The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1923-05-31
COMMENT ON
MID-STATE ROAD
j. v. Parmeley, Father of Yellow Stone
Trail Writes on New Pro-
posed Trail
Ipswich, South Dakota
Nav DC 1909


May &c. 1928.
II. J. Bushfeld, Esq,
Miller, S. ID.
Dear Sir
We arrived here last night before
nine o'clock well paid for our trip to
Miller and the enlightmert which we
obtained as your local differences, and
came back with a better understand
ing of the problems you are trying
to solve.
We came straight north from Mil
Ter to the County line and all con-
cluded that there is just n logical
location for the road connecting u
ty seats and that is to go direct north
from Miller to the county line and
then il thought best of course 1t can
go on straight north and west to
Faulkton. But il strikes me that a
better way would be to go west on the
county line to Orient, then up to
F'aulkton, Wecota, the Edmunds u
ty line and then jog east to the state
read running south from Ipswich. i
base this opinion on the experience
we have had along the Yellowstone
Trail and my observation on other
highways. vi Ctut DC IL
from away south who is going away
north, likes to strike the most direct
route but on the other hand he does
want to hit the towns. He may get
into trouble and he wants to- be
near gas and garage facilities. But
the great point is that roads wilt not
be maintained without the active sup
port of the towns. 1t is quite a far
stretch of the imagination to believe
that Orient, Faulkton and Wecota
would take an interest in maintain
ing a road five miles east of those
towns that contributes little or not
hing whatever towards their support,
and | believe that such road would be
neglected. The person travelling
would perhaps make time by making
the additional mileage and taking In
the towns.
1t does look to me as though there
was a place for a north and south
road through these county seats anu
not stopping simply at the state lines
but that an organization could be
perfected that would go into other
states. A few men will necessarily
have to stand the brunt OF the work
to begin with but after benefits come
the public will help on the project.
Such an organization cannot build a
road but it can direct the activities
of road officials in letting contracts
and maintaining a continuous read
and that is all that there is to these
long highways.
suggest that you continue your
activities with vigor. You are AFTER
something hat is worth fighting for
and that will be appreciated more,
and of course of much greater value,
in coming years. We were surprised
to see the splendid Improvement on
the roads north of Miller. They are
so much better than we had been led
to believe at the meeting. AS we went
down we went farther to the west,
but will say that along n road north
Of Miller there are absolutely no en-
cheering problems to solve. IL Is a
splendid settled country and part OF
the section of the state that needs
and will demand a north n south
road and | believe the Mid-State can
serve that purpose. / think the name
selected is ideal and | believe | can
pledge the support of the road enthus-
lasts in this northern stretch.
/ would continue on to perfect the
organization to Leola and from there
perhaps it would be well to consider
taking the old Sioux grade north to
Ashley and on to Bismarck. That,
however, would be a matter for furth-
err investigation. I would have the
southern state section hit the Rose
bud bridge wherever that may be n
| am sure that you will find lots OF
Rosebud people that were going 10
the Twin Cities would take that road
north to Miller and east on the BLACK
and Yellow, or to take the short cut
or to the Yellowstone Trail.
With best wishes for your success,
| am
Yours very truly,
w parmlpy.