The Mena weekly star., 1921-09-15
WILL GIVE OUTLET
 TO POINTS NORTH
Work Being Done on Road Second in Importance Only to Jefferson High way, Acorn to Eagleton and
 to Blackfork.

One of the most important pieces of road construction in Polk county save, perhaps, the building of the lief ferson highway north and south, is ahe improvement of the road from Acorn to Eagleton, Rich Mountain and thence to Blackfork in Scott eoun- ty. known as the Eagle Gap route Even with the construction of the Jefferson highway, the improvement of this stretch of almost impossible road is absolutely necessary to. give Mena and Polk county, and all the country north, south and east and west an outlet. In other words, 1t will mean the opening of Mena to the world, for the road in it's present con- dition has kept hundreds of tourists from coming thru Mena, making de- tours of several hundred miles to avoid what has been considered an almost impossible road. It will open to Mena also the trade territory of Blackfork community.
 The movement to improve this road was started some three weeks ago by County Judge Finger, and his plan then was to spend few hundred dol- lars of the county general road fund arising from automobile tax, get the business men and citizens of Mena to make voluntary contributions of money and service, and make the best of it. However, one day this week, after going over the route of the road with Forest Ranger s. C. Payne, Lo4 4axxs changes in the established line fair " good mountain road could be con- structed at a cost of between S2,000 and $3,000, Judge Finger returned to Mena determined to make the im- proveEeIlt, ~ ~g
 aH ] Secures Funds in Mena.
 Cooperating with the secretary of the Commercial Club he canvassed the business district Wednesday,, secur- ing voluntary subscriptions of some thing over $400. In addition H.. E. Fitz of the Fitz Lumber Company has agreed to furnish all the lumber nec- essary for culverts and has also of- fered the use of his caterpillar trac tor. J A. Thornton has given $10 in auto or other service, and all the hands who during last week have been at work under the direction of Thad Reid. oyerseer of Acorn township, have promised to give free from one to three days of labor. MT. Reid started on the work from Acorn north on Monday, August go, and all who have seen the work thus far done agree that 1t is a good job. He will he kent on the job until he reaches the Scott county line.
 There are about three mils of bad road in Scott county, but this will be worked by the farmers in the Black fork community. A movement for this purpose will be crystallized Wednesday, October IA, when County Judge Finger. Sheriff Thornton, For est Ranger Payne and Secretary Smith of the Commercial Club will meet with the farmers of that community at Blackfork postoffice at p. m. at the suggestion of M. J. Pettit, one of the progressive farmers of that section who, while in Mena Thursday, stated he would subscribe $50 toward the work in Scott county.
 Forest Folks to Help.
 The cooperation of the Forest Ser vice has been secured for this move ment thru the efforts of the Secretary of the Commercial Club, to whom Charles A. Plymale, Forest Supervisor at Hot Springs, under date of Septem- berf 8, wrote as follows:
 s'i am glad indeed to know that an effort is being made to improve the road from Acorn to Eagleton. l re- gret very much that the Forest Ser vice is not in position to put some money in this project. However, as you doubtless know, appropriations are being carefully scrutinized by the present Congress and no general road appropriation has as yet been passed. While we have no money at this time to put into the work, | would be mighty glad to allow Ranger Payne to render any service possible to aid in the construction of this road l would say that Ranger Payne is at your ser vice for this work during such time as important district work does not claim his attention. l am forwarding Mir. Payne copy of this letter"
 Another paragraph of interest from Mir. Plymale's letter is as follows:
 Tt is certainly pleasing to know the progressive steps that Polk county and especially the City of Mena, is always ready to take for the advance ment of the general interests of Polk county and the state of Arkansas You certainly have just cause for be- ing proud of Mena, Polk county and the State of Arkansas, and desire to say that the members of the Forest Service on the Arkansas National For est are no less proud than the people of Mena and Polk county
 Men Who Will Give Work.
 Among the hands now at work on the road, the following will donate one days work each: Thad Reid, w p. Reed, Henry and George Alstatt Charles Boyles, Sam Evans, Ben Bar. ron, Lonnie Barron, E. D. Garlaac and MT. Cristhill B. s. Petefist will give three days and c. s. Tan. kersley and Clyde Rowe two days each
 Cash contributions in Mena are as follows: J. l. Alley, ] F. Hood, I. Q smith, Dr. P R. Watkins, Duke Ma. Rruder Dry Goods Cc, VI w. St. John D. M. Watkins, R. Golf, c. W. Cope. lin, c. w. Petty, Cox Investment Ca. Reynolds-Davis Grocery Co., Tvav. Jones Drug O., Antlers notel. W. A Ragland, Farmers & Merchants Bank W. b Watkins. M A. Stratton. Dick Johnson, w ". Townsend, T. A Al. len, Planters State Bank, Mena Mer. eantlie O., Proctor Smith Motor Co. and First National Bank. s10 each.
 W. A. Wilson, T. K. Jones, Jr., Dr J. G. Hilton, Dr. C. L. Baker, ]. W Frost, Dr. B. H. Hawkins. Boston Store. M. P. Olney, ". |. Holt, M:no, Pipkin. J C. Jackson Thacknr Grn