The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-11-23
THAT AUTO ROUTE

SEEKING BEST ROUTE FROM
CHARLESTON TO COLUMBIA.
What the Supervisors Of the Coun.
ties Between the Two Cities Say
About the Matter.
At recent meeting in Charleston
to discuss the most feasible route
for an auto highway between that
city and Columbia, the improvement
of the roads frcC Charleston to Co.
lumbia was considered, and letters
from the supervisors of the different
counties were read. From this in
formation it would appear that the
Orangeburg road is the most feas-
ible route. The committee, how
ever, determined to visit the diff
ferent counties as far as Orangeburg
and Columbia in automobiles, meet
ing the supervisors of each county
and inspecting the roads.
The arrangements will be made
at once for this tour, so that same
may be made within the next two
weeks. The committee is very much
gratified by the interest shown by
the several supervisors, and with
their hearty cooperation within a
few months there should be no diff
ficulty in making the trip in auto
mobiles from any of these counties
to Charleston. The letters Of the
supervisors are as follows:
Dorchester County.
Hon. James Cosgrove, Charleston,
S. C.-Dear Sir: Yours of the 2Sth
received. am heartily in sympathy
with the good road movement and
the auto road from Columbia to
Charleston, and am anxious to get
the road to come through our coun-
ty, and as I understand it is direct
route, Charleston to Summeryille and
Jedburg, striking the Orangeburg
road at that point. The Orangeburg
road is not over four miles from the
Southern Railroad from Jedburg to
Orangeburg. Auto travellers would
then be in touch with Summerville,
Jedburg, Ridgeville, Dorchester.
Harleyville is on the Orangeburg
road. Then st. George, Reeves,
Branchville and Orangeburg.
have just completed tirst-class auto
road from Reeves to Ridgeville,
which can be travelled any time in
the year, high or low water. Ridge
Vile is only two miles from the Or
angeburg road, and from there to
Summerville can be travelled at any
time, only one swamp (Cypress), (,
bridged and drained, and will be in
good shape in the near future. The
Orangeburg road has right of way,
or roadbed thirty feet, and Is road
that can be travelled at all times Of
the year, except Four-hole Swamp,
which one or two months Of the year
is too high with water, but can be
avoided by going to Ridgeville and
by the new road before mentioned.
The State road does not touch my
county at all. It goes through Berk-
eley county, and only touches one
town between Orangeburg and Char
lesion, and that is Holly Hill. If
the good roads committee decide
to go through my county 1 will guar
antee that 1 will put the roads in
good hape. Yours respectfully,
(Signed) H. H. Gross,
Supervisor Dorchester County.
Berkeley County.
Dear Sir. Your favor of October
25 to hand, and in reply will say
that the Gold State) road enters our
county about three miles above Hol-
ly Hill, and leaves somewhere about
Ten-mile Hill, on the A. C. L. R. R.
Now, as to the condition of said
road, will state that it is in fairly
good condition for country road, but
there is lots Of room for improve
ment, and I will state right here that
/ have the chain gang near this road
now, and expect to do little repairs
on same. But owing to such large
territory and very small chain gang,
compels me to do but very little work
on each road. Now as to the bridg
es, will state that this road cross
es three swamps in this county.
Some Of the bridges are about two
hundred feet wide. Said bridges are
in fairly good condition, and will
average about three bridges to each
swamp. This road passes through
the town of Holly Hill, which is the
only town know OF which this
road passes through, and will fur
ither state that along this road is
very thinly settled.
Hope the above information is sat
jsfactory. I wish to say that at any
time I am ready to give you such
information as you may wish to this
line, as l am interested in good
roads. Yours respectfully,
(Signed) w. H. Dennis,
Supervisor Berkeley County.
Orangeburg County.
Dear Sir: / have taken great in