The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1908-08-20
CAUSEWAY over
PUDDING swamp
FILLS LONG Eel? EANT-P00R CONRAD
TELLS OF CHaINGANG'S GOOD
WORK.

Editor COUNTY RECoRD:-l
had occasion to make a trip with
horse and buggy to the mouth OF
Pudding swamp to look after
large fat boat l towed up the river
some time ago, expecting to bring
down a load of shingles, but failing
to get q full load, left the large
fat up there securely tied and some
low down villain or villains united
g and it feated down and it lodged
ON some strong snags, and it would
have been impossible for me and
several more to get it back into the
water, but fortunately the road ov.
erseer kindly took the chaingsng
that was there building the cause
way, about 1s stout fellows whose
muscles equal lions, with two, or
three heaves and without any fuss,
had it in the water.
l afterwards went out to the
camp with Mr. James, the oVerseer'
took dinner with him and had some
of the best corn bread and straight
coffee also some nice fried fish.
did not ask how the fish were caught,
but supposed as the water was
down quite low in the swamp, that
the gang perhaps who are diggingtEe
causeway found them in hole cut
off, which would soon be dry,and it
was just as we'll to take them out of
their misery and eat them. Any
how I did not ask any questions as
fish belong to the people, so the law
SAYS.
Now MIR Editor, l want to say
something about the causeway that
is being built across P u d d n e
swamp, near where it emptles into
Black river. Dear old Black river.
NV old lifelong friend. Same old
stand by friend, just like the good
people that live along its banks,
raising cotton, tobacco, corn, sweet
potatoes and chickens, always will
ing to share with Poor Conrad.
Mr. Edltor,you may think l DIV II
too much in praise of my friends as
if no one had friends Dut me, but l
can't help it'll speak from the heart.
Yes, seed sown in the hearts deep
well; the joy, the good We may do
here no human tongue can tell.
Well, l must go back and say
something more about that cause
way. I never was more delighted to
see piece of work done in my life.
That part of the road in the swamp
has been neglected for mole than 30
years. l do not think there could
have been a more dreadful road in
the State. 1 lived in that section
for the first part of my life and
many times l have waded that
swamp in cold, freezing weather,
cursing those who were to blame for
the neglect. 1t a is thousand wonders
that human beings and beasts have
not been drowned in the wretched
crossing, but thank God, a cause
way is now being built that causes
the people on both sides of the
swamp to rejoice.
Our supervisor is having good
piece of work done, and his efficient
overseer, Mr. James, is having the
work done in good shape and l was
surprised to see as much done in so
short time. The gang is working
fine. A word is scarcely spoken,
no loud commands, all gentle, and
the shovels of dirt falling like clock
work. l had a long and severe let
ter written some time ago about that
same road, condemning all who had
been responsible for that great neg
lect and as l was on the way to The
RECORD office some one told me
that the chaingang had gone up
agd had begun work, sol tore up
the letter and since then | have been
up here and seen the good work 60
ing on nobly that will be a monu-