Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-14
REGULAR DEADFALLS
The Country Roads Killing People Off
at an Alarming Rate.
ANOTHER FATALITY ON FRIDAY.
Coroner Mcdowell Gives Some Figures for
the Last Three Months.
HIS IDEAS OF WHAT SHOULD BE DOM

Edward Caughey, of Stowe township. met
death in rather peculiar manner Friday
night
For some time Caughey has been engaged
in hauling oil we'll supplies into the Char
tiers field. He started for that locality at
the time mentioned, having on the wagon
among other material coil of wire cable.
The roads, as usual, were in horrible con
dition, and before the field was reached the
wheels on one side of the wagon went into q
deep rut, overturning the rig.
Caughey, who was walking, was caught
under the coil of cable, and so badly in
jured that he lived but short time. The
Coroner was mott fed and will hold an in
quest on Monday. Caughey was the son of
a well-to-do farmer Of Stowe township, and
his unexp pected death is a source of general
regret in that section. He leaves wife and
four children.
Coroner Nc DowelI was asked last night il
violent deaths of this kind, due to the bad
condition of country roads, were of frequent
occurrence in this county. He had evil
IDENTIFY been giving the subject some atten-
tion, for his reply came very quick and was
right to the point He said:
DANGER OF DEATH ON THE ROAD.
Eyes, sir. They are becoming quite COM
mon; entirely too much so in q section of
country that prides itself on being abreast
of the times in this nineteenth century.
1 never realized as fully US do now the i'm
portance of having these great highways Of
tha Sfafo info ar at
least make them safe for the purpose of ordi-
nary travel. Within the last three months
I have been called upon to view the bodies
of three men who have lost their lives en-
tirely through the wretched condition of our
county roads. In addition to the case OF
young Caughev d well-to-do farmer OF Ross
He was driving team attached
to: hay wagon over to O'Hara township.
While on the way the wheels got into one of
the deep ruts that are SO common, the wagon
was overturned and he received fatal in
juries. Still another instance was that of a
farmer of Mifflin township, who lost his life
from the same causes and in about the same
way. Now, as said, these are all instances
that have occurred within the three months
mentioned. do notknow what the records
for the year would show, but in the name Of
all decency, the ones mentioned constitute
three too many Tor this day and age of the
world.
THE FARMERS GREATLY WORKED UP.
"Do you know it is fact that the farmers
and country people generally are greatly
worked up over this question, and these re-
cent fatalities have only added to their
bitter feelings? Several meetings of farmers
have been held, and more are promised for
the future. They have perfect right to be
thoroughly aroused for the condition of all
roads as rule is simply shameful. As
The DISPATCH has so ably shown they are
next to impossible during good portion Of
the year, and even when cold weather sets
in and freezes up the surface mud people are
in more or less danger of having their con-
veyances overturned every time they ven.
ture out Now it is all right for township
road commissioners to meet and solemnly
consider the situation ana agree to disagree,
but this will not mend the roads.
Here IS my idea of what should be done.
The Legislature will meet within a few
weeks and the members will have plenty of
time to consider this question and take some
action before they adjourn. Let the farm
ers and country people generally make this
road question an issue. Let every repre-
sentative from the rural districts be made to
understand that something must be done,
and ii he does not help to do it some one
will be returned il his place who will. This
will bring matters down to point where
there can be no misunderstanding, and the
result will be that beneficial action will tol.
low.
"The country representatives need not be
alone in this movement, however, for it is
something which interests directly or in
directly everyone. There are no two ways
about it. Some improvements must be
made very soon, and the sooner start is
made the better"