The Highway Commissioners of Old Fort Township have been informed that the State Legislature has very recently passed a bill granting the County of McDowell the use of State convicts on the Central Highway. They wish to know under what conditions and restrictions this grant has been made. Also how soon the convicts will be available.

The work on the Central Highway in Old Fort Township has been let out by contract. The section from Old Fort to Old Henry is complete and the section from Greenlee to Old Fort will be finished in a little over a month. The contract for the link from Old Henry to Ridgecrest was let March 1st. and the contractor ready to begin work. However, if we find that we could build a better and cheaper road with convicts than under the present contract the contractor informs me that he will withdraw.

The townships have spent about fifty thousand and the Federal Government ten thousand dollars on the Central Highway in McDowell County. There has been no State aid on construction. The Highway in this section is primarily a State road and both the Commissioners and myself wish to make the very best road possible from Old Henry to Ridgecrest. Our available funds will not permit us to do this. We need financial help and if it is possible for the State to do so we are asking the State to aid us by furnishing the convicts free of all expense to McDowell County.

We are holding up the contractor awaiting your reply,