The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-07
RoAp EVOLUTION.

Ing Tn the S0urn ana CoutnWeEt nus been strictly matter of evolution. The bufraioes were the pioneers in the work. antedating even the Indians. These animals travelling from one feeding ground to another. by some na- tural instinct chose the most easy and direct route, and the trail once formed was followed by all the thousands that came after Then the Indians. who never needed any road in their savage days except trail broad enough for one to walk. followed the buffalo. IT. their savage state the Indians never walked two or more abreast. but al- ways in single. file. A path wide enough for onE to walk In was all they needed. and whenever they trav- elled one always followed another. From that we derive the term Indian file" to designate this method of travel.
 Then came the white man; the hunt CTS and explorers who were the pio- neers of our later civilization. They usually travelled on foot and the ln- dian path was sufficient Even if they rode on horses and ponies there was no need of broader trails than they found ready. They knew that the trail already made would lead them by the best and nearest route across the plains. valleys and hills. and they sought no better way than they found ready for them.
 But as civilization advanced wheeled carriages found their way into the wilds and then something better than the trail of the buffalo and the Indian became a necessity. A cart or wagon couldn't travel where a man or pony could. and so the next step was to cut down the trees, remove the stumps and fill the worst holes and gullies so that wheeled vehicle could pass, These roadways were rude and, rough, but they answered their purpose in way, and there are many of us who remem- Der when there were no better roads throughout this country. When stage lines were established It was found that something better was required, for stages were expected to make bet ter time than the ordinary wagons did, and better time meant better roads. Then. tooa.as the country settled and civilization advanced. people began to ride in carriages and buggies and must have smoother ways to travel on. Sys- tematic woodworking and improvement was the result.
 And so the process of evolution has gone on from the trail of the buffalo to the gravelled or macadamized roads that arc now gradually spread ing throughout the country. Slowly but surely the work of highway im- provement Is working it's way and ob- talning foothold. And it comes none too soon. Rather it has been too long delayed, and the wonder is that here in Alabama for exampie. it has heen so slow in coming. For generations the farmers have been content to follow the ways and habits of those who went before them. They have gone on ovar ruts and through mire. pulling half load or less. taking double time aud wearing out animals and wagons all for lack of good roads. Wherever few miles of hard smooth road is built into the country from city or town. both urban and rural population are at once convinced of its benefits. They | can travel faster and easier, carry larger loads and save both teams and vehicles.
 Road making as an art has been slow to get foothold in this country. The an- clients understood it to some extent, and some of the roadways of Rome, particularly the celebrated Appian Way, which was constructed at least three centuries before the Christian era. are yet famous for their smooth ness and solidity. Such examples should have had their effect on modern civilization much earlier than they have done, but the spirit of improve nnent has been aroused and there is little danger of its sleeping again. Not only have the farmers and other eoun- trv dweilers tasted the benefits of smooth and solid roads at all seasons, but the city folks find both pleasure | and profit from item. The spread of horseless vehicles has largely increased the need, for they are at a greater dis advantage from rough highways than even the country people, so far as speed and pleasure are concerned. It costs ! something to construct first-class road. but it is an investment that pays
 big interest every day. The evolution
 has been slow but it bids fair to be 1 thorough.