The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1919-09-04
1t Is One Of the Popular Trails Be-
tween St. Paul and st. Louis
Running Through This
City.
MPs NOTES ON THE HIGHWAY
Lee County is About to Begin the
Work Of Better Marking the
Route--Mi ssouri Making
improvements.

The Red Ball route from st. Paul
to st. Louis runs through keokuk and
is the most direct route between the
two terminal points. 1t was estab-
lished in 1913 and its purpose Is to
serve tourists in every possible man
ner. 1t was never intended to route
tourists through the various cities
and towns in a snake like fashion. If
tourists wish a garage or hotel, they
will find it. They are possessed with
the average amount of intelligence
like other mortals.
This highway has no paid officials
nor does it publish a newspaper OF
magazine. ITS being has been main
tanned by the live towns and live wires
in the cities and towns along the route
II Is the intention that all efforts avail
able be applied to road conditions and
marking of the highway. Some com
munities have been more liberal In
their cooperation than others, but on
the whole the results speak for them.
selves.
Missouri Is doing considerable gray,
cling and oiling of this highway. New
bridges and fresh markings are In evil
dence in this state.
Iowa markings, with some excep'
lions, are in fine shape. A section OF
road between La Porte City and Wa
terloo is unmarked, and this being In
the Waterloo territory, they have
promised to act promptly.
North of Cedar Rapids in Linn
county, the highway has been recently
graded and much improved within the
past sixty days. This Is the stretch
of road between Cedar Rapids and
Atkins
South of Cedar Rapids in Linn coun-
ty, there has been neglect in dragging
the road along section about three
miles south of Cedar Rapids and on
south for distance of three miles.
The county board and engineer has
been notified and promises are made
this section will be kept in better
shape hereafter.
North of the city limits Of Iowa City
a bad hill is being reduced to an easy
grade by the Johnson county road Off
Gals. Plans are also about to be exc
cuted for improving what is known as
indian Lookout" hill five miles south
of Iowa City.
Linn, Johnson, Washington and
Henry counties have been splendidly
marked and Lee county is about to
follow suit.
Plainfield in Bremen county, a town
of only 500 spent about 500 in mark
ing the route in their vicinity. The
results are very apparent and it is
one OF the best marked sections be-
tween st. Paul and st. Louis. Mr.. F. G.
Gallagher of Plainfield, is largely res
ponsible for this good work.
Floyd county has neglected to pro,
pefly mark this route. but now is about
to mark 1t along the official trail
through Charles City and north to
Usage.
A detour is necessary between
Waterloo and Cedar Falls. New paw.
ing is being laid between these towns.
A detour is necessary few miles
south of st. Paul, MINI. The official
route is being paved. New markings
will soon be in evidences between st.
Paul and Mortified. This will com.
rlete the well marked road from North
field and Dundas to the Iowa line.
Good markings are very essential.
Good road conditions are more SO. The
Red Ball is striving for both. 1t Is
practically all state and federal high
wsy system between st. Paul and
st. Louis.
Local road officials are to be com
mended for their good work.