The Washington herald., 1907-12-29
RIVER ROCKS TO GO.
Potomac Boat Club Will Ask
Removal of Three Sisters.
TO LAY NEW REGATTA COURSE
distractions Above the Aqueduet
Bridge Were Named for Eloping
Tribe Who Lost Lives in Great
Storm on the Potomac.

The Potomac Boat Club has announced
its intention OF starting a movement In
Congress for the removal Of the rocks IN
the Potomac River, above the Aqueduct
Bridge. called the Three Sisters" The
club has decided 10 establish its boat
house just west Of the Aqueduct Bridge,
and these rocks are in the way Of the
movements Of boats 10 and from the
clubhouse. and especially in the way Of
laying down n true regatta course in the
river near the clubhouse The club
wants the rocks demolished and taken
away 10 clear the channel.
The activity Of the boat club in the re-
mOva OF these bare rocks recalls a tragic
legend OF the Potomac. which is some
times related by old inhabitants OF
Georgetown. 10 account for the name
applied to these rocks in Colonial days.
They We're called then, as now, the
Three Sisters" and in the imaginings
OF the simple folk who first came 10 the
Potomac Valley this old story grew up
and has now all the elements OF a true
myth Some say the story was derived
In It's entirety from the Indians and that
il had been told for many generations be
fore the white man ever placed foot upon
the hills OF Maryland and Virginia
According 70 the story. there were three
sisters, members of the Indian tribe
known as the Aracostians. The three
young women We're daughters Of the
chief and princesses Of the tribe. Il is
sale that IN one OF the parleyings be
tween the Anacostians and the tribes Of
the PoWhatan federation OF Virginia,
three young braves came one day 10 the
wigwam Of the chief OF the Anacostians
upon some mission affecting the alliance
OF the Virginia and Maryland Indians.
CIandestIne Courtships.
The three sisters were thought fair by
the Powhatans. and were clandestinely
courted by the braves from across the
river Their trysting place was on the
Maryland side Of the river in the vicin-
ity OF Georgetown. Thither the maidens
went together in their canoe on sum
mer nights and met their dusky lovers
IN the forest. far from the pryfng eyes OF
parents or tribesmen.
In course OF time the maidens consented
70 become the wives OF the Powhatans,
but such was the enmity existing be-
tween the tribes Of Virginia and Mary
land that the Powhatans could not come
IN true Indian fashion 10 claim the prin-
/ cess sisters. Accordingly, il was decided
that the maidens should 90 % the tryst-
/ Ing place. meet their lovers. and paddle
I across the river 10 their new homes in
| the Virginia hills
The elOpement plot was revealed 70 a
wise old medicine man Of the AnacOstia
tribe. on the night OF the flight, without
I consulting his chief or the members OF
/ his tribe, the medicine man sought a spot
/ FAR up the river. and when the maidens
came opposite him upon the river. clad
/ in their marriage dress. with flowers
gems and feathers woven into their hair
which flowed backward from their heads
/ in the wind OF the summer night, and Is
said 10 have impeded their movements IL
I handling the canoe. he called 20 the
maidens 10 turn backward. In their
l fright they did not obey. but increased
/ their efforts TO reach the woodland point
where their lovers were waiting
Medicine Man Called Storm.
The medicine man then called down a
/ terrible storm upon the Potomac. The