248 In 1924, locks and dams were completed on the river which makes year round navigation possible, but the steamboats have been superseded by the more economical and efficient barge and towboat. The present locks and dams are inadequate. An interesting side light on the river is the story of the feud between General Woodward and Major W. L. Bradley. They had been lifelong friends and supposedly on good terms. Major Bradley owned a large part of Camden and General Woodward had large land holdings down the river. The two men fell out over a trivial remark that General Woodward made to Major Bradley on the occasion of a chance meeting. Referring to the death of a mutual friend, Bradley said, "Well, Woodward, Sims has gone to hell at last." "Ah," retorted Woodward, "if that's the case, you'll have the opportunity of meeting him again." In a spirit of revenge General Woodward tried to divert the river away from Camden. It was possible to do this because Camden is situated on a great bend or loop in the river. The two ends of this loop are only about a quarter of a mile apart, so by cutting a channel across this narrow strip of land, the river would be induced to take the short cut and follow the new channel and leave Camden sitting on a shallow bow lake. General Woodward put his slaves to work digging the ditch that would change the course of the river. Not until he was enjoined by Court order did he finally desist. He almost accomplished his purpose because this cut off, known as Treadway Slough, was gradually enlarged by the river flowing through there during overflows and would have changed the course of the river except for drastic and expensive works installed by the U.S. Army Engineers. You will be shown this place on one of the tours. Prior to 1881 Camden had no means of transportation, other than the river, except for saddle horse, stagecoach or wagon, over poor and ill-kept roads. The Chidester family were identified with the stagecoach and livery stable business. In 1881 the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad was completed to Camden from Gurdon on the main line.           Contents  Words  Study Questions  Related Sites Next