The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-05-22
Tecumseh People Decline Oil
Road With Thanks.
Not Only That But Won't Per.
mits Its Construction.
APPEAL TO COURT.
Judge Dana Grants Farmers a
Temporary Injunction.
Were Promised Rock Road and
Want No Substitute.

Proud, naughty Tecumseh township
has taken its road troubles to the dis
trict court. This morning James Muir
ply and 81 others filed proceedings in
Judge Danas court to enjoin the coun-
ty commissioners from building an oil
road from the industrial school to Te-
cumseh and also to compel the COM
missioners to fulfill their contract and
build rock road.
Work on the oil road was started
last week. When the proceedings We're
taken before the court today, Judge
Dana granted a temporary restraining
order which will tie up the job until
the trouble is definitely decided.
Last fall the commissioners promis-
ed the Tecumseeites a rock road. There
was string tied to the promise. Te-
cumseh was to grade the road and make
preliminary preparations. 1t did this
and more. Happy Tecumseh even prom
ised a large amount of rock. About
$500 was spent to repair the road. Then
the commissioners ordered an oil road.
Tecumseh's righteous inclination knew
no bounds. More than 100 strong, 1t
went before the commissioners. Ihose
farmers said things that gave the com
missioners headache. The agricul-
tourists wanted a rock road or moth
ing. The commissioners testified the
district would get nothing. AS evil
dence of good faith, meek and modest
Tecumseh went home satisfied.
But the commissioners changed their
minds. They let the contract for an
oil road and intimated the patrons
could travel an oil road or stay at
home. But Tecumseh vows it will do
neither. 1t rises to ask the court if
promise by the county commissioners
is not as sacred and binding as that
of an individual and if public offices
are created to deceive the public
This rock road is a grave matter in
Tecumseh. The farmers point with
scorn to the rough and rocky high
way and complain bitterly of their mis-
treatment. They want the court to IN
terfere and tell the commissioners
where to get off. James Murphy and
the 81 others have raised fund 10
prosecute the case. ]. ]. Schenck'
who has been employed by the rural.
lists. stated that the farmers meant
business. They will have none of the
oil road They want the original article
or nothing.
When notice was served on the coun-
tv commissioners today to the erect
that Judge Dana had granted tenn
porary restraining order in the case.
thew said things about the Tecumsen
farmers that will offset few OF the
remarks issued from Tecumseh con-
corning the commissioners. The com
missioners declare they will build the
oil road whether Tecumseh does or does
not want it.
~ would like to know who these
roads belong to, anyway" expostulated
Commissioner Sims as he glared at the
mandate from the court. 1T somehow
strikes me that we can build any Klilo
of 3 road we want to and it's no ones
business"
But the courts order reads different
". For the present at least Tecumseh
has the big end of the score. Edwin
O'Neill admitted that the board had
made slight mistake.
Il went to the county attorney Sat
urday" said ONeill, land asked him
to bring proceedings to stop those peo-
pie from interfering, but he wouldn't
do it. Now, the job is tied up"
The oil road contractor was in the
room when papers in the case were
served. He sighed audibly when he
was told to stop work. Evidently the
contractor is in a hurry to finish the
job. ]. ]. Schenck, who represents the
plaintiffs. will go to Jackson county |
this week to try a murder case and Il
will be several days before Judge Dana |
will make final disposition of the in
iunpfiOn