Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-18
Charles w. Thatcher,
the Apostle Of Good
Roads, Makes Address
Famous Advocate Of Better Highways
Talks Two Hours to Commercial
Club-Speaks Again Today.

Charles W. Thatcher, the famous good
roads advocate, who Is going about after
the manner Of the prophets of old, preach
ing his gospel with fiery eloquence, ar
rived in Council Bluffs last evening about
o'clock. He was driving his famous team
OF diminutive mules, which have carried
him over nearly 10000 miles of the good
and bad roads Of this country, hitched to
the light road wagon In which he has
ridden more than 1900 miles within the
last five years The sudden shower late
yesterday afternoon which caught Mr..
Thatcher several miles south of town and
led to the impression that he could not
get here in time for the big meeting
scheduled for the Dohany theater at s
o'clock. caused the meeting to be called
off
The Commercial club, whose guests Mr..
Thatcher is, did not fully comprehend the
quality OF the man or understand the
mettle of his mules, and when he appeared
on South Main street and attracted as
much attention as q circus parade, the
Commercial club got busy and arranged
for an informal meeting at the club room
between and 10 o'clock. Mr.. Thatcher
was dressed in khaki and wore a big white
sombrero hat, while a huge revolver
protruded from the holster attached to
a heavy leather belt stuffed full OF large
sized cartridges. His old wagon bears as
many famous autographs as kings
album 1t shows the hard usage to which
1t has been subjected. Numerous pieces
of wire, barbed and plain. hold together
parts that manifest q disposition to
separate. The complete camping outfit
which comprises its load. also gives in
dications OF extended use. The wagon and
fnan Wa Fala II, L iaI
Mr.. Thatcher was given room with bath
made last night for public meeting at the
Dohany theater this afternoon at o'clock
There will be no admission fee exacted and
no collection will be taken. The Com
mercial club wants everybody interested
in good roads to attend this meeting. con-
fident that the dullest persons will become
inspired with some of Thatchers vitalizing
enthusiasm.
Mr. Thatcher talked for two hours in
the club rooms last night, relating his ex
perience and outlining his purposes. He
IL a polished and educated Virginia gen
tleman, in the prime Of life who is de-
voting all of his time and talents TO the
arousing OF a nationwide movement for
good roads. II is the only subject he talks
upon, the only thing he thinks of. and he
can become thrillingly eloquent over a
mud puddle. He Is now engaged in awak-
ening a public sentiment favorable TO two
great highways, one national and the other
International. One is to extend from New
York TO San Francisco, through Ohio, In
diana, via Chicago and across Iowa and
Nebraska. The other is 20 reach from
Winnipeg to the gulf and eventually
through Mexico and Central America 20
Panama. Council Bluffs and Omaha are
to be near the point where these roads
cross each other; in fact the line as now
planned includes the Douglass street
bridge. Nearly 1000 miles OF this ocean
to-ocean road has been built and its west
ern terminus Is now close to Chicago. II
has been constructed chiefly by the use
OF state funds. and a bill was introduced
in congress two weeks ago providing for
government aid. The roadway now built
Is OF a permanent character. largely upon
plans provided by Mr.. Thatcher. listen
ing 70 him talk for a few minutes one is
inclined to believe that the worlds road
builders can go to school to him He is
now coming from the south after two
years OF missionary work in Lou siana and
Alabama, which has resulted In new high
ways that have added millions OF dollars
to the value of farm and village property.
He Is now following the proposed line
northward 10 Manitoba, and goes from
Council Bluffs TO Sioux City. there's to
Sioux Fai,s. Mandan and Bismarck.
Thatcher Is at home before any audience
and Is just as eloquent and convincing
when dressed In full evening clothes as he
is when clothed in his cowboy resalia He
has been the guest Of governors legisla-
lures, commercial clubs and religious or
CARNATIONS, always procaiming the truth
according TO the gospel Of good roads.