HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: LEDGEND OF CATEECHEE Version 1.0, 15-Dec-2002, H-04.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. LEDGEND OF CATEECHEE Cateechee, as she was called by the Cherokees, was known as Issaqueena in the Creek tongue. The name means a dear head. This beautiful maiden had fallen in love with a young trader named David Francis, who lived with his uncle, of the same name, at Ninety-Six. He was a silversmith and would haul wagon loads of silver from the vicinity of the village. He also sold his wares to the Indian inhabitants of the village and in this way became acquainted with Cateechee, who he learned to love. When she learned of the intended raid, she silently mounted her pony and galloped away to warn her lover. The first creek she came to she named Mile Creek, then Six Mile, Twelve Mile, Eighteen, Three and Twenty, Six and Twenty, and on until she reached Ninety-Six. (It is said these creeks are fairly accurate as to distance.) She arrived in time and the inhabitants were ready when the Indians arrived. She and Francis were married and lived for a while at Ninety-Six, but hearing that the Indians were determined to capture them, the lovers fled to her mountains and dwelt in a large hollow stump. (The Indians found them there and said, "Um, stump house," hence we get our name for Stump House mountain.) They escaped and Cateechee fled with her baby on her back toward the falls. The Indians were in hot pursuit. The maiden poised over the falls, gave one mighty leap and went over the cataract. Thinking her dead, her pursuers gave up the chase, and returned to their homes. But Cateechee was not dead. She had landed on a ledge and was safe. She was called Isaqueena by the Creeks. The falls were named Issaqueena in her honor. Cateechee or Issaqueena joined her husband and they went to her people, the Creeks, in Alabama and made their home in Autauga. Francis became and important man in his community and made silver spurs and other ornaments. They lived happily and their son became the secretary of Sir Alexander Gillivray.