Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1915-11-18
HICKORY NUT GAP ROAD MAS
FORMALLY OPENED SATURDAY.,

144OAO4 I4NOL
Gap road.
Speaking for Henderson, county,
Mayor g. Brooks declared that he
could promise the whole-hearted sup
port Of the people of this county to-
wards the work of maintaining the
highway in the best condition. He
added that of one thing he was sure,
fand that was that Henderson county
Fss beea thoroughly saturated with
the good roads idea.
State Senator Jim Carson, of Ruth
erford county, who was largely instru-
mental in securing legislation favora-
bic to the S of state eonEicts on the
highway, declared that as the farmers
of Rutherford county can raise vegeta-
bic truck from three to four weeks
earlier than other western counties.
and their principal market was IL
Asheyi11e and Buncombe county, the
construction of the highway would be
OF great benefit to them.
Speaking for the citizens of Bear
Nallow, EdneyviIle and other towns
nearby, Bob Freeman declared thai
there was no one who would appre-
ciate the road more sincerely than the
citizens named. He pointed out that ii
would have been impossible for SUCH
"a thinly settled section Of Henderson
county to; have built the road them
selves.
Introduced as the man who said tine
highway could v be builts Jake
LYDIA, was asked to explain his state
ments in view of the very evident fact
that the highway will be completed in
a few weeks. Mr.. LYDIA stated hat ii
vas true that he had remarked at d
meeting held down at the mill that il
would take $40, 600 to blow the rock
out along the road alone but in view
of the statement by Governor Craig
that the construction of the highway
had cost in the neighborhood OF
fifty thousand dollars, his own stateS
ment of the cost of dynamiting was
perhaps too high after all. The speak
er stated that inspite of his pessimistic
remark, he had worked for the ecu
ing of a $1,000 bond issue by Edney
vile, and with the efforts of other c.ti-
zens had managed to secure that sum
to aid in the construction of the road
by a margin of twelve votes.
Declaring that this particular Sec
ton Of the highway was formerly the
worst section of road to be found any
where, Sol Gallert declared that the
citizens of Rutherford and Buncombe
county had been formerly compelled to
pay turnpike tolls" over it and had
probably expended in the neighborhood
OF $500. 600 in the eternal damnation CT
their souls through cursing at being
stIck axle deep in the mud, broken
poles, and having to lead their horses
up a wretched road they were paying.
for the privilege of driving over.
Following the speaking the hun
dreds attending the celebration were
entertained at a picnic lunch served
BY the residents; of the Hickory Nut
Gap highway. Probably one hundred
automobiles were use by the various
delegations and guests attending the
meeting.
Sol EAllert, representing Ruther-
fordton and Rutherford county, said:
"I look to see the time very soon whe
these hills will be the playground OF
America. The road lined with homes
Of summer visitors and the hills and
valleys dotted with the homes Of our
mountain people.
Rutherford county stands ready to
do its part In the work of maintenance
as Don as the highway is completed.
The credit for the building the road
belongs largely to the legislature of
1913, the glory Of its construction to
Governor Locke Craig"
Speaking yesterday at Bear Wallow
f1t connection with the celebration OF
the construction of the Hickory Nut
Gap highway, Governor Locke Craig
In an address delivered to more than
400 good roads enthusiasts declared
that although this, the first road to be
built in North Carolina to be built by
convicts, had been uilt at a
cost Of probably $50.000L it would have
been money well spent If it had cost
times that amount.
Governor Craig congratulated the
of this community and Western
North Carolina on what has been done
Tor the entire state and for the COM
aunities beyond the state for the PEG,
pic of other communities of other
states who come here over these good
to enjoy the splendid climate
Ind these wonderful mountains. He
said that this road or highway had
,een up at Raleigh in nearly every
Meeting of every legislature that had /
)een held there since he had been
governor, and referred to SEN
tor Zeb Weaver introducing the bill
providing for the convicts on this
cad.
Joseph Hyde Pratt.
Following the calling of the meeting
ogether by c. Oates, chairman of the
Hickory Nut Gap highway committee,
be object of the meeting was stated
= Joseph Hyde Pratt, state geoIogist,
THO spoke in part as follows: I've
re here for the purpose of celebrate
1g the construction of the Hickory |
Tut Gap highway the first section of
Dad in the state to be built with state
id. 1t is a seven-mile section of a G
eat highway leading from Asheville 2
, Charlotte. The upkeep and main
nance of this section of the highway
as been provided for by an act of the y
'~gislature, which apportions the ex-
ense to the three counties of Bum
ombe, Henderson and Rutherford. a
the completed road is turned c