Putnam patriot., 1908-09-11
Trip sf she D. \. R. ts Sssav Rscks


 Daus of the Elizabeth Porter Put nam Chapter to make a pilgrimage ev cry September 10 some place of inter est connected with Revolutionary times and events. This year they se lec,ed Saaaw Rocks, killingty, not bs. cause of any history, traditional or oth. erwise, but attracted by ihe wild bit oi natural scenery, with "rocss in ran dom ruin piied.a In answer To the inquiry why Squaw Rocks were 50 called some one vcntured the romantic story thai a lonely Indian maiden pin. ing for her lover sought relief by leap ing over the ercc.pice, but that was of pure .fancv hredt and gives way 10 one more probable and fairly authen- tic, that when the Nipmuek Indians went out to fight with other triocs they hid their seuaws for safety among these rocks.
 Turning to Miss Ellen D. Larned's valuable History of Windham County we find that in the early part of the eighteenth century .sI.arge numbers of the Nipmuck Indians still frequented Their ancient haunts, and were in the main peaceahle and friendly. but trou- blesome and eNtortionate, rowing about in large companies and demanding food and lodging from the settlers. . Miss Larned also says there is tradi- ton that James nanielsen, an officer in the Naragansett War. aud the first settler south of Lake Mashapaug, spassed through the Nhetstone Coun- try on an expedition against the Nip mucks, and stopping To rest his com. pany on the interval between the ris- GIN, was so pleased with the locality that he then declared that when the war was ended he should settle there.e
 IL was q congenial party ol the p. A. k. and their friends that left Putnam last Friday on the l2.35 P. Ill. trolley for the old stamping ground of the Nip. muck Indians. On arriving in Dan. ieison, they took carriages for Squaw Rocks, about four miles distant. After leaving Broad street, with its attrae. tive residences and fine new High school building, lthe drive was new to most of the company, iand everything along the way was noted with interest, the odorous cider mill by the roadside. the old fashioned lean.to dwelling house, the pretty bits of landscape with here and there touch of autumn eol- oring, and the extensive view from the top of the high, steep hill, after turn ing from the Green Hollow road, Reaching the house of Alvah Pierce, the party alighted and with Mrs. Pierce, who kindly offered to go as guide, followed the wooded path te the Rocks. II needs a geologist to do jus ice to these rocks, "eonfusedly hurled, the fragments of an earlier world. n Here on the declivity of n high ridge of land extends q jagged, broken ledge, rising al some points hundred feet or more high its massive rocks rent asnn- der by some mighty conYulsive force. To the jutting shelves, rude blocks of stone, caves and dark passages, sug gestiye names have been given; The Old Lady's Kitchen, The Pulpit, The We'll, The Devils Coffin, and Purgato- ". The Alpine Path was so steep and difficult that all Of the Daughters did not attempt it,and those who did were most gratefulfor the aid of two, who if moi in name, are entitled to be Sons of the American Revolution.
 The face Of these gray old rocks ~as softened a little by inc slender white birehes that here and there had ''cast anchor in the rifted rock by frlnges of hardy ferns and patches of deep green moss. Standing on the summit of the ridge one looks eastward to the opposite hills, their wooded slopes stretching far to the north and south, one solid mass Of green unbroken by house or open field.
 After their vigorous exercise in climbing over the rocks. all were glad to sit down and rest in the checkered shadow and sunshine of the woods, and enjoy the dainty lunch provided by the committee, Mrs. C. D. Sharpe, Mrs. F.. II. Payne, Mrs. F.. E. Kent. AL though some wished to, they could not finger, for Putnam was twelve miles away, so returning promptly ito the carriages they drove at merry pace toward DanleIson, quite delighted with their trip to Squaw Rocks.