River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-08-27
A LEGEND OF THE CUMBERLAND.
[Clarksville, Tenn. Letter to the Louisville
Courier Journal

I =
lips of the narrator, and no matter how
impossible it may be they believe and
''inwardly digest" all they hear and relate
it to others as though it were as true as
Holy Writ. The incredulous on the 9TH
er hand, doubt all they hear, and ha dly
believe what they see with their own
eyes. There are, however, those Of an.
other class, a sort Of go.between, who be-
lieve all they hear that is at all plausible.
The story | am about to relate may be
believed or not believed Just as tie
reader chooses but | am assured by the
old lady from whom | heard the nara
tive that she received it from an old gen
tleman whose veracity was never doubt.
ed.
! TIE STORY
dates back into the early history of Ten.
nessee and Kentucky, when the Indians
occupied a large portion of this section of
country. Between Clarksville, Tenn. and
Eddyville, KY, on the Cumberland river.
there is cavern which can only be en-.
tered by diving into the water. and which
has no other light than that reflected by
the bottom of the river The exact spot
is now unknown, although some Of the
Oldest citizens in the neghborhood have
an indistinct recollection Of having heard
of the cave in their boyhood. IL was &C.
cidentally discovered by young Indian
chief while one day diving for his gun.
which he had dropped from his canoe in
to the river opposite the cave. The In.
dian youth who discovered it for long
time kept the secret TO himself, and would
fatt an. N,.F . L.. -.
where, by the aid of his flint and piece
of dry wood, he would kindle fire and
enjoy himself in looking at the magnif-
cence of the scene as the light reflected
back millions of beams from the numer-
Gus stalagmites and stalactites of gigantic
size and fantastic forms. and displayed
to his vision hundreds Of avenues, grottos
and cataracts, unsurpassed for their won.
deriul appearance. In order to carry dry
wood into the place to furnish light for
his Investigations. ne would carefully sew
1t up in skins, to keep it from coming in
| contact with the water as he Owed into
the cave. The cave was about fifty feet
wide, and about the same height. In the
course Of time this young son of the for
est became enamored with q beautiful
the settlement by the name of Robertson.
The girl, contrary to the wishes Of her
parents, reciprocated the feeling, which
OF course put the parents on their guard,
and the daughter was placed under the
strictest surveillance. But 'love laughs
at locksmiths," and on one occasion, as
the guard was withdrawn, on account of
an unexpected attack from some unfriend.
ly Indians proving in the neighborhood,
the girl was induced by the lover to 20
with him to his beautiful retreat, which
he doubtless described to her in as strik.
ing language as did Claude Melnotte his
palace by the Lake of Como to the fair
Pauline. He related to her the dangers
surrounding the entrance to the cave, and
persuaded her to place implicit confidenc
in his courage and knowledge Of the 10.
cality, and obey his instructions to the
letter. The young chiefs name was
Wallahalla and the girls name was
AGNES ROBERTSON.
In those days the daughter Of back.
woodsman could swim, ride, and handle a
gun with all the dezterity and skill OF
their fathers and brothers. Arriving at
the place the lover disappeared beneath
the surface Of the water and the maiden
quickly followed him, to find the cavern
surprising even The magnifcence and
grandeur portrayed TO her mind in the
native tongue Of her Indian lover. Here
he informed her she must remain as his
prisoner until he gained the consent other
parents to their union. Wallahalla then
departed TO return soon after with
dried venison, corn, wood, the rough
cooking utensils Of those aboriginal times,
and bedding and such articles as were
necessary for her comfort. He then babe
her adieu, threatening her with death if
she dared to leave the cave during his ab.
sence. Returning TO the settlement,
Wallahalla found that the place had been
attacked by The foe and the village burnt
to the ground. The parents Of Agnes
mourned her as dead. or lingering in
captivity TO which death would be pref.
cradle. This was provideniial to the
lovers. The young chief was loudest in
his lamentations over the lost girl and at
the war dance Of his tribe swore the dir.
est vengeance against her oaptors. All
the male portion Of the settlement, 10.
gether with the friendly tribe To which
the young chief Walahalla belonged.
started IN pursuit Of the foe to rescue the
girl from her certain fate Of death or de.
graduation. After long and tedious
arch they came upon the enemy in the
neighborhood Of where Metropolis CITY,
H., now stands. A furious battle was
fought. in which the attacking party,
headed by young Wallahalla, dealt death
and destruction 20 their foe until then
ammunition was exhausted. AZ this mo.
ment the enemy was re.enforced, and tho
attacking party was compelled to retire
across the Ohio 20 the spot upon which
Paducah now stands.
The father Of Agnes Robertson was Al.
most crazcd with grief at the loss Of his
beloved daughter In his great ogouy he
published TO the troops the following an
nnunppnpnt