The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-13
LEGEND OF INDIAN HILL.

~ Hartford, Kan, stands one of
those symmetrical hills which are sup
posed to be the work of the ancient
mound builders. There are many such
in various portions of the state, and
this one is peculiar only in having
circular trench around the top, two or
three feet deep and apparently having
been once used for a rude fertilization.
Many tragic and romantic legends of
the primeval nomads of the plains clus-
ter around the spot, and among them
is one of savage Indian conflict which
occurred there at some time prior to
the advent of the white race. At the
base of the hill graves have been found,
and human skulls were picked up
around the top and in the circular
trench by the early settlers. FROM
time TO time the local newspapers have
commented upon these relics of saw
age warfare and printed accounts, more
or less mythical, of great battle which
was fought between the Pawnees and
the Osages some time during the early
80's. Local tradition is replete with
tales and incidents of the battle, but
the tragic story of two Indian lovers,
who belonged to the hostile bands and
met their death in the waters OF the
not before been told in print. Indian
traditions of the battle were verified
by the early settlers and have become
a part of early Kansas history. Tho
legend of the lovers is not so verified.
but it has the same origin and is prob
ably no more mythical than hundreds
of others which have been handed down
from one Indian generation to another
and have become a part of the accepted
history of the tribes.
The Pawnees and Osages were hered-
itary enemies, but that did not prevent
the development of a desperate case
/ of calf love between Hiatonka, son of
an Usage chief, and Walala, daughter
! of proud and warlike PaWnee, and
/ likewise a chieftain. 1t all came about
the usual romantic way. While
lasing the buffalo too close to the
eighborhood of his enemies, lIiatonka
vas thrown from his pony and so badly
stunned that a small party of Paw
nees lurking near by captured him,
They took him to their camp, from
whence they intended to watt his spirit
to the happy hunting grounds in the
usual barbarous manner. He was to
be burned at the stake, and he was
thrown into a tent, bound hand and
foot, to await the coming of night and
his horrible doom. There the dogs
barked at him, the squaws spat upor
and reviled him and the children stoned
him, but one heart in the savage throng
was moved with pity for the haples'
prisoner. Walala was impressed Will
the handsome face and figure of Tho
Usage brave. She admired his fortitudt
under suffering and resolved TO rescue
him.
Walala was famous Pawnee bell
and an incorrigible flirt. She ha1
grown weary of her conquests among
the young bucks of her own tribe anc
perhaps she saw a new adorer as th
result Of the service which she intended
to render Iliatonka. She crept int
the tent after darkness had fallen ant
the rest of the Pawnees were at som
distance preparing for the final tor
ture, and cut the thongs from the cap
tive's wrists and ankles. There wer
few hurried, whispered instruction
and promises of future meeting, TO
even in the shadow of a horrible dealt
the Usage had noted and admired tn
one plying face he saw, and then h
slipped out of the tent, leaped upo
one of the ponies near by, and in fey
moments was beyond the reach OF hi
tormentors.
1t was supposed among the Pawnee
that the prisoner had managed to fire
one of his hands and cut the cords him
self, and If there were some anon
them who were not so credulous, Wa
lala's station rendered her above SUI
picion OF treachery.
The escaped Hiatonka bore with hin
the image of lovely Indian face, an
Walala dreamed and waited. Presen
ly an opportunity for a meeting cam
and then another and another, unit
they pledged each other to be faithf'
unto death and planned to escape Il