The Harrison times., 1917-01-20
SAYS BETTER ROADS NEEDED.
Editor Times:

many attraction 10 &c fo~..L In the
Ozark Range of Arkansas, especially Z,
in Newton county, had desire to /
see that country m,setf; SO a few
weeks ago | went to yoSr town, that ]
being the gateway and center OF sup.
ply for large territory, Aalso the
nearest railroad point for shat terri
tory. From there took passage on
the overland stage that makes daily
trips between Harrison and the little
town of Jasper, which by the way IS
quite an in .e.est,ng little city, being
the county seat OF Newton county, and
has many attractions al her own, Il
has a population Of about three hun
dred. many pleasant homes, splen-
did court house, a new, modern school !
building, and is well supplied with |
churches. II also has good hotels !
where the wants of the stranger are
well attended to, and in a way that |
makes one feel as though he was at
home with friends.
The trip from Harrison to Jasper is
somewhat tiresome, and little jolly, |
yet not uninteresting to the stranger
making his first trip into the hills and
dells of that wonderland. The seen
cry that greets you on every turn, is
wild and interesting. While you gaze
with admiration at the beautiful noun
tains that seem to be piled one upon
! the other like the waves of the sea, in
every direction, all at once you re-
member the things that you had been
told about the great wealth that lies
buried in the Ozarks, made famous
long ago by old Indian traditions, even
in the time OF Columbus. The Indians
tried in their child-like way, to tell
him about the vast country that Law
far towards the setting sun and Of the
wonderful healing waters there, and
precious stones to be found there. The
thought comes to one that nowhere in
natures wilds could you find a more
perfect hiding place for precious treas
ures than there is in the Ozark Hills
of Arkansas.
We find here many attractions that
appeal to the stranger as being worthy
of more than passing note and also
worthy of close investigat Cr. We're
these conditions known and Under
stood by the ever swelling tide Of im-
migration that is seeking homes and
! good investment they would quickly
set their sails for these parts. On the
wayside, even on the surface of the
earth you see abundant evidence that
they have several kinds of the baser
minerals in large quantities. The one
great need for the quick and sure de-
velopment of this section of the coun-
try and Newton county in particular,
is easy connection with the outside
world. And since Newton county is
not touched by any line of railroad it
seems to me the first and most import
ant thing to be done to meet the pres.
ent needs of the people there and to
insure the rapid development of that
section Of the country would be the
establishment of a good wagon road
between Harrison and Jasper, the two
county seat towns, the distance being
about twenty-five miles This road
should be established by survey, and
put on an easy grade. Part Of II
would be over hills and across hol-
lows but this trouble is lessened by
the fact that there is an abundance
Of all material for bridges and fills just
where needed along the way.
AS these two towns are equally in.
terested in the building of good roads
giving them quick and easy connec-
ton, thus opening the door to the
many that are anxious to cast their
lot with them, this matter should not
be delayed. Siffte good roads are of
vital Importance to every citizen, it
would be easy in the absence of means
at the disposal of the proper officials
to do this work, to secure it by pOpu
lar subscription, since it would be
spent at home, among the people, and
for the benefit Of those who tax them.
selves to build it. Now it seems to
me that tho practical way to get at
this work would be to have two or
three citizens of each Of these towns
take the lead in this move, and bring
the importance Of this matter to the
attention Of the people in their re.
spectiye communities. This is an age
of progress and development, and
what Is done must not only be done
scientifically, but with the will and
cooperation Of the whole people in.
terested, because all will share in the
benefits to be derived. AS an expla.