Sharing here something Kathy wrote up after our recent spiritual retreat at The Greystone Inn on Lake Toxaway in Western North Carolina. There are folks who want to change the name of the lake because it may give others the wrong impression...After you read this legend you will never pay attention to such things again... BTW Lake Toxaway is the largest privately-owned lake in North Carolina and has an interesting history, but the following is much more fascinating than hearing about Edison, Firestone, Ford and so on hiking about the Inn...
According to our trail guide at the Whitewater Trail Rides Stable…….Toxaway was an Indian warrior who was injured during a hunting accident, found by Indian maidens from a nearby tribe and nursed back to health. During his long stay with the neighboring tribe, he found he had fallen in love with one of the maidens who took such good care of him. This woman just happened to be the much-favored eldest daughter of the Chief. The Chief had no intention of handing his prized daughter over to this warrior, so he figured out a contest that was sure to disqualify Toxaway.
A contest to end any attempt by an outsider to marry his daughter and pit each warrior against the other to win her hand. The warriors would compete by how many beasts they could hunt or trap in a week.
Much to his chagrin, Toxaway was the winner by far. The chief was unhappy that his plan was foiled, but he had no intention of handing his daughter over to a stranger.
He sent one of his warriors out to kill Toxaway. While paddling his canoe, Toxaway was surprised by the warrior and stabbed in the back; he died immediately. Witnessing this horrible event, the maiden jumped into the river and never surfaced again.
Our guide said the song (Running Bear, popular back in the 60’s or 70’s) was based on the story of Toxaway and the Indian Maiden.
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