The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-09-07
THE LOVERS LEAP.
The Tragic story OF the Indian Princess
Win0na-The Romance OF Beauth"A
Baltimore Belle.

Winona-The Romance OF n benuti"A
Baltimore Belle.
IFrom The baltimore Gazette.l
DELAWARE WATER GAP, Pa, July
22.-Every mountain and stream and
waterfall here is rich in Indian tradl-
tons, many of them very romantic and
beautiful. The one most frequently re-
lated, because associated with a place
visited by almost every one who comes
here, is that Of the "Lovers' Leap. !"
Far up on the sito 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 n 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 "Isovers' 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 great favorlte
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 a welcome visitor
among the settlers. What was sup
posed to be 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 gentleman of fine ac-
cUmplishments. 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
He could not endure the thought of
leaving without communicating the
cause of his separation, and though he
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 as
his wife, even if she should consent to
leave her people. One day, when seat
ed upon the rock which now bears their
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 unusual
emotions; did not shrek; did not shed
tear; but, standing erect, she spoke
to him of her love, saying it was so
deep and strong she could not remain
alone, and then sprang, with out
stretched arms, toward the cliff.
Hendrick followed her and clasped her
in his arms as she reached the brink of
the frightful precipice. They reeled q
moment on the messy rock, and then
plunged down the dizzy height, and
were dashed to pieces on the rocks be-
low. The story is also told of lady
who is described as beautiful creature
named Josephine Gordon, the daughter
of wealthy Baltimore physician, who
came here some years ago with a party
of friends from Philadelphia, who had
been obliged to break her engagement
with her lover by her father, and who
met her lover here in the following ro-
mantle manner: The party were boat
ing on the river, and in coming up the
stream two horsemen were seen ap-
preaching the hotel up the mountain
road. The boating party hurried to the
house in order to get there before the
horsemen, thinking they were friends.
Shortly after the party arrived single,
strange horseman drove up to the hotel
and dismounted, his arrival exciting
considerable curiosity as to what had
become of his companion. That even
ing Miss Gordon communicated to her
friend and roommate the fact that the
missing horseman was her old lover,
who, hearing that she was here, came
to see her. Knowing that her father
had exacted a promise from her not to
see him again, the young man had dis
mounted at house some distance off
and sent note by his friend begging
an interview. 1t was some time before
the young lady could reconcile her con-
science sufficiently TO consent,
but her love finally tri,
umphed, and a meeting the next
evening was arranged, and took place
in the presence of Miss Gordon's lady
friend. When the lovers parted Miss
Gordon had consented 10 a secret mar
rage that night, in the old house where
her lover had stopped. The marriage
took place, the only witnesses being
the brides friend and the old couple
living in the house. The following day
Miss Gordon returned to Baltimore,
and her husband to his home in Charles
ton, S. c., from which he was to return
to Baltimore and claim his bride. Time
passed, and some months afterward
Miss Gordon's friend in Philadelphia
received a letter from her begging her
to come to Baltimore and break the
news of her marriage to her father.
The friend did as requested
The treachery of his daughter
seemed more terrible to the
father than death itself, and he flew into
a terrible rage, and imprecated a fear
full curse upon his daughter and her hus-
band. His passion brought on stroke
of paralysis, from which he was i'll for
a long time. When he recovered suffi-
GENTLY to speak, he gave orders for his
daughter to leave the house. Almost
heart broken, she accompanied her hus-
band, whom she had sent for, to his
home in Charleston, where she soon
after died. The news of her death was
abruptly communicated to her father,
and fatal paralytic stroke was the re-
suit.
Ph0tOgraphing the Baby.