The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-11-02
The Spirit Bluff.
"A Tale of ST. CEp:traGs.

"A Tale of ST. Charles.
When leaves by the wind of autumn
When the quick wild bark of the wolf
is heard,
When the owl his dismal warning boots,
And vivid flash the lightning shoots,
a spirit form the Indians say,
Is seen around yon bluff to play.
Near the hourishing vilingo of ST.
Charles rcars one of these majestic
bIulf>, which SD frequently arc found on
the banks OF Fox river, aud which
add SO much to the beauty and seen
cry It's silver waters. 1t is situated
II little south or cast Of the village.
Along its summit are several ancient
mounds; which have, probably, for
ages, been the burial places of the
natives, and one recently has been
cl'oscn as the resting place for the
dead OF his village and immediate Vi
entity. The east and south side are
washed by q small brook, called the
Cedar or Bluff ru::; while, along its
base, at the west, rolls the river in
it< long and silent grandeur, it's shores
still untouched by the hand rf civ
ilized man; on the east and south
east rises the beautifully rolIin. pra-
irie, dotted here and there with the
fields OF the cnigrant settler. The
beauty ct the scenery from this point
is such that the travellers who have
gazcd with delight at other bluffs and
points on the river, are struck with
uncommon interest ON bcholding this
spot: and, on leaving it, often turn and
lluger still, as if enchanted. to gaze ut
its beauties. 1t is called the 'Spirit
Bluff, and Il tale is told of it ofso much
interest, that many a heart is made
sad at its recital. For Il number of
years no Indian has been seen to
pass over its summit; but, by cir
clit"ns path, all go round it, for a
dark eyed Indian maid, they say. is
seen to hover around it.-Somc for
ty-hve years ago, there was, in the
nation Of the Puttowaitomics. an aged
chief, whose name WAS Wayi>hkcc,
and who WAS, in 1886, still remember
cd by the old ludian traders at Chica
&" and other points ON that bcauti-
lul lake. 1t was in the time Of this
Chief that one of the most me!an.
chuly transactions that ever occurred
among the Puttowatamy nation took
place II ar this Llull. Onnnibidya, the
only daughter of Wayish!see, was
dear to her parents and the boast of
her tribe. Contrary to the wishes of
her family she formed an ardent at.
ta:hment to ayomg hunter of her
tribe, and one whom she knew to
he strongly attached to her. But.
when asked in marriage of her par
cnts, he was refused, and likewise to
learn that her daughter was intended
by them for another, a young brave of
distinction. The latter had acquired
fame by deeds of valor rendered his
nation, and the many captive whites he
had taken along the SHORES of Lake
Erie, and even among the nation of
the Scnccas. AT the mention of the
young hunter wishing Ononibdga in
marriage, her family pressed the
brave to urge his suit with her, which
he did with ardor and unccasing as
siduity, but she refused him and
persisted in her preference for the
young hunter. % the commentators
Of her friends in invo, of the brave,
she replied that she had chosen one
after her own mind-onc who would
spend his life with her: and by his
profession, would provide for her
subsistence, and secure her comfort and
happiness; but, if she accepted the
brave, he would be constantly bent on
some deed OF daring exploit, he would
be absent from her, exposing himself
to danger, and perhaps death, on some
distant battle field, leaving her wiL,
ow, to tread alone the path Of this
unfeclng world. Ononibidga's ex.
poStnatl"ns were of no avail with
her family or friends. They, Mt length,
by stratageEn and some other means,
succeeded in driving the young hunter
to some distant land, from which he
never returned; or at least, was never
more seen among his tribe; and then
by harsh means, began to compel her
to accept for her husband the brave,
whom they had chosen. But, to ali
her approximations and assertions that
she could never love any other but her
young hunter, and, that rathcr than
have the brave whom she so much dis.
liked, she would live alone in the depths
OF the solitary forest, they paid no re.
gard. Ononibidga, to this time, had
been the joy and delight Of her fam.
lily, and been indulged more than was
usual for the females other tribe. Her
brother had expressed o wish that she
might, it possible, be persuaded, rath
or than compelled to. o.accoPt the brave