Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-03-18
An Old QUESTION REVIVED.
MOVEMENT ON FOOT TO SECURE
THE RE-OPENING OF THE
MARSHALL COUNTY ROAD.
A PETITION IN CIRCULATION
wood as Far as Moundsville Pray
ing BenwoOd Council to Open the
Road-Citfzens of Benwood Would
Not Endorse the Petition.

ing Benwood Council to Open the
Road-Citizens of Benwood Would
Not Endorse the Petition.
An old question has been revived in
Benwood. Five or six years ago there
was a petition, signed by many
reputable men living south of
Benwood as far as Moundsville, pre-
scented to Council at that time for ac-
ton. The petition prayed that body
to reopen the portion of the old county
plank road running from Fourth to
Eighth streets along Kentucky Heights,
which has been closed ever since Ben
wood became corporation. The ar
gument put forward in the petition in
favor of this move was the inconyen-
fence occasioned to the travellers pass.
Ing On the road to pass up hill and
down and over two double track rail
way crossings of peculiarly danger
Gus character in going to or from this
city with some objective point south
OF the city of Benwood.
AT that time the Benwood Council
took no action and for the time being
the matter was dropped.
Last evening Attorney Louis New
man, of Moundsville, took advantage
OF the citizens meeting at Benwood
to acquaint them of the fact that the
Old question was being agitated In
presenting the matter to the meeting
MI. Newman said that it was the wish
or the signers of the newly drawn
petition that nothing concerning the
movement be concealed from the citi-
zens. Stated that he was not in the
employ of the Wheeling street rail-
way, nor was the move made to furth-
er the interests of the street railway
company. 1t was in the interests of
the people generally living neighbor-
ing to the city of Benwood both in
Marshall and Ohio counties. He furth-
er stated that the petition had been
drawn up prior to the time of the ac-
ton of the street railway company in
endeavoring to secure permission to
remove their track from Central Ben
wood TO the hillside. The matter had
been put in his hands about December
LIST, but it was through his negligence
that the matter had not been presented
sooner.
AT Mr.. Newman's request the new
petition was read. 1t is as follows:
To the Mayor and Council of the City
OF Benwood, w. Va:
Neutrality-suspicious. petitioners re-
spectfully pray that the city of Ben
wood shall restore to the use of the
pubic that portion of the old county
road along the hillside east of the Bal
timore and Ohio railroad between
Fourth street and a point south of
Eighth street, which was neglected and
abandoned soon after the city became
incorporated. By such abandonment
there was destroyed a short but most
important section of the principal
highway in Marshall county-the high
way leading north along the Ohio river
to the city of Wheeling. BY that
abandonment all travellers along
that highway have for more than a
dozen years been compelled to leave
and drive round about, down hill and
a practically straight and level road
up, and over railroad crossings of a
peculiarly dangerous character. with
increase of labor, certainty of delay,
great risk to life and property and I'M
told anxiety to themselves and their
families.
'Inasmuch as petitions of your own
citizens presented to previous councils
have proven unavailing, and the in
jury resulting from the neglect COM
planned of is borne in special manner
and degree by your neighboring fell
low citizens in Marshall and Ohio
counties, this petition, coming chiefly
from your neighbors, is presented in
order to again call attention to the
situation.
We pray you to consider that the
roads and streets within your borders
are for the use of the public in general
and that your city, in it's custody
thereof, is trustee for the public, and
not an agency to divert or impede
travel, or to render the highways
hazardous to the public for any local
or special purpose.
I'VE respectfully ask that your hon
orable body shall give careful and just
consideration to the subject, and
promptly take such action as will af-
ford early and complete relief"
Mr.. Newman then stated it was his
desire to hear the sentiment of the
people on the question. 1t contains
about four hundred signers.
Joseph Mahood spoke first on the
subject He very MAINLY stated that
it was his opinion that Mr. Newman
should petition the Marshall county
commissioners instead of the Benwood
city Council, for should the city re-
open the section of the road the bur-
den of keeping it up would fall upon
the taxpayers, increasing the taxa
ton.
Mr.. Mahood continued that when the
county commissioners saw that Ben
wood would become a corporation they
caused that section of the county road
to be abandoned, as it cost quite a
little money to keep it up owing to
frequent land slips. The speaker said
in conclusion that it was only right
that that body should replace what it
destroyed.
Mr.. Mahood was followed by John
Blake, Chairman Hill and Mayor
all of whom spoke in the
same strain.
The matter is an interesting one to
every one living along the river front
contiguous to Benwood, and develop
ments will be watched with interest.