At one point Crooked Creek makes a long loop and at the neck of the loop the distance across is not over 300 yards.  At this neck are two fords of the creek - Brown's and Weir's.  Both of these fords were bad enough in low water and dangerous or impassable at oher times.  These fords were the only means of communication across the township east and west, or with the land inside, unless a long detour was made and then the stage of water to the creek determined the possibility of communication from any source.

A number of years ago James A. Smith bought the land within this loop of Crooked Creek and moved there with his family.  The only way he could get out of this neck was through the land of old man Nelson.  Nelson soon nailed up the gate and put up a sign "No trespassing."  Smith was bottled up.  Without hesitating he mounted a horse, picked his way along the edge of the creek to the road, came to Carthage and had a petition gotten up for a road between Nelson and himself, road back over the township until he had the required signers, presented the petition to the highway commissioners and the present road through the two fords was built.  Smith then wanted schooling for his children.  By perseverance, he managed to get district 104 extended down to include his house and he was within two miles of a school on a good road.

Smith and his neighbors wanted to market their produce.  They could only do it subject to stage of water in the creek.  Persons having business across the township had to consult the rain map or go miles around.  The township had expended every dollar they could raise and bridges and could do no more.  The question was taken into township elections.  Finally Mr. Smith was nominated road commissioner and the question of a bridge was largely the issue.  Smith made no promises, but won easily on his reputation of "doing things."  The result of the elections was barely announced, when Smith had mounted his horse again and went after the people with a subscription paper to build a bridge, with the aid of a county appropriation.  He worked hard for a month without fee or reward besides giving $100 toward the bridge.  The result is that on Crooked Creek at Brown's ford today stands the largest and best bridge on the creek.

The bridge is 203 feet long, built by J. W. and R. H. Long at a cost of $2125.  Of this amount $1011 was raised by subscription, the county appropriated half and but $97 came out of township funds.  The bridge was completed and accepted Nov. 21st.

Another bridge is now being completed at Weir's ford, which will give the township the best of communication east and west under all circumstances.

The amount of money subscribed for the bridge at Brown's, was a little more than necessary to complete the bridge and the balance will be expended are [sic] the approaches.  The following on the amounts subscribed and paid for this bridge by citizens of Hancock and Carthage: