The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1869-01-29

Marietta, Georgia.
IRON THE MARIETTA JOURNAL
A LEGEND OF LOST MOUNTAIN.
BY ESCRoTAIRE.

Many wears ago boforc tho feet OF
the snow-faced people had trod the
peaceful forest of Cherokee Georgia.
there dwclt near the northern banks OF
tho Chattahoochcc, and old Indian chief,
with his only daughter Willie, the favor
cd child Of the powerful Chcrokocs.
Willie from her infancy was beauti-
full and wise, and the sweet thoughtful
ness of womanhood had crowned her
tender years she ceased to como to her
fathers call, but wandering far away IN
tho forest dells, would lingor for hours
unsought for, and alone.
Such waywardnoss, voxcd old H'loSa'
who had always INDUCED his child in
bor self-will til this, and as this change
camo over her mind he resolved to asccr-
tain the cause if within his power.
In playful manner he rcpro"ched
her for this wandering, but she replied
not. Fearful of somo dire result the
old chiefs eyes watched her, and Gro the
day-god had climbed the eastern hills,
no detected her in the act of departure;
allowing her to leave tho wiswam, I'M
perceived, as she thought, he followed
her,
Soon the old chiefs wakcful oars de-
tec,s the faint sound of footsteps, and
rho next moment littio form springs III
the path by Willio's sido, and reveals
the form Of one, of tho hated tribe, the
rival Greeks.
The old Siloga's eyes glcsmod and he
quickly withdrew and returned to camp
Summoning his warriors, who wero gath
oring as thick as tho spirit eyes which
lool, down from heaven at night, they
nursucd them, and soon the dark forests
resoundcd with tie battle cry of tho
yengeful Chcrokces.
To the steep ascent Of tho hills near
by, the willy Creek lod Willio, and as
she bends her eager ear to catch tho re-
turning sound Of her purspc.s, an arrow
pcrccs tho dense foliage Of the noun
tain oak strikes the flying Creek, spring
inc high in tho air, no falls dead at the
feet of Willio; at the same.momont after
her father springs through the crovices
Of the mountain rocks. Willie turns
and fees, pursued by her old father,
who calls in vain for her to return; up
tho steep ascent shO runs, and SlloSa in
pursuit. The daring warriors attompt
to follow, but in vain, Leaving Slloga
in pursuit of his child, they return to
camp and await his return. Days pass
by, and he comes not, and the dishoart-
snod warriors start in search. Der the
mountain they journey, and after tho first
days hoat they find them, but thor souls
havo unmoorcd the phantom bark, that
bears their souls to tho happy hunting
grounds and they both lie dead meath
shcltcring oak, that seems to stretch its
shcItcring arms DOR the loved and lost.
Lost among the dense foliage, the thick
ly growing oaks, that cover this lone
some hill, they wandered for many days
unable TO return, and at last their hearts
grown heavy, their spirits dull and slug
gish, their courage departed, and they
lain down 20 die, and whom the weary
warriors after long days search had
found them, their spirits had just fed.
To-day, tho happy maidens of our
sunny land, gambol on the mountain side
and houses spring up almost magically |
where once the beautiful Willio pined.
Almost all traces of this legend have de-
parted, but to this day the old settlers
and hardy mountainoers of Cherokee
Georgia, still persist in calling this beau
.iful hill the name Of "Lost Mountain"
Aarietta, Geo, I'm. 25lt, 1869.