Blackville, SC )WLTX) - The South is filled with sleepy little towns dating back centuries, and each has a story waiting around every corner, even though only a single corner might have a stoplight. That's the case in the town of Blackville, except one story here has more fantastic lore than most you might hear.
"Some people just believe in it, and pass it down from one generation to the next," says Don Still, lifelong Blackville resident.
The downtown area of Blackville is small and quiet. The population in the town is just about 2,200, but despite its small size, is holds an interesting thing that unique; it's a plot of land that's open to the public, and its been deeded to God himself.
"Nobody can own it again. Nobody can tax it. It's just God's little acre," says Still.
And such is its namesake, "God's Acre Healing Springs." The origin of the stories here first took shape during the revolutionary war. It's said that six British (Tories) soldiers were left here after a battle, four were mortally wounded. They were left there assuming the four would die, unable to make the journey back to Charleston.
Don Still explains, "Two guards were supposed to come back to Charleston and tell them that they died, but instead all of them went back to Charleston. And all of them were living. That got the story started that it was supposed to be healthy water here."
And more stories blossomed from there. Some even call the springs the fountain of youth. The locals are steeped in that lore, each with a tale they grew up hearing.
"A lady lived here, couldn't read or write. And she drank that water for about 30 days and started teaching school," says one man.
Another recalls hearing a story, "A gentleman came down from Greenville and got him some water and put it in the trunk of his car in the gallon jugs. He got half way back up to Greenville, opened the trunk of his car to get a drink of water, and he said the water had turned into wine."
Everyone tells their story with a half-cracked smile and a nod. But everyone seems to enjoy the jests, and the attention it brings to the small town. Don Still knows his town inside and out, and he's heard his share of stories as well.
Still says, "The ol' farmer said its got to be good water, he says he put it in a tractor because the radiator was leaking and it stopped it from leaking."
But fantasy or not, he's been drinking the water all his life.
"Oh yeah, you better believe I do. There's a difference in the water, no question," says Still.
Anyone can come here for free "healing" water. Many believe whole-heartedly in the power of the springs, especially after the last owner, Lute Boylston, willed the property to god.
"He wanted it fixed so nobody could stop anyone from coming here and getting the particular healing water," Still explains.
And everyone does go there, whether it be locals or distant faith seekers, looking partake in the wonders that might exist in the artesian waters.
Stills says, "I don't know of any more land owned by God, which God owns it all, but he's got a will to this one."