The chronicle-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1920-1941, 1920-12-03

MEMORIES OF
OLD PASCAGOULA.
By UNCLE MARTIN.


The following was written by a lady
then living in Mobile and published III
a Mobile paper September, 1852:
1--WE lately stood on the lone mound
upon the premises Of Mrs.
Willis, on the small and beautiful bay
which makes in from Pascagoula river
on the east, just above the mouth, and
certainly a more lovely and romantic
SPOT could not have been selected
by the Pascagoulas for the burial of
their chieftains.
There were originally three OF
these mounds, standing near each
other, but the two smaller ones were
leveled many years ago by the father
of the present owner, and in them were
found many Indian relics as pieces OF
pottery: small images, clay beads OF
different colOrs, etc, and skull IN
each. The largest mound, about ten
or twelve feet high and sixty to
seventy feet around, yet stands a lone
monument to that interesting and i'll
fated tribe around whom tradition
weaves so pleasant a romance. Buried
beneath the waters of their beloved
river rather than be forced away
their sweet and plaintive song, soft
as an Aeolian harp, may yet be heard
on still summer evenings, and their
spirits doubtless hover around theil
monumental mounds where lie their
once mighty chieftains.
"The famed Mysterious Music,
although not calling forth as much
interest as before the war; is still as
frequently heard as ever, and for hve
successive nights this summer was
listened to with delight from the enc
of the long wharf on the coast
eft has never been heard above the
railroad bridge on the river since i
has been built. The origin OF the
phenomenon is still wrapped in doup
and uncertainty. The most plausible
conjecture in explanation is that 1t Is
occassioned by some species OF smell
fish or other marine animal. But wha
fish or animal and why are they never
caught? always as the opponents o
sb;s theory. and our old citizens will
never consent to such a matter-of-rac
explanation.
"For ten or fifteen nights in success
sion was the music heard many year
aeo at Mr.. Grants wharf the father
Mrs Willis and she told us that
negro was stationed there with gie
who when the sound was heard, Woul
thrust and feel around. The nols
would instantly cease when the wate
was disturbed but would immediate'
issue from the same spot when II
ceased The American Cyclopedi
states that a somewhat similar pheh'
menon is mentioned in certain slt'
ations on the coast of Celyon.'
A Plea.
On the pleasant estate OF Capt.
crant at East Pascagoula, Miss, thel
once were two ancient Indian mound
one Of which was subjected to eXplo
ation and exhumation of its sole o
: cunant. The other mound in 1867, y
7 reared it's lone breast to the lore
r breeze; may this antique labor low
) ever remain intact.
, .Tis said, that over their deceas'
= cbeftains those mounds are raised
f ahe unaided labor of the females, ea
hearing in apron or tunic portion
the surrounding or adjacent SOIL
s the required elevation is complete
!. al, who are not incapacitated either
d extreme age, decrepitude or infan
mite in the hallowed toll; this tou'
ing consideration induces the follow
Il n,aa for those who "have no painter
y roMrs &. Grant Of e. Pascagoula, Nj
oh, snare the Indian Chieftain's re
Reneath the forest tree.
10 Nor desecrate the mounds lone Drea
Where sleeps the brave-the free.
:, The sentiient spirit hovers oer,
The monumental mound,
And midst those oaks SO tall-so nc
Rreathes forth the plaintive souno
v.
lie Appealing to the heart it Pleads
FL All! spare the work of love,
ny Memento of the brave mans deed
no Meet altar of the grove.
rk ,,,
r. Here natures simple children pou
N The pure libation DER,
% Here the Great Spirit they adoreu
=, Through centuries of yore.
en- Let not the footsteps light and n
sc Press consecrated ground,
tn But in this hallowed solitude,
lu- Adore in awe profound.
ist
de Then spare the Indians ancient
his Reneath his natal tree,
iss Where first his infant form was
or Irnon a kingly fathers breast
nc