The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1910-05-25
TEE EaCETED KE.
AIeeend of The Santee.


Clark.
Nearly century ago there stooe in
the southern part of what IS now
Clarendon county curious looking
old inn. sometimes called The Half
way House." for It was here that mer.
chants on their way to Charleston
stopped for rest and refreshments.
Built direct on the stage coach road,
near the lake, Prices pond, it must
have been 81 pleasing sight to the
weary. dusty traveller. just as me
emerged from the gloom OF the San
tee swamp.
The first landlord Of this inn was
Col. Ivan Benbow, but when its doors
were opened to the public there is nc
Que living who remembers. This gen.
tleman began life extremely poor. he
and his wife having. when they were
married, only two articles that were
really their own, he a plowstock and
she a spinning wheel; fortune. how
ever, soon favored them and years
after they had become wealthy. They
drank coffee from two massive silver
cups: upon his was engraved plow-
stock and on hers spinning wheel,
emblenatic OF their start in life.
at the death OF Col. Benbo~ the
inn became the property OF his kins-
man, Joel Green, but by his time the
business had far outgrown the build
ing, so many small cottages were
bought and rebuilt around the old
house and the whole group painted a
dull red.
The interior Of the inn was furnish
ed in manner that corresponded
with its quaint outward appearance.
for although the owners had by the
early 30s accumulated n fortune.
there was nevera picture or ornament
OF any kind to be seen in this place.
The furniture Of each bed room con-
sisted OF ''four-poster" with huge
feather bed and canopy OF gaily
lowered calic to protect the occu-
pants from the 1esQuitos that infest-
ted the place The dining room con-
tanned many small kalf-moon tables.
two being placed together to form a
round one, while against the wall
stood cellarette around which the
merry stage drivers gathered to e1-
change stories and partake OF the
wines and cordial for which the mn
was noted.
It is said that the slaves who wait
ed on the guests never failed to In
form them that the inn was haunted;
thev were told that doors securely
bolfed a. night were found open next
morning. while ''spirit-rappings"
might be heard in any part o! the
house, but the house enjoyed many
years OF prosperity before the ghost
took u definite shape and rivaled IN
horror the ''headless ho:seman" OF
the old Legend Of Sleepy Hollow.
The frs: person who claimed the hon
or OF a visit from the spectre was
young lady. guest from another
State who had just awoke from
midday nap, when she beheld II a
corner Of the room a tall woman.
around whose shoulders was wrapped
a costly shawl that the Lady had
spread over her couch when she lay
down to rest. Thinking it one OF the
servants she was Indignant and
sprinsing up from her couch she ran
up to the figure, when to her horror.
she saw that il was headless! Pale and
trembling with fear, she rushed from
the roo.n 70 report what she had seen.
but when a thorough search WAS
made there was nothing found save
the shawl lying il u corner OF the
room.
This incident caused much merri-
nent at the inn, and the lady had
been convinced by others that the
whole affair was . dreaEa. and that
she in starting out suddenly had car
ried the shawl with her to the oppo-
site side of the room when the appar-
ition was seen again and excitement
ran higher than before. This time a
party of gentlemen were returnjns
from a hunt when one OF them. who
was in advance Of the others, caught
q glimpse OF a ~oman's white robed
figure standing on the bank Of a
stream alone, and ia the. uncertain
light of the gray daybreak. he could
discover no head.
There were many other weird tales
told by the superstitious people liv-
ing in those days, but what finally
became Of her headless ladyshIp no
one seemed to know.
In 1852 the inn became the proper.
ty OF a young gentleman who was a
relative and uamesake OF the late
but it seems that he had not
inherited the simple taste OF his an
cestors. so in short time the inn was
he having built for him
self modern residence on the oppo
site side OF the stage coach road.
The two first landlords Of this inn
are buried almost in the heart Of the
swamp. Far from the busy haunts
OF nea they lie, their graves marked
ty tombstones blackened by the cruel
fingers OF time and the winds that
moan through the cypress and oaks
seem to chant an everlasting req quiem
above their graves.
Another CAN to Teachers.
a few days ago about City letters were