Reminiscences of Early Peoria
by Odillon B. Slane
Chapter 12
page 26
NEE NEE WAH ---A LEGEND OF PEORIA LAKE
THE story of Nee Nee Wah was a romance that had its
place among the Indian legends long before the white man came to where Peoria
now is.
Nee Nee Wah was an Indian girl who had a lover who belonged to another tribe. Both families opposed the match, and her people kept Nee Nee Wah under guard so that the young people could not get together. But one dark night her lover rowed his canoe across the lake, and she met him at a prearranged place from where they started to elope together. Her disappearance was soon discovered, and the other Indians manned their canoes and started in hot pursuit of the fleeing couple. The young Indian pulled desperately at the oars but the stronger arms of the pursuers gained rapidly upon them.
Seeing that they were soon to be captured, the young lover threw down the oars ---both sprang to their feet, clasped arms around each other and throwing themselves overboard sank beneath the dark waters of the Illinois to rise no more. Truly, in death, they were not divided!
This story shows that love and devotion in the heart of the rude savage rang true, and that faith and confidence in each other were seldom equaled and never excelled by the more civilized and enlightened peoples.
Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!
Copyright © Janine Crandell
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Updated September 20, 2005