Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1911-08-24
ROAD TALK RECALLS FAMOUS OLD ROAD.
some Interesting Facts About Stale High
way Built Before the War,

Southwest Times.
The building of the contemplated road
from Bristol to Washington naturally
brings to mind some interesting bits of
history connected with the old Balti-
more road as it concerns local traditions.
A part of this road at least will become
the new road, if it is established.
The old Baltimore highway for stage
and freight traffic from Southwest Vir-
ginia ran from Knoxville to Baltimore.
1t passed Old Harmony church and Gal
brath in Pulaski county at the intersec-
ton of the Greenbrier road. The Green
brier road ran via Hillsville to Salem.
now Winston-Salem, N. C.
Gailbraith tavern was a popular stop
ping point for President Andrew Jack
son, "Old Hickory" aud David Crock
EFT, the motto of whom was: BE sure
you re right and then go ahead" On
their Journeying to and from Tennessee
to Washington it was their delight to
spend several days at this tavern and
enjoy the favorite dish-New River cat
fish.
The Baltimore road crossed New Riv-
er at lngles' bridge, on the line between
Pulaski and Montgomery counties. and
about seven miles from Newbern. The
original Ingles' bridge was nearing
completion in 1910 when it was swept
away by one of the greatest floods
known. With the bridge vent the shin
giles which were to cover it and which
were packed on the structure. The
piers were all that was left to Indicate
that bridge had been built.
MIR. Ingles at once set about to re-
place the bridge. He duplicated the
order for material, and raised the piers
six feet higher. The lumber for both
bridges was furnished by William and
James d. Calfee and Henry Honaker.
senior.
The lumber for the first bridge was
cut on Big Reed Island; for the second
on Peaks Creek about five miles west
of Pulaski.
The lngies bridge was acquired by
the State during the building of the
Macadam road, in the early SOS. 1t
was burned by Gen. McCausland on
May 10, 1864, the day after the battle
of Cloyd's Farm. Among those who
saw the bridge burn were three sons of
William Calfee, James, John A. and G.
A Calfee, who were members of the
brigade. William Calfee was the father
OF Mr.. G. A. Calfee, of this place. and
M. Il. Calfee, of Washington. James
ID. Cslfee, of Pines. Henry Honaker.
ST., owned and resided on the farm in
Diapers Valley, now owned by Mr.. s.
P. Honaker
The Peppers Ferry road formed a
connection loop for the Baltimore road
and extended from Wytheville to La
Fayette, in Montgomery county. run
nink this distance parallel and north of
the Baltimore road. 1t passed through
Max Meadows down the north side of
the New Pulaski gravity supply reser-
volr, along Valley street and north Fifth
street, intersecting Giles road on Back
Greek at Cloyd's Farm battle field,
crossing New River at Peppers Ferry.
Thence the road continued eastward be-
tween Blacksburg and Christiansburg.
traversed the section along the north
Cork of the Roanoke river and finally
interesting the Baltimore road at La
Fayette.
The bridge at Peppers Ferry was
built by Major ]. R. Kent prior to 1910,
for like the Ingles' bridge, it was swept
away by the same flood, but was never
rebuilt. 1t was located near the horse
shoe. The legend, as passed down, has
it that Major Kent saved the bridge for
quite while by diverting the course of
the drift wood. Finally there came
along huge tree with monster roots
projecting and with the swift tide easily
carried the bridge with it.
The Baltimore road crossed the James
River at Buchanan. The bridge at that
point was burned by Gen. McCausland
IN June, 1864, to delay the advance of
the Federal forces on Lynchburg. From
thence on the history of the road be-
comes current with another section and
Is left for others t0 rolata