The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-12-10


procuring a passage for wagons and
other. vehicles over some route that the
travel OF such vehicles may not inter
fere with the laying OF the plank road
and to put such route as they may Sc
lect IN proper order and condition for
such tranic." II was not, as you see. a
question OF making Cherry or some
other street a ''one-way" highway or
by-way. but one OF finding some street
which could be put In such repair that
It could be used while the plank road
was constructed.
What was the use OF a plank road?
Soon as the Western a Atlantic rail-
road was completed, traffic between it's
freight depot on Ninth street and the
river, became enormous, as they thought
In those days, and II would probably
seem no insignificant business TO us OF
this Cay, II we could comprehend its
magnitude. The late A. A. williams,
Andy Williams. whom many present
residents knew well indeed, was one OF
the very best Of authorities In details
OF our early history.
He said that Immediately following
completion OF that road, Ninth street
shot up like q rocket into q. village"
sured me. that they had seen cotton
bales piled along both sides OF Market
street from Ninth to the river so close
together that one might have traversed
the entire distance without stepping on
the ground; just performed the bog
OF boys. The mud was so deep and of
such thoroughly muddy consistency
that walking along the street was no
easy task. and the hauling OF vehicles,
ticaly an impossibility. So the plank
road was their only alternative, seem
ingly.
In January, 1858, when Henry w.
Massengale entered upon the duties of
his office OF mayor, a somewhat ambi-
tious scheme OF street improvement
was inaugurated. In view of the city's
truly ambitious and progressive I'M
dertaking. william williams was one
OF the Second Ward aldermen for that
year, and he was manifestly man of
unoommonly progressive disposition.
albeit sufficient conservative for safety.
He later became mayor The plan OF
improvement was submitted by him, in
behalf OF committee His report re-
cited that Market street was Tin a
condition utterly unsuited to the travel
venience"; that 1.-THE plank road" was
too narrow for ordinary vehicles to
pass over It with convenience. It had
been badly laid down" and was often
out OF repair. The macadam portion Of
Market street was defective in many
The conclusion was that Market street
ought to be properly. graded, lengthwise
and crosswise. and put In the best
practicable condition; recovered with
broken stone. gravel or small pebbles.
A recommendation was made that ST.
4sO be appropriated for improvement
OF Market street.
The committee recited that Lookout
street was in very bad condition and
that it was much used in going to Har-
rsOn sna the , Sraysyard Fer Its
OF $3.50.
The report recited that 1.-The part OF
the city lying west Of Market street
has within the past short time been
much improved by the erection OF nu-
prospect Of still further improvement.
The population already amounts to
many hundreds, and yet 1t Is totally
from the south In winter
season and from the north both In win
ter and summer, the only chance be-
Ing from Market street, over very In
Sifferent cross streets.
A causeway over the ravine near the |
southern terminus of Chestnut street. |
With culvert sufficient for passage OF |
he water, would not cost. probably. |
over fifty dollars, and would obviate |
the difficulties OF access from that !
part OF the city," The committee also |
recommended q bridge across Chest
nut street over the ravine between |
first and Second streets, to be two /
hundred feet long and twelve feet
vide. The cost was estimate at 5000.
Tor the improvement of Pine street.
800 was thought requisite, and for !
Fourth street, between Market and
High, 500.
There was an interesting and indeed
Impressive dissertation regarding the
OF good streets to good
ZONES, good citizens, etc. 1t was OF
UGH dignified character that one need
lot be schocked or even surprised to
Ind 1t incorporated Into MacauIay's
OF England. and applied to
Iondon or the cities OF Britain gem
rally, or into Gibbons Decline and
Fall, applied to the Eternal City upon
he seven hills. 1t was both essays
nd appeal, ana as enforcing the APP
cal the committeeman declared that
he city was being branded by Btran-
ers as a hog hole and frog pond:
compound OF mud. manure and
illainous smells" The entire report
Tas adopted.
Il seems really wonderful how pro-
ressive ana watchful; alert for the
municipal welfare as beagles for hares.
hose municipal statesmen OF the tif-
les were. Tho city councils of sew
raj years were not only the board
mayor and aldermen" they were
no chamber Of commerce, the manu-
association, the business
ague, board OF trade. tine Kiwanians.
no Rotarians. the Civilians and the
,lks. They watched every corner and
'ent after everything in the way OF
ossible improvement that came along
r they could hear about, including all
10 railroads that were talked of In
10 south. They held out inducements
manufacturing establishments oper-
led by steam, Offering to exempt them
rom taxation; they encouraged the
ID Masonic academy and other edu-
ational enterprises. and believe It or
ot, they were after tho University OF
10 South, making 1t both pleasant
nd warm for the Episcopal bishops
nd other authorities who were sup
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