Since 1916 , a man named Thomas Clay Williams had been proposing the development of hydroelectric power on the Saluda , Santee and Cooper rivers in South Carolina .
Man 's propositions did not generate much serious interest .
Since 1916 , a man named Thomas Clay Williams had been proposing the development of hydroelectric power on the Saluda , Santee and Cooper rivers in South Carolina , but his propositions did not generate much serious interest .