The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1923-09-18

Mon in Preservation of Swamp.
wAYCROSS, Ga.-For the first
time in several years there are no re-
searcb men, located in the Okefeno-
ice swamp, as far as can be learned
= Wavcross. Doctor A. H. Wright,
haad of the biological department OF
CORNELL University, has spent the sum-
r,ar in the great swamp for the past
three wears, making a special study
u reptillian and botanic life in the
deoths of the widest portions of the
swampland. 1t is to be judged that
The professor has completed his stud
;es and has gathered all the necessary
Material for the scientific volume he
intends writing.
Mr. Wright, on his last visit to
Wavcross. spoke to local civic bodies
and made a special address to the
University Club of Waycross, in the
hone of reviving the Old Okefenokee
Society, organized under the direction
OF the late DR.. ]. F. Wilson, tor the
purpose of saving the Wonderland
OF America" to posterity.
Mr.. Wright has been accompanied
on his trips of exploration by other
scientists of note, among whom has
been Professor Harper, also of Cor
nell. Mr.. Harper was particularly in
terested in bird study He stated
while in Waycross that the Okefeno-
kee presents the best opportunity for
the study of bird life and habits than
anv one place in the United States.
He mounted many rare specimens for
his own personal qualification, and
sent some to the larger museums OF
the nation.
Other Visitors.
Other students and authors have
visited the swamp on various occa-
sons, and the fact that there have
been none this summer does not make
the Okefenokee enthusiasts of Way
cross and other south Georgia cities
feel that interest in the proposed ma
tional preserve is tagging.
Mr.. c. N. Wilson, naturalist OF
Waycross, son of the founder of the
Okefenokee preserve movement, and
prominently identified with the recent
efforts to present the possibilities of
the swamp to the people of the Unit
ed States, has received letters OF COM
mendation from university professors
and nature. lovers all over the United
States, indicating that there is still
hope of preserving the Okefenokee
swamp of south Georgia for educa-
tional and recreational purposes. Mr..
wilson recently spent several days in
the heart of the swamp, with ma
tive guide, studying bird and plant
life. Every entry into the swamp
brings forth new material and new
objects for study, he states, despite
the fact that large portion OF the
swamp has been cut away, and II
some step is taken that will save the
remaining portions of the swamp
there is still the possibility of making
it the greatest "studyland" in the ma
ton.
Right now lumber companies are
penetrating Floyd's island, the largest
Of the swamp islands, and until the
last few months unmarried by human
hands. The primeval forest are being
cut for mill, and the animals are be-
ing forced into the extreme southern
end of the prairie lands where timber
is scattered and the millmen do not
find it profitable to cut.
Plan Revival.
Mr.. Wilson stated to representa-
tive of the press that he has taken the
matter Of the Okefenokee preservation
before some of the most prominent
men of the United States in the hope
OF reviving the movement to bring
pressure to bear on the legislators OF
the nation for the saving OF the
swamp. Among those men are college
and university professors, authors,
scientists and explorers.
A special request has been made to
Henry Ford to have him come to
Waycross and spend few days on
the prairie lands and islands OF the
swamp, with the view of interesting
him in the project.
1T will first be matter OF educat-
ing the proper authorities to the point
where they will realize the inestlma69le
loss that is being suffered in the de-
struction of the Okefenokee, Mr.
Wilson cold