The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-08-16
DISMAL SWAMP.
The Home OF Runaway slave. ia Former
Times The Region Rife with Life.


Richmond va pisraieh.l
Having been frequently urged by
Marshal Parks, Esq, TO visit the Dismal
Swamp and look upon its interesting
features, and observe the great activity
of commerce and the local pursuits of
the region, this writer finally, on the 9th
instant, in company with Mr., Parks and
several of his worthy friends, made the
voyage from Norfolk to Lake Drum
mond, along the Dismal Swamp Canal.
1t was great qualification. The day
was delightful aud the scenes were novel
and agreeable. The swamp we had never
seen save on the outer edge, and so great
a 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, sat
urated 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
getters it was covered with grand forest
of the finest timber, which has been
greatly slaughtered and thinned by the
AK and saw of the woodmen. Millions
of dollars worth of valuable timber has
been cut out of this dense forest, which
was given the name Dismal by the
earliest settlers; no doubt because of it's
loneliness and dark, somber, and impen-
etrable shade.
The forest was of cyprus, juniper,
cedar and gum, and where the drier
ridges appeared, there was beech oak,
and other trees; the juniper and cypress
consisting 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 impenetrable mass To pass
along a canal in such region is interest
ing and exciting At this season the
growth of the forest is admirable. The
variety of vines, the blooming laurel,
and plants and lilies, make n picture of
rare loveliness and brightness. My eyes
were ever greeted by what to me was in
describably enchanting.
Legendary information fastens upon
the wild and weird region n fame varied
by what would excite terrible apprehen-
sion as well as eager expectation. Pois-
onous insects and reptiles abounded, and
in these woods. A pleasure party upon
the canal was gathering flowers from the
overhanging vines and n charming young
lady gathered a snake, which coied around
her well-turned wrist instead of flower!
Fancy the scenel
Then in former days there were few
savage Indians and many runaway slaves
In the swamp. Indeed it was richly sup
piled with ample material for startling
stories and terrible apprehensions.
But the flowery and pleasant side of
the view of the swamp outlives the other
in my memory. Once in year of
drought / skirted the swamp and saw
rich fields of corn and forests of deep
living green, to which birds that had
fled from parched fields and whiting for
ests had gone for refuge and succor.
Birds were innumerable. Even large
ANIMALS had crowded from the uplands,
and the region was rife with the animal
invasion. Among the feathered tribe
the red bird was the most conspicuous
and ornamental. His brilliant plumage
contrasted widely with the deep green of
Joseph and his brethren" "going for
corn" where assiduously attaching them
selves. This was, indeed, a scene long
to be remembered. Think of leaving a
parched and famished land, where all
were painting and furnishing, and emerg-
ing 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 it. / wish could describe it.