Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1878-12-26

1
ToMAHAwR- NAVIGATION BENCH AND
BAR. &c.
i /.
"The waters saw Tree, OF God-the
waters saw Thee. Thy path is in the
great waters-Thy footsteps are not
known. Thou dost establish equity
Thou e1ecuteth judgment and righteous
ness in Jacob"
This watar- course took its name from
the many dams which were engineered
by the constructive and working beavers,
q small animal which were hunted and
captured by the Indians, numbers of which
were wont to..congregate on its banks, and
in its forests, for their fur and also for
the fish for which this stream was also q
source Of ample supplies.
We'll do we remember the cane brakes
near the ford of the South end of our
village. and have often seen old uncle Jack
Gray pioneering his way through, by con-
styucting railways of fence rails, to effect
an entrance to its banks. to get his string
Of; Jacks, pickerals and perch Of tie fnny
tribe.
Thiu was, also, a navigable stream, and
oft has Mr.. E. j. Y. freighted his bark
with the fair and beautiful ones of the
village.belles, and skillfully steered a pas
cage far towards the East and returned
West with the %plaudits of the passengers,
especially when they escaped..a ducking,
for which the Captain had a mischievous
propensity to infict.
It's waters were often the resort Of the
stage drivers, also, for washing their dusty
and wearied pteeds; to this we challenge
old Capt. Ward to testify to the cleansing
efficacy of its waves.
The public spring was here for supply
ing ell the villagers water for drinking
and culinary purposes. Here, too, was
the play ground for the tardy slavish
water carriers. many Of whom received
their forty save one we'll laid on by their
masters in summers dog-day-times.
Here was. also, established the school
boys rendezvous for tho health-glvlng
exercise Of a watery gymnasium. and for
the enjoyment of q recreation when school
was out. These school boys-with the
ardor for q ses-faring life-established a
Navy Yard for the exercise CT marine
stsamy skill, to vent itself in ship build
ing. especially in making and fighting
with men Of war ships.
Many full rugged and gunned ships Of
war, with powder and ball, re-fought the
Wasp aad Frolick, as we'll as the Hornet
and Peacock battles with the skill Of old
sailors. Ard though these mariners
never furnished the United States Navy
with a Commodore they certainly furnished
the State of South Carolina with the best
Of her Adjutant Generals-in Gen. James
Jones.
On both sides Of the Beaverdam were
huge piles of granite rocks where the
boys and girls resorted and
I've heard, in years long gone, or else
have read
In some strange tome of nameless
mysteries,
| The legend Of o bell-=sss
Eeach time tits rung tits heard by only
one
In all the universe"
Those strong records bore the name,
| and dates of lovers and their %lasses, long
since passed away, to supply materials
for the building of the old rock Jail, which
has itsoif succumbed to the tooth Of TINS
Here, towards the East, near and in
rear of Mr.. A. J. Norris residence, was
located the cid Court House, made OF the
square hewn logs Of the heart Of the long
leaf pine. This has been removed to the
lot Of MI. D. R. DurisOe, and furnished
timbers for his present kitchen.
In this old Court House was the arena
for justice and equity Of the olden times
The prominent members OF the bar were
Maj. Charles Goodwin, who had lately
doffed the powdered wig and forensic togs
Of the English Court. He was of aristo
cratic bearing and of pure and unap
proachable integrity, in the faithful dis
charge of lis duries to God, the State ane
his clients. Never stopping to do a mea1
oct, and Of the utmost courtesy to all hi
-,.;,hhors u-uas noted for his Asr;
UursGral, horticultural, as well as pomo'
logical. science. which he successfully
practiced, and with a liberal hand dis.
pensed and distributed to all, especially te
the puor. His hay markings were seasons
Of merriment and pleasure to the invited
sons and daughters of the ysomanry O.
the village and vicinity. The other mem.
bers of the bar were Thomas Nibbs, Peter
Carn,- Shaw and Thomas CAN'T, a~Juuiol
member, and who was afterwards so justly
celebrated for skill and eloquence in crimi
nal cases. Peter earn was of large and
gigantic proportions, while Shaw was OF
verv small statue and notod for his smart
ness. irritable and nervous temperament.
In q close contest at the bar between
thsSs last two, earn had just finished
What he thought was an uranswerable ef-
fort and was succeeded by Shaw, who soon,
evidently to earn. made it certain he
iCarn) would De defeated. he resorted tn
the e1psdient of button ng into the cape
of his own overcoat the button of Shaw.
coat tail and suddenly arose and beat q
retreat to the front door, dragging little
Shaw behind, and when earn was about
emerging down the steps said, See what
those raskel boys have donel" Shaw was
80 excitodly enraged that he could not find
again the broken threads of his argument,
and the court, 30 convulssd with laughter.
that his Honor, finding it utterly impos
| sihle ia maintain the diunitv of the court