Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Turbulent Wateree River Offers Stirring Narrative - (My Frank It Heath) The Waterei* river, one of the <ntHlaiidiug streams of the I'alinetlo State, and usually placid and tranquil In demeanor, haw during the past century or longer, staged ?o?ne torbujQi.'t uprisings, 'earing out many bridges and enuslug groat properly damage as well an snuffing out many Uvea. Six highway brldgcH. and one railroad trestle, have collapaed under the fury of flood waters. Onoi bridge wiih destroyed by fire during the War between the States. Camden history 1h replete with many Incldeuta of 4roarlng freshets and floods, when angry waters, laden j with debrlH, have gone tjeserk and j repeatedly ripped out ,huga bridge piers, causing the structures spanning the river to crumble, thereby disrupting travel through this area for long periods. The history of these fl(Tnda go-luujk I to a late period of tiny !<Mh century.) lu fact, "Historic Camden" makes j reference to a freshet of 1771, also, 17111. The historic No. 2 volume, together with newspaper tiles of The Camden Chronicle, carry some Interesting narratives of floods which have occured at Intervals since before the war of the Revolution. In a recent bulletin from the state highway department, reference was made to the recently-opened $325,000 Wateree bridge as being the third to spun the turbulent stream. Locul residents whose recollections of early days In Camden are still firmly Implanted in memory lane, recall at leust five bridges. Hut historic Camden goes the "old timers" one better and mentions many more, some of which went down under the fury of flood waters. There have been eight highway bridges built across the Wateree. In the Camden Journal of August 27, 1831, Is the flrst record of u bridge being washed out. This bridge, according to a reference In historic Camden was built In 1827 by Colonel Willlums Nixon and was the first to be built across the Wateree neur Camden. It was finished In October, 1828. In 1831 a flood wrecked this bridge and until 1838 a ferry was operated at this point. In 1838 a newsuper structure was built upon the piers of the old bridge. In 1851 a freshet washed out Jin abutment of the bridge on the east bank of the river. In 1863 the bridge built in 1838 went into oblivion, but this time It was by fire. Loyal southerners, seeking to block I In- advance of Sherman's cavalry advancing from the northwest, si't fire to the bridge. Harrels of resin had been placed at frequent intervals across the wooden structure ami when lookouts, on the watch for the approaching t'nlon forces, gave the alarm, the torch was applied and betore the cavalry reached tho scene tli" bridge was a furnace of roaring Haines. It Is interesting to note that the writer, searching lor data on the bridge history, saw one of the old pier heads of the so-called "Sherman" bridge still standing on the Lugoff Hide of the river only a few WOOKB ago. Following the destruction of the "Sherman" brhfgn, a ferry was uguln pressed Into service between tin; hanks of the Wutoree, thin foiry service prevailing until 1872 when the county erected spans on wbut remained of the old bridge. SeveVal yearn Inter when the bridge heearne unsafe for travel It whh abandoned and destroyed. In 1882 a stool bridge was eoriHtrueted aerowH the river about a mile upstream from the location of the old "Sherman" bridge. Again, It j Is interesting to relate the finding of !portions of the old tubular steel enleased ebiiereto piers of tills bridge on the east hank of the river by Ih 1h writer. <?n August 18, 11108, the Wateree staged an uprising that carried away the steel bridge. That was bridge No. r> to fall before the fury of the Wateree. In 1910 another bridge, No. 6. was built. Tills bridge cost $42,000 and when It was opened in September of 1910, the occasion was featured by u Imrhecue and celebration. That bridge remained In service until. 1916, when In the month of July tiie Wateree staged Its all-time fury to sweep tills bridge Into oblivion and to Inundate many miles of land aloVig the banks. On March 16, 1920, bridge No. 7, a steel affair with long curving approaches, a portion of which was In the form of a timber trestle, was opened for traffic. This bridge was ample for the traffic at that time and for a period of years subsequently, but with the appearance on the highways of Buper trucks, greyhound buses, the bridge proved much too narrow. During the maneuvers lust fall, the larger army tanks were not permitted to essay crossing this bridge, as It was feared it might col la pse. Several years ago some sections of the wooden trestle on the Lugoff side of the river were burned for 'over'a week Camden was practically Isolated as all north and south traffic on l\ S. No. 1 had to be detoured. The effect of this fire was felt by the community for over a year, as j it hurt tourist travel on the No. 1 ! highway. On May 1, 1942, the present fine bridge was opened for traffic. An Issue of The Camden Chronicle of August, 1908, contains the following account of the flood which roared down the Wateree August 18, 1908. I The story Is headed "Death and Destruction in Raging Waters." It j reads as follows: "The highest flood ever witnessed .hero is now raging In the waters of the Wateree river and the damage and destruction cannot he estimated. Last [Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Henry Savage, with a number of hands, was on the Wateree iron bridge and was engaged in cleaning away tho raft which had accumulated against tho piers of the bridge, when suddenly the bridge went down and, with It, everybody on it. Robert Rabon and I a little boy by the name of Wilson who were crossing at the time Id a two-mule wagon, also went down and neither of them has yet been heard from. "John Mickle, with a pair of fine I mules, went down with the bridge. Mr. Mickle was soon after rescued, but the mules were lost. "Mr. Savage's experience was quite a thrilling one, and his escape from death a little short of a miracle. He floated on a small piece of plank, for some distance down the river and, almost exhausted, he was taken out by someone on the west side of the river and taken to Lugoff where he still is. "The colored people who went down are: Moses Bracy. James Balden, Edward Itlanding, Edwurd Levy, John Jenkins, Sip Dinkins, ltichard Ballard, John Wheeler. Isaac. Collins And his two little sons. They have all been recovered except Moses liracy, one of the Collins hoys, and John Wheeler. It is not expected that John Wheeler is alive for a rope attached to the bridge was tied around his body. W. L. Del'ass lost 35 head of horses; they were in a pasture, and were surrounded before they could he gotten out.. I All railroads have been so badly damaged that no trains have come In or out of Camden for the past se.veral days. We have been virtually shut in from the outside world." In July, 1916 issue. The Chronicle gives the following facts in relation to the record-flood of that time: "What Is described as being the worst flood to ever visit this section! of the state, occurred during the middle of July in 1916. Several days of torrential rains caused the Wateree river to go on a rampage which occasioned a terrific property Iosb. ! The chief damage was in the destruction of the county bridge and the Seaboard railway trestle. The county bridge was a total loss; the two piers on the western bank of the river gave up and precipitated the immense steel structure into .the water. The main part of the steel railway trestle collapsed at the height of the flood and carried with it many loaded coal gondolas; they having been placed there Is an effort to weight the bridge down. "In the flood of August 18, 1908, the old toll bridge was swept away carrying with It thirteen men, several of wnom tirowued tmu their bodies never recovered. In that flood the water reached a height of 40 feet, but in the flood of 1916, the estimated height was" 45 feet. "The county bridge which was destroyed had been erected by Kershaw county and was opened to traffic on September 15, 191o, at a cost of $42,000. The opening of this bridge was celebrated with a barbecue and program of speeches in Oamden. The county carried no insurance on the bridge. "Many parties were marooned in trees or on the roofs of houses in the lowlands during the flood. Much 1 livestock was lout. Camden was completely shut off so far as traffic by railroads and vehicles were concerned, for almost a week. The old Southern depot south of Camden, was several feet deep In water. "The flood was responsible for the washing away and destruction of 17 bridges In Kershaw county. These bridges Included Porter's bridge In Buffalo township, Hough's bridge in Buffalo, Klrkley's bridge In Buffalo, Pine Creek and Carrison in DeKalb township, Marshall's in Buffalo township, Tiller's Ferry in Buffalo, Miller's in Buffalo, Blakeney's over Big Lynches river Hermitage bridge over depot creek, Ellis's over Big LyncbeB, Isbill, Burdell, and Doby's bridges in West Wateree, and Beaver Creek and two small brdiges on the Liberty Hill road. "Following the destruction of the county bridges, a mass meeting of Camden, Kershaw, and Bethune people was held in Camden with Captain W. N. Shannon as chairman of the meeting, and L. A. Wittkowsky as f secretary. "H. (I. Carrison, Jr., was responsible for the organization of businessmen to provide funds to place boats on the river and operate them as ferrys free of charge for an indefinite period of time. "Telegraph communications, following the washing out of the railway trestle, from Lugoff to Camden wore such that in order to send a message from Lugoff to Camden, it was necessary to wire to Atlanta and to Richmond and then back to Camden. "One of the gondola cars that was on the Seaboard trestle was carried I by tho raging waters a considerable distance from the bridge and when the flood waters subsided, was found in a field fully one eighth of a mile from the river. This car which was of the usual heavy construction for coal cars of that day was loaded with some 30 to 40 tons of coal and that It was carried such a long distance indicated the fury of the freshet." Card of Thaaka , We wish to thank the many friends for the flowers and kind deeds that were shown us during the sickness and at the death of our mother and grandmother, Mrs. Nettie Rabon Taylor.?The Family. State of South Carolina THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, COLUMBIA. June 4, 1942 NOTICE IN Re: Docket Number 2074 ? The application of J. T. Brown, d|bla J. T. Brown Drayage Company, 120 West McBee Avenue. Greenville. South Carolina, for a modified CI^sb D Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to render motor freight service over irregular routes as follows: COTTON IN BALES: Cotton Waste and Rayon Waste: Between points and places in Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Greenville. Greenwood, Kershaw, Laurens, Marlboro, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg and York counties. RAYON FIBRE AND YARNf From points and places in Laurens County to points and places in Spartanburg and York Counties. COMMODITIES IN GENERAL: From points and places in Charleston County to points and places in Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens. Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union Counties, and between points and places in Greenville County, and between points and places in S. C. CARNIVAL EQUIPMENT: Between points and places in Aiken, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and York Counties. BRICK TILE AND OTHER CLAY PRODUCTS AND CONCRETE PIPES AND BLOCKS: From points and I places in Greenwood and Richland Counties to points and places in Anderson. Cherokee, Greenville, Laurens, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and York Counties. A public hearing in the above entitled matter will be held in the Com mission's Office in the Wade ton State Office Building, ColuoMB S. C., at 3:30 P. M., BWT, Thar* June 25, 1942, for the purpose oflH termining the requirements of paj convenience and necessity is premises. W. W. GOODMAN, Director Motor Transport DirWfll? Good Farming )]S For July Attention* Better farming ?uggo*Uo^ J by Cleuuon Collego show - -B for the good farmer. '"B Agronomy?When fl?id Wo. up, haul in grain straw, grass, and other litter for th?^B post heap: How cowpeas so JIB or velvet beans now an* j^B make growth to turn uu^r J^B building, ir the acreage 0f J*B tlvq yields of corn and hnin. B age crops Is not sufficient fo/JB ntHHlH, plant additional ;UiVil ^B thorough preparation or 80l| J*B summer grazing during a Posslbj V summer drought. ^^B Horticulture Grow plenty o(?B tables in gardens to, ,,lIu. Quate supply for home use neu wfl ter. Pull sweet corn shortly Jfl meal time; It loses Its sugar ruj I Place fruits and vegetables iTI shade at once after harvesting* I hold their Quality. Make planIJ3 tomatoes for a fall crop. sweet potatoes for early sale ?kl yields are 60 to 76 bushels per3 Insects and Diseases?Keep JH weevil fight. Spot cotton fields v* wilt losses are present. Fight housefly by all available meaaiB amine banded apple trees fttgB days and destroy codling moth Unfl Control Mexican bean beetle derris dust or spray. Destroy d* In lespedeza. Watch out for *3 ; worms. Requeen beep. Use ?xt?3 ; Bulletin 102, Garden and TruckcB Insects,'to help fight the pests, B Agricultural Engineering ~ gjfl trench or other type of silo >B ! when silage is ripe. Waste cB case oil prevents rust when usejl , plows, discs, and other bright )B | of farm machinery. Check over 3 machinery and order needed rtB I parts. Get the mower In good^l nlng condition for the hay sg9 Plan to water the Victory GuB this fall, using the well, "mail stttB or other available squrce of vB ' I All-Out Defense Display For Independence Prograa (Continued from first page) B ford and staff, will lead the ftfl Cross section of the parade. ThliiB tlon will appear in unit forasfl jwith the Home Service corps, JflB ! Red Cross Corps, First Aid gradtuB j Protection Corps, Canteen Corps, B | tors Corps and Nurses Aid, aodfl Ladies in Gray. B | Because of the big parade cnfl expected to witness this, the cltjB council of defense officials arefl pealing to all motorists to parkfifl ! cars in areas other than along fl :line of march. If this is done, ftB relieve much ' congestion for (H marchers and also permit spectkB viewing the parade without hidH to stand out beyond the line of m&B j Commander Shannon has annoul? tliat the Monday night class for B I struction In gas and Incendiary boB J will be postponed until Tuesday nlB Whole Pack Canners KERR and MASON JARS Pint ? Quart ? Half Gallon No 3 Cans for Canning Preserving Kettles and Spoons Make Your Work Easier By Getting The Right Equipment Barringer Hdw. Co. Phone 21 P^ISVOUR TIRES mmssffLii OUR LIFE ^ w DRIVE lglJ SLOWLY M FOURTH OF JULY ? jgggfrESr | m For You To Feel Well 24 hour* sv*ry day. 7 daya every ?Mk, never stopping, the kidneya Altar WuU matter from the blood. If more people were aware of how the kidneys muat constantly remove sur' plus fluid, tirett acida and other waste matter that cannot star in the blood without injury to health, there would be better understanding of ?rhf the whole system is upeet when kidneys fail to function properly. Burning, scanty or too frequent urination sometimes warns that something Is wrong. You may suffer nagging backache, headaches, diaainess, rheumatic I pains, getting up at nights, swelling. Why not try Doas's Pills? You will be using a medicine recommended the country over. Doan't stimulate the funej tion of the kidneys and help them to flush out poiepnous waste from the blood. They contain nothing harmful. Get />mr'i today. Cae with confldsats. At all drug stores. KEEP UP? with the Latest War News Buy a? GOOD RADIO J while you a* 1 Get an EMERSON? 1 Batter In Style - Tone - Perfect"# Quality ? Value from $22.50 up TABLE SETS - POPtTABJ.ES _j and RECORD PLAYERS' . ^ -t-gi Camden Hdw.& Supply & v. * 'Ty - < ~ ygj Telephone 7 " JhwKf ? ^