The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-06-15
A REMARKABLE DREAM AND ITS Full
FILLMENT,


been told, West Allen Williams, Esq, had o
very strange and singular dream-before the
town of Williamson, s. c., was laid out,
or any one had even thought of town
springing up in that quarter.
It seems that Esquire Williams, who then
owned q considerable portion of the lands
in and around the present town of William
ston, and who was also resident at the
time was out one day with his rifle hunting
for wild turkeys, if mistake not, and be-
coming wearied and tired from his ramblings
through dense swamps and briars which
then abounded near the banks of the little
stream which runs through the centre of
our town, he sought the shade of friendly
pine that stood near, and sat down to rest
himself while. After having rested for
some time in that position, he began to feel
sleepy, and concluded that he would lie
down and rest right. He very soon fell into
a sound sleep, and dreamed that he saw
spring of sparkling, pure mineral water
gushing forth out of the swamp. that in
short time quite number of shops, houses
and churches were erected around said
spring; that the iron horse soon came charg-
ing by with his shrill whistle echoing from
hill to hill, and gladdening the hearts of the
people; that town soon sprang up around
the spring. and that in process of time the
town increased and became place of some
note in the world.
But the Squire awoke, and soon found
that his beautiful little town with all of its
shops, dwellings, churches, schools, etc., etc.,
was nothing but fanciful dream of the
imagination.
So much for the dream, which have re-
lated as it was told me to the best of my
recollection-several years having elapsed
since I first heard it. And now as to its full.
fllment.
When our noble and kind-hearted dream
er awoke, he was feeling very thirsty, and
started off through the swamps toward the
creek, which was hard by, in search of water
to slake his thirst. But just before reaching
its banks he discovered small stream of
water, resembling some kind of mineral
water, as he imagined, vending its course
towards the banks of the creek. Being de-
sirous to test the matter, he soon traced this
little stream to its source, scraped out q
kind of basin in the mud and sand, letting
it fill with clear water so that he could taste
it. He did so, and to his amazement and
joy it really had to him strong taste of
some kind Of mineral. He afterwards had
the water analyzed, with whose properties
ting public are already acquainted and it
even proved to be as he had imagined.
In order to have this wonderful dream
further fulfilled, as it had thus far been real
lied by this philanthropic and generous gen.
tleman, he at once set his energies, both of
body and mind, to work. Parties balls
and barbecues were given to bring the peo-
pie together in order that they might con-
suit and interchange their views one with
another. After the town was surveyed and
laid off, Esquire Williams presented lots to
various persons, on condition that they
would improve them. A lot was given the
Town Council for the benefit and protection
of the spring; another for the benefit and
use of the Greenville and Columbia Rail-
road, and others likewise for the benefit Of
the churches, provided they were not to be
used for grave yards or places for interring
the dead; Others still were sold at low fig
ures to any and all desiring to buy.
West Allen Williams, Esq, in honor Of
whom the town of Williamson, S. c., took
its name, was very generous and charita-
BILE gentleman, and although not professor
of religion, yet he always opened his doors
to all ministers of the gospel, and gave
them of the best in his shop. The poor he
never sent empty away, but was ever kind
and hospitable to all.
And, now, in regard to this remarkable
dream and its fulfllment, of which I have
been writing it is useless for me to say any
thing more at present, as it has already been
seen in the sequel of the town of
WILLIAMSON.
UJl,;omsfon 6 q T1,,,e 5th 1876