The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1919-12-24
FORK CITIZENS WANT BRIDGE
ACROSS RIVER TO COUNTY SEAT
.,,+on Disnarch-News:

EDITOR Lexington Dispatch-NeWs:
have always refrained from having
ANYTHING to say in the public press
pertaining to the welfare OF our conn-
- fearing some word might be ap-
Z sspaiea As a personal criticism to some
s.. .<,fTIisa, or Iaw-naker. In the begin
sss5,;nr RleA me say, that such is not M
sss4ended I agree with you, Mr.. Edl-
@ tor. that we need improvement IN our
roads but such can be only accom-
/ nIished by an incease in taxation. l
have always been an advocate Of good
roads and bridges, but so far, nave
&heen denied that =, convenience and
pleasure. Speaking the sentiment OF
large portion of the Fork citizens
an incease of taxation would not be a
favorable procedure, unless we are to
receive more benefit in the future than
y in the past. e..
We are situated on the east side or
Saiuda River with poor roads and an
old ancient style flat as the only
means of getting across Saluda River
to our county seat. In searching an
cient history we find that one of the
4 first flats for crossing Saluda River
I. MAS at Zion church in 1878. This was
an an age when the early settlers had
& to have a ready rifle for protection
against the indians, with poor means
sof travel. mostly on foot. Now we
have reached the fast age of automo-
sbiles and advancement Of every phase
sDf life. The cry Of better schools
churches, colleges and good roads re-
sound on es cry .side-all of which we
! need yet, We are still trying to- get
across Saluda river in the same man
ner as the settlers in 1879. No one
can conceive of the Inconvenience OF
these flats, unless forced to use them.
y; y; Many times soa have to exhaust your
gocal cords, regardless Of weather con-
itions, before the slow ferryman ar
flves ana often confronted with an
nsWer .Ths flat is sunk''-"flat is
fuli of water, or river too full" So you
breed to change your route via
Coli mbia, "a distance of twenty-five
s mites to go five,
Road Improvement, without q
bridge, will not benefit the Fork very
q much. The Fork citizens are true to
their county and are taxpayers, and
50 far have received little public ser
wee from her county. ...
The citizens of the Fork will cheer
fully bear an increase Of taxation II
they are to receive results in return
Some portions of the county might ad-
vance an argument that the Fork does
not need bridge, but consider, for
iraoment, the situation of your section
first. Chaplin territory has her bridge
at Wyse's, Batesburg, Leesville, Lex
ington, Brookland and Swansea have
Ss the Congaree, all of which the Forh
has borne her share of taxes without
nurmur.
Now, Mr.. Editor, We feel that the
time is here for old Lexington to raise
her voice in her own behalf. You
say: 1--WE need roads for comfort and
speed You have no conception OF
discomfort and slow speed unless you
M come over to Irmo the first cold. rainy
day in a ferry. Then YOU will see the
ordeal We undergo daily.
We haven't any objections to a fine
road from Batesburg to Brookland
s. and offer no criticism, but what will
b become of the rest of the county in
1.-The next two years?-Some estimate
thxk it will take twentE-seven years al
tfe present rate. The fork claims, and
sSss sfstlE so. that she does not receive hel
prorata share Of good roads and
bsdges.
DR.. r. E. MATTHIAS,
ITIREE MORE MONTHS