Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1906-05-25
THE TOLL ROAD A
RELIC OF PIONEER DAYS
Fa armers Want Barlow Road
Made Free to the Public
State to Buy II.

following communication, copy OF
which has been sent to each of the
papers in Oregon, that is being sent
out by committee of farmers living
along the Barlow toll road, who are
seeking TO have the state buy the road
and make it free to the public. To
that end they have secured the sub
mission of the question at the June
election for the voters of Oregon to de-
eide as to whether this one Of the last
toll roads in Oregon shall be opened to
the public or remain barrier to
traffic between Eastern and Western
Oregon:
Welohes, Clackamas County, Ore,
May 10, 1906.
Editor Rogue River Courier.
Dear Sir There has been no dis.
oussion in the Oregon press of the
law which is to be voted on next
June, abolishing the Barlow Toll
Road and providing for its purchase
by the state and it's conversion into a
free public highway.
The farmers who live along this
road and who have to pay the tolls
were able to raise enough money tc
circulate the petitions to get this law
on the ballot, but have no money left
with which TO make campaign.
We must therefore, rely upon the
newspapers of the state for discus.
sion Of the matter, and believe that
the entire community will sympathize
with us in our effort. We therefore
write you an explanation of the situa.
/ tion
The Barlow Road crosses the Cas-
cade Mountains just south Of Mt
Hood. There is no other road be-
tween it and the Columbia river on
the north, and not for 100 miles to the
south. II you want to cross the Cas-
cades you must travel over the Bar
low road-and pay toll.
The Barlow road is strip of land
60 feet wide and nearly 20 miles long.
The owners hold it under grant
made 40 years ago by the federal
government. Their right to charge
toll has been upheld by the supreme
court.
The farmers in Clackamas and Wa,-
co counties who live in the country
tributary to this road. have to pay
toll on every head of sheep or cattle
they drive to Portland. They have to
pay - every time they cross the
mountains in wagon. There is no
other road crossing the Cascades.
Every immigrant wagon must pay
g.. Every settler driving from the
Willamette Valley to settle in Eastern
Oregon land there are lots of them
must pay 80 ON his little grist of fur.
niture.
The owners of the Barlow road did
not initiate the law abolishing the
tolls and providing for the purchase of
the road. They did not even know
it was to be done. They agreed
year ago with our representative to
sell the road for certain price. We
then initiated the law ourselves and
raised the money TO circulate the pc
titions The owners of the road. l
understand, do not want now 20 sell
the road at the price agreed ON, s94,
600, but they will be compelled to sell
If the law passes, rs we hold their
agreement If the state does not buy
the road next June, we will never
have another chance to buy the road
for twice this amount Of money. Nor
could it be built over again for 500,
900.
-
There is no. way TO get rid of this
toll road except TO buy IT, 4 As the |
state grows, it will become an im-
mensely valuable piece of property.