Early contacts between the whites and Native Americans had been friendly, but that friendship ended when more and more whites came, and they seemed to break virtually every treaty ever signed with the Natives. The Natives were rightfully upset about all of this, and this betrayal on the part of the whites resulted in much resentment from the Natives.

The events of this story took place around 1756 in the area of what is now known as Athens, TN. The story is even more intriguing because of the aforementioned tensions. In 1760, the Natives laid siege to Fort Loudon, which was inhabited by the British. The British and the Cherokee had formed a shaky alliance against their mutual enemies the colonists, but this ended in that year. Many British remained trapped inside for months, and began to succumb to starvation. Finally, the starving people surrendered, which the Cherokee accepted. The people were released, but as they left they were attacked by Natives. Most were killed. One woman pleaded that the Natives spare her young son. Chief Attakulla-Kulla, who was generally a merciful man and friend to the whites, and had only turned against them after being betrayed several times, took mercy on the woman and her son, and they were accepted into the tribe. The woman later became his wife, and the two had a daughter named Nocatula Cooweena.

Nocatula grew up to be a very charming and beautiful woman. She had many suitors, including Mocking Crow. Mocking Crow was very arrogant and abrasive, and thus Nocatula did not care for him much. Mocking Crow constantly brought presents to her, but they didn't change Nocatula's mind. She simply did not like him.

Her true love came when her father, Chief Attakulla-Kulla, and several of his men were out hunting. They discovered a young British soldier who was nearly dead. The Chief took pity on him, and brought him back to the village and nursed him back to health. When the soldier met Nocatula, they immediately fell in love. Some wondered how the Chief would react to this, but he accepted it. He admired the young British man very much, and was glad that his daughter had found such a good husband. The two were married, and the soldier became known as Connestoga. This displeased Mocking Crow. He became very jealous, and decided to kill Connestoga, in hopes that Nocatula would then marry him. He jumped out of bushes, taking Connestoga by surprise, and stabbed him. He died immediately. Some members of his party went back to the village to get Nocatula. When she arrived and saw him dead, she plunged the knife into her heart.

Chief Attakulla-Kulla arrived, and was very saddened. He and the braves said some prayers, and the Chief asked that they be buried in the spot that they died. He put an acorn into Connestoga's hand, and a hackberry seed into Nocatula's hand. The seeds sprouted, and an oak and hackberry tree grew tall. The Cherokee saw this as a good omen.

In 1857, a college, which would later be known as Tennessee Wesleyan, was founded on the land. Special care was taken so as not to disturb the two trees. The trees died in the 1940s, and had to be removed. They had stood for 165 years though, which is quite an amazing feat. Today a marker stands to commemorate the trees, and out of respect to Connestoga and Nocatula.

In the years since the college was founded, there has been many report of odd happenings in the area where the trees once stood. Some have reported seeing ghostly figures walking the premise, and others have heard voices and whispers. Everyone who has experienced paranormal activity, however, agrees that these are not hostile spirits. They seem to be quite benevolent. Perhaps, it's all the remains of an undying love between Connestoga and Nocatula.

Read my Dreambook! Sign my Dreambook!