Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-05
AN AMERICAN APPIAN WAY
Plan for a Turnpike from the Atlantic
to the Pacific.
GOOD ROADS BOOSTERS TO THE FORE
Bill introduced in Congress for the
Reconstructioh of the Old Cum
berIand Pike-AutOmObiI-
lists In the scheme.


A national pike TO run from the Atlantic
to the Pacific is the latest proposition In
this land of big schemes.
The first step has been taken. In SEN
tence almost as long as the proposed pike
itself the Washington Post announces the
fact thus:
THE creation OF the American Appian
Way, beginning at Washington, on ATTAIN
tic tidewater, following the trail of the
historic National Pike through the passes
of the Appalachians and across to Ohio,
through the great middle west to St.
Louis and then in two great boulevards
on to the Pacific, one of which will cross
Montana to Puget Sound and the other
through Denver and Salt Lake City over
the Rockies and Sierras to San Francisco.
will be the magnificent fruition OF plans
! the first tentative steps of which have been
taken in the introduction OF a bill In con-
gress by Representative Pearre of Mary
: land for an appropriation for the restora-
ton OF the monuments and land marks
and the reconstruction OF the ancient Cum
berland road that by its building made an
empire possible"
Automobile associations and good roads
folk all over the country are pledged to
the support OF the bill. "Honkl Honkl"
is the war cry OF the new movement.
Save to the historian and those who live
along the dusty thread of macadam that
binds together Washington and ST. Louis.
the story OF the old National Pike is an
unknown chapter.
The route is prehistoric. Even before
the Indians invaded America herds Of buff
falo roamed the continent. They were
Americas hrst road makers. They did
/ a. ~ hall
trails and traces would duplicate the
| today.
The National Pike, or the Cumberland
road as it was popularity called. was FIRST
a buffalo trace worn deep across the APP
paiachians by the pounding hoofs OF mil
lions of bisons. When the Indians came
they followed this same trail in theiI
hunting excursions and war expeditions
retreating over II to the west before the
ever advancing, relentless frontier of tho
white man.
over this path came the pioneer hunte
and trapper. followed by the home maker
until at last the tide Of emigration poure'
in a deluge through the mountain passe
to the land OF promise.
Trame In Pioneer Days.
To supply the trade demands OF thi
growing western population IN the earl
! days. long trains of pack ponies pickle
their way to and fro over the old Cumber
land trail, to be displaced by the grea
Conestoga freight wagons and speedin
mail coaches OF the early days of tn
century. they in turn to vanish when IN
steam railroad accomplished the supo'
eddy impossible feat Of climbing the mour
tains
Every mile of the old Cumberland Roa
Is historic ground. over Il toiled N
, young surveyor, Washington. Later n
, British genadiers tramped the route. ls
, by Braddoek, whose grave is stil gree
, beside the tran.
, Discomfort followed the settlement of n
= country beyond the Appalschians. d
: spised by the ridewater patricianA. n
! settlers OF the western valleys turned
the support OF the Burr conspiracy. 10
at this crisis there was a successful d
mand for a great road which should Dir
the tsSo sections together
! In lsO2 Jefferson signed a bill for q
; survey OF the National Pike. The mr.
contract was awarded In 1871 and the roe
was completed in islG In 1895 Was begr
the extension OF the National Pike fro
Wheeling 10 St Louis.
!. The 'reeonstruction Of the old nation
q road viii resurrect IN a measure the va
4 lshed slories Of the famous siege coal
days. Scattered along the road were 4