The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-07-24
HOUSE WASHED FROM
M00R|NG, FOUNDERS
ON PUBLIC HIGHWAY

Joe T. Taylor, chairman Of the board
OF county commissioners stated Monday
that the recent rains would cost the
taxpayers Of Carter county several
thousands of dollars to repair roads
and restore culverts and bridges that
Were washed away in every commission
'er's district.
Commissioner Taylor reports that
Writ had the heaviest rainfall in the
history of the town, and that everything
In the lower sections of the village along
the creeks, was washed away or greatly
damaged. One two.story rooming house
OF substantial construction was washed
bodily from its foundations and set down
in the middle of the highway several
hundred yards away.
Mr.. Taylor estimates that to fill all
washed out places on the roads and to
restore culverts and bridges will require
several weeks of hard labor in addition
to the money 1t will cost, and requests
that the public generally be as patient
as possible until the work Is done.
In some places the gravel on the road
between Ardmore has been washed away
but this will be attended to at once.
Mr.. Taylor stated that the commits
sioners would secure teams and men
to do this work, insofar as they were
able at this time, but expected the pub
lie to be generous and pave the way
that the task might be quickly accom-
plshed. Owners of teams who are not
busily engaged otherwise. might donate
q day or two service, suggested Mr..
Taylor, and in this way the roads and
bridges of the county could be quickly
repaired without materially damaging
anyone.
The condition prevailing in commits
sioner's district No. 8 may be applied
to the other two districts in the county.
Commissioner c. W. Young. from the
first district, and Commissioner George
Evans from the second, report roads
and bridges in their respective territory
suffered by heavy rains and high water,
They too, like Commissioner Taylor,
are going to work Immediately and de-
wise means to make repairs as speedy
as possible and with the least possible
expense.
Referring to the twostory house
washed away at Writ, information
states that it was the property of
Uncle" Tom Hardeman, who formerly
resided in Ardmore, where he conduct
ed a hotel. east of the Santa Fe.
The structure was about so feet long,
and when it settled across the backbone
of the highway it broke in the middle,
sort of "amidships," nautically speak
ing. and is now u complete barrier to
traffic.
lie, 70
cued from the building after the water
had reached nearly to their shoulders.
Now that the water has receded,
Uncle Tom refuses to move the house
or to permit it to be moved, until some
one pays him for the damages wrought.
In addition to the damage to the build
ing caused by the flood, loose
oil floating from tanks in the VI
cinity completely covered the furniture
and everything with which it came in
contact and the place generally is in a
"mess."
Chairman Joe T. Taylor of the board
of county commissioners, says he has
tried to reason with the owner of the
wrecked house, pointing out that it was
through no fault of any individual that
damages was to be collected it would
have to be from a power beyond the
reach of mortal man. "Uncle Ton'
however, has not been convinced ana
the commissioner says has let it be
known that coin of the realm and
heap of it will be required to get that
particular section of right-of-way upon
which the house reposes, opened for
! traffic.
, According to Mr.. Taylor the matter IS
1 resting in statu quo, while both parties
I are acquiring legal advice.
One county official has ventured the
dominion that Uncle Tom" could not DO
sanything like that and get away with
rsit." to which Mr.. Taylor replied, he
timav not be able to do that particular
dt hing as you suggest, but he is like the
otenow and the Jail story-he is dong
TIT"
50 Just what action will be taken de-
uSends upon the advice given the com
iohissioners by the county attorney.
cd
lI Will the gentleman who picked up
he little black bull pup with red mar