The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-04-24
Singing Spring Specter.

| San francisco Examiner.
Far up The western side of the
MazatZal mountains, a range
prominent in Central Arizona. not
only for lis physical proportions.
but as well for its connection with
The cruel warfare which followed
the earliest attempts 10 secure that
territory TO civilization, are Sing
ing Springs. They are situated
not more than 1900 ieet below the
summit of the rugged chain, The
elevation oi which is officially
given at $500 feet, on most pic
,uresque and rcmanlic mountain
bench or shelf, forming a grassy
glade in the forest of towering
pines. This delightful dell is but
an acre or so IN extent, and near
its center burst forth from the
mighty rock the cold aud clear
waters of Singing Springs, which
ripping and falling over ledge
of crystallzed quartz, produce the
most beautiful yet peculiar and in
lmitable sounds of The solteSt and
sweetest music, far surprising any
thing within The range of human
power.
II Is not at all strange that the
Indians, whose only God is nature,
and who attach reverenlial signifi-
cance TO every unusual work of
creation, should regard Singing
Springs with superstitious awe
and avoid that delightful spot, for
such is in perfect accord with the
history OF that last declining race.
Neither is it surprising, when the
character of The surroundings are
considered, that it should lie asso-
ciaied. in their unwritten mIthJlo-
sy, with a story OF love.
Ages ago, so their legend runs,
the only daughier-one of the
most beautiful of her race-Of Il
powerful Tonlo Apache chieitair,
forced by her fathers desire TO
we'd one of his most valorOus war
riors. ran off on her wedding eve
with a younger and gentler In
dian. TO whom she had previously
plishted her troth. When the dis
covery was made pursuit was
given, and at the place where
Singing Springs now break forth
The unfortunate lovers were over
taken and captured.
With the young warrior who had
been promised the maiden for his
wife rested The matter, according
TO custom, OF punishment or for
giveness. The wounded honor of
brave warrior could only be ap.
peased in the death of The viola
Tors, and he decresd that The girl
and her lover be tied To separate
trees and allowed 10 perish from
thirst or starvation or t0 be devour-
ell by wild beasts. The father of
maiden so directed, and the man
and woman were securely bound
with thongs to two trees but few
feet distant, and facing each other
were left TO their fate, the war
riors returning home. For weeks
and weeks birds brought food and
dampened leaves TO The pair, and
The gill continually sang songs OF
encouragement and love 10 her
faithful swain. Then came a day
when all the birds left The noun
tain, followed by a terrific snow
storm, and the lovers perished
from starvation and exposure.
When the snow disappeared from
The ground a spring had burst from
the mountain directly between
where the girl and her lover stood
when they met their death. Pre-
cedine every snowstorm. so the
story goes, the loyal maiden re-
turns in person TO the scene OF her
earthly misery, and chants and
dances IN The dell, as if rejoicing
over The circumstance that releas-
ed her and her lover from The
troubles of life and permitted
union beyond.
The Apaches likewise believe
that The water Of Singing Springs
is but The hearts blood of the un-
fortunate lovers, aud the Musical
sounds Of IFS flow The death song OF
the loyal maiden. For an Indian
10 drink Of its wafer, or even 10