The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-04-30

A straight line is the shortest dis
lance between two points. but the
Stampede Gap road does not prove H.
For the distance from Phoebe to the
Comet mining distric, through SIAM
pede Gap is but -hfteen miles. while
the distance around by Panaca Is
thirty-three miles. and Vet the Pansca
route is the shorter. Bad as H. the
Panaca Bennett Springs-Highliae ea.-d.
yet the Stampede Gap road is Norae.
IL has a profile similar TO that OF
two-man crosscut saw. being iooped
from mountain top to mountain. de-
scending. diving or falling into the
narrow Intervening gulehes only to
rise again and shoot skyward on what
are called pitches" Pitches are
right.
In addition to the violent ups and
downs there are narrows. ridges. hair
pin bends and precipices sufficient TO
raise goosefiesh on the most hardened
/ diver driver and sufficient to strain
the soul of passenger through his
Strengthened hair. IL guard rails were
provided to prevent accident this road
would furnish the greatest little
stretch on earth for beginners. since
only one trip would be necessary to
educate the most foolish driver into
"A super -oldfield.
The top of the world is found at
Manhattan Gap. where the road was
built with ladders. and this spot can
be reached best on hands and feet.
! here is narrow level spot on top,
where one may rest his eyebrows and
enjoy the pride of achievement. The
descent on the other side is easiest
made with a sled.
/ Why the road was led up that cliff
and dropped over the other steep side
instead of being brought around the
easy grade through Stampede Gap is
not known. but il is one of the things
which proves that man descended from
monkeys and has not finished descend
ing. But over it does go, and to show
lit was no accident 1t repeats the same
foolish performance Immediately and
then does the same silly thing again
and again.
1t was from 'the lowest of these
hills. since called Cowhill. that one OF
the cows belonging to Jim Ryan be.
fore she lost her ears jumped over the
moon. IL was no such jump as to bs
worth writing poetry about, either
anyway. If one concentrates a trained
mind on the poetry he will discover
that The verse is not in the same higl
class az the hill.
Fairness compels the admission tina
; of the fifteen miles of road the frs
eight miles from Phoebe are not tn
worst, but are common, ordinary, fair
ly decent miles running over splen
did natural grade. At least five mile
are virtuous and can be travelled b.
; automobile without profanity. TIL
Two miles in the center are, as hinte
above. rough. ignorant and deprave
miles. Such is the effect of bad com
e phny that these two vicious miles hav
: ruined the reputation of the thrice
n re, fectly good miles, encouraged tn
z superstition relating to unlucky mum
a hers, and have brought shame to TIL
e best brains of Lincoln county: for n
# ore will admit brains existing whe
= re views the road and studies the cor
p ditIons of the country.
< Few roads of equal length are
a. important in Lincoln county-and I
l. road SO reelected. Few roads of edu
It length could be the means of bringin
: such a volume of new business to IL
j. county seat. And there are but fe
Is communities but which would avail
,e to possibilities of profit sufficiently
at least investigate them