The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-12-13
THE LEES OF %OKEFENOKEE.
THEIR ISOLATED LIFE ON BILLY
BOWLEGS'S ISLAND.
The Descendants OF Daniel Leo aud His
Wife Now Arc tho Only Occupants OF
the Mound In the Great Swamp.

the Mound In the Great swamp.
From the Atlanta Constitution
WAYcRoss. Ca, Dec. 3.-Billy's Island is
famous for its thrilling history. its romantic
traditions. and It's peculiar location and en-
vironment. 1t is nearly centrally located in the
oketerokee swamp, which COMPRISES. territory
in Ware. Clinch. Echols. Pierce. and Charlton
counties. Georgia, and Baker and Columbia
counties. Florida. 1t is three miles wide and
four miles long. Tho island Isl few miles
nearer to the western aide Of the swamp than
the eastern side.
There arc three approaches to the island-the
Haines River route, the Suwanee Canal route
from tho east. and the pocket" route from tho
west. To reach the island by the first route one
starts from Fort Nudge, twelve miles from
Waycross. on the Way'ross Short line. and
reaches Haines River after u few hours ride in
a wagon, and thence he trans ports himself down
the river to the island, n distance of over fifty
miles in n canoe. The trip down the river re-
Quires about three DAYS. The second route Is
from Folkston. twenty-five miles south OF Fort
Nudge, TO Camp CorneliA. twelve miles. and
hence fifteen miles by canal, and from the end
OF the canal about two miles through jungle
and marsh to the.Island. To reach the island
blythe third route ono leaves bonneville,
twenty-seven miles from Waycross, on the
west coast line of the Plant system, in a wagon
for about twenty miles, and through the swamp
about ten miles in n canoe. Either route Is
traveller with difficulty, and a trip to Billy's
Island. allowing a stay Of three days. requires
elsven days bv the first AMI third routes and
eight days by the second route.
The name 'Billy's" was APPLIED to the island
by the people OF this region after Billy Bow
legs. the 'amors seminole chief, whose mas
sacre OF the Wilds family three miles from
Waycross, and other cruel acts against the
white settlers, are matters OF history. After
the massacre Of the Wilds family Billy Bow
legs and his tribe reiterated into the Oketono.
keo swamp and sought refuge on Billv's Island,
where they remained several months and then
ent home Of tho descendants of the tribe.
~ is sad that Billy Bowlegs died of malaria
after liying:seyeral years in:the EvcrGlades.
white people who ever lived ON Billy's Island.
They came from North Carolina. and were hon
years ago that they removed to the island. and
from that time until their death. a period OF
their Lermiiag", and never again visited the
outside world. They had some fe" thousand
dollars, 1t Is said, and Mr.. Lee. becoming
clusion in the swamp. lie was eccentric. and
some of his peculiarities are the heritage OF
his daughter. the only child of his ma, riage,
Mr.. and Mrs. Lee are reputed To have been in
tellirent. airly educated. and OF good fami-
lies. Their daughter soon grew up. into wo-
The girl had never been ID school. and had
never been taught to, read or write. There
- ~. 49, '"A' - III Nv WI'lS
81 the Okeienokees swamp. an area Of about gi5
square miles. and there were no preachers.
churcues. physicians. lawyers, md courts
within thirty-ive or more miles. Happily
there was 40 sickness among tho family. and
u Lhysician was never really required.
The mode Of living with this peculiar family
was Of n primi i've style. They made their
clothes from the wool of thar sheep. and
from cotton goods they purchased from time
TO time when Mr.. Lee v%entured out OF the
swamp to some convenient market. which he
did once a year, or possibly twice n year. Or
these trips he carried with him otter hides.
bear skins, sheep skins. tallow. hceswax. and
with. them hs purchased a few necessaries.
Tho island then, ms now, Was the hunters pag-
adise. Deer. bear. quail, fish. and other game
were p!entiful; and Mr.. Lee was very dc,
v0tSd TO his daily outings with his gun and rod
and line. He cleared a few acres OF ground
around his rude log hut. unl planted n small
crop Of c.rn. potatoes, peas. aud Vegetables.
and started a fruit orchard. Hogs: sheep,
and he had milk and butter in plenty.
lie was often referred to as the king OF the
Okeienokte swamp. and afteTward that title
descendea to his ,son-in-law, The family did
not DO Ssess a Bible or any books. papers. aud
period calls. Miss Lee was never taught the
Christian religion. Daniel Loo, y ntAr rola-