The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1911-03-23

tNltto AIi"If aNa aV4o NVaA'
In Montgomery county Kansas,
twenty-mile stretch Of modern high
way was built solely by volunteer
work. While that is an excellent
record and piece Of work, It is simp-
ly outcIassed by a similar work
much larger in scope accomplished
in Iowa.
The citizens Of Iowa within the
short space Of one hour built an ex-
cellant highway stretching across the
breadth Of the state, a distance Of
$50 miles. As a result they have
across their state a road in the most
perfect condition Of any in the West.
Weeks and months we're spent in
preparing for the work, but not
single bit Of construction work was
done until the time set for the big
event to come of Then when the
time came to work, 10000 men
swarmed out on the road and al the
end Of an hour allotted for the work.
Iowa vas in possession Of a fine high
way.
Probably the most interesting
thing in connection with this piece
Of work is that Of the 10000 men
Who we're engaged in this great un-
detaking not a single one received
any remuneration for their work.
Good viii and patriotism alone we're
responsible for the splendid showing
made.
Last winter the roads in Iowa
we're in such condition that they
we're practically impossible. The
farmers we're compelled TO remain at
their homes. Finally the matter be-
came Of such grave importance that
both political parties in the state be-
gan 10 consider ways and means to
relieve conditions. Governor Car
roll called a good roads meeting for
Des Moines. and at this meeting a
plan vas developed for building a
river-to-river road. stretching from
Council Bluffs on the Missouri river
to Davenport on the Mississippi
river. a distance Of $50 miles straight
across the state from east 4, west.
Il vas the consensus Of opinion al
the good roads convention that the
road be made as veil as il would be
possible 10 do when dirt alone vas
used IL construction.
The regular state democratic add :
republican committees took charge {
Of The work. The chairmen Of these J
Two committees got right into the :
he work. Everybody agreed 10 help y
out and within a short time there Q
Eas q great deal Of rivalry between .
ref ublicans and democrats as 20 Z
vhich party would have the most
men on the job when the time for o
york came.
A Saturday vas selected as the &
lay and from nine to ten o'clock the {
TOUR for the work. Every farmer
long the way vas personally seen n
y the committee and asked 10 give t
be one hour that was asked for. Z
farmers we're asked 10 bring their v
lows scrapcrs and road drags, and e
N organization equal to those en-
'loyed IN professional railroad build y
ng vas worked out. In the weeks 8
preceding the work all bridges and (
ulverls along the road we're re- a
aired and put in FIRST class order, s.
hat no delay might come to road u
uilders when once the latter started
lork. n
On the appointed Saturday, short a.
= before nine o'clock In the morning
be farmers began getting out on the
pad. There we're hundreds Of plovs,
icks and shovels, scrapers, road
rags, grading machines and other Il
IMPLEMENTS ready for use. Every y,
,rmer brought a team and promptly I,
/ nine o'clock the road building ar
" Of ten thousand went 10 work, :
nd at ten o'clock the job was finished dI
nd Iowa was the possessor Of one "
the finest roads in the West. p,
Socilisi paper A I.ewielon IN