Motor Cars Have Trouble With Mud and Water
From Windham County Transcript, March 19, 1914 The main highway between Danielson and the larger cities in New England are in deplorable condition at the present time for motoring and local motor enthusiasts are quite concerned. It is many years since the main highways have been in such poor condition for motoring, local drivers state, and the outlook is not at all encouraging for a material improvement during the next two weeks.
In motoring to Providence, it is impossible to get through South Killingly on account of the badly rutted roads at Little Rest and Dark Lantern hill, and the quantities of mud between Danielson and Dark Lantern hill, so drivers are going either through Moosup and Sterling or by the way of Putnam and Chepachet where the roads are comfortable good. It will be at least another month before the direct road through South Killingly or Chestnut hill can be safely taken and even then, before that time the town will have to patch up the roads quite considerably.
There is only one way to get through to Worcester and even then there is a point between Webster and Oxford that is well nigh impassable.
The roads through Putnam, Thompson, all good gravel or macadam roads, are in excellent condition. Turning through Thompson, passing the railroad station, one finds some mud and ruts between that point and Grosvenorsdale, but beyond Grosvenorsdale as far as the state line at Perryville the road is excellent. After a hard muddy pull South Webster or Quinebaug, so called, you again hit the good road as far as one mile south of Oxford where the average auto meets its Waterloo. For one mile the road is a pond of mud and water with deep pitfalls every rod or two; in fact at one point the auto has to take to the bumping ties of the trolley track in order to avoid being stalled hub deep in mud and mire. From Oxford on to Worcester and Boston the roads are smooth and safe and it is a pleasure to tour over them.
Between Danielson and Norwich there are several short stretches of poor muddy roads. One at Bishop’s Crossing below Plainfield where a section of state road is being constructed and the second stretch near Jewett City. The new gravel road from Jewett City to Taftville is a joy to every motorist and has retained its excellent condition all winter.
There is no use talking about the Willimantic road for a motor car. While a high powered car would get through the average local car would probably have to resort to a yoke of oxen or a pair of horses before it had reached Hampton. This road has been badly washed out this month and much repair work is necessary before it will be restored to the previous good condition.
The main roads and state highways in the town of Killingly are in fair condition but a great deal of repair work must be done during the spring on account of the heavy washouts during this month.
Upcoming Events
Announcements & Updates
40th Anniversary Celebration
In celebrating the 40th anniversary of the society, we are offering an updated version of "Mills Along the Whetstone Brook" by member and past president Richard Adams. There are new pictures and updated information. The price of the booklet is $9.99.
Also available are pictures made into postcard size. Available is trolley in Dayville, first trolley in Danielson, South Killingly store and post office circa late 1880's, Westcott-Wilcox Old People's Home 1904, Day Building corner of Main and Union Sts., Abner Young house Main St., Hill Homestead Rte. 101 East Killingly, Williamsville Company Store circa late 1800's, Woodward's Drug Store corner of Main and Center Sts., Tiffany Mill, S. P. Davis Building, Adams Filling Station, E.H. Jacobs Mfg. Co., Central House, St. James Church, Railroad House/Hutchins Hotel, Kies Tavern, Westfield Congregational Church. These are available for $.50 each.
These items can be mailed to you with shipping and handling costs added
.
Moments and Mementos
Member Wayne Magao has his first book in a series of three "Moments and Mementos" available for sale. Copies are available at the Killingly Historical Center.
CIVIL WAR BOOK - A Great Christmas Gift
1861 – 1865
“DEAR TRANSCRIPT,”
Letters home from the boys and regiments of Windham County written to the editor of their hometown newspaper, “The Windham County Transcript.” Published 2009
Individual soldiers, newspapermen, chaplains, and others wrote vivid descriptions of life in the ranks and as prisoners of war. This was the human side of the conflict that engaged brother against brother. Only those who had to live through it could describe the highs and lows of life as a soldier—from the boredom between battles, to the exhaustion and hunger when on long marches to the next battlefield, to the exhilaration after a skirmish was won and there was time to rest at last.
This book may be purchased in person at the Killingly Historical Center, 196 Main St. Danielson, CT for $32.00; or by mail: Check for $38.00 (including $6 shipping & handling) made out to the Killingly Historical & Genealogical Society and mailed to P. O. Box 6000, Danielson, CT 06239.
To reserve your copy download this PDF order form and follow the instructions.
The Plainfield and Killingly historical societies presented a program of readings from the new book “Dear Transcript: Letters from Windham County Soldiers during the Civil War 1861-1865”.
The Windham County Transcript was published from 1848 until 1977 in Danielson when it was purchased by the Norwich Bulletin. J. Q. A. (John Quincy Adams) Stone was Editor during the Civil War era.
Copies of “Dear Transcript...” will be available for sale and Marilyn Labbe, Executive Director of the Killingly Historical Center, who coordinated the book project, will sign copies. Civil War artifacts will be displayed. The public is invited. For information call 860-564-8561 or 860-779-7250.
KILLINGLY Journal On-Line Ninth Edition is now online.