Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1910-02-04
"rhe New Santa Ee Trail"

4u0 COlnoI0uC6 n6IQ dL HUTCHINSON
last Monday to take up the PROPOSE
tion Of a continuous good roa6
through the state, was successful be
yond the most sanguine expectations
OF those who first suggested the idea
Almost three hundred delegates were
present from the various towns alone
the Santa Fe, Beginning at Newtor
and Wichita and extending to STATE
line. Colorado people showed their II
terest in the matter by the fact that
Pueblo county was represented by
Two men, one Of them, Mr.. Higgins
an old friend of the writer, now serv.
ing his county as county commission.
er in charge of the highway and
bridge work of the county, and the
other, Mr.. Thompson, a member Of
the legislature from that county. Com
munlcatlons were also received from
Colorado Springs and Denver urging
the building of the road and pledging
their cooperation to carry it on
through state of Colorado. The Col.
orado State Highway Commission alsC
sent a letter pledging their eoOpera-
ton.
State Engineer Gearhart of Man.
haitian was present, also Mr.. Hodge
OF the good roads department at
Washington, also Mr.. King, the origin
ator of the King road drag. Each of
them addressed the convention. as
also did otheSs, telling of the work in
their respective localities. The con-
ference wasmade up of men in all
walks of life, many farmers being
present. The contentionas to which
way the road should go was settled
by a resolution endorsing both roads,
al9'3 the old trail or the Santa Fe
mail lne, also the cutoff.
f. R. NIoSes. c. D. Spaugh f. E.
Massie, Fred Zutayern, A. R. Friede-
man, Reg Russell, Jno. Doherty and
W. P. FEEDER were present fromthis
county. Among the delegates in at
tendance this convention were some
OF the leadingmen in their localities,
all ofwhom were enthusiastic for gooc
roads. Not for an auto road any
more than farmers road. And right
here we may say that an examina-
ton OF the road as it will pass
through this county, shows that but
little additional work beyond the nee
essary work to keep any road in
a good condition, will be necessary.
There is this about it, no one can
force any set of township officers to
build any particular piece of road.
They have the roads in their town.
ship to look after and they have the
law that governs such work. It is up
to them. Just what is the idea in
mind by the promoters is set forth
in the following resolution:
That a continuous east and west
highway throughout the length of the
Arkansas valley in Kansas is a neces-
sity both for profit and for pleasure.
An executive committee, composed
OF one member from each county
through which the proposed read will
run was organized. Also a publicity
committee. W P. FEEDER was named
a member Of the first committee for
this county, and W. L. Townsley as a
member of the second committee.
The name, "The New Santa Fe
Trail" was adopted.
The further Intention of the confer
ence is outlined in the following res
olutiOn:
That the physical obstacles are so
light, the natural roads so easily ad-
aptable 10 improvement, that the won
der is the construction of such a road
way has been so long delayed. A logi
cal sequence of the construction Of
this highway is the building of fire.
Quent lateral lines to right and to left
and the next principal purpose Of this
conference is the encouragement Of
the construction of such highways
untilt he entire Arkansas Valley shall
be gridironed with good roads.
We are Of the opinion that much
help for the communities who must
do considerable work on roads can
be secured from outside the commm-
ity, and that it will be cheerfully
given. One retired former living In
this city has offered $4,000 toward a
fund for the construction of the road
to Dighton Il the road will take a
certain course, and this course is not
out OF the way. We believe there are
others. Let US push the good road
business, not to make it a burden on
those living in any community, but
distribute the cost and have good
roads for the benefit of all.
R. H. Faxon of the Garden City
Telegram Is the chairman Of the ex-
ecutlve committee, and G.. H. Scott,
Of the Hutchinson News, isthe secre-
tary.
A meeting was held In this city
last Saturday evening attended by
representatives from counties to the
west Of US along the Missouri Pacific
asking for the cooperation Of the
people Of this city in the building Of
a lateral line along that route, which
is also to be extended into Colorado,
joining the other route at either Pueb
10 or Colorado Springs, and extending
east from this point to Sallna, thence
to Junction City where 1t will strike
the military road which the govern
ment Is sure to build soon to con
meet Forts Riley and Leavenworth
Another conference on this project
VIII be held at Dighton next Tuesday
which viii be attended by DR.. Nor