The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-08-23
THE STORY OF NAcoocHEE.
A Legend of the Indian Lovers Whom
Death Could Not Separate.
Savannah (Ga.lNews.1

Savannah (Ga.) News.l
"Nacoochee," "The Evening Star" wa
| the only dIughtero of noted Cherokee CHIEF
She possessed remarkable beauty and grac
| Df manners. This lovely maid of the valle1
was wooed by many gallant youth, but, ,un
| fortunately, was won by a brave youu:
warrior of the Choctaw Nation, people Il
that time bitter enemies 0f the Cherokees
md frequently engaged in fierce warfare witt
them.
Que dark night Nacoochee disappeared
from her vine-clad wIgwam-she had elopeC
with Sautee, son of Choctaw chief The
father OF Nacoochee summoned 100 stout
warriors to go in pursuit of his errng daugh
ter. The valleys and mountains echoed the
terrific war-wloop as they were searching
every hill and dale.
Days and nights passed, but Sauteo and
the bright-eyed Indian girl could nowhere
be found. The enrased father refused to eat
| or sleep He believed shat the lovers had
sought refuge under the Great Bear Yonah)
oi the valley. Renewed and more diligeut
search was made. Slutee had selected a
5r!dal chamber for his young princess
(which was amply supplied with venison
md wild turkey amid the rocky businesses
of MJuut Yo1ah He regarded the ragged
ctitis, arising in their native grandeur
Iround him, as secure from the intrusion of
friend or Toe. NdcoochPe's new home must
have been a second Eden. Before her
stood Out world OF mountains, rising one
above another, until their lofty peaks were
lost in the blue sky, while at their feet
nestled the lovely valleys of Nacoochee and
3dutee, covered with fragrant forest, flower
ing trees and brilliant rhododendrons aud
81, ~ & L
u ''". guShed forth pure perennial streams
which are joined by a thousand mountain
,piingo tnaC constitute tie heddwaters of
the picturesque Chattahoochee River, and
which, ike the rivers that run cut of the
garden Of E len, abound with gold.
The cries of the wolfAnd the night hawk
disturbed not the sIumbsrs of the youthful
lovers But Nacoochee and Sautee could
40 more successfully conceal themselves
rom the revengeful warriors than could
Adam and Eve hide from the presence of
their Creator after having listened to the
naguling serpent and eaten of the forbidden
fruit. A savage shout of victory announced
sue capture OF the foe who had dared To rob
the old chief of his daughter. Hasty iudg-
nent was pronounced. Sdutee WAS to b.
thrown, in the presence of Nacouchee from
The highest precipice OF Mount YOnuh
Before the sentence was executed the war
rinrs engaged in death song and dance
around the strongly guarded prisoner. This
vas kept up until the setting sun had
lropped behind the Western mountains,
and the evening star was looking down
Ippn the tragic. scene. At signal from
the old chief, four strong warriors sez4d
5luIee, and with one terrific yell hurried
aim headiong into the chIsm beneath.
Quick as thought Naconchee sprung from
the strong embrace of her father, and
shouting "Sautee! Sautee ~ threw herself
from the overhanging precipice. Their
mangled remains were found side by side in
the valley. The terrific shock welI-nigh
broke the heart of the aged father. He di-
rected that Nacoochee and Sautee should be
buried on the banks of the Chattahoochee,
in one grave, and mound raised over them
Z mark the spot, and 50 the cypress. ivy and
cover the grave of Nacoochee
and Sautee.