The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-07-27
Highway DECISION
CAUSES SURPRISE
JEFFERSON HIGHWAY COMMITS
SION CHOOSE THE LITTLE
FALLS-STAPLES ROUTE
BLACK EYE FOR minnesota
PEOPLE ALL OVER STATE INDIG-
NANT OVER SELECTION
NEW ROUTES PLANNED

The jefferson Highway location has
been definitely settled, and as result
the highway will be routed through
one of the most desolate regions of
Minnesota, a portion of the way at
least
Word was sent out that General
Manager Clarkson and other members
Of the association would hold a meet
ing at the St. Paul hotel Monday
morning at o'clock at which time the
decision would be made. About 30
friends of the contending routes were
on hand, including James A. Caugh-
rem of Sank Centre.
No speeches were made for any Of
the various routes, Manager Clarkson
announcing that the committee had
decided in favor of the Central route,
meaning the one through Little Falls
and Staples.
Certain it is that tourists passing
through Minneota over the route Sc
lected will gather very unfavorable
opinion of Minnesota, because poor
er section of the state for many miles
could not have been selected if the
Jefferson Highway people had set out
for this purpose. The highway itself
is atrocious for many miles and there
are no good road-making materials at
hand to construct suitable and per-
manent roadbed. A former state Off
cial called at the Herald office one
day last week returning from the
Northern part of the state. Upon be-
ing asked when he passed going up,
he said, ooh, / drove up over that
damnable Little Falls-Staples route,
but never again" In few forcible
words he has expressed the universal
verdict of those who are unfortunate
enough to be inveigled to take the
Little Falls route.
The Sank Centre people were pre-
pared to hear that the Eastern or Mil
lie Laos route might be selected. If it
had there would have been no protest,
because they were the real contenders
with the Western and Sank Centre
Long Prairie routes. Northumberland
ing the decision of the Jefferson High
way managers it is generally admitted
by those who are familiar with the
situation that the best continuous
stretch of highway in the Northwest
is from St. Cloud to Bemidji, through
Melrose, Sank Centre and Long Prair-
lie.
There are certain rather stiff condi-
tions that the towns along the route
selected must live up to. Among other
things these towns must turn over to
the Jefferson Highway commission
within 2 years, sum of not less than
$4,000. These are the conditions:
d.. /. Each county organize committee
of at least seven members within 60
DAVIS to cooperate with the Jefferson
Highway commission and work under
their direction.
2. There NUT be raised by each
county an amount equal to SO per mile
one-half of which must be paid to the
commission within thirty days and the
balance in 60 days.
8. The counties must support the
Declaration which is the official organ
and publication.
a. Counties must build 365 day
road and maintain it.
5. A fund of not less than $4,000
must be raised within two years by
popular subscription and the member
ships will be from $500 to $1,000.
Towns along the way stand or fall
as a unit; should one fail to meet its
obligations notice was served at the
meeting of directors and members OF
the official party making the st. Jo-
seph to Winnipeg tour, that different
route will be selected.
In that event one-half of the mile
age assessment will be refunded if the
way is changed within two years.
The official commission are now go
ing over the route selected and it IS
claimed they will return through
Stearns county coming by way of Au-
dobon, Detroit, Alexandria, Osakis,
Sank Centre, Melrose and ST. Cloud.
That. the citizens along the other
routes will not stand to see their Sec
ton of the state ignored is apparent.
A meeting has been called for at De-
troit, Mimi, Friday afternoon, Aug.
a, and no doubt representatives from
this city will be present.
There is also plan to organize an
official highway from Wadena to ST.
Cloud via Long Prairie and Sank Cen
t1e. To this end a mass meeting of
the citizens of Sank Centre will be
held at the Commercial Club rooms,
Sauk Centre, TOMORROW (Fnday) |
might. Large delegations will be pre-