Connecticut western news., 1889-08-14
THE DISMAL SWAMP.
ITS WATER PALATABLE AND A
 SURE CURE FOR MALARIA.
A Wilderness Containing More Than
 6O,OOO Acres.

OU,UUU Acres.
 Down in Eastern North Carolina, situated between the Counties of Wash ington, Tyrrel and Beaufort, lies a vast tract of land containing over co., 900 acres, known as the ''Dismal." It runs along somewhat parallel to the Albemarle Sound, at a distance of from three to five miles from the sandy shores of that beautiful inland sea. The strip of high land in between forms some of the finest grain and truckery lands ill the south, while the almost impenetrable jungles of the bordering s'dismar' afford shelter and protection to various wild animals notably the common black bear and deer.
 Numberless wild cattle browse upon its extensive reed pastures; the fox finds in its solitary thickets congenial camping ground, while the raccoon and opossum from its dense shades make nightly forays upon the bordering cornfelds. In early days the cry of the panther broke the stiffness of it's depths, and even now the huge wild cat is often encountered by hunters. During the rainy season it is mostly covered with water from few inches to several feet in depth, though it con- tains many high spots, acres in extent, that are never submerged. The timber is mostly juniper, with considerable cypress, some long leaf pine and scat tering poplar and gum. For large areas the growth of juniper is so thick and tall that the sun never strikes the ground. In such places we are re- minded of twilight at high noon. It is only partially drained by sluggish creeks that circuitously find their way to the sound. Strange as it may seem the waters of these juniper swamps are considered panacea for the ills of the locality, and their medicinal quail ties are so well established that it is sent away by the barrel for such use. Natives, who had been shaken up by the ague until they were white as a piece of cotton cloth, would plunge into the shingle swamps, remaining fol weeks, drinking only this water and return to the hill hearty and robust with the roses of health blooming or their cheeks. It is about the color o1 scuppernong wine and smacks little of the juniper in taste. It is very pal atable, and when taken from the quie depths of it's natural reservoir on hot day makes a most delightful drink
 Enterprise and capital are about te change this vast wilderness into hun dred farms. A railroad has been rur from the sound across its entire width 1 connecting with towns on the opposite side, and with the Norfolk Southern Railroad at Edenton. An immense mill has been built that saws up 500 o1 the largest pine logs daily. The lun Der, after being thoroughly kiln-dried is loaded upon cars and shipped t( Baltimore, Philadelphia and other mar kets. The juniper is turned into shingles and coopers' timber. Quite town is springing up around the mil and hundreds of native men are find ing ready employment at good wages The snort and whistle of the stean engine now startles the bear prowin@ through the undergrowth, and deer ar' frequently seen flying down the long stretches of railroad track. Soon theil haunts will know them no more. Al will be changed. The timber onc' taken of, canals will be dug, com pletely draining the land, and thous ands of acres will be turned into fertil' farms and smiling gardens.-Pittsburs Dispatch.