1911 Good Roads Movement, Randolph, Alabama http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/randolph/newspapers/goodroads.txt ============================================= USGENWEB PROJECT NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Project Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file is copyrighted and contributed by: William Fischer, Jr. ============================================= September 2001 Citizens of Randolph County were much interested in the “Good Roads” movement that swept across America as motor vehicle usage increased during the early decades of the twentieth century. Miscellaneous newspaper articles detail county participation for 1911, a time when few residents owned automobiles yet most believed that good roads were fundamental for economic progress. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COUNTY DELEGATES ---------------------------- List of delegates appointed to represent Randolph county at National Good Roads Congress, Birmingham, Ala., May 23rd to 26th [1911]: John Henry JOHNSON S. B. GASTON John D. AYRES Wade JOHNSON J. L. B. GREEN Thomas M. TRAYLOR Thomas WEATHERS Stell BLAKE J. W. OVERTON R. H. FORD W. D. MITCHELL R. H. HARRIS M. H. RADNEY F. A. WEAVER M. P. STEWART G. H. HANDLEY Reuben KYLE W. W. WOOD W. T. TENANT J. J. M. BROWN Dr. W. W. BONNER E. R. CASWELL Zach BRASWELL P. L. BROOKS W. R. AVERY [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 17 May 1911, p.1] ------------------------------ DELEGATES APPOINTED ------------------------------ Mayor [F. P.] NICHOLS has appointed the following delegates to the National Good Roads congress which meets in Birmingham May 23-6: Dr. G. W. FLOYD Dr. W. W. STEVENSON Dr. H. B. DISHAROON Dr. P. G. TRENT Dr. J. T. STRIPLIN O. H. STEVENSON J. P. RADNEY R. W. GRIFFIN A. R. NOEL C. M. HESTER T. C. BINGHAM T. M. SWANN J. M. ZACHRY J. J. AWBREY Dr. D. M. YATES S. C. CARTER B. O. DRIVER A. J. DRIVER, Sr. Captain B. F. WEATHERS W. H. STEWART W. H. BRITTAIN Major SCHUESSLER J. A. CARLISLE Adolphus HUEY G. C. FREEMAN R. KYLE has been appointed as a delegate from the state. [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 17 May 1911, p.1] ------------------------- JOHN W. OVERTON INTERVIEWED ON GOOD ROADS ------------------------- One of the chief figures at the Good Roads congress is John W. OVERTON, of Randolph county, who as a member of the Alabama state senate acquired the title of “the apostle of good roads,” by fathering the good roads movement in Alabama. “Despite the fact that we have won every fight that we have made for good roads in Alabama so far,” said Senator OVERTON, “the fight has just commenced. The movement is in its inception. If we stop here we have accomplished very little. The creation of a state highway commission by the last legislature was a needed reform, but the counties must be aroused and the communities must be aroused before we can reap the real benefits of the movement.[”] “The time is now ripe for federal aid in the building of roads,” continued Senator OVERTON. “ The people should see that congress puts into effect the constitutional provision providing for the building of good roads.” -- [Originally published in the] Birmingham Ledger [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 31 May 1911, p.1] ------------------------ PROBATE JUDGE HEFLIN OF RANDOLPH IS HERE ------------------------ Probate Judge John T. HEFLIN, of Randolph county, is one of the delegates to the Good Roads congress. Judge HEFLIN is a brother of Solicitor [Harrington P.] HEFLIN and Drs. H. T. [Howell Towles] and Wyatt HEFLIN, of this city [Birmingham]. “We are having a revival of the good roads sentiment in our county this summer,” said Judge HEFLIN. “Recently we have organized a County Good Roads association and expect to make much progress with the movement in our section. While Randolph is a county lacking in railroad facilities, we claim to have produced one of the leading good roads advocates of the state, Senator OVERTON, who was the author of the good roods [sic] amendment.” -- [Originally published in the] Birmingham Ledger [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 31May 1911, p.1] ------------------------- GOOD ROADS DELEGATES ------------------------- EDITOR LEADER: I herewith hand you a list of names of delegates appointed by me to represent Randolph County at the annual meeting of the Alabama Good Roads Association, which meets in Selma October 25th to 27th. C. B. COLE C. CREWS W. W. LIPHAM John T. YARBROUGH Lou DUKE J. N. WORD J. W. OVERTON W. C. WILLINGHAM John PEEK R. W. THOMPSON J. F. CARDWELL O. H. STEVENSON B. F. WEATHERS P. G. TRENT, Sr. J. C. HORNSBY A. M. AWBREY F. P. NICHOLS S. C. FAUSETT B. C. JONES W. R. AVERY H. N. OWENS R. L. BROOKS John TRAYLOR John RAGSDALE [Submitted by] John T. HEFLIN [County Judge of Probate] [From The Roanoke Leader (Randolph County, Alabama), 25 Oct 1911, p.1]