The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-12-17

IL best eNemplhcd In the
growth and Improvement OF
the country highways which. in n
country that stretches between two
oceans, and includes within it's bound
AIRY nearly all the climates and physi-
cal chara Cteristics OF a mighty couti-
nent. have been slowly evolved from
t. almost indistinguiShablc trail of
the pioneer settlers into roads OF high
engineering skill and achievement.
American country roads have Jagged
in the development OF the nations
material growth and expansion until
within the past few years. With the
exception OF the few old post roads, cs-
tablished In colonial days when the
stage coach was the only vehicle for
comfortable travel, there were not
more than two or three country high
ways of passable physical condition,
summer and winter, score OF years
ago in the United States.
Military roads were tie earliest in
existence in all countries, and the pro-
tectivc necessity of having different
parts OF the empire Joined together by
highways over which an army could
be quickly moved inspired most OF the
great engineering feats In road build
ing OF the past. This factor had little
or no influence in American industrial
life. Our boundaries did not abut
those OF other powerful nations with
whom we might at any time wage
war. Consequently no thought OF es-
ta6liShing lines Of Notifications, con
nected by military highways, ever en-
tered the head of our most warlike leg
islators or Presidents. Military roads
were not features OF our national de-
velopment ana though potent factors
in the growth OF many European
States. they are almost nil In American
history.
The modern road-buildinG movement
Is attributed to The bicycle and auto
mobile, but e must be said that 1t was
rather the conditions OF the times,
which were ripe for the change. that
made the popularity of these mechan-
zeal stecds. Railroad construction had
almost reached its limit; important
trunk lines were already paralleling
each other so that they cut disastrous
ly into each others profits, and the
most important parts OF the country
were joined together by the ribbons OF
steel. Railroad stocks were declining
in value; profits were being reduced.
and capital was chNry OF investing I'm
new enterprises OF this Chare cter
What the country needed was more
feeders-cOuntry roads leading from
farms, mines and producing lands
For months in the year the great agri-
cultural sections We're shut Off from
the railroads by almost impossible
country roads Mills and manufacture
ing plants located on streams OF water
that furnished excellent motive power
could not market their products in
winter. The logging camps and the
mining companies We're likewise help
less in winter. Thus for n good pOr-
don OF the year the country's com
merce was paralyzed. and the produc-
ing centres were cut of from the
world.
We rapidly grew into a nation OF
cities as consequence There was
little attraction in the country except
in the summer season. impossible
muddy roads made rural life disagree
villages suffered and dwindled IN num-
bers and population. In the cities
stone pavements defled the mud and
storms OF winter. and thlther our pop
ulation docked. building for them
selves hnbitable places where they
would not be shut indoors for months
at time.
The bicycle. and later the autOmo-
bile, spread a propaganda of good road
building at a time when conditions
were ripe for a mighty change, and
the fire that smoldcred for a time
soon broke forth into flame There
was need Of better highways TO i'm
prove trade. TO develop the country
and to add to our appreciation Of coun-
Try life. With the new movement
there commence couuter-current In
the trend of population cityward.
The country las improved by good
roads so thu people who had been
SMUT up I'M the clty now lougcd 90 re-.
turn 10 the less artificial life in email
towns and villages. Rural existence
suddenly received new charms. and
with the extension of good highways
there sprung up handsome rural homes
and estates The love for country lie
has suddenly developed SO that 30
marks q new era in our existence. 10
is not that our cities are less prosper.
GUS. OF that they will cease TO grow i'm
size and wealth. but that the country
is better appreciated as place OF resi-.
ueuce. ard that Sc has been made $50 10y
thc better r0ads -Guntou's Magazine.