Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-02-26
Wednesday, February 26, 1895.

"Oh, yes-some time ago; but I can't
say whether it is true or not"
Continuing, Mr.. Gordon said that the
road is drying up now and getting better.
He thought the work Of the convict gang
he d been of immense benefit, and if they
would just come back in the spring, fill in
the deep ruts that had been cut and beat
down the sharp stones that had been
left sticking up in places, the road would
be improved wonderfully.
For some distance beyond Mr.. Gordon's,
the soil is a stiff red clay. Here the road
height. A portion of it is covered with
gravel and its condition is very good.
Further on and extending for hundreds
of yards in unbroken lines, are parallel
ruts that are anywhere from four to six
inches deep, and making but single
wagon track. Since the recent winds
have dried out the water, the road is hard
and firm enough, and if the ruts are
avoided, the driving is fairly good. To
follow the ruts with buggy or wagon,
however, would be, to say the least. some
what uncomfortable. From beyond Mr..
J. w. Neirs, it has been necessary to do
but little to the road, and it is still in good
condition.
Superintendent Gordon next pulled up
opposite the residence of Mr.. D. M Hall.
Mr.. Hall was at home, and at his house
was also Mr.. NJ. G. Parrot. Both were
material witnesses" Of Mr.. Parrott the
reporter asked:
"I have been told that you are one of the
parties to that double turning over in the
road. Is there any truth in the story?"
Mr.. Parrot explained that some time
back he met Mr.. Will Glass near the terra
Gotta drain described above. Each was in
a buggy, one going one way and the other
the other. Mr.. Parrott went to turn aside.
His mule, which was rather wild anyway,
got frightened at convict who was work.
ing in the ditch, and turned the buggy
over. Mr.. Glass's buggy was not turned
over. AS to whether or not there was any
other case in which two buggies turned
over, Mr.. Parrot was unable to say.
Mr.. Hall was indignant at the stories
that had been published about the road,
as well as the promiscuous gossip that Is
being INDUCED in. Among other things,
he said: '"How does anybody expect US
to make turnpike out of mud and the
few rocks we can pick up about? The
people who are doing the most kicking
are those who gave the least help. Itold
them all along that the road. would be
muddy for awhile. We started at the
wrong time Of the year, and could not
expect anything else; but it is going to be
all right. It has not had time to settle
yet. We will have the convicts back on 1t
again after awhile, and by next fall, when
it gets packed down good, it will be the
best road in York county"
From Mr.. Halls, Superintendent Cor
don drove the reporter across to the
Rutherford road. The convicts were then
working on the first hill just beyond
Turkey creek. There the roadbed is
composed of kind Of rotten sandstone
This was being shaped up, the way
widened out, and, to all appearances, the
work was very beneficial. Mr.. Gordon
explained that the road would not be
thrown up so high as heretofore.
AS the result of his personal inspection
of the Kings Mountain road, the reporter
deems it necessary to correct only one
impression that is likely to be derived
from the article that was printed last
Wednesday. 1t was stated, on the opin-
ion of others, that "the road will continue
almost impossible, even after it dries up,
and to put it back in as good shape as 1t
was originally will cost as much again as
has been spent upon it up to this time"
This is erroneous. The road is not fin
ished job by any means. In 1t are nu-
merous ruts, holes and rough places, and
to go over the macadam portion, unless it,
is graveled pretty soon, will be rather
trying ordeal for sometime. All that has
been done, however, has been in the di-
rection of a very good road. With the
deep cut ruts filled up, so long as the
weather continues good, that portion will
admit of easy driving and heavy hauling.
and with the macadam well graveled,
there can be no further ground for COM
plant on account Oft. But with more
bad weather, the road is sure to again be-
come impossible, and if the weather con-
tinues bad long enough, unless something
is done in the meantime, it would not be
safe to promise travellers a picnic even
next fall.