The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-06-25
HOW NINETY-SIX WAS NAMED.
History of Old District and it's Fa-
nous Indian Legend.

being always matter OF more or less
curiosity and not less often quite
source of information. | feel that |
can make no better Introductory re-
marks in connection herewith than by
relating the incident, very pathetic,
and touching, that gave rise to the
name of the district of Ninety-Six.
Ninety-Six derived its name from a
strikingly peculiar, though to a GER
tain extent, quite natural occur
renee; and all will join in the opinion
hearing the story, that the name is
both appropriate and suggestive.
Many of the names of OUT States,
towns, rivers, etc., are derived from
the Indians, because they are almost
invariably very pretty and because
they preserve aboriginal history and
legend.
Ninety-Six, however, is of course OF
our own English language. The name
arose from the legend of the beauti-
full devotion of an Indian maiden to
her white lover, an early settler OF
that section, whose life was in the
hands of her who loved him best.
The home of this Indian maiden
was some distance from that of her
lover, it being near the subsequent To-
cation of Fort Prince George, and was
known as Keowee, an Indian village
of the Cherokee tribe, but it was also
in the same district. Chiquola-for
that was her name-having learned of
contemplated attack upon the small
band of whites by the Indians, rode
with the speed which only love could
have made possible, just in advance of
the attacking Indians, covering the
distance between Keowee and the
home of her lover-96 miles-in "a
hours. The whites, rejoicing in Chi
quola's bravery which saved them
from destruction, named their settle
ment Ninety-Six-the distance of the
memorable ride. Eighteen and Twen-
ty-three mile creeks of the same Sec
ton derive their names from this leg
end. also.
AS shown by Chapmans history of
Edgefeld county, Nnety-Six was set
tied about 1748. AS early as 1874 this
section was thinly settled with
whites, and needing fort for protec-
ton against the Indians, who were
continually massacreing men, women
and children and stealing horses and
cattle, the colonists petitioned the
parliament of Great Britain to build
them a fort in this section. After
years Of delay, however, the province
had to build this fort at it's own ex-
pense, and the council directed the
purchase of land from the Indians
with the order that the fort be built
as near the Indian town of Keowee as
possible. Governor Glenn bought the
territory in 1853 and built the fort at
Keowee, which was given the name
of Fort Prince George, the land ac-
quired by this purchase being part
of the Ninety-Six district.
Before the year 1885, Edgefeld
county was part of the Ninety-Six
district, which included large terri
tory in the upper part of the State,
and was by an act of the legislature,
March 12, 1871, divided into the
counties, afterwards called districts,
of Edgefeld, Abbeville, Newberry,
Laurens, Union and Spartanburg.
Previous to the occupancy by white
people, it was in possession of warlike
tribes of Indians, known as Chero-
KEGS. For many years before any per-
manent settlements, the upper coun-
try was traversed by rowing traders
who bought skins and furs from the
Indians, making large profits by CIV
ing in exchange few worthless trim
kets.
Buffaloes, bears, wolves, etc., were
as numerous then as squirrels and
rabbits are now. Until after the Rev.
lutionary war there was no Edgefeld
it was Ninety-Six district. Educa-
tion had never been neglected. Doubt
less there has been individual neglect,
but at all times, from the first set
tiers, those who desired an education
could procure it. One of the earliest
teachers was Charles K. Johnson,
graduate of Yale, who was afterwards
the founder of the Female college ct
Anderson.
The village of Edgefield was incor-
porated a town in 1880, the village
was made the county seat in 1871 and
the first court was held here in 1892.
-Edgefeld Chronicle.