THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN POST

July 22, 1915

 

ROAD COMMITTEE MET

 

Trail Day Postponed to Permit Survey of Road Between Waupaca and Weyauwega

 

            The meeting at Hotel Delavan Saturday for the purpose of discussing plans for systematic work along the Yellowstone Trail across this county was attended by all those expected except the members of the town board of Lind.  Those present were P. H. Peterson and Sam Erickson of Farmington, John Huffcut, Ed. Redman and Fred Gabrielson of Waupaca town, Dr. E. H. Jones and H. J. Becker of Weyauwega and D. C. Hayward of Royalton, County Highway Commissioner J. C. Knudson, J. F. Jardine, Erle Whipple, C. W. Nelson, and D. F. Burnham of the local committee and L. H. Harrington, who has been very active in canvassing the farmers between Waupaca and Weyauwega to get promises of team work on a portion of the road that needs most attention.

Road West of City.

            Messrs. Peterson and Erickson verified the already current report that the people of Farmington are willing to everything possible to make a good road across that town along the Yellowstone Trail.  Already much grading has been done under the direction of the town board to take care of this portion of the road without donation work by residents of the city was greatly appreciated in view of the great amount of work needed on the south road from Waupaca to Weyauwega and it was suggested that the Trail Day activities could all be well used east of this city.

            Co. Com. Knudson suggested that as this is one of the county roads designated as state aid roads it might be well to have it properly surveyed so that the portions to be worked might be graded and the subsequent work be of a permanent nature.

            Great surprise and disappointment was expressed that no member of the town board of Lind was present to advise as to where gravel could be secured, etc.

            It was decided that those present should go over the road in question but the members of the Farmington board excused themselves as they would have enough work on the six miles through their town, which every one present readily admitted and expressed appreciation for the excellent manner in which the town of Farmington had set to work.

            Four automobiles were filled with those interested in looking over the situation.  On leaving the city limits it was encouraging to note two big piles of stones on the farms of A. D. Barnes and Frank Lear that will be crushed and used by Waupaca town on a portion of the highways of that town this summer.  Mr. Whipple made a short side trip to get one member of the Lind town board to accompany the party but he was unable to go.  When the fourth auto drew up at the nearly exhausted gravel pit on the Mundiger farm it seemed like a hard proposition to overcome the indifference of the town board of the town having about two miles of highway that is among the worst neglected road in the county.  Mr. Hayward suggested that the Trail be changed to the north road where farmers are enthusiastic to donate work and material.  The residents along the south road admitted that it may require a longer time to make a good road under all the obstacles but they pledged to work for a good clay and gravel surfaced road over the part of the road lying in Lind in spite of their disappointment in not having at least the presence and the encouragement of the town board of Lind. Weyauwega will keep their portion of the south road in good condition as they have already done very well in maintaining a good road along what is popularly known as the corduroy road.

            Those who are interested in keeping the Yellowstone Trail where it was first marked between Waupaca and Weyauwega road from the Wm. Goldsmith place to the east line of Lind near the Fred Mittlestadt place.  There are two points in favor of that road between the two towns:  it is shorter and there is no railroad crossing.  In all other respects the north road is preferable and the better surface may be sufficient argument to warrant a change of the route between the two towns for a time.  Leroy Harrington is confident that the people living along the south road will make dirt fly as soon as harvest is over and the editor of the Republican-Post also holds the same opinion.  In the meantime we are pleased to know that the people of the north road are determined to have a perfect road between the two towns.  Perfect roads are what we all ultimately hope to see everywhere. The work done by one community will act as an incentive to others to do likewise.

Would Welcome Trail Day

            In talking with Mr. Erickson this week he informs us that a portion of the Sheridan-Waupaca road in the vicinity of the Farmington town hall could be improved by surfacing with gravel which may be obtained at convenient distance.  If there should not soon be occasion for Waupaca men to work on the Trail east of the city, the people of Farmington will join heartily in affording the Waupaca good roads enthusiasts an opportunity to use pick and shovel before their ardor cools off.  It will not be surprising if the first Waupaca Trail Day work should be done on the Yellowstone Trail to the west of the city.  With Stevens Point, Amherst, Weyauwega and Fremont all having their Trail days Waupaca should soon do some real road work in conjunction with the farmers living along the Trail.