The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-11-02

under the mud are ashes, charred
and decayed juniper, proving con-
clusively that it was once vast
juniper swamp and burned into a
lake. The waters of this lake are
2k to 8 feet deep at present; while
in the memory of the oldest in
habitants now living, it was from
6 to IL feet deep and navigable,
Its outlet is through Lake Land
ing Canal cut by the State in..
by authority of Chap. ........... Laws
of North Carolina. On the east,
west, and south shores Of this lake
are beautiful flats or reefs, well
grassed, making most excellent
pastureage for stocks of all kinds.
The lake is fast filling up from
the wash of the soil around it and
a gradual uplifting of its bottom.
In it have formed several islands,
which are growing fast and be-
coming higher land with each
passing year. These islands are
used by some of the people as
pastures for their sheep and cattle.
Tradition has it that Mattamus-
keet Lake was burned out by the
Indians and was 10 moons in burn
ing. Its name was first Marimus-
keet and afterwards changed to
Mattamuskeet. 1t. is named for a
tribe of Indians, who once lived
about it's borders, and may have
in the forgotten past moved about
and had their wigwams in the vast
juniper swamp which stood in
place of the bed and waters of
this very lake.
Most of the thick wooded forests
of Hyde that were found by the
early settlers have been cleared
away and transformed to rich
farming lands. There now remains
some large tracts of forest land
containing the primeval growth of
pine, oak, hickory, cypress, juniper,
black and sweet gum, maple, bay,
and holly trees, among which
roam the native animals.
The soil of Hyde is among the
richest found in the State, and
has always been so. Almost any
crop that can be raised in the
North Carolina climate can grow
there with ease, if it receives the
proper attention and is rightly
cared for. The main crops are corn,
rice, cotton, wheat and oats.
The oyster and fish industry is
very profitable to Hyde. They are
found in great abundance in the
bays and rivers, and are consumed
to a great extent by the inhabi-
tants.
There have come from within her
boundaries a great many famous
men. Conspicuous among these is
George w. Carrowan, the Baptist
Minister. Every reader of modern
history in our surrounding country
has undoubtedly read an account
of the Carrowan-Lassiter murder
trial. This was one of the most
famous murders trials that ever
happened in North Carolina. This
man Washington Carrowan was
tried and convicted of the murder
of Clement H. Lassiter, a school
master and sentenced to be hung.
While in court, in the presence of
the judge, jury, attorneys and
spectators, when the verdict was
pronounced he drew a pistol and
deliberately shot one of the oppos-
ing Counsel, and then killed him.
self. Want of space and time for
bids US to further mention here
the great personages that have
come from within her border Suf-
flee it to say, she has had her
share; in that one respect she has
kept apace step by step with the
other counties of the State.
In some respects, especially in
her growth, Hyde County has re-
tarded as compared with her sister
counties. Among the causes which
have retarded her growth are
troubles with her boundaries. She
is mainly an agricultural county,
and therefore there are no cities
and manufacturing plants. She has
no good water facilities except the
sound and her boundary waters.
There being through the county
no navigable streams, except what
have been made by the hand of
man-canals. A great deal of her
transportation is done by means
of these canals, with Elizabeth
City, etc. There are no railroads
in the county. There is a move
ment now on foot to open her in
terror up by means of railroad so
that she can reach market easily
for her produce, easier transporta-
ton facilities for her citizens, etc.
Let us hope that this movement
will succeed. This want of trans
portation facilities has also imped-
ed immigration to a great extent.
The present inhabitant of Hyde,
are, as a class, well learned people.
They pay a great deal of atten-
ton to education, and always pos
caSS fhopncaluoc IF ovaru advap-