Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-08-17

About three-fourths OF mile west
of Grfnnell a highway running north
and south crosses the Rock Island
tracks. The railroad at this point
passes thru a cut probably thirty feet
deep and the highway is overheaa.
This viaduct maintained by the ran
road company, has been in use mary
years. 1t accommodates many 1arm-
ers living southwest Of town, ana IS
the only means OF access to at least
six farms. To be sure. they can reach
town by going south, thence east ana
thence north to the city, but this is
an out-of-t he-way route, and taxes
time.
Last April this bridge took fire ana
before the fire was discovered, IT hau
burnt the bridge in two and one OF Two
spans dropped on the track. me
wrerking company promptly removed
ria wreckage but the bridge has never
heen repaired, and there has been no
highway since. Not only the SIX fam
lilies. but a whole community has been
Inconvenience. The bridge crew
could repair this bridge in single
day. but not a thing has been done.
Complaints have been made only 10 Dc
ignored. The township trustees took
. hand and were blandly informed that
the matter would be attended to right
away. Mr.. Manly, 7one of the super
visors. interviewed the Rock Island Of
.f1cials and got nothing but promises
that no one intended to keep. Inc
fact is the man or men In charge nave
given no more consideration to tnc
people who are undergoing this m
convenience than if they were SO many
cattle All complaints, all protests
have been treated with utter contempt.
For a time Mr.. Squire gave very
convenient right of way thru his corn
field. This was under a promise from
persons connected with the Rock Is
land that he would be compensated
later. They refused to recognize his
claim, and simply laughed at him. He
closed his fences and now those VINO
are willing to take the chances, get
from one highway to the other by q
narrow way along the very edge OF the
embankment, very narrow, very dan
gerous. Others go out of the way,
making The distance to town five miles
kinstead of two Several narrow es-
CdDGS nave DGeH ISSOAASo, ee4A0 oAAAv
the other day, an old horse took fright,
throwing out an old lady and her
daughter and demolishing the vehicle.
They did not realize the danger, but
followed where others had driven.
This outrage is now about four
months old, and bids fair to become
of lawful age unless the railroad COM
missioners interfere and it is now in
their hands.
Another illustration of the manner
in which the cattle who have to use
the highways are treated is given IN
.he story that follows: People COM
ing to Grinnell from the south have to
cross the Rock Island tracks at one
If eight crossings. Beginning on the
east, we have East street, High street,
Park street, Broad street, Main street,
West street, Spring street. and Pearl
street. Coming in from the country 4
law or two ago, on West street,
-ound that crossing occupied by two
Engines engaged in switching Looking
vest to Spring street. l found | could
not cross there as the en-
rines We're playing back and
orth on that crossing. / turn
"A east on Main street, and found
hat.crossing occupied by two engines
md numerous cars. 1 drove east to
Broad street, but just as l got there a
witch train bore down on that.
hen drove to Park, but because of the
apidity of the switching trains didn't
are to risk that. / then started east
o High street two blocks east of Park.
i found that crossing and East street,
east Of it, and the last one, blocked