Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1905-08-03
OBSERVATIONS
Contributed to the Tribune
By a citizen with the hope of
intelligent reply, If any.


After looking over the very ex.
tended addition to our railroads in
the way of side tracks, the matter Of
safety to the travelling public was
impressed very forcibly on Observ-
er's mind, and especially those en-
tering our city from the south and
east. Those from the south who have
occasion to go to the depot or to the
lower part of town must go down
what is known as Trinwith's Hill,
crossing the track where the hill is
almost too steep to travel over safe.
ly, and then crossing the track twice
more before arriving at the depot,
and If they go up town must cross
again near the turn table.
This might be very nicely avoided
by making the wagon road along
west of the track, starting in near
the Trinwith place, coming by Thos.
Mullen's and out by the old asbestos
buildings, past h. 7. Prideaux's lum-
Der office and out on to Commerce
street, thus making an easy and safe
road. 1t is true the road would be
near the track, but would be COM
paiatively safe, as any one could go
into the business part of town from
the south without crossing a track,
and have an easy road, as there
would be no hill until they came to
Commerce street.
The safety of the public certainly
ought to be considered. One life has
already been safritlced on these
crossings, and the wonder is there
haven't been more. The argument
may be advanced that there is an
other road that people can go and
not take the risk. That is true, but
while the lower road is open people
will take chances. Besides, while it
is true they can go another way, it is
"A very hard way over those steep,
rocky hills, especially with heavy
loads. The change suggested means
considerable expense and labor, and |
perhaps would equitably call for a
division of the cost between the rail- |
road company and the city. In fact,
Observer thinks that both ought to
bear some part Of the expense; the
city mainly for the reason that good
safe entrance to ii induces more peo-
pie to come, and, in fact, helps the
general business.
What has been said in regard to
the south side applies with still
greater force to the east side, as at
present it is "Hobson's choice"--that
or none. There is really no other
practical way from that side except
to cross the track, and the great Won
der is that there have been so few
accidents there. il is all well to be
considering safer way In and cut OF
seem necessary to put some safety
device into immediate use. The city
of Darlington has an electric bell de-
vice which is very effective, but per-
haps it would be different there, as
there is but one track crossing Main
street, while we have several where
the Waldwick road crosses, and
there is great deal of switching az
that point.
/ understand the Business Mems
association is looking into this mat
ter with view of either making
road up east of the railroad by the
old Walker property, or having a
new road graded to come over the
hill Just north of the Walker house,
and in this way avoid the tracks en-
tirely. Much could be said, but one
thing is sure, something should be
done and done soon, before laore
serious consequences. OBsEkf Err.