The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-04-19
A BIG FISH.
Major Du Bose Catches the King of Holniny
Pot
GAbbeville Press and Banner. |

Abbeville Press and Banner.l
Major DuBose, a gentleman of color,
brought to town last Monday morning
the largest cat fish that was ever in the
Abbeville market. Its dimensions
were:
Length from nose to tail 81 inches.
Length across the head Z inches.
Length between the eyes inches.
Weight. t.....................23a pounds.
It lived about one hour after being
taken from the water.
Itwas sold to Messrs. Henry & Cheat
ham for Sl.5O. When dressed it
weighed 10 pounds-six pounds of
head, and l3 pounds of steak. 1t sold
readily at -! cents.
This monster was caught in the his
toric hole in the Savannah River
which is known far and near as "Hom-
my Pot" and connected with which
are interesting and exciting legends of
shipwrec and death.
In former years, before the railroa ads
were built, and " hen the cotton of this
country was transported by pole boats
to Augusta, this whirl pool was a
noted place of danger, which was
dreaded and carefully avoided by all
boatmen. After the cotton crop had
found Dew outlet to the great markets
of the world, the business of transport
ing freights up and down the river
dwindled and became Improbable,
and when the boats had ceased to make
their regular trips this vortex of turn
ing water passed from view and was
for time almost forgotten by the pub
lie mind.
In more cases than one this same
Hominy Pot has figured in the records
of our Courts.
The State in her majesty has called
her sons to account for the deeds of
death which had been perpetrated in
its waters, and citizens have appealed
to that tribunal of justice and equity
for judgment against those unlucky
boatmen who had been entrusted with
treasure, and whose crafts had been
crushed and sent to destruction by it's
surging waves.
Later on, after those waters that had
so often sent death or destruction to
those men and boats that had fallen
into their embrace and whose power
they were unable to resist, these waters,
when nothing came before them, made
their peaceful circuits night and day
for many year. It's solitude and re-
moteness from any human hahitation
made its overfaEging embankments
an inviting place from whose precipice
useless and offensive negroes might be
plunged to everlasting death in the
surging waters below.
1t will be remembered that the Hon.
my Pot was used for deadly purpose
not 80 long ago in getting rid Of one
Tut Da2sford whose presence was not
needed in the business of some of bis
neighbors.
Carried to the precipice, tied hand
and foot, with q big rock attached to
his body, he was dropped into these
| waters which closed over him, and
from which he never returned alive.
1t seems that the scenes of these
waters, though constantly changing
and varying, are never to cease. After
swallowing up and burying boats and
men, 1t seems that men now make it a
scene for making onslaughts and dep
relations on the inhabitants of the
water itself.
Major DuBose, with the GOODNESS
and daring that was worthy of the
highest ambition, has commenced 9
system of setting snares for the unob-
truding fish that hide in its darkest re.
cesses, and at intervals this man takes
out the unfortunates whose lives are
to be sacrificed for no better purpose
than that of giving somebody poor
breakfast, and last Monday be caught
the king of the tribe, and bis body was
hung up in the streets of Abbeville as 8
testimonial Of Major DuBose's skill at
catching even the oldest and wisest OF
the fish creation.
But, after all, we do not know but
that Major DuBose's action is just
retribution on the fishes of Homipy
Pot, which in former years remorse-
lessly feasted on human flesh, and now
men in turn devour their flesh.