Polk County’s Revolutionary War connection: A tale of two bridges

By Kathy Hagler, 2nd Vice Regent James K. Polk Chapter, NSDAR

Four Holes Swamp Bridge Park is wedged in the junction of U.S. Highways 78 and 178 in Dorchester County, South Carolina; the town of Dorchester commemorates events that occurred here during the Revolutionary War.

This black-water river is comprised of several braided channels and is a tributary to the Edisto River. A causeway was built here as the result of an act passed in 1753. Patriot Colonel Henry Hampton seized the causeway on July 14, 1781, to intercept Lord Rawdon as he retreated from Orangeburg.

Another bridge was built here in the 1770s and was the site of conflicts between Patriot militias led by Colonels Wade Hampton and William Harden, against Loyalist armies between 1781 and 1782.

A cannon made in Leicester, England, in 1762, was used by the Patriots to defend this causeway against the Loyalists. It was unearthed from six feet underground by a road crew in 1921. The causeway and the road were paved in 1928, and the cannon is used as a historical marker in the park.

The above-mentioned Colonel William Harden was also involved at the battle of Saltketcher — or Salkehatchie — Bridge.

The area between Charlestown and Savannah had become a virtual sanctuary for the enemy. With Brigadier General Francis Marion’s consent, Colonel Harden began working to disrupt British lines in the area. He led a force of approximately 100 men down the Pocotaligo Road and ran into Captain Edward Fenwick with 35 SC Dragoons, a Loyalist cavalry unit, near the Saltketcher Bridge on April 5, 1781. Colonel Harden’s men became disoriented in the dark, and the smaller Loyalist army was able to disperse the Patriots.

Paul Hamilton, one of Colonel Harden’s men, later wrote: “At midnight encountered a body of British cavalry men near Saltketcher Bridge. The onset was in our favor, but, Harden being an indifferent commander, we were defeated and in the rout, I suffered a hard pursuit... Our whole party was dispersed, and about 15 severely wounded with the sabre.” org/items/510d47da-3243-a3d9-e040e00a18064a99

Though these two Revolutionary War battles took place in South Carolina, they do have a connection to Polk County. This is the first in a short series of stories that will lead to that connection.

Community

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building at 211 DeQueen Street in Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home. Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more information, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

Free sack lunch each Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., for all ages, at Janssen Park pavilion. Bubbles, chalk, free books, games, and music. Sponsored by First Presbyterian Church. Meals will be available all summer, May 30 through August 15.

The Polk County Democrat meeting will be held Monday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m. at PaPa’s Mexican Café on Hwy. 71 South. Come early to eat and socialize. Bring a friend or two . Any concerns or questions call Linda Johnson at 479-234-7966.

Polk County Social Seniors lunch will be at noon, Tuesday, July 11, at Sassy Squatch, 504 Hwy. 71S (lime green building), Mena.

Please let me know if you are planning on attending, so I can give the restaurant appropriate number of people. Bring a friend! Hope to see you there.

Questions? Call Linda Johnson (956) 241-2633

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Around Town

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com

Veteran’s Appreciation! All veterans and spouses are welcome to stop by and enjoy free strawberry shortcake and lemonade provided by Elite Hospice. Stay a while and visit or grab a to-go container between noon -2 p.m., Friday, July 7, 300 Morrow St. North in front of the local VA Clinic.

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a study, “The Evolution of the Bible”, in its Adult Sunday School Class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. The class will be conducted by Earl Harrell. Anyone with an interest in this study is invited to attend. Classes will be at the church in the parlor, 904 Church Ave., Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St. in downtown Mena. Come early and enjoy refreshments and bee talk with other beekeepers.

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon - 4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

Polk County Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary will be holding their monthly meetings on Thursday, July 6, at Veterans Park in Acorn. There will be a potluck at 6 p.m. with meetings to follow.

Free meal and a message at Living Word, 171 W. Johnson, Hatfield, Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

Hatfield First Baptist Church

“Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Human Rights Mena will be setting up at the corner of Cherry Hill and Hwy 71 (the Walmart light) to canvas with ARCapes, Friday, July 14, 6 - 8 p.m. The signatures are being obtained to have the “LEARNS Act” put on the November ballot for vote. We need 280 people to sign in Polk County.

Human Rights Mena will (at these same times) be protesting for better laws and protection for people with disabilities.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4 - 6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

Bluegrass Jam Session is open to musicians and fans alike. Bring your instruments for an unplugged session to the Daisy Room (behind Janssen’s Avenue Florist & Gifts) the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free event. Some snacks are provided.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 2439600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

Mike Callahan of Hatfield was the winner of the Jubilee in June Henry Silverboy Rifle Gun drawing Saturday, June 24. Liberty Gun & Loan of Hatfield donated the prizes. The proceeds from the drawing will go toward the upkeep of the Hatfield City Park and the fireworks for next year’s event.

Tabitha Baxter of Cove won a Savage 93 Minimalist in .22 Magnum.

Bridgett Kesterson was our first winner of the family four-pack of Magic Springs Theme and Water Park tickets. Her name was drawn from Martin Title, one of our nine sponsors. See the Magic Springs ad on the back page of this issue for details and sponsor locations. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Police

CRYPTO MINE continued from page 1

“If digital asset miners are in compliance with all applicable state laws, local zoning ordinances, state and federal requirements, there is an anti-discrimination provision.

“Issues of ownership of digital asset mining are not included in ‘Act 851’. Elevated noise levels are not specially addressed in ‘Act 851,’ but existing state and federal environmental guidelines should be followed.”

What’s the buzz?

Polk County Quorum Court, like many other quorum courts around the state, is quickly taking action. More and more stories have been coming out about the attempts to put data mining farms in Vilonia and Harrison. The center outside of Greenbrier, near the community of Bono, has gained a lot of attention. Gladys Anderson of Bono lives less than a half-mile from a Chinese owned crypto mine farm that has

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.