Susan K. Rowse
Nacochee and Sautee
Introduction:
At one time there were two Indian tribes that lived relatively close to each other. They were constantly at war. One was the Chickasaw and the other the Cherokee. The Cherokee was thought of as the superior tribe as they had an alphabet and lived in log cabins. They intimidated the other Indians with their intelligence.
This legend begins where Helen and Batesville, Georgia run neck to neck today. One day a small party of Chickasaw was allowed to pass over the land of the Cherokee. Where two trails passed, the Chickasaw ran into a small band of Cherokee. The two tribes exchanged a few words, however one such brave of the Chickasaw remained aloof and refused to engage in such banter. His name was Sautee, young son of the Chickasaw chief. Among the few Cherokee gathered, was a beautiful maiden. Her name was Nacoochee, daughter of the Cherokee Chief Wahoo. These two regarded one another with a gaze that was magic. Love was born at that connection of deep piercing stares...in the meeting of the eyes...the souls of two young Indians of different tribes and a meeting of spirits that was taboo in that day and time. They would meet, secretly, in the caves of Mount Yonah where their love was soon sated. When Wahoo learned of the rendevous he was livid. His judgment was impaired and...blinded by his own hate and pride, he orders Saute taken by force to the great mountain of Yonah and thrown off while the sobbing Nacoochee witnesses his death. Upon seeing Sautee's body being hurled from the cliffs, Nacoochee breaks free and leaps after her young lover. On the rocks below, two souls...bones broken...crawl toward one another to tenderly touch and hug until death is their final blanket. When Wahoo saw how much the two loved one another he ordered their bodies taken to the valley below Mount Yonah and buried together in a mound. To this day the mound is there near Helen, Georgia, in a valley below Yonah Mountain, called Nacoochee.
This is a poem in tribute to these two lovers...and to all lovers today that come to view this mound of two true spirits of the heart...they will always remain together.
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It's a joy and a comfort and a feeling so complete.
To sit beside this river and contemplate the heat.
Of the summer and humidity...the smiles of all the guests,
Who come to the Chattahochee to fish, love and rest.
For the Indians that were here first and the legend that was spun...
From the test of true loves mistress and the hearts that death had won.
Over a valley named for lovers and the river that runs deep.
With the blood of all their faith and the whispers that lock to keep...
The secret of Nacoochee and the love within her heart...
For a brave that never lost her, for their love was still a part,
Of the beat within the spirit of two loves forever here...
By the river Chattahochee that still dispels the fears.
And the echo of two lovers who sleep forever sound.
Within ear shot of this river where their tomb can still be found.
For the worship of these souls, that fought for love and won...
Over trials that only hearts can win with this sadness of outcome.
That test the spirit of a couple with the oneness of two hearts.
And beats within this river as the flow comes...and departs.
For these lovers whisper softly as the Chattahochee runs...
And invites the loves of others to this village full of fun.
For hearts are gay in Helen, and lovers come to keep,
The magic of this river and two souls from 'lover's leap'.
The memory of two Indians...of tribes a different test...
With hopes to bind these new loves and let the old souls rest.
That died among the bones, broken on the rocks...
And hold, forever closer, this legend that is locked.
In spirits, ever happy, their spirits entertwined...
Along rivers, creeks and valleys...that whisper ever mine.