The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-07-25

SOuHty tOuEJ JuuBeo VI ~. rIdHSoiS
county on Monday met with represen-
tatives of the Iron County Court at
the hotel at Iron Mountain, to discuss
the matter of road Improvement, es-
pecially between Pennington and
Ironton. County Judges W. A. Mitch
'ell, F. M. Matkin and j. W. Jones,
County Surveyor T. H. Holman and
The Times editor were present from
this county, while Iron county was
represented by Mayor Lou Baldwin,
Mann Ringo and William Trauernicht.
The County Judges of Iron county, all
of whom live in rather remote parts
of that county, were unable to be
present, owing to the limited time
Ssen them by Mr.. Elledge's invita-
tion. There is little doubt, however,
that the County Judges will be large
ly governed by the actions of their
rep.table and responsible representa-
tives.
The reason for the somewhat hur-
ried meeting was the desire of many
especially interested in the improve
ment of this road for early action in
the matter, which explains Mr.. Ell
ledge's somewhat limited invitation
to meet there for conference. The st.
Francois county delegation arrived
there before noon, and well were they
entertained at dinner by their affable
host until the arrival of the Iron coun-
ty delegation. Mr., Elledge is rapidly
proving himself to be not only an ex-
perienced and successful mining man,
but he is also an enthusiastic good
roads advocate, as was proven in
that meeting. He offered to furnish
free for the proposed good roads
work in st. Francois and Iron coun-
! ties all the iron chats necessary for
such work, without cent of charge.
There was but one provisio to this
liberal offer-that was that such work
was to be started at an carly date.
At the joint meeting held on
the spacious porch Of the hotel, which
was swept by a cool and invigorating
breeze from over the Ozarkg, it was
soon found that there was not citi-
zen present, either from Iron or st.
Francois county, who was not heartily
in favor of pushing the goed roads
project with all possible speed. The
St. Francois County Judges were
heartily in favor Of doing everything
in their power to keep up this county's
end of the proposition, while the Iron
county representatives were not whit
less enthusiastic, and felt that some
way could be found by which their
County Judges would be enabled to
do their part in carrying to completion
this good roads project, which will
connect up about half dozen towns
on a splendid boulevard, that must not
only prove to be source of unending
pride among all citizens of both coun-
ties, but will be a long step in adver-
tising to the world the wonderful
richness of this country, not only in
physical beauty and life-giving quail
ties, but in its vast stores of unde-
veloped agricultural and mineral
treasure.
There was one thorn, however, that
was pricking the flesh of both counties
involved in this project. That is that
the road funds of each, being limited,
and far below the amount that is
necessary for road work, is usually
depleted, if not ovcrdrawn. This is
the sad condition of both counties
at the present time, but the st. Fran
cois County Judges thought they
could manage to meet the necessary
expense of this project, which they
recognized as being SO important at
this time. Also the Iron county rep
resentatives felt that some way could
be found by which their county could
join in this necessary work, which
they recognized would prove such a
boon to their county. Capt. Elledge
suggested, as means for the ac-
complishment of the desired end, that
a contribution be taken up, especially
from among automobile owners, and
then have the County Court duplicate
the amount SO subscribed. This sug-
gestion was thought to be good one,
and after arrangements were made
for the st. Francois County Judges to
meet with the Iron County Judges at
their next regular meeting in August
to perfect arrangements for the car
rying out of this good roads scheme
the good roads meeting adjourned.
! A Marvelously Rich Mining Region
| While all present felt that the meet
ing had been successful, and would
prove to be the initial step in the rapid
development of real road work in the
two counties concerned. the trip of in
spection to the Iron Mountain mines
proved to be even more interesting
ESPECIALLY to those who had never be-
fore enjoyed such privilege. Capt
4 Elledge, who has recently acquired
| this extensive property by purchase
| for which he paid about $500, ,000,l has