The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-11-28
cEsAR,s HEAD.
The Famous Mountain and its Legend.
Correspondence of the Sunny South.

To those who have visited the far.
famed Caesars Head, who have stood
upon the summit of this huge mass ol
stone and gazed on the vast and sublime
scenery which surrounds them, its legend
will, perhaps, be interesting. All, nc
doubt, are acquainted with the history ol
the illustrious warrior, statesman and
consul of Rome, Julius Cesar, whose
wonderful achievements startled the
world and made the people of that myth
illogical age look upon him as one who,
if not god himself, was at least favor
lite of the gods. But the great love and
admiration which his astonishing talent
excited in the minds of the people,
awakened jealousy and envy in a few
who were equally ambitious, but less
talented. These entered into a conspira-
cy against the life of Cesar and were
Joined by Marcus Brutus, man whom
Caesar loved and on whom he had con-
ferred many fayors. On one occasion
even granting him life and liberty when
he was a prisoner of war. But all of
these generous favors from Cesar are
forgotten by Brutus, as he INDUCES the
belief that Cesar's death will exalt his
own position aud benefit Rome. Filled
with this idea, he hrrries with the con-
spirators to the Senate House where
Cesar is sitting, and there awaits the
signal for attack. 1t is soon given and
each man rushes on, anxious to dip his
steel blade in the blood of the great hero !;
but C,esar's brave blood resisted the foe
until he saw Brutus' hand raised to
strike; then crying out, "And thou, too,
Brutusp he folded his mantle about his
face and fell with the dignity becoming
I SO great warrior.
The deed was done, and many remark
able phenomena followed. The most
memorable of which was a great comet
that was seen in the heavens for seven
nights after Caesar's death, then disap-
peared. 1t was commonly believed to
be sign that his soul was admitted to
the gods. To this may be added the
fading of the SUMS lustre, for his orb
looked pale all the year, and he rose not
ifwith his usual brightness, nor afforded
heat of its usual strength, and the fruit
pi1ied away and decayed through the
chilliness of the atmosphere. Thus the
gods manifested their wrath at the assas-
sination of Cesar. But there is still
more remarkable proof of their dis
pleasure in the phantom that appeared
to Brutus. The story is as follows: \
Afew nights before Brutus fought the
battle of Phillippi, he sat in his tent in
deep thought wondering what would be
the result of the war, suddenly he heard
noise and looking up, he beheld hide
Gus figure in human form, standing at
the door of his tent; struck with aston
iskment he wished to see if it spoke, but
finding that it kept silence. he asked,
"Who and what art thouf" Thespectre
answered, 81 am thy evil genius, Brutus !;
thou shall. see me at Phillippi." Brutus
boldly replied, ~ sill meet you there" ("
and the spectre vanished. A short time
time after, Brutus engaged in the battle
of Phillippi; and the first day was victo-
rious. The night before the second day
of the battle, the spectre appeared again.
Coming close 10 Brutus' side, he said,
s'By the assassination of Caesar, thou hast
incurred the wrath of the gods. In this
battle thou shalt be unsuccessful; but
the glory of dying upon the field is de-
MED you; by thine own hand thou shalt
Xfall; but thy existence shall not end.
Hear me. On far distant continent, in
land of beauty and grandeur, which
has not yet been discovered, and will not
be for many years to come, the gods have
erected q monument worthy of their
favorite, from whose marvellous height
the eye beholds nature in her most won
derful and sublime forms, where the cool,
fresh morning air fans it with sweet in
cense, and the suns departing rays crown
it with halo of glory. There, Brutus,
thou shalt watch without rest, in SUM-
shine and in storm-days, weeks, months
and years-yes, there wait for centuries,
until the place is discovered by another
generation, to whom thou shalt make
known that it is the will of the gods that
this shrine shall receive honor from gen.
Grafton to generation, and live in the
minds of the people forever. This, Bru-
tus, is thy doom; and until it is fulfilled
thou shalt know no rest"
With these words the spectre disap-
peared. Brutus called his soldiers, and
told them the phantom had been with
him, and babe them look about the
camps; but nothing could be found.
When they asked him what the phantom
said, he answered, Nothing; prepare
for battle"
Soon morning came, and the bloody
conflict began, which ended in the defeat
of Brutus' army. Seeing this he retired
apart from his soldiers, and fell upon his
sword, dying by his own hand as the
spectre had prophesied.
We will now pass over period of his
tory which extends through hundreds OF
years down to the discovery of America
by Columbus, and the settlement of the
United States; but as all are familiar
with these historical facts, will only
say that, among the early settlers of
South Carolina, there was Spanish noble
man, Cordenza da Alvarado, man OF
intellect and great bravery, who had been
banished from his own country on the
accusation of a crime, of which he was
innocent. Feeling deeply his position Of
being under an interdiction from which
he had no proof to extricate himself, he
often grew reckless, and sought by dang
erous adventures to divert his mind
This spirit induced him to join q party,
whoProposedto explore the mountains,
now known as the Blue Ridge. The first
part of their journey was marked with
few incidents of interest, and little dan,
ger, but suddenly they came upon tribe
OF Indians, vino had been driven from
some border State and sought refuge in
the mountains. The sight of the pale.
faces, at whose hands they had suffered
much, iDfuriated the Indians, and they
rushed upon the little band with all the
ferceness of their nature, killing all but
Cordenza, whose life was saved by the
intercessions offs beautiful Indian maiden
Moneta, for so she was called, was cir
of much loveliness of person and charac
ter, of so superior mind and SOUND
Judgment, that the tribe had come to lool
upon her with love, awe and reverence
as if she were gift from the Great
Shirt that must be held Sacred: and moi