Boone, As Seen by a
Citizen of the County
Editor Democrat: A man born and raised in Watauga County
should hardly be called a visitor in Boone, but rather a citizen thereof,
because it is every one’s town who loves his country and his people, and have
their moral and material development at heart. Hence I will ascribe myself a
“Citizen” rather than a “Visitor.”
No better citizenship is found anywhere than in Boone. For
years past it has been the HUB of thought and action in the material
development of our county; so much so, I fear, that it fails at all times to
see its own weaknesses or to grasp its possibilities and advantage. Perhaps
conditions are watched more closely from people outside, and are looked at by
them from a different standpoint, than by people living in town. If this be
true, and any faults be pointed out, or any suggestions made, all in the very
best feeling, and for the common good of all, should it not be worth while that
the people consider them together for a season?
It has been the pleasure of the writer to be in Boone quite
a lot lately and have seen some conditions existing that certainly need
attention. I was there when your first real passenger train came in and
rejoiced with you in its coming. At the same time I noticed how badly the
streets and sidewalks needed repairs; in fact I feel you need to build them
practically new. The streets and side walks are muddy and the crossings almost
impassable. The streets on either side seem to be piled with rock and other
debris, and frog ponds galore on either side; house roofs are not guttered and
are latterly washing away what little work has been done on the side walks.
Telephone wires scattered all about, and I even found one hanging across the
sidewalk just high enough to strike my chin in walking.
Stock is roaming about
promiscuously, and even grazing daily on the court house lawn and public
square, a thing that should be detestable to any citizen who has one scintilla
of public pride in him, or desires to see the laws obeyed as well as enforced.
I also notice young boys, whether residents of the town or
not, riding bicycles promiscuously up and down the side walks, a thing that is
very dangerous, as well as annoying to the public and should not be allowed for
a moment.
A great number of people are wanting to locate in Boone for
business, for its school advantages and other things, but the unanimous
consensus of opinion is, which has been found out by actual experience, that
you cannot buy, beg, borrow or rent scarcely anything at all for a home.
You are now passing thru the formative period of your
existence, and if these things continue, you are doomed just as sure as you
allow them to continue.
The probability is you have not had the wide awake town
administration in the past you have needed, because the remedy for such evils
rests largely with them, coupled of course with the hearty co-operation of the
public. However, we are informed that your town administration has just changed
hands, and knowing the gentlemen as we do, if you do not get an awakening, and
have to do some things you should have done long ago, we are going to be the
worst fooled man in the county. And when they do undertake a proposition, if
you people do not stand by them solidly and help push forward in a body you ought
to be banished to Holland with William.
Let us all take new inspiration for the common good, and
have a nice, attractive and sanitary town that will not only be the admiration
and price of its residents but have the praise and admiration of all on the outside.
Now Mr. Editor, these are only a few of the defects that
might be mentioned, and only a few suggestions as to their remedy, and rest
assured they are made in the very best of spirit and feeling toward all, and
for no end in view save that of trying to call them to attention in order to
start ways for something better, and to aid you good people in a reformation in
any way possible, but I fear the great trouble is, you will probably sanction
the majority of what I have said, then lay it aside and forget that such things
exist or have ever been mentioned and stay in the same old worn out saddle and
just ride along. Are you going to do this? Time will tell and we can only wait
and see.
This may be one of a series of articles along this line, and
if others should follow, they may contain more pertinent things, by far, than
this.
We have faith in you people, and we hope it will not be
shaken. When we visit Boone again you may near from us.
“A Citizen”
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