Fairmont High School - Maple Leaves Yearbook (Fairmont, WV)

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Contents Administration Classes Organizations Athletics Literary Features Medicine Men

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Foreword all ' ' QE, the Maple Leaves Staff oif 1933, with a trace of the KG hearty assurance of our Indian forefathers, do lay this, a friendlv record of the small world which we call our own, before the altar of our gods. You will find within these pages a resume of the courage, honor, bravery, and love of the S Indians, the mighty race, who inhabited our land, and named our beawtiful river, the Mouougahela.

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The Legend of the Monongaheld' CStory revised hy Virginia Thommj :HONG before the white man's toot trod the to-rests on the western slopes of bf, ix the Alleghemes, the Red Men from white lakes on the north and the LMA., swift rivers of the east hunted on the banks of the Monioingahela and fished in its clear green water. Spring and autum11 they came and built their wigwams un- derneath the spreading branches oil' the trees: and when the hunting season was over, laden with game they returned to their homes and kindred. They who came from farthest away were the Susquehannas. Monongahela was the chief of that mighty tribe: he was young, strong, and 'fleeter than the red deer. One season, when the hufialoes ranged the woods in larger herds than com- mon, and small game was more plentiful than usual, the Susquehannas lingered longer than ever before in the valley of the clear green river. They stayed until the trees were massses of crimson and gold and a mellow haze was in the air. Soon the hunters spoke longingly of home, but Monongahela loved no maiden and had no home, so his heart grew sad. He left the camp and wandered into the woods. The moon shone above the treetops, and suddenly the air was filled with music, weird and penetrating. As Monongahela peered through the branches, he saw a group of star maidens dancing in the moonlight. Long, Monongahela watched them, and his eyes filled with longing as his gaze lingered on the eldest and fairest of them all. :X twig betrayed him and the star maidens vanished. The hunters pleaded with Monongahela to leave. but he built his wigwam near the playground of the star maidens. Again they came, and Monongahela stole the eldest sister and carried her away to his wigwam. The aerial visitors left. Soon the star maiden learned to care for her clusky lover. Once again the star maidens came to earth, and Monongahelzfs lovely bride seeing them, yearned to tell them of her earthly home and happiness. but the maidens circled her with their strong arms and carried her away. ln frantic, helpless grief, Monongahela watched them. Poignant was his anguish. Bitter was his home-coming. so he wandered away. The star maiden had tasted of mortal life, so she floated down a moonbeam and looked for her lover. By the banks she called Monongahela. Her forest ho-me was empty. The river took up her ery and rippled on Monongahela. Monongahelaf' Now as you look into the depths of the clear green water, you can see the star maiden and hear her call, Monongahela. Monongahelaf'