Evening journal., 1908-12-03
Mr.. HUKlLL TELLS OF
LOWER COUNTY FORESTS
Article No. ss.


from about one mile west ~ What
was known as the old State or stage
roau' leading from Smyrna TO Cant
ven Bridge (seventy-five years ago).
TOT distance Of a few miles, paralleled
Win SAID state road and west from
biackpird, was section of country
known as Blackbird forest and the
same condition existed In Kent county.
west OF smyrna and Dover though
iarther west While there were some
OF the best people in the country liv-
ing on the west side OF the State road
IN that section. there were some odd
ana quaint old characters in that sec
ton that would come from their old
haunts out into the open frequently on
q Saturday afternoon, but more partic-
ularly on election day or more impor-
tant occasions.
Appoquinimink hundred was pretty
generally known by the division of the
levels. neck and forest and there was
always little rivalry between the
neck and forest In more ways than one
but more particularly as to manhood.
which sometimes had to be tested. and
frequently on election days. Each side
had their bullies, that were equal TO
the emergency. and when old Barley
corn got In his work there was some
thing doing. There was a William Rob
erts of the forest and a william All
frey Of the neck. between whom there
was bad blood, and trouble had been
brewing for some time. One Saturday
afternoon they got together Roberts
was big. bony. muscular man. and
Allfrcy n short, heavy set man. 1t was
brutal fight and SO evenly matched
that In the contest IL was scarcely de-
cided as to who was the best man, and
sometimes on election day, when con-
tests would arise as to who should
vote a certain doubtful vote. the two
opposing parties would come around
the window and it was who could fur
nish the most brutal force to get pos
session OF the window Sometimes the
trouble would end in a free fight.
The most prominent families I'm the
neck have already been mentioned in
previous letters, and will not undertake
10 go into the same detail as we did I'm
the neck for want of time and news
paper space. but will mention some Of
them. Bracksons, Bucksons, Harrines,
Roberts, Reynolds. Sweatmans, Van
dyers. Websters and many others, and
among the most prominent was Evans
Webster and Simon Sweatman. Simon
Sweatman / recollect very we'll He
was a tall man Of some culture and
learning and was looked up 20 by the
community I'm which he lived as counsel
and adviser He resided on the ex-
treme western border of Appoquni-
mink hundred, near the cold Well. or
better known now as Vandyke's sta
ton. a section In my boyhood days and
known TO boys as a dreary, lonesome
road from the Cold Well across the
forest to the more open country near
Backbird mill. which to travel after
night would make the hair stand on a
| boys head.
had heard so many stories told
around the old back log flre about
what had happened out about the Cold
Well. that when my father sent me
with a business letter TO Simon Sweat
man. a reply TO which / had to wait
| for. delayed me till after night, and
when / mounted my horse TO come
I back through that dismal country (as
I thought). / was afraid to look back,
and one howl from boobe owl would
have frightened me out OF a years
growth, at least But times and things
have changed. aud | will venture the
assertion If a premium could be offer
ed to anyone who could find a man that
would tell you that he lived In Black
bird forest. he would never get that
premium On the contrary. open cOun-
try. railroad. painted houses and
barns. peach orchards, big wheat and
corn. good farming. garden and flower
cultured school houses, organ or piano
In the parlor and a general up-to-date
appearance. Anyone inquiring for the
forest In that section would be cited
TO Blanker or Kenton forest The
Roberts. the Boots, and the Fords
seemed to have gone out. and the Rey-
nolds are reduced to small numbers in
that section.
There was one very notable char
acter. which we must not omit from this
report, known as old Uncle Billie Quill,
well-known to all who frequented Black