HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: LEGEND OF JOCASSEE Version 1.0, 15-Dec-2002, H-05.txt **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Mary Cherry Doyle, Clemson, SC in Jan-1935 Dedicated To: Dr Edgar Clay Doyle FOREWORD In presenting these fragmentary facts that have come to my knowledge, it is my hope that they may prove helpful in preserv- ing the history of Oconee county for the youth of the land and all who are interested in the history of Oconee county for South Carolina. With knowledge there will follow a fuller appreciation of the great heritage that is ours. I wish to acknowledge a great debt of gratitude to Dr. J. Walter Daniel, an author- ity on Indians of the South. We are indebted to members of the Wizard of Tamassee Chapter S. C. D. A. R. and many other friends. MARY CHERRY DOYLE. January, 1935. LEGEND OF JOCASSEE The beautiful vale of Jocassee is located on one of the tributaries of Keowee river, known as White Water, being entirely surrounded by mountains with the foaming river flowing between, it is one of the loveliest spots in South Carolina. Here lived the great chief Attakulla and his comely daughter, Jocassee. Two rival tribes, the Oconees, the Brown Vipers, and the little Estatoees, the Green Birds, lived the one on the west and the other on the east tributary of the Keowee. The differences arose on account of the defeat of Chauga of the larger tribe of the Oconees by Toxoway of the Estatoees. There was a young warrior, a mighty hunter of the Estatoees, Nagoochee, who, despite the tribal hatred, was not afraid to venture into the Oconee's hunting ground. One day while pursuing a particularly swift stag, his foot slipped, causing him to fall and break a leg. Nagoochee gave himself up for lost when he heard the sweetest voice singing and Jocassee almost stumbled upon him. Her heart melted at the suffering of the handsome warrior. "Who are you?" she asked timidly. "Look," said the young warrior, throwing back the bear skin that covered his bosom, "look, girl of Oconee, 'tis the totem of a Chief." The green bird (Carolina Paroquet) stamped on his left breast proclaimed him a warrior of Estatoee and her enemy. She soon returned with aid and on an improvised stretcher, he was conveyed to her father's lodge. The old Chief was kind and Jocassee nursed him tenderly, but always fearful of the return of her brother, Cheochee, who was a fierce warrior and full of hatred to the Estatoees. Nagoochee recovered, but was loathe to return to his tribe for he was held by a stronger chain, his love for Jocassee. It was the time of the new moon, in a little grove beside the river that Nagoochee handed Jocassee a wand which she broke, and seizing the torch which she carried, he threw it into the water; thus after the forest ceremony, Jocassee became the betrothed of Nagoochee. Wolves were frightening the people around White Water Falls and Moytoy, the great Chief of the Cherokees, ordered a hunt. The brother of Jocassee was already there and the aged Attakulla and Nagoochee joined the hunt, taking Jocassee with them. One evening the Estatoees were celebrating the return of Nagoochee whom they believed to have been lost and the fact that, although a much smaller tribe than the Oconees, they had killed more wolves. Nagoochee was proclaimed the victor of the hunt and he, siezing Joccassee by the hand, led her into the presence of Moytoy and claimed her to fill the lodge of an Estatoee hunter. Her brother was so furious that he snatched Jocassee from him and Nagoochee was forced to flee for his life. Others joined in and a brave of Estatoee fought with Nagoochee and was mortally wounded by him, but who in his great agony, grasped Nagoochee. It was then that Cheochee came upon him and killed him. When her brother returned home with the head of her lover dangling from his belt, the heart of Jocassee died with- in her. Not a word did she speak, but gliding into a canoe and when in mid-stream with her eyes still on her lover's face she slipped from the boat. She never rose. The maidens of the Cherokees contend that she did not sink, but walking the water she joined Nagoochee who was beckoning to her from the shore. Jocassee, the place of the lost one.