Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1886 — About Highways. [ARTICLE]

About Highways.

As Jasper county appears somewhat in the rear in improving her public roads, 1 will advance a few thoughts to our enterprising citizens that may help us on a little in the proper course of obtaining better roads with the labor at ottr command annually. Ist. All grading should bo done not, later than the first of September, to give the grade time to become solid before freezing. 2nd. All the drainage that can possibly be done to lead the water from the road bed should be.strictly attended to at the same time. 3rd, All road beds should be full eighteen feet wide, on the surface of the grade, with a gradual slope from the cectjer both ways,® then leveled or smoothed lengthwise. Hence we have a bed. to receive the gra,vei which rnitydie applied at any season of the fear, after the grade is well packed. Lienee in a few years, wijjh econemy, we can have fair roods, or at least the main traveled roads leading to our pleasant city of Rensselaer. We have all the the facilites we need, an abundant supply of: gravel, of a superior quality, at ft nice distance oil' one line to coat A-or 8 miles, with a very reasonable amount of work or expense. The grading needs not be high if the water is first let off properly, and channels kept open. The road bed, as described,, will be sufficient for a Turnpike toll gravel rood, or free pike, which should be ? graveled wide enough JJar kia-dedZf&tbifc “4r fcw&ft yet say, let us prepare our road beds in that direction and as soon as the opinions and energies of our fellow citizens demand a full fledged pike, the job wont be so heavy; and I for one am prepared (or wil 1 fry) to help at any time, and the sooner the better. A Farmer.