The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1919-05-16
GOOD ROADS FOR
FLOYD COUNTY

With an earnest desire for improved
conditions and betterment for the peo-
pie of the mountains. these reflections
upon the subject of improved roads
are submitted;
That good roads are a valuable as
set, and prime necessity, many in
telligent men will admit
That there is not mile of good road
in Floyd county is equally true.
That very little money and less
labor, has been expended in building
or repairing roads is known to all per-
sons, who reside in the county.
What can be done to remedy the
defect?
Under the laws of the State of Ken
lucky, a system of Inter County Seat
roads is provided for under certain
conditions. That means we can build
one road leading towards Paintsville,
one toward Pikeville, one toward
Hindman, one toward Salyersville, and
one toward IneZ, and on these roads
(no other the State will pay 25 per
cent of the cost and the county rs per
cent. The United States Government
will lend it's aid in constructing such
parts of these roads as come. within
the construction of the law under
which the Government pays so per
cent of the cost of building. This ap-
plies to such roads. and such roads
only, as are denominated part of the
national highway system, and as APP
plies to the Sandy Valley. the part of
the national highway leading from
Ashland to Jenkins, Ky.
n l,o
any person desiring to do so, on reach
ing jenkins would find good road con-
nection from there down to the Sea-
board, or along the coast or mountain
trail to Washington, New York, and
on to New England in one direction,
in the other direction to New Orleans
and Miami, Florida, or on reaching
Ashland continuous good road connec-
ton coul,, be made to Chicago and the
Great Lake Region and across the con-
tinent to San Francisco. Then we
would have good road connection that
would enable our people to get out
among the people and others to come
among us.
In the Seventeenth Century Scotland
was a bleak and barren country, her
people divided into clans, and engaged
in feuds of deadly hate. Then began
system of good road building and 915
miles of good roads were constructed;
the people began to engage in business
pursuits which carried them into other
countries and enabled outside people
to come among them feuds were
clans dissolved and today
her people are happy and prosperous
at hnyna op1 racnaota1 obrna1
1t is infinitely better to have one
good highway through the county than
not to have any, and the arguments
advanced against building the main
until all other county |
roads are built or improved, can serve
only one purpose and that is to defeat |
any road construction. The distance |
from the johnson county line to Pike |
county line is about twenty three miles |
and would cost in round numbers !
5000, 100000. Three hundred thousand
Of which would be paid by the United |
States Government; one hundred and |
fifty thousand dollars by the State OF !,
Kentucky; and the remaining one hun
1red and fifty thousand dollars by |
Floyd county--which would be seven |
thousand five hundred dollars per year |
'or period of twenty years. or course,
we would have to pay some interest on
he bonds. but the benefit OF the road |
md it's use would more than offset this |
tenn. II Floyd county was buildl
wenty-th three miles of road along any
'oad not included in the line of ma
ional highway, or inter county seat
'oads. the county would have to pay |
uh la oh cfx a,,d a al
ars.
So, let us all pull together and get
me good line of road. and as time
,oes by as many others as we can;
md get out OF ruts, mud and mire
hat has characterized our thorough
are.
Very truly yours.
WALTER s. HARKINS.