The Struggle for a Green River Road

The people of the Green River country are moving to secure easier connection with this city and other parts of the county. They are situated off by themselves, with no direct means of communication. To come here now they are obliged to take the roundabout and costly route by way of Puyallup Valley and Tacoma by wagon, by rail and by steamboat, a trip of almost 50 miles, requiring two days' time in the making, and costing four or five dollars to make. These people want to come here in their own wagons, through their own county, over a route of only about 10 miles in length, and at comparatively no expense. This they can do if a road is given them. They want to come down White River Valley to Slaughter [Auburn], and from Slaughter on they can come by the old county road, the river or by cars. When the railroad is operated some work was done on the road last year, but not enough. More should be done this year. A thousand dollars are asked. It is not a cent too much. Three years ago there were not over 30 settlers in the valley; two years ago not over 80; last year there were about 100, and this year about 300. The Northern Pacific Railroad is building through the heart of the settlement, and the company is doing what it can to alienate the people from us, and carry their trade to another town. This we cannot allow, and we can prevent it by giving them roads such as they desire and are entitled to. There should be no delay on the part of the Commissioners in making the appropriation asked.