Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-01-22

strange story to a number of neighbors who had met at the cabin to solve the mystery of her disappearance. Subse- quent search failed to reveal a cavern anywhere near where the girl had been so miraculously saved, but it would, nevertheless, be a dangerous thing to doubt the veracity of this tale in tho presence of the few survivors of tbose stirring times; and popular taste has applied to the hill, which will soon 1T or later be made famous by this story, the not very euphonic but very significant name of Providence Hole." This pretty piece of fiction, the writer is constrained to add, has prototype in a German story, but it is doubtful whether the people who repeated it on the banks of the Mississippi fifty years ago were aware of the existence of the Teutonic fable. It is safe to claim the story of Providence Hole as a purely Western production, which, when prop erly embellished, will be entitled to rank with the highest specimens of folk lore.
 Another and scarcely less interesting instance of providential interference with the affairs of men has many be- lievcrs among the good folks inhabit- ing the bottom lands of the Cedar near it's confluence with the Iowa river. In the carly days of Iowa this part of the territory was inhabited by wild, des- perate class of people, who lived on what they could steal from moro indus trious neighbors. Horse stealing was the favorite pursuit of the male portion of this community, and many enterpris- ing men saw the fruits of their toll de- stroyed for want of livestock which dis appeared at the most inopportune times. Horse thieves in those days expected no mercy when they had the misfortune to fall into the hands of the settlers; and when one bright June morning in the year 1S40 nine of them were caught by a detachment of outraged farmers, they prepared themselves to meet death with bold faces. The gang was con- ducted to hugo oak tree on tho banks of the Cedar river, whose nine branches invited the settlers to finish their work of vengeance. One man after the other was supplied with hempen neck tie, and arrangements were made to send | them to kingdom come at the same in- stant The signal was given. A fierce | stroke Of lightning and deafening | roar of thunder followed the command which was to end tho earthly existence | of nine human beings. Eight bodies 1 danglcd in tho air. The ninth was lying on the ground, saved by the lightning which had ripped the branch on which he was hanging from the trunk of the 1 tree. It was miracle, for the man, after recovering from his stupor, proved 1 his innocence to the satisfaction of the ''vigilants." The eight thieves had met their fate, but Providence inter fered in a way that could not be mis- understood to save the life of the guilt less. Tho tree made famous by this in- cident is still standing-at least it was two years ago-and the strange tale here related has become treasured leg end among the old settlers of the vicinity, which is no longer the hiding place of deSperadoes, but a veritable Eden inhabited by prosperous and in tclligent farmers.
 A fourth legend had it's origin in the present city of Muscatine, known in the early days as Bloomington, Ia. This town is built on many hills which over look the Mississippi river. In the days preceding the settlement of Iowa by whites, the vicinity of Muscatine is said to have been the favorite resort for In dian lovers, who passed many hours on the noble bluffs thinking of the maid ems they adored. In most cases this harmless pastime had no serious results, but once upon time an Indian warrior fell in love with the beautiful daughter of mighty chief. His tender feelings were rcciprocated by the copper-colored charmer, but her father would not listen to the pleadfngs of the obscure lover. I sequently the ambitious brave had no opportunity to distinguish himself, and win tho apple of his eye by deeds of bravery, which seems to have been the only way in which the stern parent might have been moved. Elopement was out of question, as the country was inhabited by faithful followers of the chief who would have ''toma- hawked" the venturesome youth had he attempted to run away with the girl. Life became unbearable, and to end their sutferings the couple concluded to end their existence. As soon as the lovers had formed this desperate reso- lution they made their way toward the river, where they found canoe. Chant ing death song and exchanging senti- ments of undying love, they floated down the river until they came to the bluffs already referred to. Here they dis embarked, ascended one of the steep hills, and, embracing each other, threw themselves into the quiet river below. The incident was indus triously discussed by the few white families then living in that neighbor- hood, who forthwith named the once picturesque bluff 'Lover's Leap" An, other version of the adventure here re. corded is not quite as romantic. In il the love-lorn brave and his devoted girl are described as a very ordinary white couple who ended q life of disappoint
 mont by drowning themselves. This matter-of-fact account of the tragedy may be the true enc, but the rising generation is inclined to put faith i1 the Indian tradition, whict. as has already been stated, originated no | with a rod mon hut with bo r1x