At the end of two weeks here at Edisto, I was reminded of this post from 2009 and wanted to share it again. Also, have been too lazy to write real posts so am recycling. Here is my great grandfather’s memory of traveling to the beach as an 8-year-old in 1899. They were most likely headed somewhere in Horry County as they had relatives in that area.
OLD OCEAN
Joe F. Stuckey
Dear Mr. Converse,
I want to tell the little friends about the ocean. Several families from this neighborhood went to spend part of the summer at the sea side, and I was one of the number. We saw many things to enjoy by the way, as we all went in carriages, buggies and wagons. We took our own provisions along with us, corn, fodder, oats, flour, meat, chickens, eggs, vegetables, pickle, preserves, ‘most everything that is needed on the farm. There were thirty-three from Sumter county, and when we got down near the ocean our crowd more than doubled. We all had a delightful time, especially the children, and all came back well, though tired. The second day after we got to the ocean, there was a very hard wind blowing, and the waves piled up so high that we could not go near the water. We were just two miles away but could see it just as plainly as if it had only been several hundred feet; indeed, it looked like it was only that far. The waves looked like like clouds of pure, sparkling water, boiling up and falling over towards us. It was grand to stand and watch it, but the wind was so strong that it made it unpleasant, but the boys could not help trying to get nearer. The ladies had to stay in the house. The next day we were all up and on our way to the beach when the sun rose. The ocean was very calm, and we had a delightful time bathing. The children would wade in as far as they liked and sit down, run and splash the water, and gather shells from under the water. When we would see a big wave coming we would turn our backs. It was never still. We wandered on the shore and gathered shells and seaweeds. And when we went back, we were thirsty, tired and hungry.
Your little unknown friend,
Mannville, S.C. Joe F. Stuckey
