Guaranty Oil Co., manufacturer of gasoline at Big Springs, is
making extensive improvements on its plant.
A rough calculation of the miles walked by L.M. Williams to and
from his farm during the year figures 1,275 miles.
Jeff Kelley, industrious Phillips Run farmer, is busy at work on
the roads of his precinct, over which he is supervisor. Hathaway Brothers are
furnishing the power with five yokes of oxen, and the road machine is turning up
some excellent roads.
Tom Stump of Stumptown is teaming from Creston to Stumptown.
Merchants from that place haul their goods from Creston now, instead of Spencer,
owing to the bad condition of the Roane County roads.
Our old friend, A.W. Hallenbake, who started out several days
ago on a trip through the county to repair watches, clocks, etc., is on Barnes
Run, and reported to be doing lots of work. Anthony is a first class workman and
is sure to give satisfaction to his customers.
Looking at the Little Kanawha River, with its shallow flow of
water, it is hard to realize that it was once the main artery of commercial
traffic in the county. Many boats traveled the river and its largest
tributaries. Some were steam boats, while other were gasoline boats.
Old timer Walter Propst has listed the names of boats he
remembers. Steam boats he names are Oneida, Hilton, French, Louise, Darling,
Milton and Lulu.
Gasoline boats include Grantsville, Clarence, Dove, Leona G.,
Acme, G.L. Cabot, Virginia Rhodes, J.G. Oles, Crane, Donald, Ella, Paul S.,
Eagle, Edith H., Harold H., Return, Glenville, Gainer No. 1, Gainer No. 2,
Latonia, Russett, Mabel B., Clipper, Icon, Winona, Creston, Harry W., Haul S.,
Reliance, Brooksville, Harold S., Leone, Joe S., Mildred M., Sunshine, Wabash,
H.B. Stout, Calhoun, Lark, Albatross, Margaret R., Nellie G., Return No. 2, Ruth
T., Ruth S., Mabel B., Violet, Hillary R., Mavis B., A.E. Kenney, Sampson,
Carbon Black, Dardinell, Orlo, Slim Jim, Martha H., Juanita, Deems, Bros.,
Rascal, Vance, Suzanna, Casey Jones, Red Bird, Joy, Lorena, Eugene, Elvia,
Barney, Yellow Bird, Chase, Grand, Monska, and Sophie A.
Some of these boats bear names yet familiar, being the names of
the boat owners and members of his family. They are all a part of the colorful
past. Since the building of roads, travel on the Little Kanawha has come to a
standstill.