The Smyrna telegraph. (Smyrna, Del.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-03
Legends OF the Ear west.

Ihe editor OF the New Orleans Delta, VINO
has visited Pomarede's Panorama of the Mis-
sissippi River, on exhibition in that city, gives
the following Legend of the "Maiden's Rock,
or Wenonas Leap" and the "Eagle Rocks"
views Of which are given on the Panorama:
The scene of the Maiden's Rock, or Weno-
mas Leap" derives interest from an Indian
Legend connected with it. Wehona was the
daughter ola powerful chief of the Winnebago
nation, "who lived long ago, long ago." She
had in secret, plighted her heart and hand 10
young brave of her fathers tribe, who had
sought her love. This was not agreeable to
the chief, her father, who had determined to
dispose of his daughter to more successful
hunter, who, in his eyes had won better title
to SO rich gift. This forced espousel was
determined on, and day had been named for
the sacrifice. A berry of rich favor and in
dispensable at marriage festivals, grew on the
summit of the beethng cliff. Hither repaired
Wenona, on the eve of her wedding night, ac-
companied by her companions, young savage
bellies, to gather fruit for the looked-for feast.
The young girls were gay, all but Wenona,
and Wenona's heart was sad Joyously they
asAssssas!s ~
evening with voices attuned to sweetest mefo-
dy, wild and clear. Blithly sang Wenona,
but her heart was in the wilderness, where her
young hero roamed. The sun was just sink
ing 10 his gorgeous rest, and, with dying glory
lit the high cliffs with sudden gleam. The
scene suggested prayer-for the shadow ofthe
Great Spirit moved upon the mountain, and
Wenonas maidens prayed. Soon they missed
her from their midst. On the uncertain verge
of the bectling cliff, now stood the maiden with
arms outstretched to the Great Spirit, in his
cloud wrapped home. Wildly. sang Wenona
the burden of her death song "Oh father
of the fatherless hear my parting prayer /
MY father is no more my father his heart
cings to mine enemy. am stranger in
his wigwam! | was the light of his eye---she
sunbeam that lit the path of his age. But now
no more his Wenona! My young love is ta-
ken from ne. Ill inc WlluerilesS nc WdiiuSfS
EIe is stranger to our watch-6res. / am nc
longer his Wenona. AS vine, whose paren
tree has sunk under the blast-as young
!, fawn, whose mother the hunter-braves have
killed, Wenona has no friend Hear my
prayer, oh Spirit Father Wenona comes
to thee She will kinde fires in the shadowy
land to his spirit bride. Oh! Spirit Father
take Wenona
This tradition is universal among the Win
nebagos, and Wenona's rock is held in sacret
awe. Even to this day, when young girl i
importuned to marry brave, whom she doe
not favor, as last resort, to save herself from
loathed alliance, she points to the Maiden
Rock, and the subject is hushed forever.
At another point we have aview of the Ea
=. gle Rocks, on one of which, centuries ago, a
I tradition has it, the Indians beheld vision Q
u woman with pale face fondling an infant
e with one hand pointing out TO the child tn
: great valley of the West, as the home of ii
IL kindred, and with the other, waving the Ind
y ans further west. This vision, say the Wir
G ebagos, was the first intimation they had {
/ their fated departure from their native huntin
e grounds.