Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-05-24
Wet Dirt Roads in Hills Had
Been Stormed on, and Used
Up Whole Day-ChainS
Slipped on Wheels
pathfinder Dispatch. }

tBatlIlnQer DlSpdtcI.)
ROANOKE. Va, May 22.-Many
causes contributed to prevent the
New York HeraId-Atlanta Journal Co
lumbia pathfinder from carrying out it's
tentative schedule on Saturday.
When the start was made from Mar
tinsville Saturday morning at $3.50
o'clock, evidences of the downpour OF
the night before as well as two pre-
ceding days was shown in the heavy,
sticky soil.
For Is or 20 miles a good average
schedule was maintained. Then came
the first of the days troubles. IL
was found that the chains necessary 10
make the going SAFE speedy or COM
Portable, were ineffective. In many
places. because the wheels revolved In
side of the chains, il was impossible
to get traction. This involved delay
after delay, stopping at one farm house
after another and purchasing pillow line
or trace chains to keep on the anti-skid
device. which did not fit. At every
J country store fresh supplies of rope
or wire were laid in.
This failure to secure traction for
the wheels inevitably produced other
troubles, and the pathfinders, early in
the day, long before Rockymount was
reached, came to the conclusion that
Roanoke instead of Staunton would be
the nights stop.
Several hours were spent In Rocky
mount The pathfinders had been told
that there was a waning of interest in
the highway project in this, the largest
town between -Martinsville and Roam
oke. t. ...-
RoCKYMoUNT is CORDIAL.
This nrOyed n he The
greatest amount of interest was shown
and a most cordial invitation extended
for the good roads tourists to make
this place a night control. The com
mittee having the matter in charge de-
clared that If the hotels and private
homes were not sufficient to take care
of the tourists. that tents would be or
dered from Washington.
The roads from Martinsville to Rocky
mount. while heavy with red clay which
had been rained on continuously, pre-
sented no particularly steep grades and
no difficulties to negotiate at a medium
speed If proper traction had been pro-
durable
ANOTHER CARS RECORD
An automobile which left Martinsville
at s o'clock yesterday morning got TO
Roanoke at 1 o'clock in the after
noon.
$3.50 o'clock yesterday morning and did
not get into Roanoke until 2:3O O'Clock
this morning. The start from Rocky
mount was not made until just before
dusk. and for the first half of the / 5
miles the same road conditions were met
as from Martinsville to Rockymount-I
heavy, sticky going, with a few I'M
usual hills. Under the conditions no
speed. of course, could be made, ana
the pathfinders made the best of a bad
situation by enjoying to the limit the
most perfect scenery to be found in this
country.
AS the previous going had been so
difficult the pathfinders viewed with
some trepedition the trip across the
Blue Ridge mountains, which are
crossed on the national highway in the
last Is miles on the way to Roanoke
MOUNTAINS WHERE EASY.
The intense surprise and qualification
OF the good roads scouts. the roads over
the mountains in spite of the rains of the
night before and the preceding days, as
well as tremendous downpour at g.
o'clock Saturday afternoon were in .ex-
cellent condition. y....
With chains which were practically use
less the pathfinder climbed the two noun
tain peaks with comparative ease The
roads at all times and under the most
adverse conditions demonstrated that an
automobile, il not crippled, can safely
end easily make. the tourney from Mar
! tinsville to Roanoke in the time made by
the car which preceded the pathfinder
The trip over the mountains was made
under a full brilliant moon. In the VAL
leys lay masses of white mist and as
] the car dropped down the hills il seemed
as IL the scouts were heading towards
huge lakes. The sight was magnificent,
and one that few peorle who ride in
automobiles have ever seen.
I In spite Of the lateness of the hour,
when the pathhnders arrived in Roanoke,
provision had been made for them at
the Roanoke hotel by Fred E. Foster. the
proprietor. who incidentally is one of the
most enthusiastic good road men in the
/ south.
The pathfinders will start for Staunton,
Va, early Monday morning 1t has been
raining here practically all day.
ROANOKE WANTS CONTROL.
Roanoke is very anxious to have noon
or night control during the tour i'm June.
and preparations are we'll under way
for the entertainment of the tourists.
The national highway committee of the
Saturday nisht at which matters in CON
! Hecilon with the entertainment of the
tourists were discussed.
Tie feet that this section will be rep
resented by two cars. those of j. II.
Marsteller of Roanoke. and T. p. Coop
or. Of Salem. has given vim to this city's
spirit of interest in that tour.
As there viii be a stay of possibly but
an hour and a half o. two rou~s IN Roam
| olSe. TIE reception ard entertainment here
must Re brief A ba~d will he secured
for tire occasion DEFINITE ARRANGEMENTS
as TO luncheon. souvenirs. etc. were left
to a general committee -.r2-1e'hs ~
The following general ccm-Lttce was