The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-07-01
For the anderson MtelHgencer.
Drainage of Rocky River Lands.
ANDERSON, S. c., June 26, 1875.

Drainage of Rocky River Lands.
ANDERSON, S. c., June 26, 1875.
The landowners of Rocky River, in obedi-
ence to motion adopted at a previous meet
ing, assembled in the Court House to hear the
report of the committee of five, appointed to
examine stream, &c.
The meeting was called to order by the
chairman, Col. R. S. Hill, who stated that the
first thing in order would be to hear the report
of the committee which had been appointed
at the previous meeting.
Capt. W. D. Evans, the chairman of the
committee read the following report:
ANDERSON, s. c. June 26, 1875.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, Proprtetors OF
Rocky River Bottom and contiguous lands:
Pursuant to appointment, your committee
met-all present except one member, who
was excused for sufficient ,ause-and proceed
ed to examine the said Rocky River bottoms,
more particularly to perspect the lower shoals,
and to seek for and obtain information in refer
ence to all the bottom and swamp lands, begin
ming at the shoals known as Majors Shoals
and ending at Drayton Stringer's, embracing a
distance Of say eight miles, and containing, in
our opinion, Including lands on tributary
streams,) one thousand or more acres, all Of
which, in an eminent degree, demand and re-
quire drainage. Your committee, therefore,
report
First, the Importance and utility, and we
would say the high necessity of the thorough
drainage of said lands as contributing not only
to the wealth and resources of the owners, but
to the hygiene of all the bordering country
and to the town of Anderson.
Second, the practicability of the enterprise.
It is our opinion that said enterprise is not
only feasible and practicable, but presenting
as few difficulties as many other similar enter
prises have done which have long since been
carried into successful execution and we are
confirmed in this belief from the following
facts and considerations, viz: that at Majors
Shoals, the lower terminus of the survey, we
find not less than FIVE feet fall at what is known
as the upper falls, extending not more than
fifty yards along the bed of the river which, at
mparatively little expense may, be removed
and utilized; or again, in the very short dis
tance of ten yards, we find fall of some two
or three feet, which, in our judgment, may be
removed by blasting and afford the necessary
outlet for the accumulated waters above
Further, we find in many sections very
crooked channel which, by cutting off of banks
and elbows, would afford much greater facili-
ties for emptying the water. In other sections
we find a good and tolerably straight channel,
adequate for all purposes. Everywhere along
we find accumulation of drift and raft, by the
removal of which the water would be more
successfully and rapidly conveyed away.
Third. As practical citizens and men of some
experience, we believe the health of the whole
surrounding country would be benefited and
improved by thorough drainage, and in this
we are sustained by the opinions of practicing
physicians along the banks of said stream.
We. therefore, recommend to this meeting
that they organize themselves into an associa-
ton of drainage, and that we speedily memo
rialize and petition the County Commissioners
for the authority to proceed to further said en-
terprise, and to ask that honorable body to
take charge of said enterprise, under certain
restrictions and limitations, and to give US all
the material aid in their power.
Respectfully submitted,
WIN. D. EVINS, Chm'n.
The chairman made also verbal statement
at some length on the propriety of the enter
prise for healthful and pecuniary purposes.
On motion of Maj John B. Moore the re-
port of the committee was adopted as the sense
of the meeting, and that the committee be
continued for further duties.
Maj. Moore, together with Col. R. S. Hill,
Dan'l. Brown, DR.. W. Fl. Nardin and DIR. 0. r.
Broyles made remarks in favor Of the enter
prise-the two latter giving it as their opinion
that this river in its present condition was
fruitful source of malaria.
The committee were instructed to petition
the County Commissioners to aid in the matter
as far as possible. The committee were also
instructed to obtain the services Of compe-
tent civil engineer.
The meeting adjourned subject to the call Of
the chairman.
James L. Orr, Esq, being invited, kindly
consented and acted as secretary during most
of the proceedings.
R. s. HILL, Chairman.
S. NJ. PEGG, Secretary.