The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1871-05-12
A NORTH GEORGIA LEGEND.
THE i.EGEND OF ToccoA FALLS.

THE LEGEND OF ToccoA FALLS.
A correspondent writes. from Ga.
Every mountain, valley and cascade
of Northern Georgia has an Indian
tradition connected with its history.
The Cherokees used to rslate one
which they said occurred at Toccoa
Falls, many years before the white
men came to their country. They
were waging a fierce war with a
powerful tribe who lived on the low
lands Southwark. Duriug a hard
fought battle it so happened that the
Cherokecs made captive a dozen of
their foes, whom they brought home
to their country securely bound
Their intention was to sacrifice the
prisoners but as they wished the
ceremony to be imposing on account
of the fame of the captives, it was
resolved TO postpone the sacrifice till
time of the full moon. In the mean
time the Cherokee braves went forth
again to battle, while the prisoners,
now bound more strongly than ever
were left in wigwam near Foccoa,
in charge of an old woman, noted tor
her savage patriotism.
Some days passed, and as the UNI
fortunate enemies lay in the lodge OF
the old woman, she dealt out scan
ty supply of food and water. They
bcsought her to release them, and
offered her the most valuable brides /;
but she held her tongue, and remain
ed faithful to her trust. 1t was now
a morning of a pleasant day, when
an Indian boy called at the door of
the old woman's lodge, and told her
that he saw party of their enemies
ON the other side of the IN ountain a
few hours previous, and it was prob
able they were coming to the rescue
of their fellows. She heard the in
telligence in silence. Re-entering
the lodge, another apreal for freedom
was made, and the prisoners were
delighted to see smile playing up
ON the countenance of their keeper.
She told them she had relented and
promised that she would let them es-
cane but it must be OH certain CON
ditions. They were first to give IN
to her hands what few personal eff
fects they had left--must depart at
dead of night, and that they might
not find their way back, must con-
sent to go blindfolded for two miles
through thick wood into an open
country, where she would release
them.
The prisoners gladly consented,
and as the hour of midnight approach
ed it was accompanied by a heavy
thunder storm. The night and the
contemplated deed were admirably
suited. She tied leather bands over
the eyes of her captives, and having
severed the thongs which fastened
their feet, led them forth with hands
bound behind their backs. They
were fastened to each other by tough
withcs, and were in this way led on
toward their promised freedom In
tricate, winding, tedious was the
way but not a murmer was heard
or word spoken.
Now the strange procession reach
ed level spot of ground, and the
prisoners began to step more freely.
Now they have reached the preci-
pice of Toccoa-and, as the woman
walks to the very edge, she makes a
sudden turn, and the blind captiyes
are launched into the abyss below
A savage triumph echoes through
the air from the old woman-fiend,
and with the groans of the dying in
her ears and the lightning other path
she rctraces her steps to the lodge to
seek repose, and on the morrow to
proclaim her cruel deed.