While browsing through back issues of The Paintsville Heald, I came across a front-page story –– written several years before I was born –– discussing the deplorable road conditions in parts of Johnson County.
Surprisingly, the July 19, 1923, story made for interesting reading, and since it could also be considered a bit of history, I thought I’d share.
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“The county roads leading to Thealka and Van Lear are in such a condition that it makes automobile travel over them almost impossible. At least travel over them borders so nearly on work that the driver of a car hesitates and uses many excuses before he will start on a trip to either place. When he does return from a trip to Van Lear, his car is usually covered with mud and he spends very nearly a day tightening up the bolts of his car that have been loosened by the roughness of the road and in removing the mud that he has picked up.
“The road through the Consolidation Coal Company’s land beginning at the bridge at West Van Lear and continuing for about three miles to the head of Miller’s Creek is in perfect condition. It is the best piece of dirt road in Johnson County. Surely if they are willing to make travel to Paintsville this easy, no effort should be spared by the county to make the rest of their journey as much so.
“The need of good roads from these two towns is a subject that needs no argument. With good safe roads to Van Lear and Thealka the businesses of Paintsville merchants would be greatly increased. More people would visit our town every day and it goes without saying that every visit from one of these towns means something to some business man in Paintsville.
“These roads, instead of improving and being improved, are being allowed to deteriorate rapidly. Traveling them about once a week the traveler is astonished at the rapid wearing away and increased roughness. It seems that these two most important roads in the county should be worked more than they are. They have the heaviest travel and receive the least work.”
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I’ve no way of knowing, of course, if this story got any sort of immediate response from county officials, but I’m sure the citizens of the two communities appreciated it. And, it’s a sure bet that the author of this piece could never have imagined that his words would be read again some 86 years later.
But, so goes the beauty of the written word. Mar 3, 2009, 08:00
