Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-05-13
Road Supervisor Hendricks Resigns.

Road Supervisor Hendricks Resigns.
James M. Hendricks, who has been
road supervisor for Shepherdstown dis
trict for about so years, has rendered his
resignation to the county court, and that
body has reluctantly accepted the same.
The retirement Of Mr.. Hendricks is a
source of much regret, for he has long
been recognized as one OF the very best
road men in the county. He has for sew
eral years been DESTROYS Of giving up this
work, as he is no longer young, but was
prevailed upon TO keep on with his duties
as long as possible. Having done his
full duty, he has finally concluded to take
rest. Mr.. Hendricks may be called the
father of good roads in Jefferson county,
for it is owingt to his wisdom and unselfish
exertions that this county now occupies
the proud position OF having the best roads
in the State. Many years ago he began
the work of matchmaking the dirt roads
of Shepherdstown district, and was the
first man in this section to purchase and
use a stone crusher and other modern
equipment for road-making. He has
lived to see every main road in his dis
trict macadamized, and practically all the
cross roads have been improved in the
same way. Within the memory OF the
present generation good roads were the
exception-now il is hard to find piece
of road, even in the remote parts OF the
district, that is not in excellent condition.
This is all due to Mr.. Hendricks and the
faithful and competent men who have
been his assistants. The work that he
did was an inspiration TO the other road
supervisors OF the county, and they fol-
lowed his example and adopted his meth
DDS until every district has benefited. 1t
is conceded that Jefferson county has the
best roads, taken as whole, in all this
section, and this has been brought about
without issue ofbonds or extravagant ex-
penditures-and not a toll-gate in the
county. Mr.. Hendricks has done more
TO bring this about than any other man,
and these good roads are a monument to
his ability and faithfulness OF which he
has right TO be proud.
The court has not yet appointed his
successor, as it is moi easy to find man
who will fill his shoes. II is proposed to
have one man take charge OF the three
sub districts of Shepherdstown district
and work all the roads, if satisfactory
supervisor can be found who will under
take the work on this basis. 1t has been
suggested, also, thai standard for i'm
proving the county roads be set by the
county court, so that the supervisors all
over the county may work under the
same general plan, instead ofeach follow
ing his own individual ideas. II is be-
lieved by many that as the roads are now
in generally good order, steps looking to-
ward still greater Improvement should be
adopted. The old style OF putting crush
ed stone in the middle Of the road and
waiting months until they are settled and
worn smooth is no longer in favor. 1t is
desired to have system by which the
roads may be comfortably used as soon
as the work is done-by giving them a
top dressing of dirt or Of screenings that
will cause them to pack at once and make
them fit to travel upon. A standard
method OF dtching is also necessity if
the best results are to be secured. We
hope that our county court will be wise
not only in giving us worthy successor
to Mr.. Hendricks, but that advanced
methods generally may be used to bring
about continued improvement to the public
roads.