"THE DEVIL'S MARBLE YARD" Several years ago,in these pages, we wondered what early settlers in the Shenandoah Valley did for entertainment or amusement. We decided they must have done a great deal of singing - the old songs, the ballads of their homelands - and they certainly must have told and re-told tales the natives told about their heritage.
Since I find no evidence to the contrary, I would cite "The Devil's Marble Yard" as one such story they told, and re-told often.
At one time, Indian legend has it, there was a small fragment of a tribal family living in an area of what is a now Rockbridge County which, later, came to be called "Arnold's Valley." It was a rocky area, not too inviting. I find no special name for the small native group living in the secluded niche. There is theory they were a remnant of larger body decimated and driven westward by costly wars with tribes to the East. They had a religious belief somewhat different from others. Fire played an important role in their religious rites. Each month, with the on set of the New Moon, they would gather in tree boughs, downed timber, pine cones and other flammable materials which they heaped over and around rock formations, either natural or ones they build by piling stones forming rough mounds. When the New Moon was just right, they lit ceremonial fires and danced around the flames. They worshiped their Great Spirit ideal with song and dance and offerings of maize, berries, chestnuts and other edibles. Some say they "roasted" whole deer and other forest creatures in the rock piles they formed. All of this honored the power
of the deity upon whom they depended so much to send the lightening bolts which set the forests afire and cleared new land where his gift of deer herds might pasture.
One day there arrived in this secluded area an aged White Man who was led there by a young, beautiful maiden. There is no mention of her being White or Indian so the tale is told ways.
The two strangers came in peace. They were accepted by the natives, honored as a Wise Old Man and his young and pretty maid. Both of them related wonderful stories about the God of the white men in distant lands. The tribal leaders set aside the old religious superstitions thinking the new way might bring them special blessings, security and prosperity. However, dark days followed. Severe drought hit the area. Heat destroyed their meager crops. Great suffering came upon the tribe. One night with he advent of the New Moon, the old ceremonial fire was lighted in an impressive glow at the flattest slab of marble and old superstitions o overwhelmed the Indians. The old white man and the maiden were blamed. They were bound and tossed into the fire! Sacrifice! The only way to placate their vengeful God and bring back good times!.To their awe and astonishment, two bright, ever-brighting stars shone forth on the far off rim of the sky! The sacrificial fire died in a sunken heap. Only embers and ashes remained. Silence!
As the sacrificial flames died on the marble slab beneath them gusts of violent wind tore through the forest; felled trees. The tribal leaders were swept away by the wall of downed trees and the wind and heavy rains swept the sacrificial marble slab clear and clean of debris.. Flames fingered the forest as lightening raced across the skies finding all who ran. Blistering fire fell from the sky and found them. The marble slab was stripped bare by the wind, pushing the wall of downed trees and by rain. Everything else was ablaze!
By morning the area was scene of desolation. Only a few of the tribe remained alive to tell of it all. To this day it remains a barren waste. It is said that no trees will grow there; not even noxious weeds. No grass or flowers. No birds fly overhead and neither can you find animal which does not turn and go around the haunted marble slab. Never can you find anything living there-on; not even a meandering insect.
A weird memorial to a tragic time! The early settlers much have wondered who the Old Man and beautiful maid might have been; from whence they came; how they came to be a part of such a tale? Look up at the skies at night when the New Moon in right. That's as good a place start as any, I'd say.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 6-6-06 [c772wds]
