The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-04-21

Below the Falls Of ST. Anthony, where
the Mississippi becomes navigablc, the
"Father of Waters" takes completely
the appearance OF 4 great lake. The
shores surrounding it are hlly and part.
ly covered with trees OF dense foliage
which is here and there interrupted by
bare slopes OF rocks which run down sud.
denly TO the waters edge. Distinguish.
ed among these is picturesque rock on
the east bank ofth river. II rises about
400 feet perpendicularly above the sur
face Of the water, and has at its summit
flat, platc-likc surface extending far
out over the river. Through deep val
lcys along the Mississippi, as if torn out
by the current, extends chain OF hills,
continuation OF this rock, which at
tracts from afar the attention OF the
traveller. This rock the Indians called
(and indeed it is still to-day called
"Maiden Rock" From the following
tradition or story it takes its name:
AT the beginning of the last century
there lived, in the now extinct tribe OF
Wabash Indians, maiden, Winona by
name, which signifies the first-horn. She
was the JOY and pride of the whole tribe.
Not only by her tall and symmetrical
form, by her regular features and won
derful deep black eyes, did she surpass
the other Wabash women but also by
the courage and daring resoluteness with
which, however, was combined cnsnar
ing charms and heart winning courteous
ness, was she superior to them all.
Winona, ever since she had entered
the ranks Of maidenhood, had loved,
with intense ardor. young hunter of
her tribe named Wazecota, who, for his
part, reciprocatcd the passion Of the
illustrious maiden with equal ardor. In
the silent night, under 4 sacred tree,
they had exchanged the promise that
through life and death they would cling
to one another. Some time thereafter
Wazecota pctitioncd the parents Of the
beautiful Winona, for her rs his wife !;
but they, however, harshly refused him.
Truly he was still very young in no war
train had he yet taken part his arrow,
Euntil now, he had only aimed at the
beasts of the forest; no scalp of any de-
fcated enemy hung from his belt but
for these same reasons had Winona turn.
ed her heart toward him. She wished
to remain constantly associated with the
man of her choice. She feared little for
him in regard to the dangers Of war, for
she knew him rs strong. courageous and
skillful in the use Of weapons. What
she feared, however, was the long un.
avoidable separation connected there
with, and her more charitable mind,
too, caused her TO be averse to the use
less shedding of blood. She knew, how.
ever, that should il become necessary to
defend her or the tribe against any hos.
tile attack, Wazccota would fight con-
tinually in the first ranks. He had con-
sidcred as certainty the consent of the
parents OF Winona TO his union with
their daughter. Although they had al
ways complied with every request Of hers,
this time they could not do so if they
wished. A previous engagement bound
them.
The charming maiden had kindled a
fame Of love in the heart OF renowned
chieitain of a neighboring friendly tribe,
who, laden with bloody trophies short
time before, had, for the first time, re.
turned from famous devastating expc-
dition against the Chippewas. Months
before he had urged the parents Of VIM
ona for her hand, and soon obtained the
desired promise. Every entreaty Of the
daughter, now, for them TO take this
back was in vain. Their word wasgiven
and the Indian breaks his word only with
the pale.face. Winona begged at least
a respite Of three months to be allowed.
Unwillingly it was granted and now
this term had almost passed away and
still she had found no means Of escape
| from the hated marriage. Waxecota.