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Vivid Portrayal of Amusing Scenes, by Robert Arnold. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + } + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: .8em; + text-align: right; + } /* page numbers */ + + .blockquot{margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early +recollections, by Robert Arnold + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections + Vivid portrayal of Amusing Scenes + +Author: Robert Arnold + +Release Date: December 26, 2006 [EBook #20186] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISMAL SWAMP *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by the Library of Congress.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + + + +<h3>THE</h3> + +<h1>DISMAL SWAMP</h1> + +<h3>AND</h3> + +<h1>LAKE DRUMMOND.</h1> + +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> +<h2>EARLY RECOLLECTIONS.</h2> +<hr style="width: 25%;" /> + +<h2>VIVID PORTRAYAL OF AMUSING SCENES.<br /><br /></h2> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>ROBT. ARNOLD.<br /><br /></h2> + +<h4>SUFFOLK, VA.<br /><br /><br /></h4> + +<p class="center">NORFOLK, VA.<br /> +GREEN, BURKE & GREGORY, PRINTERS.<br /> +1888.</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + +<p class="center">Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1888, +by R. Arnold, in the office of the Librarian of Congress at +Washington. +</p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<h2>INTRODUCTION</h2> + + +<p>This little volume is launched upon the sea of public +favor. If it should stem the tide of criticism and reach a +haven, my object in the writing of it will be accomplished. +Being partially blind and physically unable to labor, I +have adopted this as a means by which I might gain an +honest assistance, a double object presented itself:</p> + +<p>1st. That I might give to its readers some idea of the +Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond as they were and as +they now are.</p> + +<p>2d. That I may from the sale of my book receive an +amount that will place me beyond penury. The work will +contain some interesting incidents, and in many instances +will give the real names of persons now living who will +be acquainted with the subject of which I write. Having +said this much introductory of my book, I will now proceed +with my task.</p> + +<p>When I determined to indite the lines which compose +this volume, I had, as has been stated, a double purpose +in view. I thought I could not employ a portion of my +leisure hours more profitably, certainly not more pleasantly, +than by recounting some of the scenes, incidents +and associations which carries my mind back to the days +of "Auld Lang Syne." What more natural, then, than +that my thoughts should revert to the friend of my early +manhood—one who, by the uprightness of his character, +geniality of his disposition, the chivalric impulses of his +nature, deserves, as it is my greatest pleasure to accord, +the dedication of this little volume; and I have said all +when I mention the name of my esteemed friend Robert +Riddick, Esq., of Suffolk, Va.</p> + +<p class="center"> +Suffolk, Va., January 1, 1888. <span class="smcap">The Author</span>.<br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"></a>TABLE OF CONTENTS</h2> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="toc"> +<tr><td align='left'>CHAPTER</td><td></td><td align='right'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>I.</td><td align='left'>DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP—WASHINGTON THE OWNER.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>II.</td><td align='left'>TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>III.</td><td align='left'>HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_10">10</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IV.</td><td align='left'>ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>V.</td><td align='left'>THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VI.</td><td align='left'>PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_22">22</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VII.</td><td align='left'>MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>VIII.</td><td align='left'> THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>IX.</td><td align='left'>SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_45">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>X.</td><td align='left'>ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XI.</td><td align='left'>THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S—SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, ETC.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_52">52</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XII.</td><td align='left'>BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP—COLONEL GODFREY'S VISIT TO SOUTHAMPTON.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>XIII.</td><td align='left'> THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN—JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL.</td><td align='right'><a href="#Page_76">76</a></td></tr> +</table></div> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>DESCRIPTION AND SITUATION OF THE SWAMP—WASHINGTON THE OWNER.</h3> + + +<p>The Dismal Swamp, of which but little is known, +is a large body of dense woods, being situated and +laying in Nansemond county, Virginia, and the +county of Gates, in North Carolina. It contains, +by survey, about 100,000 acres. I have been told +by H. E. Smith, Esq., our county treasurer, that +45,000 acres were listed in the county of Nansemond. +It is thickly set with juniper, cypress and +other timber, which makes it very valuable. It +came into the possession of General George Washington, +and after the Revolutionary War a company +known as the Dismal Swamp Land Company was +formed, and arrangements made to manufacture +the timber; hands were put in the Swamp and it +was regularly opened. A large quantity of timber +was manufactured, and Washington found it necessary +to find some outlet for it, which could only be +done by a canal or ditch. A suitable place was +soon found, and Washington commenced in person +to survey the route known as the Washington +Ditch. He commenced at the northwest of the +Lake, on lands known as "Soldiers' Hope," belonging +to the estate of Col. Josiah Riddick, deceased, +and running west to what is called the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> +"Reese Farm," on the Edenton road, about seven +miles from Suffolk. A large quantity of juniper +timber was brought through this ditch, which was +hauled to the Nansemond river for shipment. We +were told by one of the agents of the company, W. +S. Riddick, Esq., that at one time all the business of +the company was transacted at the "Reese Farm," +that being the point at which the Ditch ended. +This mode of getting the lumber to market was +found too slow and tedious, and a more direct way +sought. How long the Washington Ditch was used +for bringing out the timber, we have never heard. +That will make no difference, for after the Jericho +Canal was cut the Ditch was abandoned, and a direct +communication opened to Nansemond river by +the way of Shingle creek. Millions of feet of timber +was shipped annually. The shareholders at +that time were few in number, and their profits were +very large. The company consisted of a president, +agent and inspector, he living at or near Suffolk, +and had charge of the work in the Swamp. He +employed the hands, furnished all the supplies, +sold the lumber, received all monies, and paid all +bills. He was, in fact, the principal officer of the +company. At a stated period, annually, a meeting +would be held for a general settlement of the year's +accounts. The president would preside, and as +there were no banks at that time in which to deposit +money, the agent would have a very large +amount to turn over to the stockholders. That +place is no longer of much value to its owners, as it +is a source of but little revenue. The shares have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> +been divided and sub-divided, until some of its +holders get barely enough to pay the postage on a +letter. Ex-Senator Wm. Mahone is probably the +largest shareholder. The Swamp has been leased +to Jno. L. Roper, Esq., of Norfolk, for several years, +during which he has had employed a large number +of hands, consequently most of the valuable timber +has been cut off. When this Swamp was first +opened, it became a harbor and safe refuge for runaway +slaves, and when one reached that dense place, +unless he was betrayed, it would be a matter of impossibility +to catch him. Long before the war you +could not take up a newspaper published in this +part of the State but what you would see several +cuts of a negro absconding with a stick on his +shoulder and a pack on one end of it, with the following +advertisement:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Notice! $500 Reward! Ran away from the +subscriber, on the night of June 18th, my negro +man, Simon. He had on, when last seen, a pair of +light pants, with a black patch on the seat of the +same. He is slue-footed, knock-kneed, and bends +over a little when walking. He may be making his +way to the Dismal Swamp. I will pay the above +reward for his apprehension, or his lodgment in +some jail, so that I can get him again.</p></div> + +<p class="center"> +"<span class="smcap">Joe Jones</span>."<br /> +</p> + +<p>I knew of an instance just before the late war +where a gentleman by the name of Augustus Holly, +Bertie county, N. C., had a slave to run away, who +was known to be a desperate character. He knew +that he had gone to the Dismal Swamp, and to get +him, his master offered a reward of $1,000 for his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> +apprehension, dead or alive. The person who +caught him is still living. I saw the negro when +he was brought to Suffolk and lodged in jail. He +had been shot at several times, but was little hurt. +He had on a coat that was impervious to shot, it +being thickly wadded with turkey feathers. Small +shot were the only kind used to shoot runaway +slaves, and it was very seldom the case that any +ever penetrated far enough to injure. I know three +persons now living who were runaway slave catchers, +but the late war stripped them of their occupation. +They were courageous and men of nerve.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>TO GROW UP AGAIN IN A JUNGLE.</h3> + + +<p>But little work is now done in the Dismal Swamp, +and it will again soon become a howling wilderness, +a hiding place for the bears, wild-cats, snakes and +everything hideous. The bamboo and rattan will +rule supreme, and, like the banyan tree, will form +an impenetrable jungle. But a few years will be +required for its accomplishment, and without an axe +you could not move a foot.</p> + +<p>G. P. R. James, the British Consul, who was +stationed at Norfolk when he wrote his novel entitled +"The Old Dominion," and which was a history +of "Nat Turner's War," (as it is called) in +Southampton county, states that a young mother,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +with her infant, fled to the Dismal Swamp for +safety. Mr. James must have drawn heavily on his +imagination for a figure, to make the situation more +horrible. I do not think any mother with an infant +would flee to such a wild and desolate place as the +Dismal Swamp, but, on the contrary, would keep +far away.</p> + +<p>I could relate many interesting stories that I have +heard about the Swamp, but as I am writing from +my own observation, will discard all such from my +task. It is true that some very mysterious things +have been seen at various times. I will, digressing +a little from my story, relate one circumstance that +was told me by a gentlemen who lived in Suffolk +and was stopping at Lake Drummond Hotel, situated +near the lake shore, and which was visited at +that time by many persons from New York and +other places. This gentleman remarked to me that +he was standing near the Lake one morning, and +happening to look across the Lake, to his great +astonishment, saw come out of the woods, at a +point so thick with reeds, bamboo and rattan, that +you could not get three feet from the shore, a beautiful, +finely-dressed lady; she walked out on a log +about twenty feet into the Lake, with a fishing pole +in her hand. I saw her bait her hook and throw it +out into the Lake. He said he could also tell the +color of the ribbon on her bonnet. He watched +the same place every day for several days, and at +the same hour each day the lady appeared as +before. I told my friend that he must have been +laboring under an optical delusion at the time, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> +the Lake was five miles wide at that place, and that +it was impossible for one to distinguish objects at so +great a distance with the naked eye. He replied +that every part of the story was true.</p> + +<p>On another occasion, a gentleman, now living in +Suffolk, told me that he was out hunting in the +Swamp, and chancing to look to the front saw +snakes coming from every direction, and quite near +him he saw a lump of them that looked to be as +large as a barrel. He supposed that there must +have been as many as five hundred, all so interwoven +that they looked like a ball of snakes. He +said he was too close on them to shoot, so stepping +back, he fired both barrels of his gun at the bunch. +An untangling at once commenced, and he said, +"consarned if he ever saw so many snakes before." +Upon going to the place where he had shot, he +found 150 snakes dead, and as many more wounded. +He carried some of the largest of the dead out, +procured a ten-foot rod, and on measuring found +one that measured twenty-three feet. I have related +this snake story several times, but was always +very particular to know that the gentleman who +told me was at some other place.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>HEALTHFULNESS AT THE SWAMP.</h3> + + +<p>Although the Dismal Swamp is so uninviting, it +is one of the healthiest places in the United States.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> +Death from disease has never been known in that +place, and it is impossible to tell what age one would +attain if they would take up their abode in it. I +have been told that instances were known where +persons were found who were so old that they had +moss growing on their backs, and who could give +no idea of their age. I once knew a family by the +name of Draper, who lived in the Swamp near the +edge of the Lake. What became of them I do not +know; the spot where the house stood now forms a +part of the Lake. The constant washing of the +western shore causes rapid encroachments, and it is +only a question of time when it will reach the high +lands. It is in the Dismal Swamp that Lake Drummond +was discovered, by whom I do not know, but +is said to have been found by a man named Drummond, +whose name it bears; that will make no difference +with me, the question is, how came it there? +Was it a freak of nature, or was it caused by warring +of the elements, is a question for the consideration +of those who visit it? That it was the effect of +fire caused by lightning setting fire to the turf, or +some dead tree, there can be no doubt. At what +time in the Christian era this eventful period was, it +is not, nor never will be, known. Suffice it to say, +that it was found and is the wonder and admiration +of all that have ever visited it. It is a broad sheet +of water, covering an area of five by seven miles, +and is surrounded by a dense growth of woods, so +thick that you cannot see the Lake until you are +within a few feet of it. Many visitors have visited +it, all of whom were struck with astonishment at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +sight. It is ten miles southeast of Suffolk. I will +now relate some of the adventures of my first trip. +It was on a bright morning, early in the month of +May, 1832, that my father and I started for "Lake +Drummond," or the Lake of the "Dismal Swamp," +as some call it; and as all preparations had been +made the night before, there was nothing to prevent +us from making an early start. The idea of +my going to the Lake had driven sleep from my +eyes, and I was ready to start at any time; but it +was not until the grey dawn of day that my father +began to stir. He was soon ready, and providing +himself with fishing poles, bait, lunch, and such +other articles as were necessary for a two or three +days' fishing excursion, then taking our leave of my +mother and the other members of the family, we +were off. The Portsmouth and Roanoke railroad +(now the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad) was at +that time graded as far as Suffolk. We followed +the line of it as far as a place known as Peter Jones, +where we left it and passed through "Bull Field," +to the company's mill, which is but a short distance +from the basin of the Canal, at which place we were +to take a skiff for the Lake. On arriving at the +basin we found Mr. James Woodward, grandfather +of Hersey Woodward, Esq., of Suffolk, Va. +He was inspector of lumber for the "Dismal Swamp +Land Company," and was on his way to the Lake. +The drivers of the skiff, Tony Nelson and Jim +Brown, were ready, and it being now about sunrise, +Mr. Woodward and my father soon got their traps +aboard, then lifting me in, all was ready. The drivers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +adjusted their poles and away we went, all being +a novelty to me, who had never before been in a +boat on water. Everything appeared very strange, +being but a very small boy as I was. Nothing +happened to impede our progress, and in about five +hours from the time of starting we arrived at the +Lake. Then it was that our young soul began to +thrill with joy, for we were at the Lake and would +soon launch on its broad bosom. The gates of the +Lock were opened and the skiff shoved in, then +the first gate being closed behind us another gate +opened. The water rushed in and soon our boat +was on a level with the Lake. The drivers then +took up the oars and were ready to cross to Jack's +Landing, which was on the opposite side of the Lake. +It being very rough at the time, some fears were +expressed, but Mr. Woodward, who was well acquainted +with the situation, said that he did not +apprehend any danger, and the skiff was put in +motion. As I said before, it was very rough, and +when we had gotten about half-way across, it became +more so: the waves began to break over the +skiff and all thought that it would fill. Fortunately, +two large wooden shovels or scoops were found in +the skiff, and with them Mr. Woodward and my +father kept her free, "Tony" and "Jim," in the +meantime, plying their oars manfully. We soon +arrived at "Jack's Landing," and disembarking +proceeded to Jack's camp, which was but a short +distance away, and known to every person who +had ever visited the Lake. On our arrival the +pious Mr. Woodward offered up to the Great Ruler<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> +of wind and water a prayer for our safe deliverance +from a watery grave. As we had not partaken of +any nourishment since early morning, it was proposed +that we should eat something, which was +readily agreed to, and in a short time we had gotten +through that part of our work, whereupon my +father said he would try his luck fishing. So taking +a small boat, which he found at "Jack's Landing," +placing me in it and then getting in himself, he +started for some good place to commence. He +fished awhile at the "Forked Gum" without any +success; moved to the "Stooping Pine" with a like +result. He began to think that it was the wrong +moon, and leaving that place he paddled for the +"Three Cypresses," where he caught some very fine +fish. It was now getting late in the afternoon, and +as he expected to make an early start the next +morning, he thought it best to return to the camp, +heading his boat in that direction he soon reached +the landing: having but a short distance to walk, +we were not long in reaching it. Mr. Woodward +had gone out to inspect some lumber and it was +getting time for his return. We did not have long +to wait. He soon came in, and looking at my +father's "Fish Gourd," remarked: "Neddie, you +have had fine sport; where did you catch so many +such large Frenchmen?" "Friend Jimmy," my +father replied, "when I started my first experiment +was at the 'Forked Gum,' and I did not get a +nibble. I left it and stopped at the 'Stooping Pine' +with the same success. I began to think that I was +fishing on the wrong moon." "Oh! Neddie," <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>rejoined +Mr. Woodward, "there is nothing in the +phases of the moon. You are not a good fisherman. +I can take you to the 'Forked Gum' and +'Stooping Pine' and astonish you." "After leaving +the 'Stooping Pine,'" continued my father, "I made +for the 'Three Cypresses,' and it was there that I +caught these fine perch." "Neddie," said Mr. +Woodward, "you are not such a bad fisherman +after all. Your success would do credit to the best." +My father proposed to Mr. W. that we should have +some of the fish cleaned and cooked for supper. +The necessary order being given, in a short time a +sufficient number were ready for the pan. A hot +fire was made of juniper logs, and frying of fish +commenced. In a short time we were told to get +our shingles ready, that being the only kind of plate +used in the "Dismal Swamp." And it is a well +known fact that fish eat sweeter off a shingle than +any plate on which it can be placed. The fish were +very fine and greatly enjoyed by all.</p> + +<p>Supper being disposed of, a general conversation +was indulged in about the Lake and Swamp, but +no one present could tell anything satisfactory about +the origin of the Lake. One idea was announced +and then another, throwing but little light upon the +subject. "Tony" and "Jim," the drivers of the +skiff, were sitting near the embers nodding, when +Mr. Woodward, to have a little fun, said: "Tony, +what is your opinion of the origin of the Lake?"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED.</h3> + + +<p>Old Uncle "Tony" made a rake in the embers +with his pipe and said: "Yas, sar; my 'pinion 'bout +dat place, boss, am dat it was dug out." Here Uncle +Jim broke in. "What de matter wid you, Tony? +How many niggers do you 'spose 'twould take tu +dig a hole big nuff tu hole all dat water?" "Dats +a fac, Jim," cried Uncle Tony, "I forgot 'bout de +water."</p> + +<p>"Well, Jim," queried Mr. Woodward, "how do +you account for it?" "Marse James," Uncle Jim +sagely replied, "it 'pears to me dat somebody got +under de groun' and dig de dirt out and de water +mashed it down."</p> + +<p>"Jim," exclaimed Tony, "you am de biggist fool +dat I ebber seed. How's anybody gwine tu git +under de groun' to dig. Whar's dey gwine tu put de +dirt, and whar is de water to cum fum to mash it +down?" Yah, yah, yah. "Go 'way nigger, I 'spec +you bin mole huntin'." "Dat am fac', Tony, I +didn't tink 'bout dat," said Uncle Jim, with an apologetic +and crestfallen air. Here Tony gave his +pipe another rake in the embers, took a few puffs, +and fell off his log fast asleep.</p> + +<p>It was now getting late, and preparations were +being made to put me to bed, which was done by +placing some hay on the floor of the camp and +spreading some bed clothing which we had brought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> +along. The bed was soon ready, and I was snugly +placed upon it, although I could not go to sleep, +knowing that we were to go out early in the morning +to see the sun rise on the Lake. I was called +at the first dawn of day and told to get up: we soon +had eaten our breakfast and everything made ready +to leave for the Lake. We soon reached the landing, +finding our boat ready. My father placed me +in and getting in himself took up his paddle and +shoved off for a position in the Lake where we +might see the great Orb of Day bathe his face in +the cloudy water of "Lake Drummond." We did +not have to wait long. By the glow of light that +began to show just under the eastern horizon, we +were satisfied that our anticipations would soon be +realized.</p> + +<p>The morning was misty, just enough so as to hide +the dense woods which stood on the eastern shore +of the Lake, and at the same time served as a back +ground to the grand display of nature, and make it +appear as if the sun actually came up out of the +water as it were. The mist in front was dispelled, +and the rays of sun playing on the rippling water +would cause you to think that it was one vast cluster +of diamonds. The sight was grand beyond my +power to describe it, and I never expect to behold +such a scene again. Everything was lovely on that +May morning—the balmy breeze, the air filled +with perfume of the wild flowers, which grew around +the Lake: birds carrolled forth sweet music as they +flitted from limb to limb; squirrels could be seen +and heard chattering among the trees. The shore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> +of the Lake was spread with a velvety green, and +you would think that nature had done her best to +make that morning lovely. Meditating on the +beauty and grandeur that surrounded us on the +broad bosom of the Lake, suddenly we were awakened +from our reverie by the hoarse growl and lapping +of the bears, and horrid cries of the wild cats, +which would cause the blood to curdle in the veins. +Thus with the sweet some sour always will be +found. Occasionally, at the Lake, a noble stag +will emerge from the trees, showing a stately head of +horns, approach to the water and survey the prospect, +then plunge in the Lake to swim to the other +shore. He settles very low, and if you did not +know you would take it for a floating bush. They +are frequently caught when attempting to cross the +Lake. Having reached a good place for fishing, +my father stopped at the place known as the "Apple +Trees," where he caught some very pretty fish. +His bait getting scarce, he moved around the Lake +to "Draper's Landing." Running the bow of the +canoe upon the wharf log, which was nearly on a +level with the water, left her, without tying, to look +for some angle worms. It being rough on the Lake +at the time, the rolling of the waves caused the boat +to work off, and before he could return she had +drifted well out on the broad waters of the Lake. +We were too small to realize our situation. Not +knowing how to paddle, we were left to the mercy +of the waves. On the return of my father, seeing +the great peril I was in, required but a single +thought for him to know what to do. Being a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> +good swimmer he boldly plunged into the water, +reached the boat and swimming towed it to the shore. +Had he not returned in time, our fate could not have +been told. We would have been capsized in the +Lake and drowned, or have drifted ashore to be devoured +by bears and other wild animals, or stung +to death by the venomous reptiles that hung in +clusters on trees around the shores of the Lake. +This accident put an end to fishing for that day. +My father was wet, and not having a change of +clothing with him, proceeded to the camp, so that +he could dry. We soon arrived at Jack's Landing, +and on reaching the camp found Mr. Woodward, +who remarked: "What is the matter, Neddie? +Did a big fish pull you overboard?" He saw that +my father was wet, and ordered a fire to be made, +so that he could dry his clothes. A hot fire was +soon made of juniper logs, and he was not long in +drying.</p> + +<p>Feeling no inconvenience from his ablution, and +drinking a cup of hot coffee, he related the circumstances +as detailed above. "Well, Neddie;" said +Mr. W., "you should at once return thanks to the +Giver of all Good for this miraculous escape." The +pious Mr. Woodward joined with him. It was now +nearly dark, and preparations were made to have +supper. When at the Lake it is expected that you +will catch fish enough upon which to subsist, and +my father being a good hand at angling, always had +a good supply, and no one on the trip wanted for +fish. The supper, which consisted of fish, bread and +hot coffee, was soon ready. About this time Tony<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> +and Jim, who had been loading their skiff at the +landing, returned to the camp, and taking their seats +at the ends of some juniper logs, were soon fast +asleep. We ate our supper and were then ready +for any kind of story that was told.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY.</h3> + + +<p>As Uncle Tony was, perhaps, the oldest person, +and knew more about the Lake than any person +then engaged at it, he was awakened, and Mr. Woodward +said: "Uncle Tony, I want you to tell us about +the man whom you said you brought to the Lake +in 1821." "Who tole you 'bout dat boss?" inquired +Uncle Tony, with an air of conscious pride. "It will +make no difference, go on and tell us," returned +Mr. Woodward. Tony scratched his head, then +putting some tobacco in his pipe, took out his flint +and steel (matches not being known in the swamp +at that day,) and soon had fire enough to light his +pipe. Drawing on it enough to get his "nigger +head" tobacco to burn, and fixing himself on the +end of his log, he commenced: "Boss, I shall nebber +forgit dat time. One mornin' as I war gittin' +my skiff ready to go to de Lake, a mity nice lookin' +man cum up to me an' said: 'Buck, ar' you de man +dat will carry me to de Lake ob de Dismal Swamp, +for which I will pay you one pound?' De gemman +talked so putty, dat I tole him to git in my skiff, an'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> +I wud carry him to de Lake. I notice' dat he kep' +writin' all de way. When I got to de horse camps +I stopped to get somfin to eat. He cum outen de +skiff an' ax me what I stop for. I tole him I stop +to eat some meat an' bread. He ax me if I wud +hav' a drink. I tuk off my hat an' tole him dat I +wud be much obleged to him for it. He foched a +silber jug, wid a silber cup for a stopper, and said: +'My man, dis is Irish whiskey. I brung it all de +way from home.' He tole me dat his name was +Thomas Moore, an' dat he cum fom 'way ober yonder—I +dun forgot de name of de place—an' was +gwine to de Lake to write 'bout a spirit dat is seed +dar paddlin' a kunnue. De har 'gin tu rise on my +hed an' I ax him ef dat was a fac'. He sed dat he +was told so in Norfolk. It was gin out dar dat a +mity putty gal had loss her sweethart, an' had dun +gone crazy, an' had gone to de Lake ob de Dismal +Swamp an' drown herself, an' dat she ken be seen +ebery night by de lite ob some sort ob fli." "I tell +you, boss," continued the old man, "when he tole +me 'bout dat gal paddlin' dat bote on de Lake at +nite, I diden' want to go any furder wid him, but he +tole me dar wud be no danger. I cud not see +hur, so I carrid him on to de Lake. He rit like de +gal had run away an' had been drowned rite here. +I shal nebber forget dat gentman. I fotch him +back an' he gin me de poun', which war five dollars, +an' he lef' for Norfolk, bein' mitey glad dat I had +carrid him to de Lake."</p> + +<p>"Tony, did he tell you anything about his trip?" +inquired Mr. Woodward.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p><p>"Yas, sar," replied the old man. "He tole me +dat he had trabbled an' seen sites, but dat he nebber +was so 'stonish befo'; he did not spec' to see +at de end ob de kunel such a putty place; an' dat I +wud hear som time what he was gwine tu say 'bout +it." "That was Tom Moore, the Irish poet," said +Mr. W. "De who?" interrupted Tony. "He came +to this country," continued Mr. W. "to visit the +Lake, as being one of the wonders of nature, and +you were fortunate in having to wait on such a distinguished +person."</p> + +<p>Tom Moore, after he had arrived in this country, +no doubt heard of the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, +and when he reached Norfolk, Va., and the story of +the fair maiden and her lover being fresh, might +have induced him to visit it, and it was on that occasion +that he penned the following lines:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">"They made her a grave that was too cold and damp,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">For a soul so warm and true."</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>His poem on the "Lake of the Dismal Swamp," +no doubt, is familiar with every person of ordinary +information, and can be found in every library, and +should be read by every person who has never done +so.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>PORTE CRAYON'S VISIT, INCIDENTS, ETC.</h3> + + +<p>At a much later date the Lake was visited by +Porte Crayon, who was at that time writing for Harper's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +Monthly. The account given of his trip, with +his illustrations, are very life-like and interesting, +and in the February or March number of that +valuable book, for the year 1857, you will be +greatly amused at the description there given. Two +darkies, Eli Chalk and Jim Pearce, were the drivers +of the pleasure boat furnished by W. S. Riddick, +Esq., the then agent of the Dismal Swamp +Land Company, in which he was carried to the +Lake. He was there some two or three days, and +his writings should be read to be appreciated. It +was at the Lake that we saw Uncle "Alek," of +whom a fac-simile likeness is given in the book +above referred to. Uncle "Alek" was a superanuated +old colored man, belonging to the Reverend +Jacob Keeling, Rector of the Episcopal Churches in +Nansemond county, Virginia. He was quite old, +and retained his memory to a remarkable degree. +He was called the "Bee Hunter" of the Dismal +Swamp, and, if I am not mistaken, had a bag of bees +in his hand when Porte first met him. He would +follow bees for a long distance, cutting his way +through the reeds for miles in a straight line, until +he came to the tree in which was the hollow. +Then he would take out the bees, put them into a +bag and bring them out. In going to the Lake you +could see numberless paths cut by Uncle Alek for +that purpose. The opening through the reeds +would look to be about two feet wide and ten feet +high, which was almost the length of the reeds. +Uncle Alek worked in the swamp nearly all his +life, was a faithful hand, and in his old age the company<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> +gave him a house and a piece of land, as a +home during his natural life. A mule was also given +to him by the company, which mule I had the honor +of riding at a tournament at Suffolk, Va., in 1860. +How old he was no one could tell at that time. +No account is given of any mules being in the Ark +at the time that she settled on dry land, and where +that mule came from will never be known. It is +very certain that he appeared on this mundane +sphere at some period after the flood. If he is +dead I have heard nothing of it. He may be wandering +about the Dismal Swamp. Old Uncle Alek +and his mule were great curiosities, and whenever +he came to town on his mule they attracted a great +deal of attention. He was an exhorter in the Methodist +Churches for colored people, and always had +in his pocket a Testament or hymn book. He was +perfectly conversant with the Bible, and could refer +readily to any passage of Scripture that you might +mention. He was born in 1783, and died a few +years ago, having attained the age of one hundred +years, his mind being as vivid and active as at any +time. We shall never forget Uncle Alek and his +mule. They were things of our earliest recollection, +and, like many of the landmarks at the "Lake of +the Dismal Swamp," have been washed away. I +have been to it frequently since my first visit, and +would notice the changes made by the rude hand +of time.</p> + +<p>I have examined several writers that have written +about "Uncle Alek's Mule," and am satisfied that +it was the same one that "Nat Turner" rode when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +on his raid of murder in Southampton county, Va., +in 1831. Looking over the diary of Colonel Godfrey +for thirty years, we notice that he said "Nat +Turner," when he appeared in the avenue of Dr. +Blount, on that fatal night, he rode at the head of +the column, mounted on a sorrel mule, with flax +mane and tail. But the question arises, how that +mule got into the Dismal Swamp, and how he came +in possession of the Dismal Swamp Land Company. +Col. Godfrey states that there were several +guns in the house of Dr. Blount, and several visitors +there at the time; that the young Blount +loaded the guns, and that a strong fire was kept up +on the advancing column. Nat Turner was thrown +from his mule, then they became panic-stricken, and +were dispersed. For the bravery displayed by +young Blount on that occasion, he received a midshipman's +warrant in the United States Navy. I +will now quote from G. P. R. James' book, called +the "Old Dominion," in which he states that a +"young mother with her infant fled to the Dismal +Swamp for safety." It was several miles away, +and it may be that she drove that same mule, and +the probability is that she left the mule in the +Swamp, and that he wandered about until he found +Jack's Camp, where he was secured and became +the property of the Dismal Swamp Land Company. +How long the company worked him before +he became the property of Uncle Alek, I do not +know, but am satisfied that it was several years, +and that his wind was injured by overloading. I +have the testimony of a gentleman well-known in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> +Suffolk, now living, who stated that he saw a cymling +vine at jack's Camp which was of spontaneous +growth, and which covered more juniper trees than +he could count, and from that vine there was +gathered two hundred and fifty cart loads of cymlings. +It may be that the hauling away of these +cymlings so injured the mule that he was no longer +of service to the company. There is no doubt he +was turned over to Uncle Alek, which must have +been during the year 1832. I was in the Swamp +during that year and saw the cymling vine above +alluded to, and no one could tell how it came to +grow there. It will be impossible for me to tell how +old Uncle Alek's mule was or what became of him. +I have never heard that he died or was killed. He +was no doubt the most remarkable mule that ever +lived. The last that I heard from him was related +by Uncle Alek himself, and which was no doubt +true. I will relate as near as I can what the old +man told me. He came to Suffolk one day and I +noticed that he was very much excited. I said to +him: "Uncle Alek, what has happened to you?" +He answered: "Marse Robert I neber was in sich +a fix befo' in all my life. I hav' fit bars, rattlesnakes, +wild cats and bees, but I tell you sumfin' has happened +to me to-day dat neber bin known to befall +any one." "What was that Uncle Alek?" I inquired. +"I'm terribly upsot, and I dunno what to +do. I shall hab to mov' 'way frum my place; a +whirlwind struc' my well dis mornin' an' has twisted +it so dat I can't git de bucket down in de well, an' +I can't git no water, an' what is wuss den all, my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> +mule has bin translated. He wus a good mule, and +his loss ruins me." I saw Uncle Alek some time +after that, when he told me that he was out in the +Swamp hunting bees, when lo and behold! he +heard his mule bray. He cast his eyes up and saw +him lodged in the forks of a large tree. There was +no way by which he could get him down, and left +him as he thought to die. But his surprise can be +imagined when he heard nuzzling at the door one +morning, when, upon opening, what should he see +but his mule. How he came down he could not +tell, but said he should always believe that his mule +could climb a tree. I said it must have been a +Providential interference, and that the same Power +which landed him in the tree was able to lift him +out. "Dat is so," said the old man, "an' I will +nebber agin' complain at de ways ob an Over-Rulin' +Providence." I often think of Col. Godfrey +and his remark, when he said that what best conduces +to the happiness of mankind is right. Uncle Alek, +knowing that his mule was at home with his head +well in the crib, and he in the Swamp fighting bears +and bees, was perfectly happy. Uncle Alek and +his mule are both now dead, and I shall always have +a lively recollection of them. I often think of them, +and that I rode Uncle Alek's mule as Knight of the +Dismal Swamp at a tournament, won the first honor, +and was ruled out on account of my mule not making +time, much to the mortification of Uncle Alek. As +Uncle Alek and his mule will appear again, I will +leave them for the present and relate an interesting +conversation with Mr. Richard Hosier, who now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> +lives in Suffolk, and who is as well acquainted with +the Dismal Swamp as any one now living. He is +perfectly familiar with every part of it, and is, no +doubt, correct in many of his statements. He informed +me that long before the Lake was discovered +by Drummond, two gentlemen from Elizabeth City, +N. C., left for the Dismal Swamp on a hunting expedition, +and having lost their way, wandered about +until they came to what they discovered to be a +large body of water. From it they traveled a due +west course and came out at a farm on the Desert +road, known as Mossy Swamp, and one of the men +was taken sick and died; the other one returned to +Elizabeth City. Mr. Hosier did not state when this +was, but said it was long before Drummond made +known that he had discovered a lake in the Dismal +Swamp. It will be remembered that Mr. Hosier +was arrested in Norfolk in 1863 by order of the +Federal general then commanding that department, +and was being carried toward the Indian Pole +Bridge to be put to work on the defences of Norfolk. +He was not disposed to do work in that way, +and when well out from Norfolk he eluded the guard +that had him, and directed his steps toward the +Southern Branch of the Elizabeth river. On his +arrival, seeing boats passing up and down, he secreted +himself until the darkness of night had fallen, +then making a bundle of his clothes and placing it +on his head, he entered the river and swam to the +other shore. He then pursued his way to the Deep +Creek Canal, which he forded. Arriving at the +"Feeder," he was not far from the Lake, and was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> +at a place with which he was well acquainted, and +out of the reach of all danger of being recaptured. +Resting himself a while, he then started for the +Lake, and it was at that place he performed his +great feat. He could not procure a boat, and the +prospect before him was gloomy indeed. If he remained +there he would, in all probability, have been +devoured by bears and other wild animals in the +Swamp, or perhaps, starve. Not being in the least +daunted, he prepared himself to reach the western +shore, which could only be done by swimming. It +was seven miles across, but he nerved himself to the +accomplishment of his object. He prepared himself +as before by making a bundle of his clothes, +which he placed on the top of his head, and was +then ready to swim across or perish in the attempt. +When he was about half-way across he was attacked +by a large serpent, and had it not been for a +school of gars that was following him, he would no +doubt have been devoured. He reached the shore +only to meet a more formidable enemy. It was a +large black bear. In his scuffle with the serpent he +had lost his bundle of clothes and had nothing but +a large knife, which was buckled around his waist. +Drawing his knife, he rushed forward and was met +by the bear, when a regular hand-to-hand fight was +commenced. He did not wrestle long before he +found an opportunity to use his knife, and plunging +it up to the hilt, he soon had the bear lying prostrate +at his feet. Having lost all his clothes, it became +necessary that he should do something in his +nude state. The bear's skin was the only thing that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> +he could get, so with his knife he skinned him, and +getting inside the skin, he started to find some settlement. +But his condition was as bad as before. +The idea of his being able to get near enough to +any person to tell of his condition was absurd. The +very sight of him would scare every man, woman +and child off the plantation. He could not get a +living soul to come to him, and it was not until he +had reached his own home, some few miles from +Suffolk, that he could present himself as Mr. Hosier. +I could write many very interesting incidents connected +with the life of Mr. Hosier, which, in many +instances, are thrilling. But as we are writing our +own recollections, I shall only notice in a few cases +what I have been told by others.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>MANY CHANGES HAVE TAKEN PLACE.</h3> + + +<p>It is pleasant to me that I can take a retrospective +view of the past and note the many changes +that have taken place within my recollection. Many +sad changes have taken place within the past fifty +years. Dynasties have arisen, lived and have had +their day; they have fallen, and are known as +things that were. But four of the companions of +my school-boy days are living, and it is only now +and then that we meet with one. The Rev. R. H. +Jones, of Norfolk, is the only one that we have seen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +or known away from Suffolk. The honored landmarks +of the town are few, and soon must be less. +Benjamin Riddick, the present mayor of the town, +is perhaps the oldest citizen in it. Judge P. B. +Prentice, the polished gentleman—his manly form +can be seen on our streets, as he, with intrepid steps, +passes along; he is the oldest native citizen and +possesses a mind as active and vigorous as when +young. John Hoffman, Esq., is another of the landmarks +of the town. He has lived nearly his four-score +years. Whitmill Jones, Esq., is another of +our old friends. His steps are feeble and trembling. +The last of the old pioneers of Suffolk whom +we shall notice is James B. Norfleet, Esq. He is +perhaps more generally known than any man who +has ever lived in the place. He conducted for many +years a very extensive mercantile and lumber business, +but fell a victim to his generous impulses. +The cypress that was known as the "apple tree," +which stood in the Lake a short distance to the left +of the "Lock," has been blown down or washed up +with its roots, and in a short time nothing will be +seen of it. The house which stood not very far +from the western shore of the Lake and occupied +by a family known as Draper, has been washed +away and nothing left to show that a human habitation +ever had any existence there. Before the +late war a pleasure boat was kept by the company +for the accommodation of parties that wished to +visit the Lake, and it was customary for several +parties to go in early Spring, commencing about +the first of May, that being the most pleasant time<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> +and nature about to put on her coat of green. But +few parties now venture in, owing to the inconvenience +that attend, and when they do go they have +to get in the best way they can. The pleasure boat +and other boats in the canal were cut up by order +of General Peck, commanding the United States +forces at Suffolk, Va., and carried to the Black +water river to be used as pontoons across that +stream. But I doubt if they were ever used for +that purpose. After the surrender so great was the +demand for boats by strangers that wished to visit +the Lake of the Dismal Swamp that Capt. Busby, an +energetic citizen of Nansemond county, Virginia, +had erected near the Lake a hotel known as the +Lake Drummond Hotel, and to invite visitors he had +built a beautiful gondola, which was run daily to +the Lake during the season. That old trojan, Capt. +Jack Robinson, being in charge of the hotel, caused +it to be well filled. It was very frequently the case +that parties would come from Norfolk to go on from +Suffolk, they having heard that the gondola left her +wharf every day for the Lake. I recollect a party +of three young gentlemen that came from Norfolk +who wished to visit Lake Drummond. They +stopped at the Exchange Hotel and made known +the fact. The polite manager, Eddie S. Riddick, +Esq., soon saw Capt. Busby, and his gondola was +chartered to carry the party to the Lake. Mr. Riddick +made every preparation necessary for them, +but one of the parties heard that an alligator was +on exhibition near the hotel, and thinking that it +was brought from the Lake, at once provided himself<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> +with a rifle and a large quantity of fixed ammunition. +All were then ready and they left for +the canal, where they would take the gondola. She +was then at her wharf, and everything being placed +in, Capt. Busby took his stand at the wheel and +gave orders to the first mate to have the gondola +cast loose, which was at once obeyed, and, like a +swan, she was gliding on in the canal at the fearful +rate of about two miles an hour. To prevent any +confusion if attacked, one of the most daring young +men of the party, being one of the three from Norfolk, +Va., placed himself in the bow of the gondola +with rifle in hand and a box of ammunition conveniently +nigh, awaiting an attack from any quarter. +When passing what is known as "Paradise Old +Field," one of the party cried alligator! The young +man at the bow at once opened fire, and it was not +until he had shot away a whole box of ammunition +that he discovered the supposed alligator to be +nothing more dangerous than a floating log. Quiet +having been restored the captain struck two bells, +and the gondola was on her way again, but unfortunately +had not proceeded many miles when a +snake fell in off an overhanging limb of a tree, and +so near one of the young men that it caused him to +jump over into the canal. The mate ordered one +of the deck hands to throw the snake out, whilst +others were fishing out the young man who had +jumped overboard. Captain Busby, fearing that +some other accident might happen before reaching +the hotel, thought it best that passengers should +occupy their state-rooms until a landing was made<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> +at the hotel. He said with so much confusion it +would be impossible for him to land his gondola +safely. Captain Jack, of the hotel, was watching +the movements of Captain Busby, and complimented +him for his dexterity. He walked down from the +hotel and escorted the guests up who had just arrived. +The hotel is of the Irish style of architecture, +with parlor, kitchen, dining and bedroom all +in the same room, the whole being heated by a hot +air furnace. I have not been to the Lake for some +time, but hear that great improvements have been +made, and it is the object of the proprietor of the +hotel to turn the attention of Northern visitors to +Florida every Winter in that direction, believing +that it is the healthiest place in the United States. +It is very accessible—the Norfolk and Western railroad +passing through its northern boundary, and +the Suffolk and Carolina Short Line or Grand +Trunk railroad on its western, which by running a +railroad from Skinnerville, on the Grand Trunk, +would bring the Lake Hotel within a few minutes' +ride from Suffolk, and with little or no inconvenience +to invalids coming from the rigid climate +of the North. I am told that all snakes remain in a +torpid state during the winter, and no danger +might be expected from them, and as the floors of +the hotel would be kept tight no vermin could +crawl through. There can be no doubt that the +Lake of the Dismal Swamp must become the great +centre of health-seekers, and that at an early day. +Its location and advantages, the known healthliness +of the place, to say nothing of its beauty and former<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> +renown, is sufficient to attract the attention of persons +that seek the Sunny South from the cold and +rigorous climate of the extreme Northern States of +the Union. It is true that some writers pronounce +the warm and genial climate of the Sunny South to +be a fraud, practiced to allure the unsuspecting. +That cannot be so. It is universally known that +the Dismal Swamp is the healthiest place in the +known world. Where can you find a location in +which a death has not occurred in a hundred years? +It cannot be named.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE FUTURE FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP.</h3> + + +<p>The Dismal Swamp in Virginia is the only place +where a death from disease has never occurred. +Railroads, like hog paths, are being run in every +direction, and the time is not far distant when a +railroad will be run direct to the beautiful Lake of +the Dismal Swamp, and Northern invalids will flock +to its beautiful shores, there to bathe in its juniper +water and be healed from all diseases. True, at +this time it is in a rude and wild condition, but with +the Suffolk and Carolina Grand Trunk Railroad +stretching across its western front, civilization must +tend toward it, and when a communication direct is +opened a city, Cincinnatus like, will spring along its +shores, and its inhabitants can, by the light of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> +glow worm of fire fly, watch the paddling of the +white canoe, so beautifully described by Moore in +his poem. Another very interesting place near the +Swamp is a farm which at one time belonged to +General Washington. It is at the extreme south, +and is now owned by Mrs. John Trotman, and she +has in her possession the original title deeds of +every person who has owned the place at various +times, from Washington down to the last purchaser, +who was Burrell Brothers, Esq., of Gates county, N. +C., and an uncle of the above-named lady. At his +death it fell to his widow, who gave it to Mrs. John +Trotman, its present owner. I have visited the +place several times, and the cellars can now be seen +where stood the first house. It is very certain that +it was settled many years ago, from the fact that I +saw a tombstone of a doctor from Waterbury, Connecticut, +who died there in 1800. This stone has +been seen by many persons. There is another +place of some note that adjoins the Washington +farm, it is known as Hamburgs. At this place a +ditch or canal was dug, running east to the northwest +Lock of the Dismal Swamp Canal, through +which a vast quantity of grain and other produce +raised by the farmers of Gates county, was shipped +to Norfolk. An extensive mercantile business was +carried on at Hamburg by Col. T. W. Smith, so +well known, who afterwards removed to and now +resides in Suffolk, Va. It was at Hamburg that so +many refugees ran the blockade during the late war +from Norfolk and other places, and a number of incidents +could be related of persons that sought that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> +place to get in and out of the Confederate lines. +Hamburg is a beautiful place and is owned by Mrs. +S. C. Voight, who resides upon the premises. It +was at this place that Beast Butler, of the Federal +Army, carried on a very extensive barter trade with +the Rebs. It adjoins the Washington farm, as I +said before, and may have been at one time a part +of it. I knew nothing of the first settlement of the +place. It has the appearance of being very ancient—no +doubt dates back many years before the Revolution, +or it may have been the headquarters of a +roving tribe of Indians, as many arrow points and +tomahawks have been ploughed up on the place. +To my friend, T. H. Lassiter, Esq., of Gates county, +North Carolina, I am indebted for much of the information +gained of that locality, and I could relate +a good deal told me by that gentleman which might +be very interesting. Mr. Lassiter lives at a beautiful +farm, on the main Edenton road, near the Silver +Spring, a place of great resort for persons living in +that part of the county.</p> + +<p>I will relate a very interesting conversation which +I had with a very old colored man that I met in the +road near the Orapeake Mill, in Gates county, +North Carolina, when on my way to Suffolk, Va., +and not far from the beautiful village of Jonesville, +lying on both sides of the Suffolk and Carolina +Short Line or Grand Trunk Railroad. I said to +the old man, "Uncle, where do you live?" "Boss, +you ax me a hard question," replied the old man. +"Git off your hoss an sot down, I'm gwine tell you +sumfin. Do you smoke de pipe, boss?" I replied<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> +that I did, and handed him my bag of tobacco. He +took from his pocket what I supposed he called a +pipe. It was the butt end of a corn cob hollowed +out, with something protruding at a right angle, +which he called a stem. What it really was, I could +not tell. He filled it with tobacco. I then handed +him a match, when thanking me very kindly, he +lighted his pipe, drawing it a few times to see that +it was well lighted, said: "Boss, I will now tol you +sumfin dat happen many years ago. Do you see +dat mill pon' yonder?" alluding to the Orapeake. I +replied that I did. "Well, boss, dat pon' was de +cause of my trouble. One dark nite I was in dar +strikin' at fish. I had just hit a large chub, when a +white man, who was in dar strikin', cum up and sed: +'Boy, dat is my fish.' I tole him dat I kilt de fish, +an dat it was mine. 'Bout dat time he was gwine to +take de fish, an den I took up my hatchet dat I had +in de bote, whar I split liteard wid and hit him on +de head. He drapped down in de bote, and I seed +dat I had done sumfin bad. De man was dead, and +I wood be hung if dey cotched me. So I drug de +man ober de side of de bote into the water, and +mashed him down in the mud, an dat man never +cum up any more. I didn't go home any more. +An arter a while de white man was missin', an de +peple gin to talk, an I gin to git skared. Do you +see dat house up dar?" I said I did. "Well, +Marse Luke Sumner libbed dar. De big house +dat he libbed in is done torn down, and de small +one made outen it. He is done ded now, and +when he libbed dar is mor'n a hundred years ago.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +His gran-son, Marse Joe Riddick, now own de +place and libs at it. He mus be ni eighty year old. +Well, dey fine de white man was done missin, an it +bin dat I was strikin' fish in de mill pon' de same +nite, dey 'gin to look for me, an my daddy tole me +dat I had better go into the desart, which was de +Dismal Swamp. I took his 'vice and lef. De runaway +ketchers cum in dar to look for me, but didn't +get me. I staid dar 'til de war was ober. I cum +out and hab been lookin' 'bout dis place to see if I +node anybody, but dey all gone ded, an nobody +nose me. I tell you, boss, when you git in de +desart ef nobody ses nuffin, de runaway ketchers +can't kotch you. I am berry ole now, and my +home folks are all ded an gone an I no nobody. +De ghost ob de white man dat I kilt hants me all +de time, wharebber I go, an I is a misable man. I +am now on my way to de desart to hide myself an +die." I asked him who he belonged to at the time +he committed the murder. Replying, he said: +"I longed to Capt. Richard Brothers, in de desert." +"Well," I said, "did he ever know what became of +you?" "I nebber heard any more from him arter +I got in the desart. I heard dat he dide in 1817 ob +de cole plague, or black tongue." "You are correct +in what you have said, uncle," I replied. "I do not +wish to interview you any longer on that subject. +He was my grandfather and lived at the place mentioned +by you. I hear the old people speak of the +circumstances. You were his carriage driver at the +time, and your name is 'Long Davy.'" "Yas, sar, +dat is my name, but don't tell anybody 'bout it. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> +had a brudder libbing in de low parrish of Nansemond +county, but he is ded. His name was +George." I said, "Uncle Davy, you are correct. +On one occasion, being at Driver's Store, in lower +parrish of Nansemond, I saw a tall and very polite +colored man drive up. I was struck with his appearance, +and asking him his name, he said George +W. Coston, sir. Then you are from Sunsbury, +Gates county, North Carolina." "I was from that +place," he replied, "but have been living in the +lower parish since the breaking out of the war." +"Were you a slave or free-born," I inquired. "I +was a slave," he responded. "Who was your first +owner that you recollect." "Capt. Richard Brothers, +on the desart road, Nansemond county, Va., +who died with the cold plague in 1817," he readily +answered. He appeared to be very much pleased +when I told him that his first master was my grandfather. +He looked at me very straight and asked +me my mother's name, and upon my answering +Margaret, he said he thought he could see a family +likeness, and said my mother was the first mistress +he ever had, she "drawing" him in the division of +my grandfather's property. I left him at Driver's +Store and never saw him again. I have since heard +that he was dead. I often thought of the circumstances +of the meeting. Such frequently occurs +and brings up recollections that are buried in oblivion. +The corroborative testimony of George satisfied +me that "Davy" was true in what he related to +me about what happened at Orapeake Mill Pond, +in Gates county, North Carolina, near the beautiful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> +village of Jonesville, on the Grand Trunk Railroad.</p> + +<p>That the Lake of the Dismal Swamp is to become +the great centre of attraction there can be no reasonable +doubt. Recent demonstrations in that direction +go to prove beyond cavil the fact. The visit +of John Boyle O'Reilly, editor of the Boston Herald, +Mr. Mosely, of Washington, and several other distinguished +persons, go to prove the fact. Contiguous +as it is to the celebrated Magnolia Springs, +with its vast hunting grounds, will be a sufficient +inducement to invite sportsmen from all sections. +It is certain that a railroad will be surveyed and constructed, +commencing at or near Magnolia Springs, +which will tap the Lake near the famous apple tree, +and as a grand hotel will be constructed at the Lake +visitors will have the privilege of stopping there or +at the Springs. A sufficient amount of capital can +be had for all purposes necessary, and as the +hotel will be built about one mile from the shore of +the Lake, it will be free from yellow flies, fleas, mosquitos, +snakes, alligators, bears, pole cats and other +annoyances which more or less infest the hotel. +The hotel being built on piles out in the Lake, could +be reached by a bridge starting from the shore, +with a sufficient number of draws, which, if left +open at night, would prevent snakes, bears, alligators, +pole cats, etc., from entering the hotel. A +strict watch will be kept, and if by accident the +draws should be left closed and an alligator, bear +or snake should enter the hotel, or should a snake +be found coiled up in bed with some sleeper, no +alarm should be given, it might cause some <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>nervous +person to jump overboard and be devoured +by alligators, snakes, etc. By giving notice at the +office of the hotel these annoyances would be removed +with but little or no excitement. The object +of the company is to direct the attention of +Northern invalids to Lake Drummond and Magnolia +Springs, the medicinal qualities of whose +waters have been tested and are pronounced to be +superior to any known in this country. After +drinking of these waters all that you have to do is to +go to Lake Drummond, bathe in its waters and be +healed. You will then be prepared to hunt bears, +quail, deer, etc., at the Springs, and your sport will +then commence. Before entering into the hunt you +will supply yourself with a pole cat arrangement, +which is furnished free by the company and will +probably be of service to you. It is not expected +that you will engage in any bear hunt on your first +arrival, but will wait until you know something +about the mode of hunting them. It frequently +happens on the hunt that you come in contact with +a rattlesnake. He will give you timely notice by +springing his rattles, which you will do well to heed. +It is a well-known fact that Northern invalids are +not afraid of alligators, bears, snakes, pole cats or +any of the poisonous insects that infest the Swamp +and Lake. There are a few timid persons living +near the Lake, on the edge of the Swamp, who are +sometimes driven out of their houses by the appearance +of bears and snakes, but they are few in +number, and seldom or ever visit the Lake. The +great bug bear that deter most of the visitors is the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> +fear of snakes falling in the gondola, as she passes +along, from overhanging limbs of trees. If passengers +would keep in their state-rooms on the gondola, +snakes might fall into it and they would know nothing +about it, as they would be thrown out as soon +as found. Lizzards sometimes run up the pantaloons +leg of some who are not on the lookout for +such things; but that causes a fellow to run out of +his trousers so quick that very few ever get bitten.</p> + +<p>I have visited the Lake at various times and under +different circumstances, but do not recollect that +anything unaccountable happened to me but once, +which I will relate: On one occasion as I was going +down the canal, toward the Lake, the driver of the +skiff exclaimed, "Boss, did you see dat?" "No," +I exclaimed; "What was it?" "It was a ball of +fire." "A what?" I said. "A jack-mer-lantern," +said he. "And what is that?" I asked. "It's a +sperit. I ceed dem ebery nite, an' when I go to +kotch one dey ain't nobody." "Then you believe +in spirits?" "Yes, sar; dat I dus. When I pass +Paradise Old Field I kin always see dem." "Have +you ever been told anything about the ball of fire +and Jack-mer-lantern, as you call them?" "Yes, +sir; dat I hab." "Then let me hear what +you have been told." "Yes, sir; Boss, I'se gwine +tu tell you de God's trufe." "Well, proceed." +"Boss, I'm gwine to tole you dey tole me dat long +time 'go dat a man by de name of Pluter was come +up dar in dat field wid a 'omun, an' dat dey loss +demselves, an' hab neber bin seed since; and dat +ebery nite wen you go by dar you kin see somfin.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +One nite as I was gwine 'long I thort dat a ball of +fire wus gwine tu hit me in de face. I axed who +wus dat; nobody said nuffin. I hit at it an' it +turned to a Jack-mer-lantern." "And what was +that," I asked. "I 'spec dat it wus dat man Pluter, +an' de ball ob fire wus de 'omun dat wus wid him." +"And they are what you call 'sperits?' Then you +are a natural born fool; if you do not shove this +boat along I will break your head with this pole." +"Boss, I shall always blebe in dem sperits."</p> + +<p>It is very true that some very mysterious and unaccountable +things were seen when passing Paradise +Old Field, by the side of the canal, by persons on +their way to the Lake of the Dismal Swamp, but in +very few instances, and then only by nervous persons +of diseased minds. You might travel up and +down the canal as often as you choose and outside +of snakes and pole cats nothing would ever appear. +Do not let snake stories deter you from visiting this +wonderful and beautiful place, the Lake of the +Dismal Swamp. As the boat was being driven +along, the driver said: "Boss, did I nebber told you +about de big watermillion that Mars. Caleb Busby +foun' near dis place?" "No; let me hear something +about it." "Well, sir, I will tole you. One +day as Mars. Busby was gwine tu de Lake, an' wen +he got rite here he ceed on de side ob de cunnel a +big snake trien tu swallow a raccoon. He tuk up +sumfin' to flro at de snake, an' jes' den he ceed in +de bushes a nale keg, an' wus glad dat he had foun' +a keg ob nales. But wen he got dar it was a watermillion." +"How do you suppose that melon came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +to grow there?" I asked. "My 'pinion 'bout dat, +Boss, dat some nigger stole a watermillion frum sum +farmer's patch, an' wen he got here he busted it gin +a tree. Sum ob de seed fell on de ground an' de +watermillion gru dar." "That is very probable. +What did Mr. Busby do with it?" "He karid it +home, planted sum ob de seed and his million +weighed ober fifty pounds. He sole sum ob de +seed, an' frum dem seed farmers rose de biggest +watermillions ob eny in dis kintry." "Dat will do +pretty well for you; drive the boat along." "Dus +yu think dat I tole yu a story, Boss?" "Oh, no; +I only thought that one of your 'Jack-mer-lanterns' +had been after you, or that somebody had been +throwing a 'ball of fire' at your head."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>SUFFOLK AND EARLY DAYS.</h3> + + +<p>I will take the above railroad and return to Suffolk, +when I will say something of my early recollections +of that place. It was in the year 1830 that +my father, with his family, moved to it. I was quite +small at that time, but I recollect the time well. +Suffolk was then a small village, situated on the +Nansemond river, with a population of about five +hundred, and increased very slowly in population +until after the surrender, which was in April, 1865. +Since that it has increased very rapidly in population<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> +and growth. It was in Suffolk that Henry +Herman commenced his business career; moved to +Norfolk in 1832; and became one of her successful +merchants. At his death his remains were brought +to Suffolk, and now quietly rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery. +I could mention many instances of successful +business men of that town were it necessary. I +will now write of things of more recent date—something +within the recollection of many persons yet +living. It will be recollected that a fire broke out +in June, 1837, that destroyed the lower part of the +town. There were no engines in the place and the +flames raged with great fury. The Allen residence, +at Rose Hill, about one half mile distant, was set on +fire several times by the flying debris, and it was +with difficulty that the house was saved. It was at +Rose Hill that a large mercantile business was carried +on, and no doubt a large quantity of juniper +lumber was shipped from that point belonging to +private individuals. A wharf was built at the mouth +of Shingle creek (I imagine long before the Jericho +canal was dug), and large quantities of lumber was +hauled to it by persons living on the edge of the +Dismal Swamp. I knew of several persons who +owned large juniper glades on the edge of Dismal +Swamp one in particular. His name was Thomas +Swepston and lived not far from Suffolk, on +the line of the Seaboard railroad, which divides +his farm. He was agent of the Dismal Swamp +Land Company for several years, and may have +been the first after the Jericho canal was opened. +The last agent, of whom I have any knowledge, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> +W. S. Riddick, Esq., who died several years ago. +The last inspector of lumber was J. E. Bonnewell, +of whom it is my pleasure to notice particularly. +Perhaps no man was more generally known and +respected in Suffolk than he. He was a true friend, +benevolent and kind, never refusing to bestow +charity when called upon. He succeeded Mr. +Joseph Hill as inspector for the company, which +office he held until his death. It was during his +term of office that it was made so pleasant to visit +the Lake. By giving timely notice he would always +give the parties the best boats and the most +trusty hands as drivers, and would always be present +when the boat left its landing and when it returned, +and was anxious to know if any mishaps had occurred +to any of the party. And if it should be reported +that some lady had fallen into the canal, he +would always very politely ask that she be carried +into his house to be made more comfortable. Capt. +Babel Ions, of Philadelphia, was his bosom friend. +When the Captain was in Suffolk, they could always +be found together. They both have passed away, +and a generous people will do justice to their memory. +Captain Connewell died leaving a rich heritage +behind—a name that will live as long as it is called. +But few have lived and died who was so much beloved +and respected as he. He was proud but not +haughty, and flexible to kind impulses. He was +the soul of honor, and no one can say that he even +failed to accord to every one their just dues. I +knew him from my boyhood up and never knew a +better man. He left an interesting family—Mrs. H.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +R. Culley being his eldest daughter. I could write +many noble traits in the character of that good man, +but it is not necessary. There are but few of his +compeers now living, and soon they will all have +passed away. Such is the march of time.</p> + +<p>Nothing very important transpired in Suffolk +from 1837 until after the close of the late war, when +she awoke from her slumbering condition; her +watchword being progress. She brushed the dust +from her eyes, and her advancement in every +branch of industry can be seen in her rapid growth. +She stands second to no town in a commercial point +of view. Her manufacturing interests are considerable, +and being a railroad centre she must prosper +and grow. The disastrous fire which occurred +June 7th, 1885, impeded business for a few months, +but our men of capital at once commenced to repair +the breach, and she is again on the road to +fame and wealth. And it is to the Suffolk and +Carolina or Short Line railroad that Suffolk is +mostly indebted for her present prosperous condition. +Penetrating as it does a country that is rich +and fertile, she has already felt its influence and it +should be fostered as one of the main arteries to her +prosperity.</p> + +<p>The Gay Manufacturing Company, before noticed, +is perhaps the most gigantic enterprise ever projected +at Suffolk. It has extended its operations as +far South as Chowan county, N. C., and the amount +of capital invested is no doubt the largest investment +of its kind in Virginia, if not in the entire South. +It has made large purchases of land in and around<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> +Suffolk and has bought all the timbered lands on +the Suffolk and Carolina Short Line or Grand +Trunk railroad, giving employment to hundreds of +hands, at fair wages, that would otherwise eke out +a miserable existence. It also enables the landowners, +from the sale of their timber, to free themselves +from debt and otherwise improve their condition. +Under the direction of President W. N. +Camp, it has had erected near Suffolk, on the line +of the S. & C. R. R., one of the most extensive saw +mills in Eastern Virginia, and with the aid of the +Atlantic and Danville railroad penetrating the primeval +forests of Southampton, Greensville and other +counties of Virginia. Millions of logs will be brought +on that road and manufactured for shipment to +Northern markets. The company consists principally +of Baltimoreans, who will reap a harvest commensurate +with the capital invested. And in many +instances it is owing to the mature judgment of +President Camp that the efforts to establish this +great enterprise has been crowned with such signal +success. The advantages this company possesses, +by its intimate connections with the S. & C. R. R., +and A. & D. R. R., cannot be estimated, but it can +be truly said that their intimate and close relations +with each other, while each is a separate and +distinct corporation, forms one of the grandest and +far-reaching enterprises of its kind in the South.</p> + +<p>The Gay Manufacturing Company consists of +William N. Camp, president; Charles F. Pitt, Jr., +Chauncy Brooks, S. P. Ryland, John M. Denison +and William N. Camp, directors; George L. Barton,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> +treasurer; Charles F. Pitt, Jr., secretary.</p> + +<p>The A. & D. R. R. has made great internal improvement +under the management of Major Charles +B. Peck, of New York, and has progressed more +rapidly than any road of which we have any knowledge. +Its starting point is at West Norfolk, on the +Elizabeth river, at the mouth of its western branch, +the great trucking region of the State of Virginia +which will supply it with thousands of dollars worth +of freight annually. It runs diagonally across the +Norfolk and Western and Seaboard and Roanok, +railroads, both of which have already felt its effects, +and when it shall have reached Danville the Richmond +and Danville will then feel its withering influence, +for this being the shortest and most speedy +route to deep water, in one of the finest harbors in +the world, it is natural that all produce will seek +such a route and such a favorable shipping point.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>ENTERPRISE AND PROSPERITY.</h3> + + +<p>This railroad was projected by the energetic and +far-seeing W. H. Gay, Esq., of Suffolk, as a lumber +road, who pushed it rapidly as far south as Sunsbury, +in Gates county, N. C. He soon saw that it +was a grand enterprise, and associated with him +several gentlemen of the city of Baltimore in its construction, +who afterwards bought out Mr. Gay's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>interest, +and have constructed a road that will soon +become one of the leading lines, connecting as it +does, by a line of steamboats, the waters of Albermarle +Sound and the Atlantic ocean, and bringing +eastern North Carolina in direct communication +with the city of Baltimore. Under the able management +of Mr. H. B. Hubbell, the efficient vice-president +of the company, and R. H. Thompson, Esq., +as general manager, with the assistance of Colonel +Harry McCleary, the road has been brought to its +present flourishing condition, and the Gay Manufacturing +Company, under President Camp, is one +of its chief adjuncts. This road now connects with +the Norfolk and Western and the Atlantic and Danville +railways, and soon large quantities of freight +will be transferred from it to the above-named roads.</p> + +<p>Suffolk is more particularly noted for her schools, +colleges and other institutions of learning, all of +which are in a very prosperous condition. The +Suffolk Military Academy, under the direction of +Joseph King, principal, with its professorship, is no +doubt the best school for young men in Tidewater, +Virginia. The character and standing of it, with its +location for health, is a recommendation that must +tend greatly to its success.</p> + +<p>Another school of high grade is the Suffolk Collegiate +Institute, under the professorship of P. J. Kernodle. +It is an institution that has been established +for several years, and has received a liberal support +from its friends. The course at this institution +is thorough. Young ladies are taught the higher +branches and are instructed in music, drawing, &c.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p><p>The West End Female Seminary under the direct +supervision of Col. W. H. Darden, formerly of Isle +of Wight county, Va., with Miss Novella Darden as +principal, with the assistance of Miss Lizzie J. King, +gives to the school a reputation that must add +greatly to its success. Young ladies at this school +are instructed in all the higher branches, music, +painting and drawing. It is eligibly located on +College Avenue.</p> + +<p>The Suffolk Female Institute, under the direction +of the Misses Finney, is too well known to require +a notice. It is the oldest established school in Suffolk, +and enjoys a reputation that is enviable. It +has probably received more favor than any other +school which I have noticed.</p> + +<p>The Nansemond Seminary, of which Mrs. Quimby +is principal, is a school that recommends itself. It +is limited in the number of its pupils. This should +not be so. Throw open your doors wide and let +your motto be "the greatest good to the greatest +number." It has gained quite a reputation.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>THE OLD BRICK CHURCH AT BENN'S—SUFFOLK'S FIRST RAILROAD, ETC.</h3> + + +<p>It is interesting to read of relics of the olden times +and bring up associations connected therewith. I +will now notice an antiquated old building in Isle +of Wight county, Va., on the main road leading from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> +Suffolk to Smithfield, and about five miles from the +latter place. It is called Old Benn's Church. At +what time it was built I have never heard, but it +must have been soon after the settlement of this +country. The rude hand of time has reduced it to +bare walls, and nothing is left of its interior to show +that it was ever a place of worship. That it was +built when this country was a colony there can be +no question. There is a burying ground at the +place, on which can be seen tomb stones of very +ancient date, and if I mistake not, the first rector of +the church or some of his family was buried in it. +A tablet, noting the fact, could be seen set in the building. +Bishop Meade, in his history of the Episcopal +Churches in Virginia, mentions Benn's Church as +being one of, if not the oldest, church in the State. +It has been snatched from further decay by some +benevolent ladies and will soon again become a +place of worship. Let the names of these ladies +form the future history of that sacred old church, +and let future generations know that it was at one +time from decay reduced to bare walls, and that by +the humane efforts of some ladies it has been reclaimed +and once more presents the appearance of +a house of worship, standing as a monument to its +former renown and greatness. There are several +Episcopal churches in this county that should not +be allowed to go to decay. They stand as landmarks +in Virginia; built long before the recollection +of any one now living. I know of several places in +this county that I have been told were Glebe property, +and at one time were, and had erected on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> +them, Episcopal churches. In many places these +churches have gone down, the land escheated and +are now occupied by churches of other denominations. +And it may have been so, as they are just +such places as old Episcopal churches now stand, +on elevated sites near running streams. I could +state some very interesting facts connected with many +places in this county which might appear very meritorious, +nevertheless they are true, and form a part +of the history of the county.</p> + +<p>I will now mention Mount Pleasant, the home of +the Meades, of Virginia. This was at one time a +very beautiful estate, on the west bank of what is +now known as Smith's Creek, and is the southern +branch of the Nansemond river. Long before the +revolution this place was settled, and at the time +very large vessels could navigate the creek as far as +Mount Pleasant, it then being a wide and deep +river, and I have been told that a direct foreign +trade was carried on with that place. A grave yard +can be seen at Mount Pleasant which is very singular, +and has some curiously inscribed tomb stones +in it of persons who died there many years ago. +By the ruthless hand of time many of the tombs +were mutilated, and it may be that little is left of +them. I had the inscriptions of some of them, but +gave them to a gentleman from Westmoreland +county, Virginia. He wanted them on account of +their singularity, and he being an antiquarian he +said they would be quite an acquisition to his cabinet +of curiosities. It is highly probable that Mount +Pleasant was settled long before the Dismal Swamp<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> +was known or heard of, and I doubt if any one +thought that there could be found such a place as +really was existing, and having hid in its dark +foliage such a beautiful place as Lake Drummond.</p> + +<p>The first great enterprise that was commenced in +Suffolk after the surrender, was the building of the +railroad of the Suffolk Lumber Company, which +runs from Suffolk to Asher, in Gates county, North +Carolina, where is the home of the Hon. C. A. +Whaley. As soon as the road was completed as +far as Whaleyville, in Nansemond county, Va., a +town soon sprung up, and a mercantile business was +commenced, which for time paralyzed business in +Suffolk. It stopped the channel through which +flowed the life-blood of the town from where it +started. This road is owned by Governor Eliew +Jackson, Co. & Brothers, of Maryland, and has +from its commencement done a heavy business. It +has been ably managed by W. M. Whaley, Esq., and +Mr. D. B. Cannon. Whether it has been of any great +good to Suffolk is a question that we are not prepared +to answer, though the land holders through +which it has passed have been benefitted. It +brought their pine timber into market, which otherwise +would have remained a primeval forest and a +dead expense to its owners. The sale of it to Jackson +& Co. has cleared many of debt, and to that +extent the road has been a benefit. The company +has bought large landed possessions in Alabama +and Georgia, and will soon move their field of operations +to those points. The quantity of wood and +timber that has been transported over the road is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> +incredible. To say the least of Jackson & Brothers +they started a spirit of enterprise, which, to some +extent, has been a benefit. New ideas have been +infused into the minds of our people, and instead of +keeping their capital locked up they have invested +it in various directions for the improvement and +benefit of trade, thereby causing to spring up factories +and machine shops, to say nothing of the many +other advantages that are derived through patriotic +motives.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>BEAR HUNTING IN THE DISMAL SWAMP—COLONEL +GODFREY'S VISIT TO SOUTHAMPTON.</h3> + + +<p>It is customary in the fall season to have what is +called bear hunts in the Dismal Swamp, and parties +are frequently made up to go on such hunts. Before +going it is necessary that some preparation +should be made. Bear hunting is very dangerous, +and is sometimes attended with difficulty. Before +starting you should provide yourself with a cowboy +suit, a good rifle, a pair of revolvers, a bowie knife +(16 inch blade) and sub-marine armor. When thus +equipped you can enter the Swamp. You proceed +cautiously along listening to hear the bears lapping, +when you go in the direction of the sound. Bears +move very cautiously, and you should be sure to +keep a good lookout in your rear, as it sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> +happens that when you are going forward a drove +of them are following you, and when least expected +they make the attack, and if the parties should be +the least separated, it often happens that all perish. +I was told of a party that were out on a bear hunt +in the Dismal Swamp, who supposed that they +could face anything. The party consisted of eight +good men. They had not proceeded very far in +the Swamp when they heard in the distance the +lapping of bears. Of course it is very exciting, and +if one has any courage he is apt to show it at the +time. A halt was made and the question asked, +what should be done? They were not thinking of +the danger that surrounded them. They did not +think that bears were on their path. But it was too +late. Whilst discussing what to do they were +sprung upon from the rear, and six were badly lacerated, +one rode off on the back of a bear and the +last one retreated to the Lake for safety. Should +you at any time go to the Dismal Swamp to hunt +bears be exceedingly careful to have your rear well +guarded.</p> + +<p>Researches among old papers often bring to +light subjects that long have been forgotten, and +which, if cultivated, tends in many ways to the benefit +of the rising generation. We often hear of events +that have long since transpired, which at the time +we pass unnoticed, but somehow or other an impression +is made, and sooner or later something +transpires that brings to our recollection a circumstance +which refreshes our memory of some important +event of which we have a slight remembrance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> +Looking over the fourteenth volume of Col. Godfrey's +work entitled "Important Discoveries," to see if +we could find anything therein written by which we +could identify "Uncle Alek's Mule," and if possible +to define him, that there could be no reasonable +doubt but that it was the same mule rode by Nat +Turner, and that he was driven by the young mother +in her flight with her infant to the Dismal Swamp, +and if what G. P. R. James said in his Old Dominion +be true, we must believe that Uncle Alek and +Nat Turner rode the same mule. No other account +was ever given that ever came to our knowledge, +but it will make no difference as everybody knew +that Uncle Alek had a mule. But as we have stated +before, looking over the fourteenth volume of Col. +Godfrey's work on Important Discoveries, many +years ago we read in it an account of his first visit +to the county of Southampton, Virginia, and the +many important discoveries therein made. His +visit to that county was on very important business, +and being a man of great observation, he was careful +and cautious. He was tracing some titles, and +it was necessary that he should make many inquiries. +The country was wild and sparsely settled +at that time; it was extremely difficult for one +to get accommodation for man and horse. He was +fearful at times that he would not be able to reach a +shelter for the night. He had crossed at the South +Quay Ferry at an early hour, and had been in the +saddle all day and was very much fatigued and exhausted, +besides he had ate nothing. Night was +fast approaching and he in a strange country. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> +reined up his horse, which caused him to increase +his gait. He had not ridden many miles further +when he thought he heard a cock crow. He listened +and soon he heard the sound repeated. He +was then satisfied that he was near some human +habitation. What must have been his feelings, +when he knew that he would soon reach a place +where he probably would be able to stay for the +night to rest and refresh himself. He rode on and +in a short time came in sight of a very neat and +comfortable looking house not many rods from the +road. He arrived in front of it and found that +everything about the house had the appearance of +neatness and comfort, and that he would probably +be accommodated for the night. So he dismounted +from his horse and opened the gate and proceeded +to the house. The proprietor must have been very +fond of fox hunting from the number of hounds that +made an attack on him as he rode up the avenue, +and which was so sudden that it brought out the +entire household. It was getting dark, but sufficiently +light to see one approaching on horse back. +The dogs were called off, and he heard a voice exclaim +ride up. A very handsome picket fence surrounded +the house, and upon arriving at the gate +he was met by a fine looking old English gentleman, +who invited him to dismount and have his +horse stabled. Thanking him for his kindness, he +at once dismounted, and taking the extended hand +of the old gentleman, said: "Sir, I am a benighted +traveller, and a stranger in this section, and have +sought your kindness for shelter for the night."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> +"You are heartily welcome," said the old gentleman. +"Strangers, if gentlemen, are always welcome visitors +to my house. So without any further ceremony walk +in and rest yourself, for I imagine that you have +been in your saddle for several hours and must feel +quite fatigued." "I have been riding since early +morning and was surprised to find the country so +thinly settled. This is the first place that I have +seen at which I could venture to stop." "Very +true," he replied, "but you will, as you advance, +find the country more thickly settled." We walked +into the house and were met in the hall by a very +fine looking and matronly old lady. Giving his +name as Godfrey, the old gentleman grasped his +had and said: "Col. Godfrey, this is indeed a +pleasure. Let me introduce you to my wife, Mrs. +Ridley." "Ridley did you say?" "The same." +"This is indeed most fortunate." "Say no more, Col. +Godfrey; walk into the sitting room. You will +find a cheerful fire, and as the air is a little chilly, a +seat by the fire will cause you to feel more comfortable. +Make yourself perfectly at home. You +will excuse me for a short time while I give some +directions to my head man, when I will rejoin you." +"You are very excusable, Col. Ridley," replied Col. +Godfrey, "I do not wish you to let my appearance +interfere in the least with your business arrangements." +The Colonel was not long away, and on +re-entering the room remarked to Col. Godfrey: +"This unexpected meeting is very mysterious to me, +and the more so because my wife remarked but a +very short time ago that some stranger was coming;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +that she knew it from the incessant crowing of the +chickens and the fierce howl of the hounds. I shall +always hereafter believe in such signs. But Colonel, +our supper is quite ready. You will be shown to a +room where you may arrange your toilet." Having +performed this duty he was met in the hall by +Col. Ridley, who said: "Colonel, it has been the +custom at my house since my earliest manhood, +just before eating to take a toddy, made of the juice +of the Cider Berry, prepared in this county, and is +the only medicine used in my family. The farmers +of this county have a peculiar way of preparing it, +and everybody that has used it speak of the good +qualities which it possesses. Some say that its use, +when you feel badly, will cause you to feel good, +and to use it when you feel good will make you +feel bad. It always makes me feel good, and I am +remarkably fond of it. The oftener you take this +medicine the better you will like it. There is sugar +and honey; a little of either added will make it +much more palatable, as honey is soothing and acts +well for the lungs. I will try the honey." This +being disposed of they proceed to supper, Colonel +Ridley leading the way to the supper-room, and on +entering found the family all standing, waiting. +They were soon seated, and on the table before +them was placed a good old-fashioned Virginia +supper. Addressing himself to Mrs. Ridley, Col. +Godfrey said: "Madame, I fear that you have, on +this occasion, put yourself to some unnecessary +trouble on my account." "Not in the least," graciously +responded that lady. Then turning to Col.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> +Ridley, Colonel Godfrey said, "You were quite +right, Colonel, when you said that the 'juice' would +make one feel good; it has had that effect on me +already, and I feel that I can do ample justice to +this fine supper." "I am glad you think so," returned +Colonel Ridley; "nothing pleases me more +than to see my visitors eat heartily; help yourself, +it does appear to me that one who has been riding +all day would not require any artificial means of +inducing an appetite." "Colonel," said Mrs. Ridley, +"I suppose this is your first visit to the county?" +"No, madame," replied Col. Godfrey, "I passed +through a portion of it several years ago to locate +some lands on the Nottoway river, and as there appears +to be some dispute about the titles, I am on +my way to look after it." "Yes," she said, "I heard +you were coming and am truly glad you made it +convenient to come this way, and besides you are +on the direct road; do you apprehend any trouble?" +"Not the least; my papers are authenticated, and I +have only to present them." "I hope," she said, +"that you will find it as you have stated." Supper +being over they all repaired to the sitting-room. +Colonel Ridley had a daughter whose husband, a +colonel of infantry, had been killed in the war of the +Revolution and large tracts of land had been made +by the Government to his heirs. "What was the +name of the soldier?" inquired Colonel Godfrey. +"Col. G. Bradley," answered Colonel Ridley. +"Yes, sir; that was his name." "That is a part of +the business which caused my visit in this direction, +and Mrs. Bradley need have no fears as to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> +validity of her title. I have the papers with me +that will place her in full possession of the estate. +Besides, she is entitled to a large amount from the +Government as half-pay for her husband's services +during the Revolution, which she will receive on +application through the proper channel." It was +now getting late, and Col. Godfrey was told that his +room was ready if he wished to retire. Feeling a +little sleepy, after eating a hearty supper, and as he +had to make an early start in the morning, he +thought it best to go to his room, so bidding the +family good night he followed a boy, who carried a +lighted candle to the room to which he had been +assigned for the night, in which a cheerful fire was +burning. The boy entered the room, closing the +door behind him, and said: "Mass boss, mammy +told me to ax you of you war eny kin to de man dat +made the baby medicin?" "Who is your mammy?" +inquired the now thoroughly interested Colonel. +"She's de 'oman dat nusses all de babies on de +plantashun." "Tell your mammy that I will see her +in the morning." "Yas, sir," he said, and left the +room. The Colonel soon retired, as he felt somewhat +jaded. He awoke at an early hour, and having +some moments leisure got up and dressed himself. +About this time he heard a tapping at his +door, and at the same time the voice of the boy exclaiming: +"Ise got a pitcher of fresh water for you." +"Bring it in," said the Colonel. The boy entered, +showing two rows of white ivory. "Boss, will you +hab a fire made?" "No," said the Colonel, "I +will soon be ready to go down; is the Colonel up?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> +"Yas, sir, an' is waiting for you." "Then I will go +down," said the Colonel, which he did and was met +at the foot of the stairs by Col. Ridley, who bade +him a cheerful good morning, and expressed the +hope that he felt much better after his night's rest. +"Thank you, sir; I am glad to say that I feel very +much refreshed." "If you feel disposed," said Col. +Ridley, "we will take a walk out, the air is bracing +and a little walk will give you an appetite for your +breakfast, which will soon be ready." They started, +and as the old nurse of the plantation wished to see +Colonel Godfrey, he proposed to his host that they +should go to her quarters. They had but a short +distance to go, as her house was very conveniently +situated. When they arrived they found the old +lady with a baby in her lap, evidently for some purpose. +"Good morning, aunty," said Col. Godfrey. +The old woman looked very much excited; she +wore a pair of spectacles, the lenses of which looked +like two saucers. "Mornin', sir," she replied. +"What are you going to do with your baby?" inquired +the Colonel. "I'm gwine to feed it, sir; its +mammy is ded, an' I hab to feed it myself." "What +do you give it to eat?" "I char 'tater, spit it out +on my finger an' wipe 'cross de chile's mouf, arter +dat I make a sugar rag, put some sweet flag in it, +put de rag in de chile's mouf and lay it down; it +goes to sleep, an' wen it wakes up ef it cries I gin it +some more 'tater." "But," queried the Colonel, +"suppose it is sick?" "I kin always tell dat; ef it +draws up its legs and kicks, I kno dat sumthin' is +de matter, an' I den gib sum ciderberry juice wid<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> +nutmeg grated ober it, an' in no time de baby cries +fer more ob de juice. Sum folks gib dar babies +'Godfrey's Cordial,' but I dus not blebe in doctors' +fisic; nine times out ob ten dey will kill de baby. +I thort dat you war sum kin to Mr. Godfrey dat +made de medicin', and wood ax you 'bout it." "No, +aunty, I am no kin to him."</p> + +<p>Being informed that breakfast was ready, Colonel +Ridley proposed that they should return to the +house, and that a little of the ciderberry juice would +add much to the enjoyment of the meal, and as +everything was convenient proposed that they +should indulge. Col. Godfrey took some of the +juice with honey, as before, and was then ready for +breakfast. Col. Ridley led the way, and on +entering found a hot smoking breakfast. +Mrs. Ridley remarked, "Colonel, you are an +early riser I see; I fear you did not rest well +last night." "I assure you, madame," the Colonel +gallantly replied, "I could not have been more comfortable. +My business being urgent, it was necessary +that I should rise early." "You do not think +of leaving this early?" "Yes, madame; you know +that delays are dangerous. I have spent a very +pleasant time, and hope, not long hence, to make a +more extended visit. I was very much amused this +morning at seeing the nurse of the plantation feeding +a baby. It was quite a novel sight to me. The +old woman does not appear to have much confidence +in doctors." "No, sir," replied the lady, "we +have been living here a long time and no doctor +has ever been called, professionally, to see any one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> +at the place. The old woman, with her tater, sweet +flag, sugar rags, ciderberry juice and Black Jack, +keeps every one in a healthy condition." "She +must be very valuable to you," said the Colonel. +"Yes, sir", said Mrs. Ridley; "we could not do +without her, and her loss could not be replaced." +"It is getting late and I am admonished I must +leave," said the Colonel, "for I have some distance +yet to ride." He said it would be a great pleasure +for him to remain longer under the hospitable roof +of his kind host and hostess, but that it would not +be possible for him to do so. He said further that +he had some papers which he would hand over to +Col. Ridley which would be of great service to his +daughter, Mrs. Bradley, as they would secure her +right to certain disputed property, and that he must +bid them adieu. Then addressing himself to Col. +Ridley, said: "These papers are valuable; take +them and entrust them only into the hands of Mrs. +Bradley, and that if he would now order his horse +he would proceed on his way." Col. Ridley assured +him that he would like to have him stay longer, but +that of course he best knew his business; that it +had been his custom to welcome all visiting and +speed all departing guests. That should he happen +to come that way again he would be delighted to +have him stop, as he would always find a hearty +welcome. Col. Godfrey thanked his new friend and +said that should it be his fortune again to visit that +neighborhood he promised not to pass him by. +His horse was waiting, so giving the Colonel a +hearty shake of the hand and bidding good-bye to +all, he mounted and rode away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p><p>After Col. Godfrey had left, a general conversation +was commenced about his visit. It was evident +that his business was with Mrs. Bradley, but +he did not know at the time that she was the +daughter of Col. Ridley, or he would have made +known to her the object of his visit. She was absent +at the time. As his papers were all properly +avouched for he could leave them in the hands of +her father, Col. Ridley. The old medicine woman +of the plantation was much interested in the visit of +the Colonel to her quarters, and was anxious to +know if he was related to Mr. Godfrey that made +the cordial. She was told that he was not. The +old woman broke in and said: "Missus, I thort +dat de gemman who axed me what I was doin' wid +de baby in my lap, was a doctor, an' some kin to +de man what made de Godfrey's cordial, but he +tole me dat he was not. He like de way dat I +doctered de chile, an' sed dat he would rite about +it. He sed dat he had tried sum of de juice hisself +an' dat it was good for babies. I tole him dat I +did not blebe in doctors' physic; dey did not no +what to do for babies. I tole him dat nex to de +cider berry juice an' sugar rag, dat de Black Jack +was de bes medcin dat I could use. He sed dat +de Black Jack seldom failed. Missus, when dat +gemman 'peared at my do, I thort dat he was a +specalader, an' dat you was gwine to sell me." "No, +Aunt Barbara," said Mrs. Ridley, "if all the money +of all the negro buyers were added together, it +would not make an amount sufficient to buy you. +Nothing but death can separate us. You are a part<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> +of my very existence. I have left in my bosom a +spark of gratitude yet, which kindles into a flame +when I remember what you have done for the +family. I have not forgotten that it was you that +gave the timely warning of the approach of Nat +Turner and his column. By so doing you probably +saved the lives of the household. On another +occasion you saved the life of my darling babe by a +miracle wrought in your own way. Aunt Barbara, +I would not give you and your nostrums, such as +'Cider Berry Juice,' 'Sweet Flag,' 'Taters' 'Sugar +Rags' and 'Black Jack' for all the doctors in Christendom." +"Missus, I'm glad dat you tink so much +ob me. I has always done de bes dat I could. +You know dat de chillun on de plantashun was +bad, but wid my Black Jack I always made dem have +deyself." "That is very true, Aunt Barbara, and +they all love you for it. You know, Aunt Barbara, +that the Good Book tells us, 'spare the rod and you +spoil your child.'" "Missus, dats what I 'luded to +all de time. I nebber struc' one ob dem little niggers +a lic' amiss in my life, unless I struc' at him +and didn't toch him." The old woman here saw a +little nigger coming at full tilt, and knew that something +was wrong. When he came up, she asked: +"What on earth is de matter?" The boy was quite +out of breath and couldn't speak at the time. The +old woman gave him a rake with her Black Jack +and said: "What is de matter wid you?" "I cum +to tell you dat Judy's baby is mos ded, an' want +you to cum 'mediately." "When I cum to de +house," said the old woman, "I seed dat de chile<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +was bad off. I took it up an' seed dat it had de +dry gripes. I give it some Cider Berry Juice an' +tole its mudder to fotch me a tater. I give de chile +sum tater an' handed it to its mudder, an' tole her +to put a sugar rag in its mouf with sum Sweet Flag +an' lay it down, an' den I lef to jine de old folks at +de house." "Well, Aunt Barbara, I suppose there +was nothing very serious the matter with the child," +said Mrs. Ridley. "Yas dar was, missus, an' I got +dar jus in time. De chile was taken wid de dry +gripes. I gin it sum Cider Berry Juice an' tole its +mudder to fotch me a tater. I gin it sum of de +tater an' put a sugar rag in its mouf. Dat chile has +done gone sleep." "Barbara," said Col. R., "I +suppose that if you were told that a child was dead +and you were sent for in time you could, with your +Cider Berry Juice, Tater, Sugar Rags, Sweet Flag +and your Black Jack, bring the little sleeper to life. +You talk of dry gripes; who ever heard of such a +thing? What are they, and how is a person taken?" +"Massa," said the old woman, "I tole you 'bout +dem when dey got hold ob you. You ses nuffin to +nobody, but you goes to de side-bode an' git sum +Cider Berry Juice. Dat ma'e you feel good, an' +arter a while you take sum mo' ob de juice. De +baby dus not know dat, so it draws up its legs an' +kicks like wrath. Den I know dat it has de dry +gripes." "Aunt Barbara," said Col. R., "I did not +take it in that light before. Your philosophy is +good, and I shall say nothing about the practice of +your profession again. I admit that I take the +juice quite often, but it is not for the dry gripes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> +"Yas, sir, dat medcin is good for all diseases, an' I +take sum mysef when dar is nuffin de matter wid +me." Mrs. Ridley, who was sitting listening to the +conversation, happened to look toward the road +gate, and saw some one coming in. All eyes were +now turned toward the approaching stranger, and +all were anxious to know who it could be. One +said that it must be a preacher, another that it was +a book agent. Aunt Barbara put on her specs, +took a survey and said: "I spec dat it is a doctor +cummin' here to sell sum of Godfrey's Cordial for +de baby." "You are all wrong," said Col. Ridley, +"it is our good friend, Col. Godfrey." He was right. +The Colonel had advanced near enough for all to +see. Col. R. advanced to the yard gate as Col. +Godfrey rode up. A boy was in waiting to take his +horse. "Colonel, we are all glad to see you back +again. Dismount and let your animal be stabled." +Having dismounted, Col. R. took him by the hand +and walked in the house. Mrs. R. was standing on +the portico, and as Col. G. walked up she said +"Sir, I assure you that we are all very glad to see +you. We had been talking about you at the time +that you appeared at the road gate. Walk in. We +will talk about that later. Take off your overcoat +and wrappings." "Thank you, madam," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Colonel," said Col, Ridley, "to use a commonplace +expression, which is, 'talk about the devil and +his imp will appear,' we had just been wondering +who the rider could be. One said that he was a +preacher; another that he was a book agent. Old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> +Aunt Barbara, the plantation nurse, said that he +was a doctor coming to sell some of Godfrey's Cordial +for the children. And I see I first discovered +that it was you. I am rather disposed to think that +you feel bad. I have some of the same Cider Berry +Juice, and as everything is ready you will, without +any further ceremony, walk up and take a little for +the stomach's sake." "Thank you," said Col. G. +"Since travelling over the county of Southampton I +have had frequent occasions to try the juice. It is +prepared and kept by most of the farmers, and the +use of it acts like a charm." "If you would like to +arrange your toilet, the boy will show you to your +room. In the meantime I will see to having your +horse properly cared for." The boy was the same +that waited on Col. G. before, and was the son of +the nurse of the plantation. "Well, Buck, how is +your mammy now? How much Black Jack and +Taters has she given you since I left?" "He, he, +he," giggled the boy. "I tell you what it is, boss, +mammy wars me out mos every day, but she gibs +me plenty taters an' I doan mine it." "Is Mrs. +Bradly here?" "No sir. She did not stay here +long arter marster gib her de papers dat you lef, +an' I spec when she cum back she will hab lots o' +money." "She will, no doubt, as she will only +have to present the papers. I should like very +much to see her. Is she handsome?" "I doan no +what dat is, sar." "I mean is she pretty?" "Yas, +sar, dat she is. It is gin out dat she is de puttiest +'oman in dis settlement, and I git so tired taking +horses ob gemmen dat cum to see her." "Then I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +expect she is bethrothed." "I doan no 'bout dat, +but she ses dat de rite gemman hab not cum yit." +"I must go down now, the Colonel may be waiting +for me. Here is a dollar for you. Be sure to come +to my room to-night." "Yas, sar, I will be dar +sure." He had finished his toilet and proceeded +down stairs. He was met by Col. R., who said: +"Colonel, you will find a happy household. Your +return has put a new phase on everything. The +old nurse is perfectly happy since she found out +that you are no negro buyer, and that you did not +come to sell Godfrey's Cordial." "The old woman +must be averse to doctors. She no doubt is +right, as nine times out of ten, but very few of them +know what they are doing." "Thinking that you +had not dined, Mrs. R. has prepared something for +you. Try a little more of the Cider Berry Juice +and honey. You will feel better prepared to enjoy +what the madam has set before you." "I assure +you, Col. R., that since travelling in this county I +have become particularly fond of the juice. I have +called at several places where I was told they did +not use the medicine, but always like to see it sitting +convenient." "The juice that you are now +mixing was prepared when our first child was born. +It is very exhilarating in its effects, and you are +fortunate in having the pleasure of testing it at this +time. It is an honor that is extended to but few." +"Col. R., allow me to drink to the very good health +of your first born. Was it a male or female?" "It +was a female, and I am glad to inform you that it +was Mrs. Bradley. She is away at present, but I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> +hope that you may make it convenient to stay until +her return, which may be in a few days." A very +neat and polite negro man made his appearance +from the dining-room, and bowing very politely, +said: "Marster, you can invite the Colonel in; +everything is ready." "Colonel, walk this way. It +is rather late for breakfast, but you will no doubt be +able to make a repast of what is before you." +"Make no excuses, Col. R., about what is before +me, for it would satisfy the appetite of a king. +That is the besetting sin of the Old Virginia matrons. +They will load the table with everything +that is good and palatable and say that they are +sorry that they have nothing you can eat." "Col. +Godfrey," said Mrs. Ridley, "I see that you are disposed +to indulge in a little flattery. It is true that +we extend our hospitality to visiting strangers and +friends, but not to that extent which you ascribe to +us." "It has been my experience, madam, at every +place at which I have had business in this neighborhood, +and I infer that it was a general thing." +"Then, Colonel," said Mrs. R., "you have had a +very pleasant time since you left our house?" "I +cannot say that it has been altogether pleasant, +madam. When on the road I cannot say that it +was pleasant, but anything else I assure you. My +trip has been an exceedingly dangerous one. I +found treachery lurking about, and I at once put +myself on my guard." Having finished eating, the +Colonel was invited into the sitting-room, where +Col. R. was found reading a paper just received<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> +from Washington, in which was announced the arrival +of his daughter, Mrs. Bradley, of Virginia, +and her son. Mrs. B., it will be recollected, was +the widow of a distinguished revolutionary officer, +and was in Washington on business with the Office +of the Interior. "Take the paper, Colonel," said +Col. Ridley, "you may find something which might +be of interest to you." When scanning over its +pages his eyes rested on the following:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Arrived in this city to-day, by way of stage +from Richmond, Virginia, the beautiful and accomplished +Mrs. Col. Bradley, of Va. She is the +widow of the brave and gallant Col. Bradley, who +so distinguished himself during the revolution, being +twice brevetted on the field for bravery. She +is the daughter of Col. Ridley, of Southampton +county, Va., so well known for his hospitality. +Every attention will be paid to this distinguished +lady. She will remain in the city for several days, +as she has important business with the Secretary of +the Interior. That functionary has already called +on her, and she will have no trouble in that direction."</p></div> + +<p>Col. R., having finished his out-door operations, +returned to the house, and on entering the sitting-room +found Col. Godfrey still looking over the +paper. "Colonel," he remarked, "I imagine that +you have been much interested in reading the +papers." "Yes, sir. I notice that your daughter, +Mrs. Col. Bradley, had arrived in the city of Washington, +and had received much attention." "Yes, +sir, and it was very gratifying to me to know that +such was the case. I only hope that she will meet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> +with no very serious difficulty in the prosecution of +her business." "I assure you, sir, that she can +have not the least difficulty; besides, she will have +no trouble. The Secretary of the Interior has been +informed of her visit, and she will be aided by him +in every way." "I hope that it may be as you +have stated." "Rest assured, Colonel, what I tell +you is so." Mrs. Ridley, having finished her domestic +arrangements, entered the room, when the +conversation at once ceased. Addressing herself to +Col. R., she said: "It is rather cold in the room, +had you not better order some wood placed on the +fire." "Excuse me, my dear, I was so much interested +in the conversation of our distinguished guest +that I paid but little attention to the fire. I will +order the wood immediately." The wood was +brought in, and soon the room was made very comfortable. +Mrs. R. said: "Col. Godfrey, at the +table just now you said that your journey after you +left us, was in many instances, not very pleasant. +You have rather raised my curiosity. I would like +to have you give an account of your mishaps as +you journeyed along. It will be very interesting, +no doubt." "It is a great pleasure to me to impart +to others anything that I may know that would +prove of interest to them, and I do most willingly +grant the request made by you."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>THE ADVENTURES OF SMITH, JONES AND BROWN—JONES, HEARING THAT A SNAKE +IS IN THE BOAT, JUMPS INTO THE CANAL.</h3> + + +<p>In getting up a party to visit Lake Drummond, +you will always find more or less of the party who +are afraid of snakes. On this occasion the party +consisted of only three—Smith, Jones and Brown—all +citizens of Suffolk. They prepared themselves +with the necessary outfit and started for the canal. +Their boat being ready they embarked and soon +were on the way. Smith being the most expert +took the wheel, Brown placed himself at the bow, +so that he could ward off approaching danger, and +Jones, who was the timid one of the party, was put +amidship the boat, with his back to Brown. I knew +the parties well; they are all living, and I will narrate +the snake story as I was told by Brown, who +will vouch for its authenticity. They had not +passed the great terror to all who go to the Lake +(Paradise Old Fields), where can be seen everything +that is hideous; a place that is dreaded, and +if it could, would be shunned by every one who +visits the Lake. Things of most unquestionable +shapes have been seen by persons when passing it. +No one has ever given any account of the history +of the Field, which you are compelled to pass going +to Lake Drummond, and which has deterred many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> +from venturing to it. Owing to the many snake +stories that has been told by persons who said they +were born to see spirits, there can be no doubt that +there is a legend connected with that Field. Some +have argued that the Field was at one time filled +with grottos, and that the fairies of Lake Drummond +would leave their realm and by a subterranean +passage into it to bask in the beauties which +surrounded it. Profane history informs us that it +was at this place that Pluto and Proserpine left for +the infernal regions. That will make no difference +about the snake story that I will relate. A snake is +a wonderful reptile, and it is not necessary for one +to be seen that one should be frightened. The +very mention, in some instances, is sufficient to +scare those who are the least timid. So it was in +this instance. Jones, as I have said before, was one +of a party that were going to the Lake. He was +afraid of snakes. Smith and Brown knew it and +they determined to have a little sport at his expense. +Jones was highly delighted with the grandeur of the +scenery by the side of the canal, as they rode along, +and was expatiating upon the wonders of nature. +Smith was charmed with the romantic effusions of +Jones, and paid no attention to Brown, who was +sitting at the bow of the boat, here looked toward +him, and seeing that he was intently searching for +something, asked what was the matter. Brown +answered that a snake was in the boat and that he +was trying to find it. Here Jones commenced to +twist and squirm. "Hallo!" said Brown: "here's +another!" No sooner had he said another when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> +Jones sprang into the canal. He made several +lunges and, Peter like, looked as if he was walking +on the water. Smith added more steam to the boat +and Jones was overhauled and taken into the boat, +very much frightened. They had not gone very +far when Brown said: "I believe that snake is in +the boat yet," and at the same time threw at Jones +a piece of rattan, which is good to scare one with—it's +a veritable snake. He was again taken into the +boat, quite exhausted and cold from his ablutions. +Brown prepared some ciderberry juice for him, +with some pepper and other things that they had +along which, after taking, Jones became more quiet. +Brown says that when he thinks about that snake +story it fills him so with laughter that he has to +buckle a strap around him to support his physical +organization. Jones has not ventured to the Lake +since that time, and Brown is afraid to tell him that +the snake in the boat was only a piece of rattan. If +you want to see snakes come to Suffolk and get +Brown to go with you to the Lake of the Dismal +Swamp, and he will amuse you to your heart's +content.</p> + +<p>To be continued, introducing several thrilling +stories connected with the Dismal Swamp and Lake +Drummond, together with bear hunting and the +fearful consequences attending, and later accounts +of the whereabouts of Uncle Alek's mule.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="SUFFOLK" id="SUFFOLK"></a>SUFFOLK<br /> +MILITARY ACADEMY.</h2> + +<h3>ESTABLISHED 1875.</h3> + + +<p>The following constitute an able and experienced Faculty: +JOSEPH KING, A. M., Principal (with 27 years' experience +as a teacher). <span class="smcap">Rev</span>. ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M., +(Randolph-Macon) Associate. P. ST. JULIEN WILSON +(Virginia Military Institute). <span class="smcap">Dr.</span> W. W. MURRAY +(Dublin University). <span class="smcap">Dr.</span> A. W. ELEY, <span class="smcap">Dr.</span> E. D. +PHILLIPS, Attending Physicians.</p> + +<p>The testimonals (see catalogue) from distinguished educators +at the University of Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute +and other institutions—from leading members of the +Virginia Conference—from its patrons in different States, and +from the leading citizens of Suffolk, are a sufficient guarantee +of the high character and standing of the school and the practical +ability and fidelity of the teachers.</p> + +<p>Boys and Young Men are here prepared for business or for +college, and are surrounded by the best social and religious +influences.</p> + +<p>The military exercises (which take no time from regular +study hours) are only intended to make boys healthy and +strong, and to give them an erect and graceful bearing.</p> + +<p>The Academy is supplied with Chemical and Philosophical +Apparatus for Scientific Illustration; with Charts, Globes and +Magic Lantern, to illustrate Geography, Physiology, Natural +History and Astronomy; with new instruments for field work +in Land Surveying and Civil Engineering; with two telegraph +instruments and batteries for practice in Telegraphy, and +other educational appliances for different branches of study. +Handsome nickel-plated rifles and accoutrements furnished +by the State.</p> + +<p>All our arrangements are home-like, and conducive to +health, comfort and mental and moral development.</p> + +<p>Total expenses for one year, including neat navy blue uniform, +from $175 to $190.</p> + +<p>For twenty page catalogue, with view of buildings and +grounds, address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 12em;"><big>JOSEPH KING, A. M.</big>, Principal,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;">Or REV. <big>ROWLAND DOGGETT, A. M.</big>, Associate,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 20em;"><big>SUFFOLK, VA.</big></span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> +<h3><a name="CHARTERED_1872" id="CHARTERED_1872"></a>CHARTERED 1872.</h3> + +<h2> +SUFFOLK<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 4em;">COLLEGIATE</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">INSTITUTE!</span><br /> +</h2> + +<h3>SUFFOLK,—VA.</h3> + +<h4>PREPARATORY, PRACTICAL OR FINISHING</h4> + +<h4>—IN—</h4> + +<h4>Classics, Mathematics, Sciences and the Fine Arts!</h4> + +<h3>ADEQUATE FACULTY.</h3> + +<p><span class="smcap">Discipline</span>—Self-acting under Parental and Christian +direction. <i>Character</i> is primary. <i>Conduct</i> is resultant.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Domestic Arrangements</span>.—Economical, substantial, +home-like.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Terms</span>.—Reasonable. Both sexes admitted.</p> + +<p>Sessions begin middle of September and end the following +June. For Catalogues and other information address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 5em;"><b><big>PROF. P. J. KERNODLE, A. M.,</big></b></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 16.5em;">PRINCIPAL.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> +<h4><a name="CHARTERED_1881" id="CHARTERED_1881"></a>CHARTERED 1881.</h4> + + +<h3>SUFFOLK</h3> + +<h2><b>Female Institute</b></h2> + +<h4>FOR</h4> + +<h3><span class="smcap">Young Ladies and Little Girls</span>.</h3> + + +<h4>BOARD AND LITERARY TUITION $160 A YEAR</h4> + + +<p>The Charter authorizes the Faculty to confer the regular +Collegiate Degrees.</p> + +<p>The eighteenth annual session opened in September, 1887, +and closes the second Wednesday in June, 1888.</p> + +<p>Students received at any time, but are advised to enter at +the beginning of a term.</p> + +<p>Suffolk is one of the healthiest and most accessible towns in +Virginia.</p> + +<p>The corps of teachers is efficient and experienced. The +home training, moral and attractive. Fine advantages in +Music, Art and Languages, at modern rates.</p> + +<p>For catalogue apply to</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;"><b><big>MISSES FINNEY</big></b>,</span><br /> +Box 146. <span style="margin-left: 10em;"> SUFFOLK, VA.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="WEST_END" id="WEST_END"></a>WEST END</h2> + +<h2>SEMINARY</h2> + +<h4>FOR</h4> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Young Ladies and Girls.</span></h2> + +<h3>SUFFOLK, VA.</h3> + + +<p>The first session of this institution commenced its exercises +September 20th, 1887, with flattering prospects, being attended +by young ladies from Surry, Southampton, Isle of +Wight and Nansemond counties.</p> + +<p>The large and commodious brick building, recently erected +on Kilby street, by Dr. Skiles, has been secured for the purpose.</p> + +<p>The course of instruction is such as to prepare young ladies +for the various duties of life.</p> + +<p>Special attention paid to moral and religious training, as +well as social cultivation, thereby rendering this a home-like +school.</p> + +<p>Terms very moderate.</p> + +<p>For any desired information address</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">COL. <big>WM. H. DARDEN,</big></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 9em;">MISS <big>NOVELLA S. DARDEN,</big></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 18em;">Principals.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6em;">Or MISS <big>LIZZIE J. KING,</big> Associate.</span><br /> +</p> + + + + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><b>Transcriber's Notes:</b></p> + +<p>Table of Contents does not appear in the original book. It has been +added for your convenience.</p> + +<p>Some punctuation and typographical errors have been corrected to +reflect the author's intention.</p> + + + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, +Early recollections, by Robert Arnold + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DISMAL SWAMP *** + +***** This file should be named 20186-h.htm or 20186-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/1/8/20186/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Diane Monico, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. 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