The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-01-25

This pretty piece OF fiction, the writer
is constrained to add, has prototype In
German story, but IL is doubtful
whether the people who repeated 1T on
the banks of the Mississippi fifty years
ago were aware Of the existence OF the
Tcutonic fable. 1t ia safe to claim the
story OF Providence Hole as n purely
Western production, which, when prop
erly embellishcd, will be entitled to
rank with tho highest specimens of folk
lore.
Another and scarcely less interesting
instance of providcntial interference
with the affairs OF men has many be-
lieycrs among the good folks inh@bit-
ing the bottom lands of tho Cedar near
it's confluence with the Iowa river. In
tho carly days of Iowa this part OF the
territory was inhabited by u wild, dos
porate class Of people, who lived on
what thoy could steal from moro indus
trious noighbors. Horse stealing was
the favorite pursuit of the male portion
of this community, and many enterpris-
ing men saw tho fruits of thcir 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 ono bright Juno morning in the
year 1910 nine of them were caught
by detachment of outraged farmers,
they prepared themselves to meet death
with bold faces. The gang was con-
Quoted to n hugo oak tree on thu banks
of the Cedar river, whose nine branches
invited tho settlers to finish their work
of vengeance. One man after tho other
was supplied with q hempen ncck-tie,
and arrangements were made to send
them to kingdom como at the Same in
stant. Tho signal was given. a fierce
stroke OF lightning and a dcafening
roar of thunder followed the command
which was to end tho earthly existence
of nine human beings. Eight bodies
dangled in the air. The ninth was lying
on the ground, saved by the lightning
which had ripped the branch on which
ho was hanging from the trunk Of tho
tree. 1t was miracle, for the man,
after recovering from his stupor, proved
his innocence to the satisfaction of the
'svigilanss." The eight thieves had
met their fate, but Providence inter-
ferod in way that could not bo mis-
understood to save the lie 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 a treasured leg
end among the old settlers of tho
vicinity, which is no longer the hiding
place of despcradoes, but veritable
Eden inhabited by prosperous and in
telligcnt farmers.
a fourth legend had it's origin in the
present city of Muscatinc, 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 tho settlement of Iowa by
whites, the vicinity of Muscatine is said
to have beon tho favorite resort for IN
dian lovers, who passed many hours on
the noblc bluffs thinking of the maid
ems they adored. In most cases this
harmless pastimc had nosericus results,
but once upon time an Indian warrior
foil in love with the beautiful daughter
of mighty chief. His tender feelings
were rcciprocated by the copper-colored
charner, but her fathcrwould not listen
to the pleadings of the obscure lover.
There was no war at the time, and con-
sequently the ambitious brave had no
opportunity to distinguish himself, and
win the apple of his eye by deeds of
bravery which seems TO have been the
only way in which the stern parent
might havo been 1,ovcd. Elopament
was out OF question, as the country
was inhabited By faithful followers OF
81, ,,rbn sstn.nn-
hawLed" tho yenturcsome youth had he
attempted to run away with the girl.
Life became unhea.ra5le, and to end
their suiferings the couple concluded
to end their existence. As soon as the
lovers he'd formed this desperate reso-
luton they made 5!eir way toward the
river, where they found Il canoe. Chant
ing death song and exchanging senti-
ments OF undying love, they iloated down
the river until they came 10 the bluffs
already referred to. Here they dis
embarked, asceEded ono of the
steep hills, and, embracing each
other, threw themselves into tho quiet
river below. The incident was indus
triously discussed by the few white
families then living in that neighbor-
picturesque bluff Lovers Leap" An
other version of the adventure here re-
corded is not quite as romantic. In 1T
the love-lorn brave and his devoted girl
are described as very ordinary white
couple VINO ended life Of Glsappoint-
ment by drowning themselves. This
matter-of-fact account OF the tragedy
may be the true one, but the rising
generation is inclined to put faith IN
the Indian tradition, which, as has
already been stated, originated not
with the red men, buG with TIE early
white settlers.
To repeat stories like tho foregoing
without the least attempt at emoeilish-
ment may dctrect from their literary
merit; but the Object Of tho writer has
! been TO prove that the American people
! arc just as poetic in their conception OF
strange phenomeua as those OF Europe,
and that hes IN q measure been accom-
plishcd. Son;c day, there can be no
doubt, an author pogn with the gift OF
por sraying tie Thoughts and feelings Of
tho "common plo" will collect these
American legends, ana present them to
tho world rs thu most in .1ho5 s7oci!nens
Of folklore 10 ho 1oun'- rrywaere.-G.
W. Weippieryi "a Journal " @r.crican
| Foik.Lg!e.
1here are soino good-s.2od t:rai1os IN
Maine to-day, but probably mono SO