The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-09-24
,Ardnore's Most Useful Citizen
Sidney Suggs Has Boosted
For Community and Good
Roads the Greater Part of
His Life and is Now See
ing His Dreams Come
True
BY BILL KROHN

by BILL kkOHN
ArdmOrs's leading "all-round" citizen
fWho was active in the interests Of the
municipality during the early terri
torial and statehood days, and who
is still "in the harness. is Col Sidney
Suggs, Oklahomas most enthusiastic
good roads booster. Colonel Suggs was
,signally honored recently, when the
-Ardmore Chamber Of Commerce. ''in
appreciation for his untiring efforts in
the upbuilding Of the city," conferred
upon him a life-membership in the
organization. a presentation which was
the first Of its kind ever made in this
city. His photographs now hangs in
the halls OF the chamber of commerce
las Its first president and first life mem.
iber.
The work of Solonel Suggs. which has
won for him the voceted award, dates
bsek to 1895, at which time he arrived
IN this city. He came here as owner
ana publisher Of the Daily Ardmoreite.
lkis devoted the greater portion Of his
paper to an educational campaign, in
which he strongly advocated paving Of
streets and theb uilding of good roads
R/Sddition to all else which was for
ans welfare OF the community.
Public Utility" Man.
Almost Immediately after his arrival
his activities along civic improvement
nnes won for him the title of public
utility" man. In addition to his up
building editorials, he carried on the
| a had In. far
ialistic form by soliciting and secur-
ing funds with which to purchase lum-
Der and nails for tn construction of
bridges and repair OF highways, re-
sultant OF which Ardmore soon devel.
oped into the biggest inland cotton
market In the world
Through his activity, in cooperation
with others, he was instrumental in
bringing TO Ardmore alb ranch OF the
ROCK Island railroad. During his ef
rorts inthls respect he raised $50 900
IN cash. including a contribution OF his
own amounting to $500. The raising
or fund OF this size at that time IL
considered big achievement inasInuch
as there were very few men IN Ard.
more who we're rated AS high as :lO,-
600.
First In These.
Colonel Suggs was the first presi.
dent OF the Ardmore Chamber OF Com
merce, which office he held for a per-
iod or five years. Referring to this
occupation. he states, 1T was the hard
est. but happiest five years OF my
life"
Susgs was the first purchaser who
had carload OF paper shipped to the
rive Civilized Tribes, the firse man in
the territory TO acquire 4 linotype ma
chine. and the first member OF the
1S)iian Territory to belong to the Asso-
cIated Press.
He Is credited with having inaug.
urated the plan Of federal aid for the
building OF roads. He started this pro.
posanda years ago, at a time when
congress was appropriating large sums
OF money TO waterways.
When he first set forth his plans
relative 10 the federal aid priject. many
OF his friends declarer. You are putting
forth one OF the most unpopular sub
jects which can be introduced in con.
=
viii live TO see the day when il II
the most popular in congress" and his
prophecy has come true.
Nation WNie Figure.
II vas during this time that Suggs
Atartcd his good roads campaign
~ hich has gained for him nation wide
prominence. lie attended as many road
meetings as transportation facilities
permitted. and was making speeches
right along" Good roads speeches
are his hobby.
one OF his addresses on the subject,
delivered at Detroit. Mich, was copy.
Tighted by the National Highway asso.
citation. Of which he IL life member.
and thousands OF copies were sent
broadcast over the United States.
Promotes Patriotism.
II believe good roads will do as
much for the promotion OF patriotism
as any other one factor" he says. Good
roads viii result In more homes and
will bring more contentment-und con.
seaue.,ly more OF the boys and girls
EV remain on the farm"
Colonel suggs' big interest In trans.
porta;on facilities made Il quite nat
ural and fitting that he was named
Hhe first highway commissioner Of ok.
1ahosna. For 80 days and nights he
.trugYled hard at the constitutional
conv.ntion and finally measure was
sdopted which directed the legislature
TO create department OF highways.
But It was not until the third lcslsla.
ture. however. that the department was
vitall1sJ aud Incorporated as part
ps the constitution.
Colonel suggS states that plans, maps
and specifications worked out during
Ms t,rm OF office are still being used,