The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-08-16

echism as to the wearing quality of
sand river gravel, and said that the
present heavy traffic requires stone
surface on Front street. The GENE
try ravine road would be cut to pieces
in no time on Front street. Gravel
on the Front street would cut down
to the bed in spring.
The discussion grew so desultory
that DIR. Andrews called upon Jno. A.
Willard, who said that his greatest
objection to paving is the tearing it
up all the time. No paving will last
unless put back properly. These con-
nections have to be made, and it
seems as though regulations ought to
be made whereby the paving could be
properly put back. He favored Capt.
Beatty's plan, but would go further
and make more permanent
and costly macadam. He had no con-
fidence in stone surface, and would
have a combination of river gravel
and hill gravel, so that the stone
would not grind. He would have
foundation of heavy stones with
broken stones above. He believed
that such aroad, if undisturbed, would
last forty years and longer than cedar
blocks or bricks. His attention had
been called to such a street that had
lasted over forty years, in city lar
ger than Mankato. Crushed hard
heads would make a lasting pave
ment.
The chair then called upon City
engineer Haynes, who said that the
pretension was only to have the en-
tire street like block IA. Macadam
makes a good road, but nothing like
paved street. For temporizing it
may be all right. He would have as
many water connections made and re-
placed as possible, and then have
crushed hardheads used. The sewer
connections are all in. Macadam
would make a good foundation for
brick paving. He had no confidence
in stone surfacing.
Pres. Beatty said that crushed
granite mixed with read gravel would
make good surfacing, if one is need
ed. He would rather risk that than
sand and pebbles in this climate.
Jno. A. Willard suggested that only
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prepared, and see how it works. If
it gives satisfaction the other blocks
will want to come into line.
J. I. Williams said that the desire
for paving is all on the part of those
who own no property on Front street.
The tax payers on that street don't
want it, with one or two exceptions.
He suggested that a vote be taken.
M. G. Willard thought that the con-
nections should first be made, and
Mr.. Barney said that the gas mains,
which leak more than is consumed,
should be relaid first.
Jno. Klein wanted to know why the
people could not drive on the gutter
during muddy times. Then all would
not have to be done at once. All
streets in the city ought to be gutter
ed. Front street will have to be torn
up for street cars. Something ought
to be done, and cutters is the best
beginning.
Dr. Andrews said that if we wait
for all the mains to rot out, some of
the gray heads will be in their
graves. Much of the expenditure of
the city goes into streets where it is
wasted to keep up temporary repairs.
Front street is a striking example of
this
Jno. @. Wise said that he was par
tial to macadam, he wanted to see
the street improved in some manner,
and he was willing to stand his share
of the expense.
DR.. j. "A. Hilscher favored uniform
curling and gutter and temporary
pavement from one end of the street
to the other.
S. Zimmerman favored this plan for
start, until further plans could be
formulated.
B. Koehler favored Mr.. Wizards
proposition, which he said would be
good when we old fellows have been
long gone. Expensive pavements
would be too hard too pay for in
these hard times. He opposed the
use of sand. In the old country gravel
is put over stone, and the streets are
splendid, when rip rap was put on
Front street in two years the store
doors had to be closed to keep out the
| dust
Joseph Stahl said that the water
connections should first be replaced
with lead pipe, He said that the
street car track is a nuisance.
Geo. Peter Hoerr said that he
thought that the petition was only
for curbing and guttering when he
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