The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-10-19
THE LOVERS LEAP.
The Tragic Story of the Indian Princess
WinOma-The Romance OF beautuuA
BaltimOre Belle.

Winona-The Romance of a Beautiful
Baltimore Belle.
From the Baltimore Gazette.l
DELAWARE WATER GAP, Pa, July
22.-Every mountain and stream and
waterfall here is rich in Indian tradi- !
tons, many Of them very romantic and
beautiful. The one most frequently re-
lated, because associated with place
visited by almost every one who comes
here, is that of the flowers Leap"
Far up on the side of Mount Muici,
overlooking the Delaware Valley for
miles at the north and the water gap on
the south, is projecting rock standing
out in bold relief from the top OF the
pine-clad and frowning cliff which at
this place forms precipice hundreds
of feet in height. Here, seated upon
the soft moss with which the rock is
covered, the stranger who has been
guided to "Lovers' Leap" is told the
sad story of the Indian Princess Vino
ma. Two centuries ago there reigned
in the valley Of the Minisiuk an Indian
chieftain named Wissimoning, who was
the head of that once powerful people,
the "Lerri Tenafe, whose possessions
extended from the highest sources OF
the rivers Delaware and Susquehanna
TO the ocean. Winona was the beloved
and only daughter of the great chief
tain. The first appearance OF the
whites was only to explore the country.
They were from Holland and were well
received by the natives.
After settlements had been formed
gentle Winona was a great favorite
with the whites, and spent the most OF
her time among them, and her beauty
of person and dignifed but gentle man
ners soon made her welcome visitor
among the settlers. What was sup
posed to be a rich deposit of copper
was found by the whites, and a COM
pany was formed under the auspices of
the Holland Government, and an expe-
dition fitted out in charge of a young
man of rank named Hendrick Van AL
len, who was a gentleman OF fine ac-
complishments. Upon his arrival at
the settlement he met the gentle Wi
mona and loved her, the dusky forest
maid returning his affection. He did
not tell her of his love, but the two
were constantly together, and each
day their love grew stronger. AT
length Hendrick received orders from
the Government to return to Holland
He could not endure the thought Of
leaving without communicating the
cause of his separation, and though be
loved Winona sufficiently well to make
her his bride, his relation to his Gov
eminent was such as to forbid the pos
sibility of his taking her with him a.
his wife, even if she should consent tx
leave her people. One day, when seat
ed upon the rock which now bears theil
names, he drew forth the letter contain
ing the orders from his Government
and made known to Winona its con
tents. She gave vent to no unusua
emotions; did not shrek; did not shet
tear; but, standing erect, she spok
to him of her love, saying it was St
deep and strong she could not remain
alone, and then sprang, with out
stretched arms, toward the Cliff
Hendrick followed her and clasped he
in his arms as she reached the brink o
the frightful precipice. They reeled
moment on the messy rock, and the
plunged down the dizzy height, an
were dashed to pieces on the rocks be
low. The story is also told of lad
who is described as a beautiful creatur
named Josephine Gordon, the daughte
of a wealthy Baltimore physician, VIII
came here some years ago with part
of friends from Philadelphia, who ha
been obliged to break her engagemer
with her lover by her father, and VIII
met her lover here in the following RI
mantle manner: The party were boa
ing on the river, and in coming up til
stream two horsemen were seen al
preaching the hotel up the mountai
road. The boating party hurried to ii
house in order to get there before Il
horsemen, thinking they were friend
Shortly after the party arrived a singh
strange horseman drove up to the hot
and dismounted, his arrival excitir
considerable curiosity as to what hs
become of his companion. That eve
ing Miss Gordon communicated to b.
friend and roommate the fact that tt
missing horseman was her old love
who, hearing that she was here, Car
to see her. Knowing that her faith
had exacted a promise from her not
see him again, the young man had d
mounted at house some distance
and sent note by his friend beggil
an interview. It was some time befo
the young lady could reconcile her co
science sufficiently to consel
but her love finally
umphed, and meeting the ne
evening was arranged, and took pla
in the presence of Miss Gordon's la
friend. When the lovers parted M
Gordon had consented TO a secret M
riage that night, in the old house wht