The Bossier banner., 1907-11-21

of great mud The roads of Madison
County were impassable-as bad as Iowa
and Illinois roads. It took two big mules
to haul milk wagon with two cans of
milk. For more than six weeks this con-
dition prevailed. The city Of jackson was
marooned in sea of mud. The opportune
moment had arrived. A mass meeting of
the citizens of the county was called, and
all who could get there came. All wanted
good roads, but how to get them was the
question. Some favored direct tax, and
others wanted to issue bonds, It looked
as if the meeting might end in talk, when
farmer arose and addressed the meeting.
Mr.. Chairman said he, 4 am just plain
farmer and have no business trying to talk
to this meeting. | am all covered with
mud. There is mud on my boots and all
over my clothes and my hat is all spatter-
ed up too. l walked to this meeting be-
cause my horse couldn't travel the roads.
I've got a little farm and saw mill out on
Poplar Corner road. just little over two
miles from town, and if could climb up
on hard road with my truck and with
what lumber I've sawed l could clear
enough in one day to pay my taxes on that
road, but haven't got it. | bought some
groceries from you (turning to mer-
chant) this month-yes, S5 worth, for
had to carry them out on my back-but if
had had good road it would have been
S25, am sure
"There was the gist of the whole prop
osition. The business men of Jackson
saw the point. There was no further dis
cussion. A bill was drafted and at once
passed the Legislature allowing the county
to issue road bonds to the amount Of
$500, 900 at per cent. The bill also pro-
vided that $3.50 900 was to be first expend-
ed on roads within radius of five miles
of jackson and the remainder within ten
miles.
GA good roads commission of five men,
bers was created and work begun. Three
years have passed and the first $3.50, 900
has been expended on thirty miles of
graded and macadamized road as smooth
as a city boulevard. The effect on the
town and the surrounding country has
been marvellous, values throughout the
country have increased fully 80 per cent,
and city property has advanced in propor-
ton. Farmers have been coming from
adjoining states, all wanting to buy farms
on the good roads, Others, anticipating
the future, have gone back from the rords
on the strength Of the good road policy Of
the county. Truck and fruit farms are
being established in every direction. They
can get their produce to market now every
: day in the year.
, "The effect on the business Of jackson
has been no less marked. There are nc
stores to rent within the city limits. Ad-
ditions are being laid out along the ma
cadam roads, and what was once regarded
as farm property is being sold at a figure
f that was not dreamed of three years ago
E Jackson is in the midst of a healthy boom,
all the result of little common sense"
} AS you and the contributors to you,
, columns suggest, Mr.. Editor, it is time act
were having better roads--good roads
roads that are high and dry 365 days ir
the year. The above points out one way
to achieve this end. Let US be progress.
, sive; let us have as good roads here ir
Bossier as other communities. Some o
them are as sparsely settled as our parish
and many of them cannot boast of sucf
9 fertile soil, mild climate and other natura
= advantages as has Bossier. So you Sc,
we have an even break with any rura
: community under the sun-and we neee
: the roads and must huve them.
v Please continue to boost the move.
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