Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-11-27

bulOutuuonb 10 anyways III OEucE anu uouoiy
more pertinent than the latter from the fact
that good roads directly interest every citi-
zen whittier he be pedestrian or equestrian,
free holder or not. This life was intended 10
glide through as smoothly as possible, and
with this object in view, to one travelling the
many ruff and jagged roads of Henry coanty,
he cannot but realize that If his journey this
side the river Styx is to move in harmony
with his object he must keep within the con-
fines of Napoleon township. s o.
ga
"Good roads" has always been agitated and
likewise had its opposition. In the beginning
of this century it was agitated, being synonc-
nous then with internal improvements"
The fruit of the advocacy of this measure can
be seen in the great National Road, from
Cumberland to Wheeling across the Allie
rhanies in 1877. This is one of the greatest
highways in the world. It was constructed
at an expense of millions of dollars, yet
never once was the measure regretted by
those who introduced it. 1t was the great
land channel that connected the civilized
and settled east with the semi and
unsettled west. 1T was over this great National
road that the rumble of the coach and
six, the slow monotonous thuds of the or
en-the settlers means of transportation
were heard night and day. A small toll was
collected merely as means to keep up re-
pairs, but this was always willingly paid.
1t was not the moity of the good derived and
| it was appreciated by the economical emi-
grant; for, his limited means could afford but
one outfit and it was with the utmost care
that this would suffice TO move his all to
new country where frugality and rigid econo-
| my would not be practiced more. This road
| was the connecting link between prosperity
in the west and privation in the east, and
mighty link it was! Since the age OF electric
ity and steam the National road has sunk
into a sort of inocuous desuetude, only sery-
ing to make local markets or reminder to
the tourist and-studeDt of his country's his
| tory, the vastness of the undertaking and
great good its construction has accomplish
ed. Yet 30 great was its opposition that
Jefferson, Madison and Monroe fought it
with their mighty ability. Its great success
demonstrated the fallacy of their argument
to queens taste. Fw
There are times in the calender when the
highways in Henry county are impossible.
This is usually in the spring and fall. will
venture to say without fear of Successful
contradiction that during these seasons there
is more swearing and execrations and more
.'backsliders" in religion are chronicled
than in the rest of the months combined. In
fact hardly any oppose gravel roads during
this time, but NO sooner passed than all
thoughts in this direction vanish, and like
the cricket, summer is sung and danced away
, with shortsightedness for all future con.
tingencies that is alien to none but Feget
Islanders.
. #"#
II is an enigma why any body can plow hi
way through muck and mire with wear,
!, horse and in man. cases broken down rig
from Holgate TO ehe Napoleon township line
and after passing from this nightmare o
mud-to-the-hubs road to the dry and leve
: pike beyond, can go to the ballot box ans
: oppose stone or gravel roads. It is surel.
prejudice or stubborness--noth more, a
the cost to each taxpayer would hardly b.
!, perceptible. Twenty-Five years ago will
Henry in her all but primaeval state this ad
vocacy would be incongruous and an imposi
ton. But this county is no longer wilder
ness. The Kalida pike is travelled more thai
any other road in the county but in mudd
seasons is replete with chuck holes. Trave
| is difficult and sometimes impossible &
those otherwise than swamp angels. VIII
y should this remain thus year after year an,
communication practically cut of betweel
the two largest towns in Henry county? A
before stated the question is an enigma tina
bids fair to remain unanswered.
To be sure it is contrary to all laws O
equity for Flatrock to construct continue
tion of this pike alone. Monroe, Marioi
: and Pleasant receive benefit and should b
: so assessed. Or Flatrock and pleasant coul
take it in their own hands and after runnin,
r one or two sections east and thence south
gain communication with the county sea
that could not be shared by the other tw
: without circuitous route and subsequentl,
township Henry county is benighted as ia
as her roads are concerned, as all farmer
!, will testify. A successful election '.pro'
gravel roads is giim and the only one tha
Q will shed any light on the subject. Gu
]. prayer thenceforth should be good roads an,
Democratic President. To ask more W
: could not without drawing sight draft OF
the stars, for these boons constitute eth
| earth"
4 -
: It seemed for while that the anti-Lotter
law would put Quietus on all manner O
drawlngs-the fair with the unfair. Certain
? kinds Of drawings are legitimate and proper
4 although bhe merchant prince at Philadelphi
l
/ at festivals where value is returned does no
: body harm and is an excellent means of pro
= curing money for philanthropic purposes.
i church fair is hardly complete without one
1t has been abandoned however from al
aversion to violating law, no matter hoy
unjust it may be. But it has its substitute
: People pay SO much for guess but dom
mention it abroad as it will be taken in tn
, arms of the famous bill'' cloaked in tn
j TnQYital 0f nm ainandment 4tf.st -Ft
~
: Reading mRketh q learned man, writins
an exact man and speaking a ready man
3 SO they say, and wish to add ''tliat If yol
> fride on the cars even from Napoleon to Oko
Iona you will grasp more of an idea of tn
freaks of nature under the name of humanit
than by living month in town. Here i
: where the travelling public from all quarter
of the country are thrown together and eacl
see and are seen.
'a ~
While seated in q Wabash train going wes
short time since saffron colored sibyH O
+ the diminutive type with disgraceful costum
the attention Of the car and made life misera
BILE for the occupants therein until she got Of
q not half hundred miles from the "Futur,
3 Great" She wore that naughty air acquired
0 by few years from home, seeking couture.
Q Neither did she wish to let her fellow travel.
ers remain long in ignorance Of the fact tina
she was cultured ~ She was accompenie,
II by several martyrs of her acquaintance VIII,
!. wore look Of those who played part in tn
: Inquisition years ago. In other words they
' were doing renafiss< They were coutinuaii,