т
forever bubbling:
spring & keziah
Nobody has been able to figure out
where it comes from — 42 million
gallons of pure fresh water a day
pouring into and out of McKenzie
Pond in Brunswick County. The basin
drained by Allen Creek — tributary
of the pond — isn’t large enough to
produce any such flow of water. Bill
Keziah, who took us out to one of the
springs, thinks the water may be bub¬
bling up from subterranean rivers
traveling underneath the Cape Fear.
The spring we saw was a large,
deep basin. The water, clear and
refreshing, in contrast to the usual
copper color of swamp water,
boiled up front the sandy floor
so strongly that a large floating
wooden block was kept in lively
agitation, rolling and dipping.
And even the severest drought
has no effect on the flow.
This spring is located at the head
of Allen Creek right on the boundary
of the Sunny Point Reservation, and
is reached by traveling over a dirt
road, then walking a couple of hun¬
dred yards into the woods.
Some years ago. Keziah had the
Water Resources people measure the
flow coming out of McKenzie Pond,
and it was fixed at 42 million gallons
per day. Bill says there are seven
similar springs feeding into the pond.
The Allen Creek spring has been
known for a long time, but only re¬
cently has its opportunities for a water-
using industry been played up. It is
the No. I resources now on the Keziah
agenda.
It is repititious to remind State
readers of the fact that Brunswick
County, in addition to its history, army
terminal, beaches and miraculous
springs, also contains Bill Keziah. He
has been there a long, long time, pub¬
lishing. editing and writing for news¬
papers. but mostly working as the un¬
paid champion and prophet of his
county.
He has the title of secretary
of the Southport Chamber of
Commerce. Sometimes there isn't
any president, vice-president or
treasurer; sometimes there isn't
even any chamber, but there al¬
ways is a secretary. When others
help out. it is fine; if they don't.
Bill buys the stamps, writes the
letters and does all the other
work. When the “chamber” en¬
tertains a distinguished visitor
with a clam chowder lunch at
Quack's, Rill picks up the check.
All of this routine activity is accom¬
panied by a vigorous brand of pro¬
motion. It has taken the form of
writing letters to bureaucrats, indus¬
trialists, vacationists and editors. Also
as a torrent of news and feature stories
recounting the wonders of Brunswick.
Sometimes the material is soft and se¬
ductive, pleading and pensive. Some¬
times it is strident and demanding, and
sometimes, when Brunswick is on the
defensive, it snaps and snarls un¬
pleasantly.
Over the years the "one-man
chamber of commerce" has be¬
come known all over the state as
an exceptionally ardent and dur¬
able partisan for his section.
Other boosters come and go and
change jobs and achieve and fail, but
Bill stays right where he is. never gives
up hope, and always has a new dream
to follow. Some of them come true,
too, such as the Sunny Point project,
the beach development and growth of
the area as a sport-fishing rendezvous.
A newcomer, seeing for the first time
this astounding energy and stamina, is
inclined to ask: "Why does Mr. Keziah
keep this publicity going?"
A native confronted with such
a stupid question, might reply
“How come docs Allen Creek
Spring bubble all the time?"
Keziah and Brunswick comprise
elements of an eternal co¬
existence. He is one of the
unique personalities of North
Carolina.
Bill’s exploits have been recounted
many times in Tut State, but one
anecdote he tells on himself is worth
repeating.
He is stone deaf, but can talk. He
was the victim of infantile paralysis,
and the doctor said that the child
THE STATE, May 19. 1956
35
