Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1890-07-05
THE DISMAL SWAMP.
A Wilderness Containing Over 5000
Acres to BE Reclaimed.

Acres to BE Reclaimed.
Down in Eastern North Carolina,
situated between the counties of Wash
ington Tyrrel and Beaufort, lies
a vast tract OF land containing over
GO, 900 acres, known as the Dismal
1t runs along somewhat parallel to
the Albemarle sound, at 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 in the South, while the
almost impenetrable jungles of the
bordering Dismal 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 border
ing corn-felds. In early days the cry
of the panther broke the stiffness OF
its depths, and even now the huge
wildcat is often encountered by hunt
ers. During the rainy season it
is mostly covered with water
from few inches to several feet in
depth, though it contains many high
spots, acres in extent, that are never
submerged. The timber is mostly
juniper, with considerable cypress,
some long-leaf pine and scattering
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 reminded OF
twilight at high nooD IT is only
drained by sluggish creeks that cir
cautiously find their way to the sound.
Strange as it may seem the waters Of
these juniper swamps are considered
a panacea for the ills of the locality,
and their medicinal qualities are so
we'll established that il is sent away by
the barrel for such use. Natives, who
had been shaken up by the ague until
they were as white as piece of cot
ton-cloth, would plunge into the single
swamps, remaining for weeks drink
ing only this water and return to the
hill hearty and robust with the roses
of health blooming on their cheeks.
1t is about the color of scuppernong
wine and smacks little of the juniper
in taste. 1t is very palatable, and
when taken from the quiet depths OF
its natural reservoir on hot day
, makes a most delightful drink.
Enterprise and capital are about tC
change this vast wilderness into q
hundred farms. A railroad has beer
run from the sound across its entire
width, connecting with towns on the
opposite side, and with the Norfolk
Southern railroad at Edenton. An i'm.
mense mill has been built that saws NJ
: five hundred of the largest pine log!
, daily. The lumber. after being thor
, oughly kiln-dried, is loaded upon cars
and shipped to Baltimore, Philadelphia
and other markets. The juniper is
turned into shingles and coopers tim
Der. Quite town is springing W
around the mill, and hundreds of native
men are finding ready employment a
good wages. The snort and whistle o
| Al. 1. I,
= proving through the underground
and deer are frequently seen hying
! down the long stretches of railroad
, track. Soon THEW haunts will know
them no more. All will be changed
The timber once taken off canals viii
be dug, completely draining the land
S and thousands of acres will be turnet
into fertile farms and smiling gardens
. D;4+,l,,uol, I1i-nota1,