Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-02-26
THAT KINGS MOUNTAIN ROAD.

| The article in THE ENQUIRER Oh laSt
Wednesday in reference to the operations
of the convict gang on the Kings Noun
tain road, has created sensation. The
people of the county have naturally been
watching the experiment with great inter-
est all along. They had had no previous
information as to just how the work was
progressing, and when the information
did come, it was in the nature OF a shock.
AS was clearly stated in the article, all
the facts given last week came second
hand. When the reporter had last seen
the road, it was in fairly good condition.
The first reports as to later developments
struck him as genuine surprise. He was
of course, prompted to investigate further.
It was impracticable to 60 out and see the
road, and he, therefore, had recourse to
the statements ofreliable individuals who
were qualified to speak from personal
observation.
The reporter has since been over the
road. He made the trip last Monday at
t be invitation of and accompanied by Mr..
C. F. Gordon, superintendent of the con-
vict gang. The trip was made in buggy,
and included all Of the recent work as
well as return by way of the Ruther-
fordton road, on which the convicts are
now employed, just beyond Turkey
Creek. Mr.. Gordon's idea was to have
the reporter see the work himself and in
terview people who were in position to
state the merits of the case.
The new work on the Kings Mountain
road commences just beyond the first
milepost. For few hundred yards there
has been no necessity to do anything.
The road has been in very good condition
all along. After that comes short
stretch where the convicts have done
some heavy work in widening the way.
The earth had been thrown up somewhat !;
but not too much. Though deep ruts
were to be seen, on account of the recent
winds the road was dry and not difficult
to travel over. Further on, at the bottom
of the hill, there was formerly boggy
swamp of pipe clay. This has been
drained by means of deep ditch. Terra
Gotta piping has been substituted in place
of bridge, earth and stones have been
piled up to depth Of from 1S inches to
feet, and the place, though still very
rough, has been greatly improved. Pro-
ceeding on from the bridge, the road is
similar to that just described, except not
quite so good. There has been as much
work on it but on account of the nature
of the soil, it has been cut up worse. Then
comes stretch of perhaps 100 yards OF
macadamizing. The macadam consists OF
loose stones of all kinds, pounded up
with sledgehammers. Just how deep it
is the reporter forgot to inquire. The
surface, however, is very rough and badly
in need of coat Of gravel. Next comes
stretch of naked road, dry and hard
enough; but deeply rutted and showing
evidence of recent misery to unfortunate
travellers.
A little futher on is the residence of Mr..
w. J. Gordon, who lives about two and
half miles from the court house. Mr..
Gordon was at home. Superintendent
Gordon called him to the road and re-
quested:
"Please say whether this road is as good
or better now than at this time last year."
"It's right smart BETTER" replied Mr..
Gordon after little hesitation; there is
no doubt about that"
"Well, what about this story that you
have been called upon time and again
to help pull people out of the mud ?"
asked the reporter.
II only helped one out"
"They told me that it was a matter of
frequent occurrence"
mo, only once. They have sent for me
a good many times; but as I am working
on shares with Mr.. Moore, I did not think
that in justice to him I ought to keep it
up."
"Well, that is a pretty bad showing,
isn't it ?"
"Oh, yes" replied Mr.. Gordon; "but
you see there is more heavy hauling on
this road than any other. 1t is the leading
road to all those saw mills up yonder, and,
besides, people try to haul with two mules
as much as would be big load for four.'s
"What about the wagon you helped to
pull out of the mud" asked the reporter.
Mr.. Gordon hestitated, an amused
twinkle came in his eye, and finally he
he replied:
"It was empty-but it was a mighty
poor team"
"Well, Mr.. Gordon, what about the
two buggies turning over in the road?"
II heard the story"