Evening star., 1934-08-19

happened Llere IN Gays long
gone by. Washington the Capital of the Ma
tion where history and tragedy were continually
in the making, has many spots in its envrons
with regulations of this character.
Probably the best known is the myth that
hovers over the little rock-and-mud island in
the middle of the Potomac River one-hah mile
above the Key Bridge il; Georgetown. The
name Three Sisters" was given to three large
rocks that projected from the water at this
point, and the island which formed around
them has been known by that name since time
immemorial. Upon these three rocks rests the
tale of the tragic ending of Indian love
affair. story of unrequited love.
The position the island occupies in the river
causes the water there to run deeply and
dangerously. Any person entering the swirlng
current excepting an expert swimmer, has
little chance Of ever reaching the shore alive.
This treacherousness of the current must have
been known to the three indian maidens, who
clambered upon these three rocks late one
evening Of day long since passed. Picture
them in the twilight on the rocks above the
water wailing their farewell songs of love and
death, with only the silent surrounding cliffs
to hear. The hungry river answered them in
gurgling swishing sounds. 1t Knocked at them
as II daring them on with their deeds. Sur
rendering to anguish and despair, the three
sisters raised their hands in suprlcation, hurried
themselves from the rocks and were drowned.
The three had fallen IN love with the same
Indian brave and were scorned by him. The
humiliation was such that it could only be
placated by death
DEYOND the Chain Bridge, three miles above
~ Washington roar and tumble the Little
Falls Of the Potomac. These falls are said to
be haunted. That they were was an accepted
fact by the old-time Potomac rivermen and
fishermen and, If you pressed them for proof.
k1II n %Hn1 ollC
and obtain the evidence for yourself.
This still can be easily done. Select pro-
pitious time when reports prophesy the ap-
proach of an especially severe storm, then make
yourself as comfortable as possible as close as
you can get to the falls and listen intently!
Some time might elapse, perhaps. depending on
conditions, but eventually, If your patience
holds, there will come to you out Of the roar OF
the water the steady, untaltering beat Of
drum. Not the deep, thunderous boom OF that
mysterious terrifying Indian dI um that haunts
the wooded shores of the Great Lakes, counting
out into the wild furious storm the drowning
souls of o sinking ship, brt tie soft, peaceful
rat-a-tat-tat Of the snare drum seemingly tim
ing the steps Of marching feet.
When you hear these sounds you will know
that you listening to the drummer boy OF
1912. As the story goes, with his drum ne
assisted the American soldiers IN making their
orderly retreat across the river to the Virginia
The young lad is supposed 70 have taken
position on the rocks by the falls and drummed
encouragingly away until every soldier had
passed safely over on the trees that had been
feIed across the narrow gorge for that purpose.
In attempting TO follow he slipped, fell into
the turbulent water and was drowned.
From that time sporadic soundings OF
this drum have been heard. 1t meant much to
the rivermen and fishermen. Always occurring
before sieges Of severe weather, they knew when
the drum started beating that the little boy
was warning them that the old river was be-
coming angry and that all persons coming in
contact with 1t should be aware.
A CROSS the Potomac River, some two miles
n or 50 in what is now Arlington County,
Va, is locality that used to be known as
"Cooney." This neighborhood is unusually rich
in tales of "spooky" doings Of Civil War days.
Haunted spots are numerous. but one has to do
with an old frame house that stands alone
weA OF OF the highway.