The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-09-14
wayne COUNTY
IS PRAISED FOR
GOOD ROAD WORK
Mrs. Caleb S. Denny, Pioneer
in Old Trails Effort, Tells
of Progress.
BY MRS. CALEB S. DENNY
In the INDIANAPOLIS Starl

Tin the indianapolis STAR
The National Society of the Daugh-
tiers Of the American Revolution was
one Of the first potent forces to advo-
cate complete restoration of the old
trails across the continent. AS a
member Of the society, I was early ap
pointed by the state and national or
CARNATIONS to take part in the Indi.
ana branch Of the work.
AT first we tried to insure the mark
ing of the National road from the
Ohio to the Illinois line. We later en-
deavored to have the north and south
feeder lines to the National road
marked.
number of old trails running from
the southern part of the state were
marked in few counties, and my
committee succeeded in securing an
agitation OF the question Of improving
all OF these branch trails as perman-
ent state and county roads. Mrs.
Eliza Harrington Brigham Of this city
accompanied me to a number of coun-
ties in the work of presenting the
matter to public officials and chapters
of the Daughters of the American Rev
olution. But our main efforts were
directed toward the marking and res
toration Of the main artery-the old
National road, passing through Rich
mond, Cambridge City, Greenfield, In
dianapolis, Bridgeport. Brazil and
Terre Haute. | visited all these cities,
as well as numerous smaller interven-
ing towns, and presented the matter
Of marking, restoration and perman-
ent improvement Of the grand old
highway, to the people. l met with
considerable encouragement from the
officials at Richmond, Brazil and few
other points.
Progress of Work
Public meetings were held in Wayne
and Clay counties, and the work Of
improvement proceeded at few
points along the line. At Brazil, men,
women and school children turned out
some furnishing teams, and consider
Aable work was done on the road
through Clay county. OF course this
was not Improvement of permanent
character, but was a forerunner of
what we now see coming, as evidenc-
ed by the section of splendid concrete
work just completed, east of Indianap-
oils. We should all rejoice with and
give full credit to our Marion county
commissioners for the lead they have
taken in commencing this great work
OF providing an ocean to ocean high
way. Not little credit is due to Mrs.
Paul Comstock of Richmond, and Miss
Alice Warren of Terre Haute, for the
work they did in creating sentiment
in favor Of getting the kind of restora-
ton of the road that has now been
commenced in Marion county.
The members of the Indianapolis
chapters Of our society did the work
of designating the road as part of
the Old Trails line of early-day COM
munication across the continent, one
taking the east section and the other
the west. The Corneia Fairbanks
Chapter placed a beautiful permanent
marker ~ East Washington street at
the mouth of the Madison and Brook
vile road, and the Caroline Scott Har-
rison Chapter one on West Washing
ton street, in the State House yard,
in the form of fountain, with appro-
pirate inscriptions. concentrating
the Old Trail, of which Washington
street formed part.
Source of Inspiration
Our society got much inspiration
from Judge Lowe of Kansas City. who
headed the National Old Trails Road
Association from the start. He fire.
quently visited indianapolis. We met
and collaborated with his association
and with the Indiana Good Roads AS |
ISOLATION. l had the pleasure of ad- |
dressing conventions Of these asso-
Citations on several occasions, speak
ing as a representative of the daugh- !
ters of the national and state societies |
OF the ID. A. X.
While the stencil markers on the |
telegraph poles, much of which the |
women did with their own hands, have |
faded they nevertheless feel amply |
repaid for their labor. in contemplate |
ing that this largely sentimental work |
they did, by way Of education and agi |
tation, is now bearing fruit of more |
substantial character. Many mem
bers of our society some Of them |
farmers wives-along the line Of the