Reminiscences: Chapter 6

Reminiscences of Early Peoria
by Odillon B. Slane

Chapter 6
page 18-19

Lover's Leap
"Still the Indian legends linger,
Like impressions carved in stone,
To be told by generations
In the ages yet unknown."
J. D. H.

NO less than fifteen states contain legends of a "Lover's Leap." Sometimes it is an Indian maiden, disappointed in love, who does the leaping, and sometimes it is the hero who leaps. There are, at least, two places in Illinois where these tragic scenes are laid. One of them is at Starved Rock, the other at Jubilee, fourteen miles northwest from Peoria.

Among the many Indian legends of Starved Rock, none are more thrilling, none more tragic, than the one called "The Maiden Leap."
It is the Lover's Leap at Jubilee, however, that the writer wishes to tell about. An Indian girl had two suitors for her affections. The maid was not decided as to her choice of lovers. She finally told the rivals, that if they would agree to start at a designated spot, selected by her, and run with all their might, jump over the precipice, the one that it did not kill, she would marry. The young men did not take kindly to this proposition. They hesitated for some time till at last, one dared the other to try it. The challenge was accepted. At a signal by the girl, both started on the run, but when they reached the edge of the precipice, one Indian stopped suddenly, the other plunged over and met his fate on the rocks below.

She married the one who didn't jump. Of course she couldn't marry a dead Indian. This spot of interest is right near the old Jubilee College building, erected in 1839, by the Rev. Philander Chase, Bishop of Illinois.

The writer's father, Benjamin F. Slane, worked as a laborer for Bishop Chase during the construction of the college. With ox teams he hauled the stone, sand, lime and other materials to the place of building. It is a strange coincidence that years after, the red man of the forest attended school at Jubilee College and was educated in the culture and arts of civilized life.

Chapter 5 Chapter 7

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