The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-11
MISSISSIPPI HAS
GOOD ROADS FEVER
Four Counties Vote Bond Issues
Aggregating 81, 100000
NEW DEPOT AT JACKSON
Plans and Specifications Have Been
Prepared and 1t Is Stated That
Work ON structure VIII Be-
gin September 1

Jackson, Miss, July .-(Special.) 1.-THE
action of several Mississippi county
boards of supervisors in voting bonds
in large amounts presages the advent of
good roads in this state. Counties In
which the large towns are located have
nearly al taken this action. the latest
being that of Kinds, in which is located
Jackson, the capital of the state Kinds
county has just given notice of her inten-
ton to issue good roads bonds In the
sum of 100000 and the petition asking
same was signed by nearly 70 per cent
Of the property holders in that part of
the county that proposes to tax itself for
these improvements. The people of Mis-
sissippi are beginning to realize that good
roads means economy in the long run,
and the agricultural districts are as anx-
ious that they should be established as
are those of the towns.
The benefits of good roads have been
amply illustrated in one section of this
state, namely, around Columbus, from
where ideal highways traverse the coun-
ty of Lowndes in every direction. Along
these roads at regular intervals are ar
tesian wells flowing the purest of water,
and drinking troughs have been placed
that the residents of the rural district
may be at no disadvantage in watering
their stock on the way to town. AS a
great extent, and the people of that sec
ton have no idea of ever returning to the
old loblolly style of public roads.
C. w. Thatcher, the apostle of good
roads, has been travelling over the state
for several months in a small wagon
drawn by two diminutive burros. preach
ing the gospel of improved thoroughfares,
and his work has stirred up interest in
the subject wherever he has been. He is
now on tour of the section between here
and Meridian, So miles apart, trying to
induce the people along that route to tax
themselves for the purpose of building a
first-class pike road the entire distance,
and he reports that he is meeting with
much success In his underta king
Kinds is the fourth county that has
voted road bonds during the past 10 days,
the aggregate amount being about 81 900.
900 for expenditure on the Improvement
of public highways.
The time is not far distant when Mis-
sissippi roads will class with the best of
the country.
Information has gained currency that
arrangements have been completed be-
tween the New Orleans Great Northern
and the Alabama and vicksburg railroad
for the erection of $25O,OO0 depot. in
that city. When the announcement was
made some days ago that the Great
Northern had secured title to all the
property along the Commerce street route
it desired for q right of way, it was
coupled with the statement that three
roads would unite in establishin an up
town depot but shortly afterwards came
the statement that the Gulf and Shin
Island had declined to go into the ar
rangefhent. and would continue to use
the Illinois Central as it's passenger head.
quarters This possibly delayed matters
little. but the Great Northern went
ahead with Its negotiations with the Ala.
bama and Vicksburg and the result Ia
that the southeastern part Of the city is
10 have the handsomest depot In the
state.
Ihe plans and specifications have been
prepared, and it is stated that the work
OF erection will begin about September
and be pushed to as early completion as
possible. The site will be on Commence
street between where the Alabama and
Vicksburg tracks cross and the old capi-
tol grounds. There are two locations in
this territory that have been conside red
as ideal for a depot location, but II is
not known that the railroad company has
yet decided definitely which of these two
it will place the building on.