The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1915-04-20
washington HIGHWAY
col. THATCHER IN SOUTH DA-
EOTA LOOKING AFTER BIG
ROAD ENTERPRISE.

Memorial Highway route between
Sioux City and Chicago in less than
two years, yesterday declared Col
Charles w. Thatcher of Washington,
ID. c., engineer and prime mover in
the transcontinental highway prof
ect. He spent several hours in Sioux
City en- route from Vermillion. S. D.,
TO Chamberlain, S. D., where he will
speak Tuesday at a highway meeting.
Col. Thatcher asserted that he was
meeting success throughout the sec
tion where he has been working since
last fall. Especially in South Dakota
counties he declared he had been get
ting results by working with farmers
and business men.
During this year and next year
Col. Thatcher said that he expected
to put in a good deal of time in Iowa
and Illinois. He stated that he will
work for a paved road between this
city and Chicago. and that his efforts
will be concentrated upon that end.
The Washington road is not being
boosted as a competitor of the Lin
coin highway, he said. The country
requires several highways across the
continent, he added, and the traffic
even at present demands them. With
several roads persons who go east on
one could return on another, he
pointed out.
Interest Here Gratifes
Il understand the Sioux City Com
mercial'club expects to send a delega-
ton TO Fairfax, s. D.. May 5, for a
II Iawun onnurnuc xUn nra unfnU IN hold
there" Col. Thatcher said. II am
glad that the business men in this
city realize how much good the road
will do them once it is completed and
in operation. Their visit TO Fairfax
will get them acquainted with hun
dreds OF men who send cattle to Sioux
City and who transact a good deal of
business with men in this city"
Round corners are being made on
the highway, Col. Thatcher said. He
stated that the road was the first to
apply this idea. BY rounding all
corners so that an automobile can
make the turns at forty miles an
hour the traveller will be able to save
two days in making the trip. Col.
Thatcher said. Telephone poles on
the proposed road are being put back
on the fence lines, he said. On more
than 100 miles of road between Sioux
City and Chamberlain the poles have
been set back, he declared.
Barbecues have been planned for
Vermillion and Avon, S. D., this sum
mer. The one at Vermillion will be
held June 5 and the m at Avon
May Is. Four hogs and three steers
will be roasted at both places. Col.
Thatcher announced. He said he
had been selected to have charge of
the celebrations.
Course of New Route
The Washington road will enter
Sioux City on the west from Elk
Point, s. ID. From here Ii will run
to Leeds and there will join the
Hawkeye Highway at Storm Lake.
From there the road will 20 to Fort
Dodge, across the Mississippi river at
Dubuque and then to Chicago and
east to Washington. From Elk Point
the highway will run to Yankton.
through Wagner to Lake Andes, and
will branch off to the Yellowstone
park by way of Platte and Chamber
lain. The main route will cross the
Missouri river at Fort Randall and
from there will go west to the Pa
ciic coast.
The South Dakota Legislature at its
last session voted to urge congress to
build a government bridge across the
Missouri river at Fort Randall, Col.
Thatcher said. He declared that
United States Senator L. S. Johnson
of Yankton, s. d.. has declared he
will do all in his power to have a
bridge built at this point. For the
present a pontoon bridge will be
used.
Col. Thatcher will depart this
morning for Chamberlain. Tuesday
the Minneapolis. Sioux Falls, Mitch
ell and Chamberlain branches of the
Chicago, Black Hills and Yellowstone
park division of the highway will
hold a congress at Chamberlain.
Plans will be perfected to complete
the road this season. Delegates from
every town or the route have been
invited. Col. Thatcher will be the
chief speaker. Other road boosters
who will speak are William William
son. circuit judge of Lyman county.
S. D.; Father Green. president of Co
lumbus college, Chamberlain, S. D.;
Rev. l.. Il. Garfield. president of
Ward academy. near Platte. s. d.,
and Hon. f. G. Issenhuth, chairman
of the state highway commission of
South Dakota.