The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-10-02
By CARL ACKERMAN.

"it 10 . monument Of . past age;
but like all other monuments, Il 10 In.
tsrssting ~ we'll 40 venerable. II car.
rIsd Thousands Of population and mil.
lions Of wealth Into the West; and
more than any other material strue.
turs In the land, served TO harmonixe
and strengthen, " not to save, the
Union."-veeeh.
Main street turns near Ninth and
makes n slight curve towards the
northwest. One hundred years ago
there was large mud puddle north
OF Main street and when the National
road was constructed the contractors
built II around the puddle. Main
street retained the curve.
Falling heir to such road. even
though II followed the path OF least
resistance. Richmond, prosperous and
beautiful. accepted the heritage. re-
formed the old methods. stepped into
her boots. waded through difficulties
until today she stands not only Pan
&c Proof but the most beautiful resi-
dence city In Indiana.
Following the path of ease. howev-
or. did not cling to the growing city.
There were no presidents but q will
derness Of opportunity and the first
sturdy Inhabitants grasped the lat
ter with eagerness and founded Rich
mond on the National road. Difficult
ties brought determination and all
combined to complete the road
through Wayne county and Indiana
and start q town destined to become
prosperous by the character OF her
people.
start Of Movement.
The movement for the National road
started soon after the inauguration OF
Thomas Jefferson. Statesmen, before
tho founder OF democracy. realized
more and more that the highways Of
the then small republic were INSULT
Client for progressive. energetic and
developing America. A road was need
cd. to cross tho mountains into Penn.
sylvania; to the Ohio river. The rapid
settlement of Ohio and the no less
rapid peopling OF Indiana and ILL.,
nois. by immigrants coming from New
Orleans by way OF Cincinnati and
moving northeast into these states In
creased the interest. ....
Economically these western mi.
grants realized that link was needed
to relieve them of the oppressive
prices paid for imported goods. which
came by way OF New Orleans. They
had established industries to satisfy
their own needs. which made them
east and south. But M the country
was being rapidly settled. the popu
lation increasing over thousand
times In a decade. their dependence
upon the traders was felt more and
more and the demand for public
road smoldering In the breasts of the
people needed but the breath Of q
suggestion to set II aflame.
Championed by such able men al
Henry Clay. Andrew Stewart ant
Daniel Sturgeon. In the house Of rep
resentativcs and the United State.
senate. tho movement for nationa
road took ready form.
How Movement Started.
II began with the admission of thu
state Of Ohio to the Union and culmi
mated with the admission of indiana
In 1916. Illinois In 1918 and Missouri
In 1920. Ohio soon after her admis
sion into the Union provided by an
act Of tho legislature that n certain
part OF the money derived from tn,
sale OF buckeye lands should be Sc
aside IA a fund for tho construction
Of public roads up to and within hel
borders. Indiana. Illinois and Missouri
soon after their admission followed
suit.
The lead taken by Ohio and the agi
tation In Pennsylvania finally brough
tho matter before congress. Many o
the members had been speaking OF {
national road but II needed a cham
pion. Looming up in more than on,
way was Henry Clay. and. he NOR,
than any other man. was the incarna
ton OF the National road. II has beer
said that the idea of National roa.
originated with Henry Clay but An
drew Stewart attributes IL to Mr.
0allatin. Whoever the originator ma,
have been. Clay deserves a great dea
Of credit for his indefatigable worl
for It's construction.
On December 10. 1905. the commit
tee which had been appointed to re
view the situation and report to tn,
senate appeared before that body an,
reported that the committee though
Il expedient to lay out and make
road from Cumberland. Maryland. I,
the Ohio river. opposite Steubenville.
Authority 10 Given.
After some debate the president wa
authorized to appoint. by and witt
the advice and consent OF the senate
three discreet and disinterested cit
cons Of the United States" to lay on
Q road four rods In width and /
"designate ON each side Of the roa
by . plain and distinguishable mar
on . tree. or by the erection Of
stone stake or monument. every quar-,
Or Of . mile distance. And Section
Of the bill provided that at the CON
\ mcncement Of each session. a state
neat Of the proceeds OF the commits
! - Should - Drssented TIT cou