to go further could not in
yestigate as il should be done. and We
earnestly request the county to have it in
vestigated if they have it under control Upon
our return as far as Lees farm he kindly gave
us a pilot across his field until we made the
White Bluff road. This road we found in
good condition. We then made way across
the country until we reached the Middle
Ground road. which we found in fair condi-
ton. for one so little Travelled. there being no
bridges of consequence. The Sabin Tor Tel
fair road. starting from the Louisville road |
opposite the race track. crossing the canal. |
over which is fair looking bridge in outward |
but one Of the main supporting |
timbers is out Of the socket and nearly de- /
cayed through at the waters edge. This we /
consider dangerous. and should be attended /
to Immediately. The balance Of the road. |
with some little attention, would be IN very Il
fair condition for a country road
In conclusion. we. your Committee on the Il
Public Roads, have tried to do cur duty faith i
fully and have investigated personally and BY Il
inquiry every road within our province with Il
1uf putting the county to too much expense, |
md we earnestly beg the grand jury to cal