The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-28
LEGEND OF INDIAN HILL.
BY JESSIE M. rREsHAM.

green ana 1ertlle, DrOduculnB do buc
stream approaches its outlet, the |
mighty Ohio, and hemmed in by chains
Of rugged hills.
The stream derives its name from the |
fact that, prior to the time of the first
white settlers, this valley was favor
lite hunting ground of many Indian
tribes of the Ohio valley. Traces of
their occupancy still remain. The
farmer yet upturns the ashes of their
campfres and their implements OF war
with his plowshare. And, on hill
overlooking the river not far from its
mouth, are the graves of many OF the
race.
Most of the traditions have long since
been forgotten, but one concerning
this spot is still preserved. Once in the
early days of the white settlement, a
large party of Indians came into the
valley to hunt, and one night encamped
on Indian hill. That night band OF
unprincipled white men fell upon their
ungrarded camp, and massacred the
entire party. Not one escaped to tell
the story of the murder. The chief,
warrior, who had always shown great
friendship for the whites, was taken
| mortally wounded before the leader of
the attacking party. With the dignity
of his race, he raised his head, and
looked with scorn into the faces OF his
captors. Then with his last breath, he
| invoked curse upon each OF them-a
death by violence.
| So goes the legend. There remains
to prove it's truth the hill, whose stony
soil stubbornly refuses to yield any
crop but desolate patches of broomsedge
and few stunted cedar shrubs-the
effect of the curse, the country people
say. The same authorities tell us that
there on stormy nights the old chief may
be seen walking among the graves of
his warriors. And he who sees the
ghostly sentinel is sure soon to meet
with some misfortune.
The owner of the soil of this historic
spot was wealthy farmer named Ford.
His title deeds covered many acres OF
fertile valley add valuable forest land
But he had one possession which was
dearer to him than field and woodland
his daughter Winnie.
/
spoiled young woman of eighteen.
Since the death of her mother, few
years before, she had been practically
her own mistress, for her father never
crossed her will either concerning her
own affairs or those of the household.
1t is not strange, therefore, that Miss
Winnie was somewhat proud and will
full. Many country youth sadly real
lied this, and from distance admired
the heiress of the Ford acres.
All but one; that one was Bobb Carr,
the only son of neighboring farmer,
whose land joined Mr.. Ford's, and
almost equaled it in extent. Bob was
a tall and awkward youth of twenty
one, with an incipient mustache and
plenty of conceit. He was desperately
in love with Winnie. The frequent
snubbings he received did not quench
his ardor in the least. Besides, BOZ
was encouraged by the knowledge that
Mr.. Ford favored his suit. For the
farmer, having in mind the consolida.
ton of the two largest farms in the
valley, really considered Bob a good
match for his daughter.
"See here,' he said to her one day
''If that young Carr comes here to sec
you, l want you to treat him well. DE-
YOU hearP" ''Yes," replied Winnie
shortly, with toss of her head indica
ting that she would consult her own in
clinations.
So Bob called at the farmhouse to b.
> received by the farmer with the utmos
D cordiality and by his daughter with the
4 most freezing coldness. But, confden
:. of his ultimate success, he kept up hi
: unwelcome attentions.
4 That winter, the little school in tn,
valley was taught by a young maj
named Ridley MeKendrick. Ridley wa
Y an ambitious young fellow, striving t.
T pay his way through college, after tn
L fashion of so many successful men, b,
: teaching. AS Mr.. Ford's house wa
y nearest the school, Ridley boarde'
r there.
1t was not long before he and Winni
e became quite well acquainted. The,
u discovered that their literary taste
were similar, and spent many of tn
long winter evenings reading and dis
cussing some favorite novel or poem
Mr.. Ford would sit by, and watch then
sharply through his glasses. Often
. occurred to him that it was not safe t
), allow this handsome young man to b
with his daughter SO much. But, h
/ treasured himself, no harm could poss
$ bly, come of it, SO long as he was pres
o ent, and their conversation did Dot war
l. der from the subject of books.
L All! Mr.. Ford, You had forgotte
L that look may sometir es convey
a meaning deeper than words, and tina
u the young man could read the storie
L. heros words with such feeling and ]
" such a tone that they became his owl
s. Bob, who often dropped in of an ever
g ing, realizing something of this as b
d sat and listened, wished that he al
4 y,raciafad poafrv and that that 90,