Springfield History
Before Springfield was Springfield...even before the first post office carried the name Millersville...this area was known as Martin's Pasture. A high rise of pines and oaks topped an elevation between the arms of the black waters of the Edisto, and it was here that the settlers clustered in the last 1800;s after hearing that a railroad was on the way.
The motley group of Irish, English, Swiss and French settlers cut and sawed then framed and nailed until a collection of shops and houses took on the appearance of a town. Excitement about the railroad added momentum as surveying by Captain John Guignard in 1887 set perimeters and lined off streets. This spot on the map was named Springfield and was given the official recognition with a charter dated December 19, 1887.
The town experienced a thrust of growth during its early years, and became a mercantile center for cotton farmers of the western end of Orangeburg County. They built homes, churches, stores, schools, a railroad, and an electric plant. Each year saw new faces calling the town home. By 1917, The Times and Democrat called Springfield "the thrivingist town in Orangeburg County" with a population of one thousand.
Since then many have passed this way. Some have stopped and lived out their lives. Others whose roots tap deep into our thoughts and ways have departed to seek futures elsewhere. Still we have had our share of doctors, lawyers, merchants, and farmers. We've had Baptists, Methodists and Catholics. We've voted as Democrats, Republicans and Dixiecrats. We've fought the Yankees, the Japanese and the boll weevil. We've met the enemy, the train and even the governor. We have made progress, mistakes and still make a fortune...someday. But on Frog Jump Day, Springfield make FUN! Fun, Southern Style!
Borrowing ideas from Mark Twain's tale of a century age, Springfield erupts into celebration. To local bewilderment, the little town swells as thousands from all over South Carolina join us in a bit of Americana...served liberally with friendliness and big smiles. And from sunrise to sunset, the celebration translates into a big time for OUR TOWN...by the Edisto.
From OUR TOWN by Jacquelyn W. Cooper![acebookbadge1]()
Governor's Frog Jump
History & Story of the Frog Jump
n 1928 Angels Camp paved the main street. To celebrate the occasion they held a frog jump competition. This frog jump competition was modeled after the frog jump in the famous short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County", written by Mark Twain. Mark Twain spent a great deal of time in Angels Camp and first heard the jumping frog story at the Angels Hotel that still stands today. The event became known as the Jumping Frog Jubilee. Every year since 1928, with the exception of 1933 during the great depression, the Jumping Frog Jubilee has been held in Angels Camp. In 1938 the County Fair and the Jumping Frog Jubilee were combined. Today this internationally renowned event draws competitors from around the world as hundreds of jockeys and their frogs compete. The winner receives a trophy, $750 and a plaque honoring the jockey and his or her frog is embedded into the sidewalks of downtown Angels Camp. World record holders receive recognition on the plaque as a world record holder in addition to a trophy and $5,000. The current world record was set in 1986 by "Rosie the Ribiter" who jumped 21 feet 5 3/4 inches; Lee Giudici of Santa Clara CA was the jockey. There are currently 74 plaques including one commemoration Mark Twain's Dan'l Webster and his jockey Jim Smiley located in front of the Angels Hotel. Residents and visitors are encouraged to view the "Frog Hop of Fame" commemorating this unique and historic jumping frog jubilee.
Pat Williams. formerly of Springfield was given the assignment of coordinating the Governor's Second Annual Frog Jump Contest. He called his Springfield brother, Greg and asked him and several of his friends to go frog hunting and "to be sure to come up with some frogs". It took two nights of stomping and tromping through the Edisto River Swamp. but he, Bubba Wiles, and Neal Bonnett, with the help of their scoutmaster, Mr. Rupert Fogle, caught two of the amphibious creatures . On Saturday of the Governors Contest, the three boys won the hearts of all South Carolinians with their frogs. Squared away on the launching pad in front of the state capitol with dignitaries all around, the famous Springfield springer, -Buckwheat," trained by Greg, wet down with "frog juice" by Neal, and soothed with guitar music by Bubba. jumped an unbelievable 12 feet 9 1/2 inches. Not only did his leap win the tournament, but it also set a new state record. The Springfield crew went home with the prize money which they were still counting as their pictures and accomplishments made the news all up and down the southeastern coast. Buckwheat went on to the Calaveras County Fair in California.
The Springfield Mayor, Mr. Oswald Furtick, requested that Springfield be given the honor of hosting the contest. Former Governor McNair. probably realizing that the Edisto River Frogs were -untouchables", gladly consented. so that is how it all began.
As Ms. Jackie Cooper stated in her book, Springfield in 1969 was one of the first small towns around to have its own festival, so naturally the media covered the event. When pictures of local scenes and personages hit the front paves and the action of the festivities was shown on TV, there was no way to keep this place down anymore. Shots zooming in on J.E. Beathea measuring a frog, B.K. Gleaton walking his turtle, little Sharon Hallman clutching her frog. On the front page a photo showed Lisa Cooper squeezing her frog "Idgit".
The winning croaker that year was named Legs who jumped 15feet and 4 inches. Craig Winningham was the owner who had caught the frog in a pond near Healing Springs.
Newspaper writers and visitors concluded that there was much energy and "lots of guts" evident in a people who could take a lowly bullfrog and elevate it to the status of a racehorse...for a day!"
For several years the Amphibian winner of the Frog Jump was packed in cool, damp moss and airlifted to the national competition in California. But the price of airfreight became too high to continue; also the Fishing and Game regulations no longer allow this. However, if the winner's name along with $6.00 is sent to Calaveras County Frog Jumping Jubilee, P.O. Box 489, Angels Camp, CA 95222, a Frog Jockey will jump the frog for you, and send any winnings your way.
Governor's Frog Jump
Egg Striking in Springfield
The unique art of egg striking was brought to America by the early pioneers from Ireland and central Europe. Early stories from these areas indicated they participated in a game or contest called "Egg Piping" or Egg Striking as it is known in this country. It is usually accomplished by striking the ends of two boiled eggs against each other until it breaks. The person whose egg is broken forfeits his egg. A flip of the coin determined which contestant would hold his egg down and which would strike it.
Many Orangeburg County families participated in the custom which began about two weeks before Easter and was usually climaxed on the Sunday before Easter. For many years, Springfield held the distinction of the Egg Striking Capital of South Carolina. Some Citizens said the custom was brought to the area by the ?? family and others said it was the ?? family, but regardless of who had the distinction the young and the old came to town with their hardest egg.
There was always the ringers who would try to use a duck, guinea or a turkey egg but they were apt to get a strike on the head. Some jokesters would fix wooden eggs, glass eggs, and other false eggs as pranks but none of these fooled the old pros. In fact, before striking, each contestant would examine the other's egg.
Prior to Easter, the young and old of the Springfield Community were busy determining their hard eggs. All this was preliminary to the real fever that began to run high on the Saturday before Easter when they came to town with their pockets filled with the hardest eggs that they could find. Everyone was a potential champion. They watched, they tested and they struck, until one egg or one striker had broken all the eggs and defeated all the competition. The old champions included the family names of Fanning, Morgan, Coopers, Gleaton, Williams, Smiths and others. In the forties, the late William Gleaton came to Springfield with his choice egg and when he departed the back seat of his car was filled with eggs and he had defeated everyone. It was estimated that he broke eight to ten dozen eggs in one afternoon and was declared the champion for the day. But as he left town, some of the old timers were heard to say "Just wait 'till next year."
It goes without saying that over the years just ordinary chickens could not be expected to produce eggs of such championship caliber. As a result, the Springfield people have placed great emphasis on their chicken raising. Therefore, it is only proper that the visitors here today be given but a small glimpse of a few of the more outstanding chickens that have come from the little rural community during the past century or so.
Today, the rules are basically the same. Visible gimmicks are banned; however, farmers have been known to feed their hens "magic potions" to produce hard eggs. You will see folks prowling around the hen houses, tapping eggs with their eye teeth. They will tell you that a hollow sound means a "weak" and a heavy, thick echo means "strong".