The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-04-05
.. :. Draining the Okeflnokee Swamp.

.. .. Draining the Okeflnokee Swamp.
The work of draining Oke6nokee
swamp, the biggest undertaking of its
character in America, which will event
ually reclaim 100000 acres of the finest
agricultural land in the country, is pro-
crossing at a remarkably satisfactory
rate. The great swamp is situated in the
southeastern part of Georgia, and extends
nertherly from the border line of Flori-
da. Creeks of st. Mary's River and Su-
vance reach to the swamp. One of the
engineers in charge Of the work was in
the city recently and gave the writer an
interesting chat about the scheme, which
will open up section which for centu-
ries has been under water and much, the
home of alligators and various other rep
tiles.
One hundred and fifty laborers are now
at work at the swamp, and the construc-
ton of the great canal, which is to carry
the water from the swamp to st. Mary's
River is being pushed forward as rapidly
as machinery and human hands can &C
complish it. After Jauusry this force
will be doubled, one.half working during
the day and the other at night, so that
this years results will be twice as much
ss that of the last twelve months.
This canal, when completed, will be
$50 feet wide and 69 feet deep with fall
of 125 feet to ST.. Mary's River. The most
difficult part of the construction will be
through high knoll two miles long.
Through the middle of the swamp an
other canal, sixteen miles long, will be
constructed, with small branches, the
whole to act as feeders to the big drain
age stream.
When the latter is completed, two by
draulic pumps, with capacity of $4,000
gallons each per minute, will force the
water off the swamps, while the largest
inland dredger in the world will remove
the muck and tear away the stumps,
leaving behind beautiful clay subsoil,
which has become wonderfully rich by
the muck accumulations of centuries.
This muck averages feet deep. The
dredge is a ponderous machine 80 feet
long, with a 40 foot beam. 1t is what is
known as combustion dipper and
stump puller.
By April l the company will be able to
secure timber from Okefnokee. In this
alone the wealth of the swamp is inca'.
culable. It's pine growth is the most
magnificent in the world in point of size
and quality, and its cypress deposits can
not be equaled anywhere. The pines
average 70 feet to the limb, are as
straight as an arrow, and from l to 8 feet
in diameter, while the cypress are enor.
nous in size, the average diameter being
from 10 to IL feet. Saw mill men have
besieged the company to secure the tim
ber, but, as it is of such valuable quality,
the company will probably erect saw
mills on the edge of the swamp and de-
yelop the timber on it's own account.
The engineers expect to find many
valuable curios as the work progresses.
Already they have found evidences of In
dian habitation of the numerous small
islands which dot the great swamp.
Numbers of Indian mounds have been
discovered On these islands filled with all
styles of pottery, specimens of which
have been sent to the Smithsonian Insti
tuition at Washington.
The most interesting curiosities, how
ever, are expected when the big dredge
begins its work Of removing The muck
from the swamp. The engineers believe
that mammoth wild animals, now ex-
tinct, made their homes in the swamp in
past centuries, and are anxiously looking
forward to the turning up of carcasses to
prove their theories.
Just what length Of time will be re-
quired to complete the draining Of Oke-
fnokee the engineers are unable to esti-
mate, but it is safe to say that there is
work ahead for several years. When the
reclamation ia accomplished, the stock.
holders of the company who had the
nerve to put their money inte the
scheme, which, when first broached, sp
peared to many az a wild vsgray, will re,
alize handsomely on their Investments
It may take long time, but it is one Of
those things worth waiting for.-Sauan'
nah NeaUs.
'