Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1909-10-05
Americas, Ca, October ., 1909.
SIGNPOSTS OF PROSPERITY IN
SUMTER COUNTY.

At the last meeting of the Americas
Board of Trade, in a short speech,
Chairman Sheffield, of the County
Commissioners, directed attention to
one great good that was flowing from
the Improvement of the country roads
in Sumter county to which much i'm
portance should be attached, although
it was not directly measurable in
current coin of the realm. The bene-
fit he referred to was the advertising
the county is receiving from the at
tention drawn to it through its fine
highways. From every direction, he
stated, comments came in, of a flat
tering nature, contrasting the good
roads of Sumter with the poor ones
of other counties and complimenting
the county on the wisdom and progress
siveness of its people. Out of this
advertising, free though it is, Will
come eventually an influx of home
seekers, of investors, of those who de-
sire to locate on farms in section
that is so abreast of the times as to
give it's people all the advantages and
opportunities that flow from roads
that are capable of easy hauling of
heavy loads.
The latest addition to this class of
advertising of Sumter county. as well
as one of the most important, is found
in the Atlanta Constitution of Sunday.
That leading newspaper exponent Of
Georgia and Southern progress was
not slow to notice the results that
have ensued from good roads in this
county, and it has been generous
enough to give them warm recogni-
ton Its editorial is compliment that
the people of Sumter will appreciate.
and it is an illustration to other
counties of the results that may be
achieved by them all if they will only
follow the example set by this county.
The Constitution says:
Signs, to be of any great practical
value, must have good, substantial
signposts underneath them.
Americas has both the signs and the
signposts of prosperity.
To illustrate: Current dispatches
carry announcement of the sale of two
thousand-acre farms fifteen miles
away from the city, with the public
highway as the only means OF trans
Dortation, for the magnificent price OF
$37 900.
That is the sign.
Underlying this sale and an impell-
ing factor in fixing the price are the
magnificent roads of Sumter county,
reputed to be among the best in that
section of the state.
There is the signpost.
In other words, not only are the
values there, but they have something
underneath to hold them up.
We say Americas, not in reference
alone to that thriving, progresA Rive
city, but to Sumter county and the
splendid section of southwest Georgia
of which it is dominating center.
Another incident, with Americas as
the stage: A few days ago the head
of a large mercantile house in Ameri-
eus-nOt a bank, bear in mind, but a
grocery store-offered to loan the
state $4,000 at per cent, the lowest
rate at which the state has ever nego-
tiated loan, with the statement that
double that amount, should the gov
ernor accept, could be secured at the
same figure.
This is but another sign set firmly
and substantially upon the same sign
post
For Americas derives her prosper
ity from that of the surrounding coun-
try. Figure it out as you will, 1t all
goes back to the farm.
Ten bales of cotton on a wagon
drawn by two mules is said now to be
common sight on the roads OF Sum-
ter county.
Five thousand pounds at a load, and
there's money in the saving of time
and labor.
All of Sumter's good roads lead
from bordering counties straight to
Americas; consequently, there is
where the trade goes.
Thus. Sumter's splendid roads give
Americas the trade, not only of that
county but also from neighboring
territory.
The proposal to loan the state $780,
000 at 2 per cent be ones a sign,
therefore, not alone OF prosperity
of Ameircus, but of TIE eatire coun-
try, TO which it has gotten closer by
the construction of this good roads
system.
The county which fails to build good
roads is, inevitably, going to lose
out in the prosperity game; the farmer
is going to the market that gives him
the easiest haul, even though it is
longer one.
Ii he can carry ten bales of cotton
to market twenty miles away on a
single trip, he is surely going to that
market in preference to one only ten
miles away, where he can haul but five
bales at load.
That is the secret of Americus' sue
cess, and the success of Americas is
but reflective of that of the territory
tributary to it.
A city, a county, may paint and en-
biazon all the prosperity signs it will,
but they don't count for anything
without the signposts to hold them up.
And the best, the most substantial
and the most lasting of signposts are
good roads
Make a note now to get EIy's Cream
Balm If you are troubled with nasal
catarrh, hay fever or cold in the head.
1t is purifying and soothing IA the