The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-07-07
FROM The PEOPLE.
STATEMENT AND APPEAL.


The "Gospel of Good Roads, seems
to be appreciated, but good roads
would be infinitely more. In the early
spring, you published a communication
from the writer, setting forth the then
status Of county road, No. II, leading
from Worthington to the village of
Bigelow, laid in an early day, running
along the southernly side of, and par
al!el to the Sioux City railroad, pass
ing through the farm Of Rev. J. W.
Lewis, the railroad at that time divi-
ding the farm. Mr.. Lewis wishing to
utilize water on the southeast side OF
the railroad for stock. declined grant
ing the right Of way, but proposed to
give the right Of way across the west
line of lis farm, northward, about
three-fourths Of a mile, to the section
road running east and west, passing
ington after reaching the section road
than at the point Of tnr.ing north and
crossing the railroad. The weak kneeG
commissioners, afraid OF a contest, and
possibly & little expense, accepted the
proposition, vacated the original sur
vey for three foultll> of y mile and tS-
tablished the county road as stated, i'll
creasing the distance to Wortlington
nearly three-fUurths of a mile. The
change was not acceptable to the trav-
cling public. They had no fancy to
turn from direct line three-fourth
of a mile out Of the way and buve ever
since Travelled along the railroad. Mr..
n. A. Call, residing at the summit, a
good common. sense man, stated to the
writer that he VAS not going to travel
3-4 Of mile out Of his way to get to
Worthington; lie was going straight
through. This opinion expressed the
opinion of the public. This could be
done very comfortably in dry weather
like the past year, but at times like the
present, the trail is impassable, and
has been 80 mainly since April. The
| communication alluded to above eliclted com
| ment and some correspondence. but the blow OF
waters has seemed to wash all this way. Yes,
and the trail ITSELF The writer and others
whose direct route to NorthingtOE is along the
railroad, I and $40 miles, has not been able to
trav cl there for two months, but to reach WORTH
ingt on must travel north two miles and around
the north shore of West OkaOena lake. nearly
seven miles; two and onc-half miles further
than by the direct line and all residents west
must take the same route. a few not aware of
the horrld condition of the direct road, made
the venture to their sorrow. The condition Of
this short space Of road has prevented those who
are regular church goers from reaching church.
The result Of this want of road is to divert
trade from Worthington to Bigelow, Rushmore
and Adrian, and dealers at these points are
shrewd enough to avail themselves OF the busi-
ness thus diverted, by low prices. This
ought not to be. Worthiugton should and may
be the center Of trade for the whole county. It
Is no pleasure to the writer thus to advertise the
western energetic business men-severe dis
eases require severe remedies.
Is it creditabe to the energetic and successful
business men OF Worthington to say that there
is no direct public highway from the southwest
portion of Mobiles county to the County seat, and
that the best portion OF the county with a thriv
ing population. And this is a fact that there is
no public highway over the short space in Ques-
tiOn, consequently, no money or labor can he ex-
pended oni it, Now what is the remedy? Sim.
ply to construct these small bridges and make
the approach to them. In order to do this the
right Of way must he obtained, The County Com
missioners have said they will establish the road
il right of way can be obtained; all are agreed
that the road shoold be established there, as it
is the shortest and best route. 1t behooves the
business men of Worthington, Capitalists, Pro-
fessional men, merchants, lumber sellers, me-
chanics of all kinds, all who are interested in
the growth and prosperity of the County seat
of Mobiles county and the resultant accession Of
population may be needed to secure the county
seat at Worthington, to interest themselves in
this matter, and especially the public Journals
The outlay cannot he large. Let there be called
4 public meeting, appoint an active committee
| to take charge of the matter, procure the right
| OF way either by purchase, or if that cannot be