The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-10
THE NATIONAL ROAD.
"reminiscences of What Was Once a Great
Thoroughfare-WhY It Was Bulls.

Thoroughfare-Why 1t Was Bulls.
Nashville American.
Away back in 1918 there arose serious appre-
hension that the growth of the West would
cause disaffeeted politicians to want a different
capital-"a Western Union"-and during Mon
roe's administration Congress. under the ad-
vocacy of Henry CLAW, tom" Benton, General
Lewis Cass, Thomas Ewing and Andrew Stew
art. made appropriations from the national
treasury, and the work on the National road was
vigorously executed. Beginning at Cumberland
mountain. it extended across Pennsylvania, Vir-
ginia, Ohio and Indiana westward. The desgR
was to connect the national capital with St
Louis THE Democracy opposed such appropri-
alton OF the Nations treasure, but in vain.
State rights were ignored" The road-bed
was reduced to a grade of five degrees
was made thirty-6ve feet wide, and
macadamiZed The under part was chiefly of
stone placed on edge, as is now the case In
cities. and covered with pieces that would go
through an inch and half ring. The National
road was free to ALL It maintained by the
general government Tor dozen years. but in
1886, through difference to General Jackson's
idea of State sovereignty, it was turned over to
the States through which it was built.
Much interesting Renaissance might be given
of this great thoFoughfare and its wars In 1884,
when war was threatened between this country
and France, there was such suspicion of svmpa-
thy between the French in Louisiana and the en-
envy that quick mail route was established via
this road and the Mississippi river Contracts
were let, with the requirement of speed to aver
age ten miles per hour. The entire highway
was laid off into sections. three boys and nine
horses being required for sixty three miles, and
the time given for the trip was six hours and
eighteen minutes.
Whether legal or not the national road was
popular thoroughfare, There were soon IS high
as $50 great Conestoga six horse teams" per
day. That is the same number as the railroad
trains that pass over the Pennsylvania Railroad
now daily to and from jersey City. There were
four to five four-horse mail and passenger
coaches each way daily.
Presidents frequented this highway, and on
snch occasions men were posted at hill-tops by
the roadway to waive their red bandanas
signal of approach for the distinguished travel
ers. The people would assemble and render
both vocal and instrumental music.
Much of the National road is still in good con-
dition. and its many historic associations are en-
HANGED bv modern progress. While the old cast
iron posts yet remain TO tell of distances to
places. ETC., telegraph wires are abundant, and
there is a combination of things ancient and
modern which give to travellers by the old road
much of rare interest
Of noted passengers this road there are
recorded the names of James Monroe. Andrew
jackson, William Henry Harrison, Dick John
son Vice president under Tyler, James K,
Polk, SAINT Anna, and the Mardis de Lafayette.
James K Polk How the name stands out in
the listl To be assured about the stories told
the subject called on the venerable Mrs Polk
AT my greeting she said she feeble, but has
never, in the several years it has been my fort
une to know her. appeared quite so bright
graceful, and 80 elegant
'Ah, yes, l have often been over the great
National road, as it was called, and it revives
many pleasant "reminiscences. Friends used to
ask me If L were not fatigued in making those
trips, but would tell them that in those days
knew not the sensation of being tired Why.
we didn't travel in the ordinary stage coaches of
that day. True, we did travel in public car
riage, but gentlemen could make arrange
ments to travel exclusively, and would stop
over at night Mr.. Polk fourteen years
successfully in Congress. and we often iourneyed
that way; not always. We went to Washington
twice in our private carriage. Our route would
be down the Cumberland to the Ohio, and up
that to Wheeling, and thence across by the Ma
tional road to Cumberland Md. The ran
from there to Baltimore. When Mr.. Polk was
elected President we went that way, and changed
cars at the Relay House. the junction of that
road and the leading from Baltimore TO
Washington. There was a great crowd there,
and he made speech. What magnificent seen
cry that thoroughfare across the Allegheny
mountains! had an experience our journey
that often gave amusement to our friends Our
team ran away. and we might have been much
more unfortunate. but one of the horses fell and
the driver checked the others But the carriage
was upset DR.. Linn, Senator from Missouri
was especially attentive to me- Mr.. Polk and
others had emerged from the carriage, and DR..
Linn proposed to help me- and he asked me to
put my foot in his hand. did So and he helped
me gracefully in that way. He was a courtly
gentleman"