Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-18
Cg0lCg LITERATURE.
Indian Traditions about Hiawatha

At this time, when our citizens are on
the quiUive in regard to the readings Of the
poem Hiawatha,' it may not be amiss to
state few facts relative to this distinguish
ed character. The more appropriate be
cause his residence and the scene of many
of his adventures were in our own country.
Many hundred moons ago, Hiawatha
first made his appearance to couple of
hunters, in white canoe, on the great lake
of Ontario. He landed at~Oswego, and was
at once taken into favor by the Indians
then living near Oswego and along the
shores of Seneca river. He was every
where received as a mysterious parsonage
OF divine origin, possessed of miraculous
powers. He traversed the country from
Onondaga westward, cleared the streams
from all distractions, SO that canoes could
pass freely everywhere, established good
hunting and fishing grounds, taught the
people the art of building cabins, introdu-
ced the culture Of various plants for the
more comfortabIesu ubsistence of the red race,
destroyed terrible monsters, which had long
been the dread Of the tribes, and to their
great tastonshment, wrought many miracles,
all for their benefit.
These wondrous tales are yet related to
the credulous and confding, at the council
/ lfirezof aaes Olondagas, by the grey and
Wrlnkled relics of an ancient race, remark
able for its sagacity and power.
While Hiawatha and his companions
were ascending the Seneca river, they en-
countered two enormous feathered monsters,
resembling eagles, which for ages had pre-
vented the free passage Of the river. One
OF these monsters was stationed upon one
bank, and its companion on the other, op.
posite. Ifany canoe was seen approaching
these watchful guardians settled down so as
to be concealed from view, and Whenever
the unwary Voyagcrs came that way they
rose, stretched their long necks and beak:
over the stream, picked up their victims will
impunity, and dcvoured them at leisure
They became terror to all, and the naviga
tlon Of the river was abandoned except b,
an occasional adventurer, who was sure t,
pay for his temerity by sacrifice of his life
Eilawatha became aware of the position anc
habits of these scourges Of makind and a
once resol, ed to destroy them. Having al
things in readiness, he approached the spot
and as they reared their frightful head
over him, he layed about most dexterousl
with his war-clubs, and so belabored ther
that both were presently slain. The battl
was severe, but Hiawatha was victoriou;
not without damage to his canoe, and sex
eral cuts and bruises upon his persol
The wild fowl which had long been held
duress by these monsters were now libcr;
ted, and scattered themselves in all diret
tions, for the benefit and the sustenance
the people. The locality of this adventul
was near where the Cayuga marches te
inmate, and from the Seneca river below
The country about GAINESVILLE was, at
time infested with reputed witches, wh'
upon caprice or whim, working upon tt
fears or credulity of the Indians, induce
them to believe that certain individual
must be exercised, the evil spirits cast o.
Of them, or they must be slain. The
demons held their mighty orgies in a su
terranean vault or labyrinthian cavern, ne
by, where, unobserved, and unknown to {
but the initiated, they carried on their nef
rious schemes, so that it became unsafe
any to incur the displeasure Of this noctu
nal conclave Hundreds are reported
have lost their lives through the machin
tions of these misguided creatures. In ia
at one time it was thought utter extermi
alton would ensue.
At this junction Hiawatha came to tht
relief, sought out the hiding places Of the
deluded beings, detected the guilty, exI
sed all the offending ones and the wickedn'
of their schemes, restored harmony, a
established new and happy order
things.
On his return from his voyage to
: western lakes, Hiawatha came to the nei,
t borhood of Cross lake, and there, upon r,
: resentation make to him, found that Wi
: ed enchantress lived in the vicinity, nan
: +" Ocaunce," whose destruction was deem
: desirable to ensure the happiness and pr
8 perity Of the nation. He endowed one
e his companions with supernatural pow
u to proceed to the vile charnel-house of
sr caunce, and after violent and long con
y ted struggle, conquered her and left
g dead. The tradition continues, that
d, body Immediately changed to stone, an
nt shown to this day as the remains of
ef detested sorceress.