The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-05-31
PREHISTORIC RACE
IN CALHOUN CO
HAD REACHED CIVIL. .ATION
BEYOND INDIANS
Imprint First Made in Mud, Then
the Change by Nature to Mud
Records Tracks
The Carolinian, st. Matthews.

with the United States Merchants as
sociations of Boston, New York and
Philadelphia, Mr.. A. E. Weston, rep
resenting these associations, was sent
to st. Matthews for conference with
the officials of the American Cotton
association Mr.. Weston is post
graduate of Yale university and is
recognized as an authority on agri-
culture and scientific research. Mr..
Weston stated:
l have long wished to visit your
section. Charles Russell came from
my home state of Massachusetts,,
about IT'S, to command frontier
garrison on the Congaree, near where
Candy was afterwards built. After
the settlers were strong enough to
take care of themselves, the garrison
was abandoned, and Charles Russell
settled in Amelia Township and be-
came a leading planter. Russell street
the principal street in Orangeburg,
perpetuates his name.
Moses Thomson, distinguished
man from Pennsylvania, moved to
South Carolina and settled in what is
now Calhoun county, in about 1927.
He was prominent in the militia and
rose to Colonel of the Berkeley coun-
ty regiment. His son, Wilnam, was
conspicuous in the rangers of frontier
police, before the Revolution, and
during the Revolution distinguished
hifnself as, colonel of the 3rd regi-
nent of South Carolina Continental
troops. He was state senator and
held many other positions of trust
and honor in this section.
Through relatives of these people
who still reside in my section of AM
erica many years ago heard of "the
devils track" on the bluff to the Con-
garee river in what is now Calhoun
county. have slways had an es-
pecial desire to visit this site. You viii
remember, we are generally taught
that the ocean once extended to Spar.
tanhurg. It was my impression, be-
fore visiting this site, that l would
find a track that would confirm evo-
lution-a track made by some pre-
historic animai. IN this L find that
/ was mistaken. A careful examina-
ton Of the so called "devil's track"
brings to light the unquestioned fact
that this is a track, not cut or carved,
but made by the imprint of human
foot in what is now solid rock. Some
miles down the river, on the opposite
bluff, inbedded in solid rock, is an
other track. This, to my mind, es-
tablishes beyond question, the exis-
tence of a prehistoric race of which
We know nothing. 1t is amazing that
scientific research has not been made
for the purpose of throwing addition
al light on this track that comes down
to1us from the misty ages of the past.
"The man who made this track were
asshee. Close to the track in the solid
rock is the track made by his buggy.
This is proof positive that long be-
fore Columbus discovered America
that this section was visited by man
who. had reached the stage of civili-
zation when they wore shoes and used
buggies. It is unreasonable to draw
the conclusion that this man was from
a'great prehistoric rave who inhabited
this section of the American CONT
nent.
calhoun county indeed possesses
remarkable record Of the prehistoric
past, yet this is known to only few
oft;your citizens and scarcely beyond
the border lines of your county. In
nSsiative state of Massachusetts, en-
rolled on tablet in the public build
ings, would be recorded full particu-
lars concerning this remarkable proof
of the prehistoric existence of man
on the American continent. In fact,
the various historical events have oc-
Cured within your borders would be
so recorded.
"In addition to the historical ev-
ents, unusual and record breaking
products of agriculture should GER
tainly be recorded-and you have
made many enviable records. Out
standing, undeveloped, natural re-
sources should be recorded, and un-
usual conditions that should attract
prehistoric research (like the above
mentioned assuredly should be re-
corded. The so called "devil's track"
would seem to disprove some of the
strongest teachings in evolution. One
Os the best authorities on evolution