The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-07-28
CCKLAWAHA AND WINONAH
AT SILVER SPRINGS


am stopping in the historic little
city of Ocala. 1t is beautiful for sit
uation, built upon a high elevation,
and sheds the water from every an
gle. One might call it a forest city.
1t has a population of 5000. The
town is surrounded by a beautiful
forest of live oaks, draped with long
hanging moss. There are three
banks, five hotels, live chamber of
commerce, and two daily papers.
Ocala is the prettiest, most up-to-
date little town that l have visited
since l have been in the land Of
the roses"
There. are many things Of much
interest in and around the city. 1t
has fine farming country back OF
It. Anything can be grown here to
perfection. But the most interest
ing thing to me are the Silver
Springs and the tropical scenery,
that have no equal in North Ameri-
ca. A wealth of legend and words
of beautiful memorials left by those
path-fnders Of the red man cling
around the very name Of Florida.
Here in Ocala and vicinity they have
made the Indians immortal by at
taching the names { Ocklawaha,
Osceola, Tuscaroro and Tuscawella
to some of their streets. Perhaps
there was no spot in all Florida that
was more beloved by the red man
than Silver Springs, beside which
many an Indian maiden has strolled
with her forest-born lover and over
whose. CLASSY waters their swift ca
noes have glided.
Once there lived in the forest near
Silver Springs ocklawaha, the son of
the mighty chief 0luskee and the on
II daughter of a no less powerful
chief, Suwanee. The two cid chiefs
hated each other bitterly and never
net except in bloodshed, although
their tribes were neighboring ones.
One day while hunting, Ocklawaha
came upon Winonah as she gathered
herbs in the forest and fell deeply
IN love with her. His affections were
Eeturned and the two spent many
happy hours together in the great
DIM forest. They feared to tell the
iInpEaeable old chieftains of their
love, knowing that it would bring in
slant separation and possibly death.
syFhe lovers, after several weeks of
periloas happiness, began. to suspect
that they were being watched and
they at once planned to escape to the
tribe of Chattahoochee. One night in
response to hoot owl, Winonah
stole, from her wigwam and joined
0eklawaha in the shadow of live
oak, covered with moss. Silently
they set forth on their fateful jour
ney which would lead them to life or
dsath.
Suddenly a rifle shot rang out of
the still darkness of the forest; and
instantly the air resounded with
hideous cries. Knowing their flight
was discovered, 0eklawaha and Win
onah made a desperate dash for
freedom Back and forth they dart
ed until at length they found them
selves on a high bluff over looking
8, glistening stream. As they stood
there for moment, the moon
emerged from the dense clouds by
which it had been veiled. The mo-
tjonless pair were clearly outlined
against the sky.
"A yell of triumph told that they
were discovered and their pursuers
broke from the edge of the forest a
few feet away. Turning, the lovers
gazed deep into each others eyes,
then Ocklawaha seized Winonah in
his arms, saying, Together we have
sWeetly lived, together let US die
And they made the leap into the
boiling spring ninety feet deep.
The union of Silver Springs and
Oeklawaha and the Silver river typi-
fes the union of the two lovers in
death. And it is said that the green
waving moss at the bottom of the
stream is the lost Winonah's hair.
The water in this spring is clearer
than atmosphere; one can see dime
at the bottom where the water is
ninety feet deep. And it probably
has the largest flow of any spring in
the world, namely, 368,913 gallons
per minnie or 22,134,79 gallons per
hour l hardly believe that the mind
of man can grasp this wonder of
wonders. We can see its beauty and