The Semi-weekly leader., 1922-03-18
COL. THATCHER IS STILL
APOSTLE FOR GOOD ROADS
Advocate of Washington Highway
Boosts Lincoln County Sugar
Cane Syrup.

Mr.. ]. w. McGrath has received
an interesting letter from Col. Chas.
w. Thatcher, chief engineer of the
Washington Highway, whose activi-
ties in the interest of road building
will be recalled by many. Mr.. Nc
Grath is sharing it with the public:
Dear Major McGrath:-
l am at present recovering from a
severe attack of pneumonia. / have
made an exceedingly hard fight. Ex-
posure in twenty degrees below zero
weather was the cause. After being
confined to the house two weeks /
journeyed to Geddis to attend a ban
quet arranged in honor of the Wash
ington Highway. ventured out too
soon. DR.. Fyle, seeing my condition,
invited me to rest two weeks in his
private hospital. He is one of the
greatest surgeons in the West. Many
of his operations are marvels to the
people. Since my last letter the
Washington Highway has advanced
at a most encouraging speed. This
great trans-continental road has at
tanned position of influence second
to none in the United States. The
Washington Highway is all hard sur
faced and paved from Dubuque, Ca,
through Chicago to Washington, D.
c. l painted since last July from
the Pennsylvania line the beautiful
signs in orange, red, white and
black to guide the traveller over the
Washington Highway to Dubuque,
Ga. The Washington Highway signs
will be connected with Portland and
Seattle this spring. Nature has des-
ignated the Washington Highway as
the Worlds Fair route to Portland in
1925. It is estimated that millions
of tourists will pass over the Wash
ington Highway to Portland's World
Fair. BY that time it will be the
best marked road in the country. +
hope many from the south will be
able to enjoy the wonders of this
route Worlds Fair year-1925. AS
soon as l am able to free myself of
my urgent duties over the Washing
ton Highway from New York and
Washington to Seattle, I will come
to the south and urge the completion
of the New Orleans Division of the
Highway from Boston to Los Ange-
les. Last winter and early summer
l conducted a red-hot campaign over
this route from northern Alabama to
the Pennsylvania line. The New Or
leans route of the Washington High
way is all hard surfaced and paved
via Columbus, Ohio, Dayton and Gin
cinnati into Kentucky. The new
Washington Highway official select
ed for the state of New York is Thos.
F. Ryan, attorney for the Southern
Railroad as we'll as traction mag
nate. His enthusiastic labors for
good roads for years we'll fits him
for this position.
One of the greatest Washington
Highway Celebrations ever held will
take place at Yankton, South Dako-
ia, about June 1st. Thousands will
meet upon this occasion to do honor
The signs from the east and the Pa
cific coast will be Joined. The Gov
ernor of the State is planning to per-
form a fitting ceremony.
l have been telling DR.. Fyle a.
bout the wonderful molasses made
by your farmers from sugar cane. He
will write you soon at my request
for a supply to be used in his hos
pital. Kindly secure the very best
clear syrup from farmer that you
know makes the gilt edged variety.
Both of our honors are at stake. This
molasses will be great advertise
ment for the south. Secure it at a
reasonable rate. l have recommend
ped you in the highest terms to DR..
Fyle.
Your friend,
ChpG w Thatcher