Putnam patriot., 1923-05-18
Connecticut Path" Made Part
 Of State Trunk Line System
DAVE E. cHIsM OF wESTFoRD RECALLS EARLY HIS TORY AND LANDMARKS ALONG ANCIENT
 HIGHWAY
Rebuild I7Mle Strip From West Wilngon North
 Ashford, Ea.tford, and North Woodstock

When citizens of Holland and Wind ham counties went before the legis- lative committee on roads and bridges to petition for the passage of the bill to add a strip of l7 miles to the state trunk line system, said strip running from a point known as Browns Cross ing, about two miles atove West Will lington on the Willimantic-Staffor ord road. to North Ashford, Eastford, and North Woodstock, they reviewed in a most interesting way the early history connected with this ancient turnpike. IL was pointed out that there Is already d state trunk line from Hart ford through Manchester and Rock vile and Holland to West Willington 1; and also from North Woodstock to the Massachusetts line and on to Worcester; and that 1t needs only the construction of the seventeen mile strip above described Co provide the shortest and most economical trunk line from Hartford to Worcester.
 These petitioners made SO strong s showing as to the feasibility of this shorter route that the committee on roads and bridges reported the bill with unanimous favor, and the bill was subsequently, passed without op- position by both houses and became law, thus adding the l7-mile strip to the authorized trunk line as above described
 Connecticut Path"
 In the petition to the general as- sembly, these petitioners declared in part as follows;
 Two hundred and eighty years ago, Boston, as then represented by that venerable institution, the Center Church at Hartford, was seeking a direct and passable route to Hartford. They secured as guides those pioneer woodsrangers, Andrew McNall and John Oldham. who laid a course that has never been equalled for freedom from swamps and marshy places. The names of these psthfinders should have permanent place in history as true statesmen of high honor, because there is no evidence that they deviat- ed from the true course to exploit nearby property in which they had a proprietary interest--namely, the Massachusetts lead mines and ad- jaeent landl
 "The Connecticut Path," as travel ed by the Rev Thomas Hooker and his church people. served the needs of growing empire to the westward for more than two generations, without record of outlay for building or up- keep. One hundred years ago. in 1923, as now in 1923, the demand for a direct route was imperative. IL was then that a master road builder, Michael Richmond of Ashford, dis covered and established a marvel of direetness. both as to plan and grade the New Turnpike A close study | of its construction will make clear why his new line always secured the best traffic. and bonus for fast time. Its freedom from interruptions due to weather conditions IS proverbiai. wherever travel across the hills Is known. Its smooth, level course of double width drew an everhurden of traffic. causing loud and long com- plant on the one hand. and total closing down of through business on the other hand This petition is for the purpose of securing due considera- tion of the shortest, most economical,
 
 secure direct action for the one through route that will prove perma- nentiy satisfactory"
 Commissioner Bennett Approved
 In their addresses before the legs lative committee, the advocates of this route stressed the fact that there is noticeable absence of state high ways through northeastern Connecti- cut to Massachusetts, and from north eastern Connecticut to the capital and to the southward, and it was felt that for many reasons this section of the state should have better trunk line facilities. in an address before the | Ashford Welfare association last September, Highway Commissioner Bennett stated that he believed it would be for the interest of the people of the large cities as we'll as for the remotsr sections of the state to make outlying districts readily ae- cessi5le to the centers. in order that better balanced relation of farm and factory could be established and that the people of the crowded centers could have better places Co live with in ready reach of business
 Mir. Chism Ree.lls History
 In order to bring out clearly the fact that in the earlier days this IT, mile strip was the scene of many small industries which utilized it's many water-powers. and that with the coming of electric power and auto transportation the same regions are destined to even larger industrial development David F. Chism of Westford. a native of Ashford and a | thoughtful student of natural eondi- tions. contributes interesting remi- ] niseenees. He writes;
 The observing traveller is impress ed by the enterprise of past genera tions One may still find relies and
 AL