Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-22
ORIGIN OF KETTLE ROCK.
SEARCHING FOE AN INDIAN sILvER-MINE.
Mt. Solon, Va, Feb. 1888.

Mt. Solon, Va, Feb. 1885.
Editor Staunton Spectator:
Dear Sir-No doubt many of the readers
of the SPECTATOR have heard of the legend
of Kettle Rock. This rock is located on
North river, near Fall Ford, in the North
Mountain. According to the legend, the
Indians used this rock for the purpose of
melting minerals, aud especially the silver
ore. This rock, which is the shape of a
kettle, was used to melt the ore in; from
this it was run into trough cut in the ket-
tie, onto the rocks below, where it was al
lowed to cool. The Indians then shaped it
into various forms and figures, such as tin
is used for now in our houses, s,-ornaments,
and idols. These Indians, which seemed to
be distinct race, were very large men, In
fact, were giants, as compared with the
men of to-day; as they had line OF step
ping stones reaching from the kettle rock
to some point back in the mountains, where
it is supposed the mine exists, and to
prove that this race of men were gigantic
in stature, the stones were placed from ten
to fifteen feet apart, and there is no evil
dence Of a pathway between or along this
line of stepping stones ; and, too, the course
taken by this line of rocks leads over sever
al streams of Nerth river, which, here, is
very deep, although narrow. suppose the
banks are about fifteen feet apart, and so it
is evident the Indians must have been very
large, to have stepped from one of these
stones to the other and across these streams
of water, and, too, when they were bur-
dened with ore from their mine. This Sc
eret of the location of the mine was held by
man by the name Of Miller and q
comrade. These two men were never
known to be without silver, which was a
mystery to their acquaintance, as they were
not wealthy men. They often were away
for days at time il the mountains, where
they said they were hunting. They were
watched and followed on one of their hunt
ing excursions, but they soon found out
that they were being followed, and came
home again. Miller's partner in his secret
died and he then moved to the State of
Kentucky with bis family. On his death
bed he told his son the location of this
mine. The son came here and seatched for
the mine, but could not find it, and after
some time spent in search, gave up the
task and returned to Kentucky. Being al
most certain the mine was in the noun
tains, several of the citizens of Mt. Solon
raised party of men and started out with
the determination to find the mine. This
party of determined and resolute men left
our town on the 21st Of Jan. and returned
on the 3rd of this month. The parties were
as follows Fl. B. McFall, Joseph Messer-
smith, W. A. Vigare, ]. E. Bolen, ]. j.
Cupp, J. White, ]. R. Pifer, H. G. Hanna,
and Prof. G.. Fl. Taylor, of the city of
Staunton. The party left here well provi-
ded and armed to the teeth, no doubt ex-
pecting to meet the ghosts of the Indians.
They arrived at the rock and made prepa-
rAtions to begin the search. Prof. Taylor
had his compass with him, and proceeded
| to get the course of the pathway, after
which they proceeded on their voyage of
discovery with Prof. Taylor in the lead.
After travelling for some time they found
that the rocks were no longer to be seen,-
but kept on their course, and after several
days of rigid search they made the discov-
cry of the pathway again, and after follow
| ing it back into the heart of the mountains,
they found it led them into large cavern
into which they ventured after some little
delay. The path led them back into the
mountains for miles. The path gradually
sloped downward until they were many
hundred feet below the surface of the earth.
| When they first entered the cave it appear
ed to be cut out of the solid rock, but as
they progressed it began to present quite a
4
with the arms the Indians used in peace
and in war. Some parts of the walls were
covered with inscriptions in the Indian Ian
guage, which could not be made out. There
were pictures, or drawings rather, of ami
mails which have not been seen in this coun-
try by any living inhabitants. AS they
travelled further and further into the cav
ern, there was change which dazzled the
ewes of the beholders, s,-the walls glistened
like polished mirrors,-and upon examina-
tion proved to be pure silver. After pass
| ing through this they came to what is sup
posed to have been the council chamber of
the ancients. While examining this room,
and lust as they were gazing at what they
supposed to have been an idol, they heard
what appeared to be the f1utter of many
wings, and looking around they were
struck speechless at what they saw. The
walls were lined by noble looking red men,
who stood there as if carved out of stone
There was one who seemed to be chief. as
he was taller than the rest by full head
| He advanced toward the terrified visitors
stood gazing at them for full minute, ther
he waved his hand, and the room was filled
with delicious music, and with q1eenly
steps there came hundreds of Indian maid
ems into the room. After the music ceased
they vanished as they had come. The
chief waved his hand again, and all was
dark as night. The party of discoverer,
felt themselves seized by ice-cold arms anG
lifted from the f1oor,-then, overcome by
fear, they lost consciousness, and wher
they came to, were laying at the Kettle
Rock. They then and there made a vow
never to try to find the mine of such beau
tiful scenery again. Feelings.