The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-18
THE DISMAL SWAMP.

i1I OlS4I II II ~ " 1AA1A
LAKE DRCMM0SD-vOYAGE FROM NORFOLK
ALONG THE DISMAL, SWAMP CANAL TO THA,
LAKE AND BkCK-MooRE's VERSION OF TEL
| LAKE LEGEND-THE DISMAL-SWAMP .FEA
TUREs-soMETHlNG ABOUT THE COUNTRY
COMMUNITY IN THE WILDERNEsS-ANEC
| DoTE ABOUT LAKE DRUMM0ND, &C.
Il ~. T /@rt- II
Having been frequently urged by Mar
| shall Parks, Esq, to visit the Dismal swamp
and look upon its interesting features and
observe the great activity ef commerce 9nG
the local pursuits OF the region, this writer
| finally, OH the 9th instant, in company will
| Mr. Parks and several Of his worthy friends
made the voyage from Norfolk to Lake
DrummosId along the Dismal-SwaDp canal
1t was great qualification. The day wa:
delightful and the scenes were novel anc
agreeable. The swamp we had never sect
save on the outer edge; and so great {
swamp could not fail to interest any one
who had never before seen one.
The general description that this vast
swamp is great morass with soil Of veg.
etable matter, fifteen feet in depth, saturated
with water, generally yielding to the tread
OF man, and much covered with pools in
winter, will give some idea OF its appearance
to those who have not seen it. Before its
invasion by timber-get!ers it was covered
with grand forest OF finest timber, which
has been greatly slaughtered aud thinned
by the axe and saw Of the woodmen. Mil
lions Of dollars worth of valuable timber
has been cut out OF this dense forest, which
was given the name "Dismal" by the early
settlers no doubt because Of its loneliness
and dark, sonbre, and impenetrable shaGc.
Nfn S,,n
and gum. and where the drier ridges ap-
peared there were beech, oak, and other
trees. The juniper and cypress consisted
OF some OF the finest timber that is found
anywhere. Moses, reeds, ferns, aquatic
trees. and shrubs cover the surface With
what was until later days almost an impene-
trable mass. To pass along canal through
such region is interesting and exciting.
At this season the growth Of the forest is
admirable. The variety OF vines, the bloom
inc laurel, and plants and lilies make pic
ture OF rare ioveliness and brightness. My
eyes were ever greeted by what to me was
indescribably enchanting.
Legendary information fastens upon the
wild and wierd region a fame varied by
What would excite terrible apprehension as
well as eager expectation. Poisonous in
sects and reptiles abounded, and even
beasts Of prey; for there were bears in these
woods. a pleasure party upon the canal
was gathering flowers from the overhanging
vines, and charming young lady gathered
snake, which coiled around her we'll
turned ivory wrist instead OF q flower !!
| Fancy the scene!
Then in former days there were a few
savage Indians aud many runaway slaves in
the swamp. Indeed, it was richly supplied
nj tnrflS "a Il
| terrible apprehensions.
| But the flowery and pleasant side of the
view OF the swamp oulives the other in
my memory. Once on year OF drought
skrted the swamp and saw rich fields OF
corn and forests of deep living green, 10
which birds that had fled from parched
fields and willing forests had gone for
refuge and succor. Birds were innumera.
! ble Even large animals had crowded down
! from the uplands, and the region was rife
with the animal invasion. Amongst the
feathered tribe the red-bird was the most
! cons picuous and ornamental. His brilliant
pumage contrasted widely with the deep
green Of the growing corn, upon which the
rudy "Joseph and his brethren" "golng
for corn" were assiduously attaching them
selves. This was indeed u scene long to be
remembered. Think OF leaving parched
uIIu 1du1lsuCu Iulfus W HCiC WIN I'siiAhr
and furnishing, and emerging through the
| feet transportation by railway in land
where all was green, all was. gay, and
/ brightness OF sunshine and color danced
! and fitted about with enchanting illusion.
| Such is the Dismal swamp. can enjoy
| ii. wish could describe it. '..
| We left the canal at the -" FEEDER" astt is
called. This is cross canal cut from Lake
| Drummond, which contributes its volume
OF water to the canal. 1t was hoped thai
it would give ample and permanent rein.
Yorcement to the canal. But time has
proved it insufficient. .
Lake Drummond is pretty sheet oil
water, six miles long by three wide, whose
surface is twenty-one feet above tide-water.
The sap Of the juniper colors and tlavors
the water. which is dark amber. 1t is
very agreeable. and there are many stories
about the delightful taste it imparts to ar
dent spirits OF many kinds which are read.
i!y believed by most gentlemen who haste
to test the effect the juniper has upon
"sood liquor"
Before we reached the lake we came upon
q lone habitation, apparently built for the
accommodation Of the keeper OF lock
which stood near. 1t had solitary and
decayed appearance just there, but never
theiess there was the presence OF family
to enliven it, and family which seemed TO
represent many races. 1t offered quite a
study for the ethnologists. There were
points and traits OF human form and char
acter that were interesting-even the Ame.
rican Indian being represented. And, far
removed as it would seem The little comm,l-
nity was from civilization and fashion, it
was plain that the little vice of vanity
had found Its way thither. A courier
bud been sent in advance to warn the
lock-keeper that we were coming, that he
might let on<a flow OF water to assist our
navigation to the lake. This warning not
only succeeded in etfecting this Object, Dus
upon our reaching the lock we found that i
had caused the female part Of the Hopu'.a "A
ton to array themselves in their most rom
men ndable garments, and to seat them selves
in their most decorous attitudes. There
were In their fashions s".pinhaf ks, anl
things that would Iustifythe SUI picien tha
the Wearers had been whew n supoly O
cast-otf garments had been sryapDed for new
toggery by the charmerso o.. life, who appeal
in new skins Just to snchapt the gidd,
birds that fall before them. This tnciden
OF the voyage was r;;ne that could not have
been omitted Without Injury testhe scien
tifc and philcs,ophic delectation Of the com
pany.. 49, 49,. ,... E4,,5.
Soon as,.er we gIided ,trismphantly intt
classic lake Drummond, and at once enter
ed ir. 20 communion with its ghostly lnhabi
tpats. or course, first OF them was tn'
fair maid who iiaunts the bright water II
her q white canoe.h Her dissraight love