The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1898-01-07
ThrArmnrrat- Star
A LEGENDIN STONE.

DoWn lh thc Statc oI ucOfRla, III
Putnam county. is n strange monu
ment, which, while moi as old perhaps
as the Egyptian sphinx, is almost as
remarkably from the view point Of its
construction. IL is on the plantation
of Goodwin Scott and consists of a
mass OF stones formed into the shape
of "A huge eagle lying on the ground
with outstrctclicd wings.
1t is known locally AS the "Sprcad
Eagle" monument. 1t extends over
nearly an acre Of ground and the high
est point--ihc breast Of the birds
twenty feet from the surrounding sur.
face. The monument is NJ excellent
proportions aud its prehistoric de-
signer must have been an artist Of no
mean ability. A gcologist has esti-
mated that it must have taken 800
men fully three years to arrange the
stones OF which the bird monument
Is formed. A small portion of the up
per part OF the breast has been de-
stroyed by vandals but otherwise it is
IN perfect condition.
While there Is no positive know
ledge as to its origin, the local inhab-
/ itants have this pretty legend of the
monument. 1t was told recently by a
Georgian who Glanced to bc on visit
to the capital.
"Of course, like all unique and an
cient curiosities, he said, 'this spI cad
enyle monument has story or legend
connected with its origin. As you
know, 1t has not been many years
since Georgia had within her borders
quite number OF Indians, and even
now there are IA number OF hall. breeds
living there. The story OF the monur
ment has been handed down from
generation to generation and Is to the
effect that many years ago, long before
the feet OF the white men trOd these
lands, there dwelt near the point
where the monument now stands, Il
tribe OF Indians governed by an old
chief, who loved peace better than he
did war.
"'rhe tribe was small and their
peaceful disposition caused the more
powerful tribes TO leave them alone in
secluson. After years of quiet and
cOntcntment, cloud came and hoy
cred over them. THIS cloud was in
the shape OF an enormous bird, and
its food was human beings. AS easily
as a hawk could carry of il bird, this
eagle would dart down on an unsus
pecting savage, seize him in its enor
nous claws and bear him away. Some
OF the bravest warriors and hunter.
were carried of and the great eagle
became Il reigning terror.
"On the top OF a tall mountain TIL,
eagle made its home. and the noun
tain is supposed to be Stone mountaii
near Atlanta. Expeditions wer
forpcd to kill the eagle but this wa
MT accomplished until a tall, hand
some, powerful young Indian, nance
ManeccO, had his young wife, Eula
haba, taken away by the monstc
bird, when lie followed it t0 its noun
tain home and sent an arrow thrOugl
its heart.
"Maneeco loved his wife dearly. an
one day as he returned from a hun
with a deer thrown across his ShOulde
lie halowcd to Euahaha on cntcrin
the village, and she, all glowing wit
pride at her husbands success IA
out to meet him. When only Il shoI
distance from the wigwam there WA
agreat rushing sound, like the roar
ing Of a mighty wind, and the cagl
darted upon her, and. seizing her wit
his great talons, bore her away.
us II turned to stone, the India
stood for a moment; then rccOvern
himself, he threw the deer from hi
shoulder and dashed into the wigwan
Collecting a full Quiver OF his bes
arrows and snatching up his.war boz
lie rushed out into the forest, takin
the direction OF the fight of the birt
The other Indians said they woul
never see Manccco again, and the
moved about the village, terror an
despondency depicted on every face.
"Just as the sun was rising on tt
fourth day OF the appearance OF I'll
eagle and Manecco's departure, I'll
natives were startled by loud W;
whoop on the outskirts OF the villag
On gathering there strange sigl
met their gaze.
''An Indian warrior stood facin
them but in such pitiable pligf
that at first he was not recognize
as MancccO. Great masses OF flesh ha
been stripped from all parts Of h
body, his face and neck were SCARE
with many long and ugly gashcs, viii
the tall OF his left eye had been con
plctely torn from its socket.
''At his feet, with his right fOt
resting upon its body, lay the gre;
eagle, rigid in death. The poor fello
was almost dead, and only lived Ion
enough to tell his people how he la
followed and slain the eagle. and aske
them to go to the mountain, find tt
bones Of his Eulahal,a and bury tlel
with him so that they could j0urne
through the spirit land together.
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