The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-07-26
GOOD ROADS
ENHANCE THE
LAND VALUE
FIRM BELIEVER IN BENEFITS
ARISING FROM GOOD ROADS -
STRONG SUPPORTER OF SIDNEY
SUGGS.

/ derived by the people generally than
the building and keeping in order
I good roads a residence here for
the past year has fully demonstrated
the fact that they not only increase
the value Of lands lying along and
/ adjacent thereto, but build UP the
cities and towns to which they lead.
This town is situated 30 miles south
/ Of Houston, and at the end of the
shell road out from that city to the
/ Harris county line and ! am living
within one hundred yards OF the end
Of the shell road, where the sand
/ and bad roads commence, or meet.
Hundreds of automobiles pass daily,
going and coming, and ! have heard
the expressions of joy and relief from
| the occupants Of many Of these cars,
/ such as. Now We have a coed road -
Thank Heaven, We can travel now"
"Oh, isn't this niece; Let her co.;
We are in Harris county; good roads
all the way" and the ladies would
wear smile, adjust their wrappings,
the children cry out with joy and
the men folks light a fresh cigar
wearing a look upon their faces o. per-
feet contentment having passed the
sands, ruts, and bogs Of unworked
country roads.
In the fall Of 1853 l was travelling
from Austin, bound for Houston, with
a planter who was taking eleven like
! ly negroes to the latter place to sell.
We had two wagons and an ambu-
lance. We stopped at Hampstead a
day, leaving that place, it took two
days hard travel, over frightful roads
to make the trip to Houston-jO
miles. Hockey miles south, was
then the terminus of the Central rail
| road. Autos now make the trip in
about two hours. The extension of
| the railroad all over Texas and Okla
homa, to the north, east and west,
has undoubtedly accomplished much
toward building our cities and en-
/ hancing the values Of our land, but
in my opinion, good roads will do as
much if not more, in the not far dis
tant future. Notwithstanding, Hous-
ton, the growth of which is phenom-
enal, with its ship channel and its IS
lines Of railroads, will be greatly
benefited by its good roads, which en-
ables the farmer to reach it with little
trouble and in quick time, to market
his produce. Thousands Of people
90 to Houston in autos every day from
the surrounding country, within a ra-
dius of from % to 70 miles, do their
shopping and return home at night,
but if the roads we're not good, their
visits would be few and far between.
There are 90 miles of good roads
from my present abode to Galveston,
and l notice cars passing every day
from all parts, Nebraska, Missouri,
! Colorado. and other states, frequently
cars from Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Enid,
Sayre, and other towns in that grand
new state Of Oklahoma. Many Of
the people from your state | have
talked with. and nearly all say: of
we only had roads in Oklahoma like
these in Harris county, we would be
/ blessed"
Good roads will build ~ any live,
progressive town or city, and, al
! though ! am not a kid in age by a
long jump, expect 70 see Ardmore
and Carter county take more interest
in the building of good roads than
ever. While speaking of Ardmore,
/ cannot but think of my friend Sid
ney Suges, who occupied the position
of highway commissioner. and who
thought. spoke and dreamed OF moth
ing else, (eNcept possibly his wife
and The Ardmoreitel, but good roads,
and to him and his good work keep
ing constantly at it, as everybody
knows. he laid the foundation for
good roads in Oklahoma and was
sorry the governor saw fit to appoint
another in his place. He was faith
ful worker for good roads. and the
day will come when the efforts and
work accomplished by him will be
appreciated as it should be.
If the same spirit that Sidney Suggs
displayed in tryin. to interest the
people to build good roads is con
tinued by the citizenship OF Ardmore
and Carter county. Ardmore will soon
occupy considerably more space on
the map than she does now, and be
come one of the leading cities of the
southwest Men of brains. vim, and
money. like Ringing. are wanted tC
take the lead and the people will fol
low.
|, Hurrah for Ardmore and good
roads. ]. W. GOLLEDGE