Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-03-14
GUIDE BOARDS AT ROAD CROSSINGS.

GUIDE BOARDS AT ROAD CROSSINGS.
Mr.. Gordon Calls Attention to Their Alb
sence.
Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
1 desire to call the special attention
of the proper officials of York county
to the law requiring the erection ol
guide boards at the crossing and at the
forks of all public roads in the county
I notice that the law on the subject
reads as follows:
1t is the duty of county supervisors
to cause mile posts to be placed and main
tained on all public roads, and at each
fork of such roads to erect pointers declar-
ing the. direction of the forks: Neglect ol
this requirement is punishable by pen
atty OF $40, to be recovered by indictment
in the court of general sessions.
Section II. That each overseer, within
his district, may erect and keep up, at the
expense of the county, at the forks and
crossroads, post and guide board, OF
fingerboard, containing an inscription in
legible letters directing the way and dis
tance to the town or towns, or public
place or places, situated on each road, res
pectively.
First, we find the law plainly laid
down for the supervisor, and penal
ty provided for the violation of the
same. Second, we find permission Civ
en- the overseers to erect guide boards
at the expense of the county. So it
appears that the law is all right, clear
and comprehensive. So much for the
theory.
Now for the facts in the case. At
how many of the numerous crossroads
and forks of roads in York county, do
we 6ud guideboards erected by the
supervisor and overseers as the law
directs? Don't everybody speak at
once. That the law on the subject is
both wise and proper, none will deny.
That the law is persistently ignored by
the officials in charge all must admit.
A law that is not observed or en-
forced is a dead letter. Now will
those in authority please tell me why
it is that the law on this important
subject has not been enforced? I?
want a plain answer to this direct
question. But let US see whether or
not I'm correct in my conclusions.
Let us make canvass of the public
roads within radius of 10 miles of
the court house. We will commence
about a mile west of Yorkville at the
forks of the Adair's Ferry and How
ellis Ferry roads. Next, north of the
court house, at the Wood place, at the
forks of Lincoln and Armstrong Ford
roads. 3rd. At the crossroads at
Howard Campbell's. 4th. At R. L..
Campbell's. 5th. At forks of roads
near Glenn's store. 9Th. At crossroads
near Jno. F. Williams's, at Fodder. 7th.
Crossroads at the John r. Wallace
place. Sth. Forks of roads between
residence of Abel Hope and Tirzah
station. 9th. Forks of road near
County Home. 10th. Crossroads near
residence of w. F. Jackson. 11th. At
Tirzah church.
If my memory serves me correctly,
there is either no guide board at each
of the places named, or, if any, they
are invisible, or, at least, unreadable.
OF course, guide boards are not inten-
ded for those who are acquainted with
the country. If so, the law on the sub
iect would be a senseless one. 1t is
intended, therefore, for those who lack
a practical knowledge of the country.
If stranger started to Yorkville by
private conveyance, he would be OBJ
liged to inquire his way from house to
house in order to reach his destination.
Reader, did you ever have any ex-
perience with signboards, or rather the
absence of them For instance, you're
in a strange country. You are on
important business. The hour is late.
Your horse is tired. The road is very
muddy. You are cold, tired, worried
and hungry. You are anxious to reach
a certain place. You come to the forks
of road. No signboard. Nobody
in sight. Which of these roads must
you take in order to reach the desired
point?
All how hard you try to decide the
problem. In vain you ask your,
self the question, which is the road |
ought TO take? Aye that's the ques-
tion. You may just as well close your
eyes and give your horse the reins and
let him take his choice. And if you
possessed the geographical knowledge
of a Maury Theoretical y yet in the
absence of practical knowledge aud
in the absence of a sign board, nine
times out of ten, you will take the
wrong road.
In conclusion, why is it that the
crossroads and forks of public roads in
York county are destitute of guide
boards when the law says that they
must be erected?
w. S. GORDON.
March 10 1000