The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-08-30
LEGEND OF DAMS ROCK.
ByR.F. Chaney IN Frostburg Journal

tHS ms SittA4S S4uC tIoIiltS III All
Western Maryland.
The view to be had from this
outlook exceeds in beauty and
grandeur any III this part of the
country. When on the summit of
the rock and looking to the east,
the beautiful Potomac Valley, ex-
tending for twenty miles or more,
is before the spectator. Backward
peak after peak Of the Allegheny
mountains rising against the sky,
and two towns, Frostburg and
Lord, are in full view, while the
smoke from several others may be
seen.
The great rock itself, one of Ma
lures towering wonders, consists
of huge boulders piled upon each
other and stretching for several
hundred feet along the brow of the
mountain, 2,S98 feet above tide.
Each year thousands of visitors
go up to this beautiful spot to en-
joy the magnificent scenery.
Many hundreds go at night in or
der to be there when sunrise pre-
s=nts one Of the most beautiful
scenes that can be imagined.
How this picturesque point re-
ceived the name, Dams Rock, by
which it has long been known, is
the subject of many a pretty story,
but the one that appeals to the
heart most is that which follows.
1t has a great deal of human ma
ture and pathos in it. The au-
thor's name I do not know, but the
tale was given to me by a friend
several years ago.
Shortly after Fort Cumberland
was built, and while Cumberland
was a mere village, populated by
only few hundred people, is the
era of the story.
Many miles up the country from
the white mans village was that
of an Indian chief, named Wam-
pagoc. In the widest part of the
Alleghanies, sheltered by a natur-
al fort Of rocks and hills in front
OF which ran the Potomac river, it
was in that day an impregnable
stronghold.
The whites of the fort and the
red men of the forest entertained
the most bitter enmity toward
each other at times, and each
waited for only the slightest PROV
ocation to declare war.
Chief Wampagoc had young
and most beautiful daughter, who
spent most of her time wandering
by the streams, over the noun
tains, and among the wigwams Of
the little village.
Wild as Nature was around her,
she had eyes soft and brown as a
fawn's, and loving, tender heart.
Dan Delane, young man who
lived in the village, was also a low
er Of Nature, and one day in his
wanderings met this beautiful In
dian princess. They met upon
the rock, and drawn to each other
by the same love they bore to Ma
ture, they soon became fast friends.
This intimacy ripened into love
and bound them together-the In
dian princess and the white man
with a bond that could never be
broken. MANY such bonds are
pledged to-day on that Rock
Most Of their meetings as indi- |
Gated, were upon the high table
rock that commands magnificent
view OF the beautiful Potomac val
ley. Sitting with his strong arms
around her, or strolling hand il
hand they gave themselves up I o.
their love and the beauty of Ma
ture.
The Indian had also won the
affections of a young brave of her
tribe, and he, noticing her long
absences from the village. followed
her one day. He saw her meet her
white lover. He grew madly ieal-
Gus, and as his nature was, he de
termlned to have revenge. He
went to the young Princess and
declared his love for her, but she,