The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-02-17
THE WENoNA

Mr.. Patrick Todd Randall is the
owner of the pretty little steamer
named the Wenona. He was in town
yesterday and furnished us with the
following delightful little romance
whence the Wenona derived its name.
The name is a charming one, and the
romance will give to the little craft
additional interest.
Wenona
A long time ago when Okeehumkee
was king over the tribes of Indians,
who roamed and hunted around the
Southwestern Lakes, an event oc-
Cured which filed many hearts with
horror The king had a daughter
named Wenona, whose rare beauty
was the pride of the old mans life
and an idol of the braves. She was
coveted prize. Chiefs and warriors
We'd with each other as to who should
present the most valuable gift, when
her hand was sought from the king,
her father But the daughter had al
ready seen and loved Chuleotah. the
renowned chief of a tribe which dwelt
among the wild groves of Silver
Springs. But it was sad truth that
between the old chief and the young
chief, and their tribes, there had long
been a deadly feud. They were enc
mics. When Okeehumkee learned
that Chuleotah had gained the affec-
Itions of his beloved child, not many
weeks passed away before the noble
Chuleotah was slain. Slain, too, by
| the father of Wenona. Deadl Her
lover deadl Poor Wenona. Will she
return to the paternal lodge and dwell
among her people while her fathers
hand is stained with the drippings of
| her lovers scalp? No. She hurries
away to the well known fountain. 1t
was a favorite spot, where herself
and Chuleotah met on the CLASSY bos-
ON of the springs. The pale ghost of
Chuleotah stands beckoning her to
come. All was still save the night
winds that sighed and moaned through
| the lofty pines. Then came Wenona
to the side of the Springs. For a mo-
ment she paused upon the edge of
the Springs, then met her palms above
| her head, and, with wild leap, she
plunged into the welcoming waves.
She has gone to one of those enchant-
ed isles, far out in the Western Seas,
where the maiden and her lover are
united, and where both have found
another Silver Springs.
| Along the same line we herewith
reproduce a very beautiful legend of
| the Oklawaha and Silver Springs,
which was written for the Banner
some years ago by friend now de-
ceased
okIawaha and Silver Springs
Far south, mid gloom and shadows of
| the cypress woods,
| Was Oklawaha born;
The swamp his sombre mother, whose
| dark solitudes
He early left, and in his childish
| moods
Kept playing on.
A boy, he fingered with the bonnet
covered lakes,
Where sunshine loves to
dwell:
And learned to hunt the wild duck in
| the marshy brakes,
Or catch the timid deer, which, pant
ing, slakes
His thirst in shady dell.
| His youth was spent thus free in gath
ering strength and power
From limpid lakes and
spring,
Till manhood, dawning on him, brought
the suspicious hour
To leave his sylvan haunts. each leafy
bower,
And youthlike dallyings.
There was beauteous maiden, lovely
and most fair,
A maid called Silver Spring:
Nurtured in beauty, cherished with
unwonted care,
And none could claim her equal-none
compare
But all her praise would sing.
Once, straying from her flower en-
bosomed, fragrant home,
Her Oklawaha met:
Enamored of her beauty, he but muir
INJURED, Come;
For thee has destiny caused me to