The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-05-31
WHAT THE DRAG DID
Split-LOg Device Changed
Conditions Greatly.

Remarkable progress in good roads
making is accredited to the farmers of
Blue Earth county. especially those liv
ing near Mankato. George w. Cooley,
the expert, made trip over five road
districts this morning and at the con-
clusion of the inspection he expressed
himself as well pleased with conditions
as he saw them. The trip was made in
George NJ Palmer's automobile. Mr..
Cooley was accompanied by Mr.. Palmer
and newspaper men who had been invit-
ed to get a breath of fresh air.
Mr.. Cooley stated that Blue Earth
county was in the van of the good roads
movement.
The trip covered the districts in
charge of Frank Wenner, Ira Romack,
i. Olinger, John Mock and Henry
Schultz Evidences of the excellent work
on these roads was apparent. Those
who have had occasion to drive in the
country will remember that about one
of the worst pieces of road in Blue Earth
county was that commonly called the
Eagle Lake road. Holes, depressiOns,
ruts, and other disagreeable things that
made travel a horrible nightmare and
| caused people to say naughty words
were found everywhere. A trip, over
the road was anything but pleasure
and those who did drive over it did not
do so from choice. That road has been
transformed into a regular southern
pike" and this morning, not many
days after rainstorm, it was found in
very good condition, and ride over it
is indeed a pleasure. The split log drag
! operated by John Mock and l.. Olinger
has brought about change for the bet
| ter. For some distance the road has been
graveled and this has helped to improve
the surface greatly. ,E
The st. Clair road has been bettered.
1t will be remembered by those who
have driven over it, that up to
a year ago, this highway was veri-
table bog and for days following a
heavy rain storm it was almost an i'm
possibility for farmers to drive to mar
ket. But things have changed since
the splitlog drag was put to work on
that road. Frank Wenner has been in
charge of this district and he is to be
commended for his intelligent labors.
He has lifted the road up out of the mire
and now that highway is one of the fin
est in the county. Pictures of this road
''before and after" have appeared in
many good roads publications and the
latter" has been commented upon favor
ably.
The city has made a wonderful show
ing on the road which connects with the
bluff road to st. Peter and Mr.. Cooley
pronounced the road north of l.. G. NJ.
Fletcher's place as the best for a dirt
road that he has ever inspected. 1t could
not be bettered. Henry Schultz has i'm
proved the road in his district and that
highway is another .one that will pass
beyond criticism.
All in all the work that has been done
on the roads in Blue Earth county is
worth all that it has cost, and especially
have the improved conditions been of inn
mense value to Alankato and her mer
chants.
The trip of today covered twenty five
miles and aside from the opportunity to
view and ride over some fine pieces of
road it was a pleasure to get into the
country. The fields are looking well.
Taking the past years progress in
good road work as a criterion it is safe
to predict that a much greater advance
will be made in this line of endeavor
during the year to come and in COM
paratively few years there will be no
poor highways in Blue Earth county.
The example that has been set by road
men will be followed by others. The
difference between roads that have been
under the influence of the drags and those
that have not is noticeable. The drag
is the thing.