The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-12-15
The Falls Of I'uccoah.

The Tuccoah is very small stream
mere brooklet, and for the most part is
not ct all distinguished for any other quail
| ity iIan those belonging to a thousand o.
ther sparkling streams of this region; but,
in its oceanward course, it performs one
leap which has given it a reputation. On
account of this leap the aborigines chris
tened it with the name of 1&ccoah, or the
beautiful. To see this cascade, in your
minds eye, (and here partly quote the
language of one who could appreciate its
beauty imagine sheer percipice of gray
and rugged rock, one hundred and eighty
six feet high, with little quiet lake at its
base, surrounded by sloping masses OF
granite and tall shadowy trees. From the
overhanging lips Of this cliff, alof, between
your upturned eyes and the sky comes a
softly flowing stream. After making a
joyous leap it breaks into a shower OF
heavy spray, and scatters its drops more
and more wildly and minutely, until, in
little more than drizzling mist, it sprnk-
les the smooth, moss-covered stones lying
Immediately beneath. All the way up the
sides of this precipice cling, whatever space
is afforded. little turfs of moss and delicate
vines and creepers, contrasting beautifully
with the solid granite. There is no stun
ming noise or falling waters, but only a
dripping, pattering, plashing in the lake;
a murmuring sound, which must be very
grateful during the noontide heat Of a sum-
mer day. There comes also a soft cool
breeze, constantly from the foot of the pre-
cipice, caused by the falling shower, and
this ripples the surface of the pool and
gently agitates the leaves around and o.
verhead.
Connected with the Cascade OF Tuccoah
is an Indian tradition, which was related
to me by a gentleman connected with the
Georgia University, who obtained it from
a Cherokee Chief. The occurrence is said
to be we'll authenticated, and runneth in
this wise: short time previous to the
Revolution, the Cherokees were waging
very bitter warfare against powerful tribe
of Indians who dwelt in the country Of the
Potomac. During one of their pitched
battles, it so happened that the Cherokees
made captive about dozen of their ene-
mics, whom they brought into their own
country safely bound. Their intention
was to sacrifice the prisoners; but as they
wished the ceremony to be particularly
imposing, on account of the fame of the
captives, it was resolved to postpone the
sacrifice until the following moon. In the
meantime the Cherokee braves went forth
to battle again, while the prisoners, now
more secretly bound than ever, were left in
e. large wigwam near Tuccoah, in the es-
pecial charge of an old woman, who was
noted for her savage patriotism.
Day followed day, and as the unfortun-
ate enemies lay in the lodge Of the old
woman, she dealt out to them g scanty sup
ply offood and water. They besought the
woman to release them, and offered her
the most valuable of Indian bribes, but she
held her tongue and remain ed faithful to
her trust. 1t was now the morning of a
pleasant day, when an Indian boy called
at the door Of the old woman's lodge and
told her that he had seen a party Of their