2 c. white sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 c. shortening
3 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 c. plain flour
1 c. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter
2 eggs

Mix sugar, flour and salt in bowl in a saucepan. Mix water, shortening, butter and cocoa. Bring to a boil. Pour over dry mixture. Mix well. Add eggs, milk, soda and vanilla. Mix well.

Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.

Icing:

1 box powdered sugar
1 tbsp. vanilla
6 tbsp. milk
3 tbsp. cocoa
1 stick butter
1 c. chopped pecans

Mix all together except nuts. Place on stove. Heat well, stirring the whole time. When real hot, add pecans. Pour over cake.