The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-01-09
BOOSTING INTERSTATE
Auto Trail Through Leon May Become
Part of the Great OCean-to
Ocean Rock Auto Hiuhway.

The Interstate Auto Trail, which
passes through Leon may become
part of the great Ocean to Ocean
Highway, which is now being agi-
tated, and a temporary organization
has already been formed with head
quarters at Indianapolis, Indiana,
which is hard at work perfecting the
plans for a rock highway from New
York City to San Francisco, and al
ready a large sum Of money has
been pledged for the proposed road,
which it is estimated will cost $1O,-
100000, and one man, F. A. Sieber-
ling, president of the Goodyear Tire
and Rubber Co., of Akron, Ohio, has
telegraphed subscription of $780,
600. 1t is proposed to have the
manufacturers Of autos donate one
per cent of their gross receipts for
the year 1918, and this alone will
raise tremendous big fund. The
state of Colorado, has already pledg-
ed to build rock highway across
the entire state OF Colorado, with
out one dollar Of assistance, and
what Colorado has already pledged
will be duplicated by some of the
other states. The proposed high
way would pass through twenty
states, and the advantage of a mud
less, dustless public highway across
the continent can hardly be estimat-
ed And the building of this great
highway is no pipe dream. The men
who are at the head Of the project
rank among the greatest financiers
and successful businessmen and
builders in America. They have
started in with the intention OF
building this highway and having it
completed by 1915. Aside from the
contributions from auto manufact,lr-
ers it is expected that great many
OF the 100000 auto owners in the
United States will contribute to the
enterprise.
And as above stated it looks as
if the Interstate Trail, which runs
through Leon, would be made a part
of this great highway, as those in
charge in making their preliminary
selection OF a. route, have included
the Interstate from DeB Moines to
Kansas City. The proposed highway
will enter Iowa at Davenport over
the Riyer-tO- River read, using 1t as
far as Des 1Ioines, then striking
south to ST. Joe and Kansas City,
over the Interstate. II this route
gfss finally selected sit nieans that
thousands of dollars Will be spent on
N, and more than likely government
aid VIII be secured, especially as 1t
would be the means OF onnecting
Ft Des Moines, with the govern
ment fort at LeayenW orth, Kansas,
and would be used in transporting
troops from one fort to the other.
Robert n Carson, Of Iowa City,
,tof q
good roads booster. who has done
more than his share in making the
River-to-River Road famous, recent
~ issued six page pamphlet show
ing the transcontinental route. and
in the pamphlet the Interstate
Trail is used from Des Moines to
Kansas City. Mr. Carson is sending
tourists who are going west and
couple of weeks ago he routed
party of five gentlemen, II. j.. Legg,
Harvey Sloan, Frank Bowman and
w. j. Bowman, of Minneapolis, Min
nesota, and George Brown, of Mil
waukee, Wisconsin, who were start
ing on the long trip to Sam Fran
cisco, driving a big National touring
car over the Interstate Trail.
These gentlemen had dined but
few days before with a. L. West
gard, the famous driver who has
made several trips across the contl-
nent in his auto. and w. S. Gill
breath, of Indianapolis, Indiana
secretary of the Ocean to Ocean
Highway temporary committee, and
they advised them to travel over the
Interstate Trail The gentlemen
passed through Leon on Sunday.
Dec. 22nd, and followed the Inter-
State Trail to Kansas City. On their
arrival at Kansas City they sent the
following letters to Mr.. Carson, ex-
pressing their approval of the Inter-
State and the letters speak for
themselves:
Iowa City, Iowa, Dec. 25, 1912
Mr.. w. A. Hopkins, president
Interstate Trail Assn,
Lamont. Iowa
Dear Mr.. Hopkins a few days
ago ] sent you word that a party of
automobile tourists were routed
your way to Kansas City.
Today ] received two messages
from this party and, as ! know you
will be pleased to hear them, here
they are:
for your tip on the Interstate
Trail. 1t was dandy 225 miles
per day, even this time OF year is
easy We are all for for the River.
to-Riyers Road to Des Moines and the
Interstate Trail from Des Moines
to Kansas City. A vote Of thanks
is rendered you from our party.
Sincerely,
ssW Pow man -
Dated. Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. 49,
Dear Mr.. Carson: Found your
trait to Kansas City all and more
than YOU claim for it. Yours,
Frank Bowman Z
Dated, Kansas City, Mo-, Dec. %, IL
Yours,
Robert N Carson.
Mr.. Carson forwarded copies OF
these letters to Mr.. w. A. Hopkins,
OF Lamont. president of the Inter
State Trail, at the same time ex-
! pressing his approval of this trail.
He also sent copies Of the letters to
Mr.. VIM! s. Gilbreath, secretary OF
the temporary committee Of the
f1roan - Ocean HiGhWay ABsOcia-