The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1901-06-28
VALUE OF TURNPIKES.
Improved Condition of Country Road.
Has Helped the Cotton Plant
ers of the south.

The building Of Of turnpikes, which
hos been active only of late years
over the entire southern portion OF
the United States. and which has
brought about much improved roads
for public conveyance in all sections,
and notably in the territory imme-
niately contiguous to Memphis, has
resulted in the planters and country
merchants sending in a much larger
percentage of their cotton on their
wagons instead of turning Il over
to the railroads for transportation.
There is nothing that is so hene-
fetal to the planters Of the south as
good roads for the easy marketing
Of their produce, and the farmers
within a radius of 30 TO 40 miles Of
Memphis have learned that these
roads represent a great deal of saw
ing TO them on their cotton crop in
that they make il possible for them
80 send their cotton into the city
without too much strain on their
teams and without too much wear
and tear on their wagons. At the
same time it is a reasonable PROPOSE
tion that since the roads have been
improved as they have the planters
and the merchants in the small towns
who wish 10 market their cotton at
this point can have much larger loads
than they could before the turnpikes
were extended and multiplied as they
have been within the last decade.
Tn the early history of the cotton
trade Of this city almost the entire
crop Of this district was marketed
on wagons. the railroad facilities at
that time amounting TO almost moth
ing. The wagons offered the only
solution Of the question Of getting
their cotton TO this city. and, al
though there were no turnpikes. the
cotton was brought here and large
loads Of groceries and provisions and
other necessaries of plantation life
were carried back.
With the growth Of the extensive
network of railroads entering Mem
phis quite a change took place. These
meant the solution Of the problem
Of marketing cotton. and the wagons |
were largely relegated 70 the rear.
The prices Of cotton were high and |
the amount paid in freight for trans
portation infnitesimally small COM
pared with the value received for 1
the staple when sold The farmers. |
the planters. the merchants. all /
jumped at the conclusion that the
railroads were best. that the wagon
method was too slow. and that II rep
resented too much expenditure in the
way Of time and the wear and tear
OF the running gear Of their wagons
and only a small portion came in this
way.
But the reduction in the price ~
cotton within the last few years and
the fact that transportation rates
were not reduced in proportion TO the
value Of the staple made those own
ing cotton in this district. within n
certain radius Of the city. cast around
for new solution Of the difficulty
with which they were face TO face.
And the building OF the turnpike
proved the solution for which they
were looking. These roads made it
possible for larger loads to be hauled,
for less wear and tear on the wag-
ons. for less strain on the teams, and
Tor quicker time, and the farmers felt
hat they had the railroads beat.
Turnpi+es have been gradually in
,reasing in the neighborhood of Mem
1his for the last IS years, and with
hese the people living along these
.oads have gradually increased the
AMOUNT of cotton coming to this city
" wagons. The turnpike lately ex-
ended to Colierville, Tenn, has
.aused the merchants and owners Of
.otton in that town and between here
md there to bring almost their entire
holdings TO this market on wagons,
while before that time the bulk OF
he crop found its way to market on ,
he railroads passing those points.
The same is true Of Holly Springs
nd the fernando district, and other I
Instances could also be given, but
hese will suffice.
The turnpikes have made II possible {
or the holders of cotton to fight the
ailroads on their rates by acting (
ntirelv independent of them in
ringing their cotton in on their wag-
ms. The latter is much the slower Il
gav. but there is generally some sac I,
ifice necessary to bring about re- T
orms Of any kind. and the farmers il
nd planters along the turnpike roads a
o not mind making the fight when G
yer they find it necessary. 4
The turnpikes and the railroads /
ave both come to stay, and, since the
liter are being gradually extended !
nd are continually tapping new ter !
tory. the percentage OF cotton {
rought in over the turnpikes. as I
Dmpared with that transported by ]
he former, is steadily increasing e
he higher prices of cotton promised 4
he farmers this year may make them
illing TO pay the freights. but with
ne low prices, Judging from the ex- {
srience of the last two years, there
IN be a marked increase in the r
mount Of cotton finding IFS way TO
,is market on wagons Memphis
,imitar.