Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-17

A Pretty Legend CONCERNING the
Name of the New steamship.

| As is well known to the readers Of the
MORNING NEWS, one Of the new steamships
now being constructed at Chester, Pa, for
the Ocean Steamship Company of Savannah
is to be named the "NacoOchee," her con-
sorts being the Tallahassee and Chattahoo-
chez. It is expected that the "Nacoo-
chez" will be the second OF the three
launched, the launch OF the Tallahassee
taking place on the 18th inst. In this
connection the following legend of ''Na-
coochee" will be read with interest:
Nscoochee, "The Evening STAR" was the
only daughter Of 8 noted Cherokee chief.
She possessed remarkable beauty and grace
Of manners. This lovely maid OF the valley
was wooed by many a gallant youth, but.
unfortunately, was won by q brave young
warrior Of the Choctaw nation, a people at
that time bitter enemies Of the Cherokees,
snd frequently engaged In fierce warfare
with them.
One dark night Nacoochee disappeared
from her vine-clad wigwam-she had elOped
with Santee, son Of a Choctaw chief. The
father of Nacoochee summoned hundred
stout warriors to go in pursuit Of his erring
daughter. The valleys and mountains echo
ed the terrific war-whoop as they were
searching every hill and dale.
DAYS and nights passed, but Sautee and
the bright-eyed Indian girl could nowhere
be found. The enraged father refused to
eat or sleep. He believed that the lovers
had sought refuge under the Great Bear
(Yonahl OF the valley. Renewed and more
diligent search was made. Sautee had Sc
lected bridal chamber for his young prin-
cess (Which was amply supplied with veni-
son and wild turkey amid the rocky fast
nesses of Mount Yonsh. He regarded the
rugged cliffs rising in their native grandeur
around him as secure from the intrusion Of
friend or foe. Naeoochee's new home must
have been a second Eden. Before her stood
out a world of mountains rising one above
another until their lofty peaks were lost In
the blue sky, while at her feet nestled the
lovely valleys Of NacOoehee and Ssutee,
covered with fragrant forest, Towering trees
and brilliant rhododendrOns and azaleas
From the crevices of her granite palsce
gushed forth pure perennial streams
which are Joined by a thousand noun
tain springs that constitute the head
waters of the picturesque ChattahOochee
river, aud which, like the rivers that run out
of the Garden OF Eden, abound In gold. The
cries of the wolf and the night hawk dis
turbed not the slumbers of the youthful
lovers. But NscOochee and Sautee could
no more successfully conceal themselves
from the revengeful warriors than could
Adam and Eve hide from the presence OF
their Creator after having listened TO the
beguiling serpent and eaten Of the forbid
den fruit. A savage shout Of victory au-
nounced the capture Of the foe, who had
dared rob the old chief Of his daughter.
HAsty Judgment was pronounced. Sautee
was to be thrown, in the presence of
Nscoochee, from the highest precipice OF
Mount Yonah. Before the sentence
was executed the warriors engaged in a
death song and dance around the
| strongly guarded prisoner. This was kept
! up until the setting sun had dropped behind
| the western mountains, and the evening
star was locking down upon the tragic
scene. At a signal from the old chief. four
strong warriors seized Sautee and with one
terrific yell hurled him headlopg into the
chasm beneath. Quick as thought, Nacoo-
| chez sprang from the strong embrace OF her
| father, and shouting "Sautee Sautee ~
/ threw herself from the overhaDging preci-
pice. Their mangled remains were found
| side by side in the valley. The terrific shock
well nigh broke the heart of the aged father.
| He directed that NacoOchee and Sautee
| should be buried on the banks of the Chat
! tahoochee, in one grave, and mound
raised over them to mark the spotl and SO
the cypress, ivy and rhododendron cover the
grave OF NaeOochee and Ssutee.