Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-09-24
GOOD ROADS UNANIMOUS
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE VISITS
VERNON COUNTY
Enthusiastic Meeting in County Seat
Section Claims Presented in
Strong Talks-Speeches and
ElOquence

publican county conventions, years
ago, has there been so large and an
mated a crowd of men gathered in
the court house as assembled last
Thursday, the occasion being a WISH
tation of the state legislative high
way visiting committee, consisting Of
Senators Clark and Kuckuk. Assem-
blymen Ruka, Chappell and Kabaski,
together with State Engineer Daugh-
nege and District Engineer Beto. The
function of the committee is to look
over prospective state trunk lines of
highway and make suggestions to the
state commission as to the location of
new routes and changes in those al
ready established. 1t seems that un-
der the apportioninent we of Vernon
are entitled to about thirty miles ad-
ditional trunk line this season. And
it was for the purpose of obtaining
this that the elements gathered from
every corner of the county, the big
contention being for a line to con-
meet up the trunk line between Union
Center or Wonewoc, through Hills
boro to some point, most likely Cash
ton, connecting with the best shoot to
La Crosse.
1t was a free-for-all presentation
of locations and conditions. After
Chairman Clark invited discussion ".
A.Stoddard first presented a line from
Hillsboro to Ontario and Cashton,
leading over ''Wild Cat" mountain
east of Ontario Chairman EARL of
Whitestown seconded Mr.. Stoddard,
as did Jake Starner, the latter giving
an outline of what might be accom-
plished by going Billings Creek and
Rockton way
President Aug. Kriigle and Banker
Lathrop presented a line by way of
LaFarge, west on Otter Creek, then
directly north through Clinton and
Webster to Cashton. Chairman Do
len of the county board, also believed
that was a feasible route. Mr.. .Daugh-
nege called attention to the fact that
il was five miles greater distance that
way, that a practical direct line was
desirable from Madison to Lacrosse.
Reverend Father Cremer of Genoa,
made a hit with the big gathering in
an eloquent talk for road betterment,
coupling the thought that we can as
well have scenic and historical routes
through Wisconsin. He spoke fer
vently for a line along the beautiful,
scenic Mississippi river, leading di-
reetly to the spot where the first
Americans of this country retired as
people and made their last fight for
existence; referring to Blackhawk and
his last fight at the head of his war
riors on what is known as Battle
Island" near Victory village. Bank
err LOTUS of DeSoto, seconded the sug-
gestions of Father Cremer, and also
made plea for a trunk line connec-
ton from De Soto on the Black River
road A banker of Lansing, Mr.. Boz
eakh, wanted the Imperial highway
of Iowa connected with Wisconsin's
great system, the ferry between Lam
sing and De Soto accomplishing that
purpose. He said Wisconsin people
little appreciated their roads or the
fertility and desirable conditions they
possess.
Captain A. II. Smith of Merrill,
who has taken over the Cholvin farm
in Forest town, spoke for connect
ion that would do the most good to
the greatest number of people along
the north border of the county.
c w. Graves quoted from the new
| highway law asserted that he repre-
scented the people of Viroqua and
Westby in protesting against a change
in routes No. IL and 81.
Engineer Donaghey spoke last, say
| ing that Vernon county now has the
best class Of clay roads of any coun-
ty in this state, but they are not good
in the spring, fall and winter, and a
365-day road is desirable. He urged
people to get behind the county board
in laying out county trunk lines, max
ing them feeders to the state and fed
eral trunks This he said can be done
only by bonding for large amounts.
| The meeting, an enthusiastic one
| accomplished no direct action, but
served to acquaint the legislative com
mittee with conditions and a know
ledge that Vernon county people are
alive to the good roads movement
The committee made personal inspect
ion of the proposed routes from Hills
boro west, also covered to Mississippi
proposed route. Rain prevented a
more extended survey of the county
as whole.
Scarcely a neighborhood in the
county but was represented at the
meeting by delegations. Hillsboro, as
usual, was at the fore, every one OF
their numerous membership being tag.
ged by bright red card labeled
"Hillsboro."
BY THE WAY
/ Chairman EARL of Whitestown
drew the laugh when in his talk be
fore the good roads meeting said that
wild cat" hill was not better because
There were so many "autos and Fords'
constantly on it that they had not op
portunity to work the road
In his eloquent talk Rev. Father
Cremer of Genoa, paid glowing tri
butte to Wisconsin. He said "Vernor
county is rich in lands, rich in man
hood, rich in scenery; we must teach
our children the history of our homes
as well as of foreign countries; IL
fact home should have first considera.
tiol, we should therefore teach then
the history Of Blackhawk, the death
of a nation--the Indian retirement or
our own soil, the last battle of tht
Blackhawk war at Battle Island, al
our very doors on the Father OF
Waters We have the most beautiful
scenery in the world, the upper Mis-.
sissippi. Bring tourists this way, &C.
Equaint them with the grandeur Of
our section and homes, teach then
the history of our state and county
A trunk line from Lacrosse to Prairie
du Chen on the east side of the rivel
lis most desirable" His sentiments
and eloquence Of speech were loudly
appiauded.
| Engineer Donaghey declared that
"the Lord was not good to Vernon
county when He created so much
rough land"
The state road authorities were
greatly surprised by the strides that
have been made the past two years in
our roads. In relocations they give