The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-08-31
CIVIL WAR"


as a military road. At one stage Of
the Civil War, Knoxville was the
base of the army of the Cumberland
and this road was used for the trans
portation of army supplies on
pack trains and in wagons drawn
by mule teams. Therefore Uncle
Sam was compelled to repair and
put il in condition, required for
that purpose. Much work was done
by soldiers and civilians on thru
Big Hill and along the line to rem
der il passable. Over this road lat
or. Kirby smith moved his division
that brought IN the battle of Rich
mond described in a proceeding
chapter. ,,ver this road thousands
of fat hogs were driven to Knox
vile and beef were driven on foot TO
supply the army Of the Cumberlands.
So. the wilderness turnpike from
the time of its construction to the
present time has great historic
value for the writer. So much so,
that much Of that sentiment en-
bodied in the lines of The Old
Oaken Bucket thrills him as he
records these "reminiscences. He has
driven hogs over part of this will
derness road, when lad. He has
attended day school and Sabbath
school on the roadside when drove
after drove Of hogs, cattle and mules
were passing. not continuously but
at intervals during the fall months.
u was over this road that in 1853
he carried on horseback the only
mail from Richmond to London
when not a mile of macadamized
road had been made south of Rich
mond.
Was il possible for horses, cattle,
mules, etc, to travel over such d
dirt road? Was il possible TO draw
those prairie schoOn"rS with their
train of four ton cargoes of freight
over the Big Hill? II was, as the
writer can truly affirm.
II must be remembered that a
revenue sufficient for road repairs
was collected in tolls on the freight
and passenger traffic conducted
over this road.
Toll gates were erected at inter
walls along the line, constantly, at
least annually, removed from one
point TO another. The collection
Of toll was made by men, bidding
lowest for that coveted privilege.
hence the frequent removal OF
gates.
Aside from the importance OF this
as a trunk line numerous branches
were made to reach places not on
trunk line &. Williamsburg, Man
chester, Harlan, etc.
The Manchester road, known as
the Goose Greek road was opened
to the salt works on that creek, and
over il merchandise was hauled To
Manchester and way points and salt
for the Blue Grass was brought on
return trip.
The Constitution Of Kentucky
adopted in 1850 provided for the
opening Of county roads, by The
Militia System which has been fol-
lowed till recently. Our readers
may be led 10 inquire, What Of
it?' We answer, much Of il every
way" The progress OF a Iation or
community depends upon its fac
ilities for transportation. Ger
many's remarkable advantages over
the Allies hitherto, depended on her
network Of good roads, railways and
other.
Coming right home 10 our native
town, Berea, we remember when
there was no town. The ThOmp-
sons, Williams, HamiltOns, Squire
Elder and a few other families in
eluding Todds and Kirbys had set
tied on Brush Fork of Silver Greek
near the big Glade.
When Berea was placed on the.
map. only a tOrtuOus slippery dirt
road led from the wilderness road
thru Narrow Gap toward Lancaster.
A similar one led past Blue Lick
via Big Glade toward Paint Lick.
Other branches intersected and
crossed these roads near where
Berea now stands, but the place it.
self unknown in name, was isnla-
ted from the surrounding country
by reason of its roads. its tOpogra-
ply and environment.
Here we leave the Imagination of
the intelligent adult, TO develop in
mind the evolution of society, edu-
cation, material prosperity and
what may now be seen. heard and
felt in the home of the writer's fam
lily, friends and relatives-the
birthplace and home of Kentucky's
best family newspaper,-The Citi-
zen