In a quiet sunny glade nestled among the rugged foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Patrick County, Virginia, a section made reowned by the fact that old King Powhatan once held undisputed possession there, was discovered a single quarry of the far-famed Virginia "Fairy" or "Lucky" stones.
       In that weird spot, the only place known in the world where the little wonderworking gems are to be found, the good faeries flourished and had their workshop many hundreds of years ago. This, you will probably say, was rather a strange place for Titania's subjects but were you to visit this charming mountain region you would find every rock and tree infected with a glamour of romance.
       As to the real origin of these crosses of stone, comparatively nothing is known as leading scientists of the country have failed to throw any satisfactory light on the subject; but in that remote mountain section runs a very pretty legend to the effect that hundreds of years before King Powhatan's dynasty came into power, long before the woods breathed the gentle spirit of the lovely Pocahontas, the faeries were dancing around a spring of limpid water, playing with the naiads and wood nymphs, when an elfin messenger arrived from a strange city far, far away in the land of the dawn, bringing the sad tidings of the death of Christ; and when they heard the terrible story of the crucifixion they wept. And as the tears fell upon the earth they were crystallized into little pebbles, on each was formed a beautiful cross. When the faeries had disappeared from the enchanted spot the ground around the the spring and the adjecent valley were strewn with these unique momentoes of that melancholy event.
       Not even in the Old World, with it's quaint and curious lore, is a more beautiful legend to be found, and just how it originated no one knows; but for more than a century thousands of people have held these little crosses of stone in more or less superstitous awe, being firm in the belief that they will protect the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents and disasters of all kinds. Every stone is in some shape of a cross, and millions of people are now wearing them in various forms of jewelry.

       Early one day long ago from time out of memory the people of a Cherokee town awoke and faced east to say their morning prayers to the Creator in heaven (Ca-lun-la-ti). In the distance could be heard the cry of an owl, a sign of death and bad luck. The eastern sky began turning many colors, and it looked as if a storm was about to take place. Indians from other villages joined them and there was a feeling of sadness. Soon, the Little People (Yun-wi T-suns-di) who lived deep in the forest appeared to the Cherokee (Dwarfs or fairies with long black hair;) they were only two feet tall and often brought messages to the people. They spoke first to the tribal elders and then to everyone who had assembled in the town.
       They told a story of both greatness and sadness. Many Years ago, a new star (no-t-lu-si) had appeared in the eastern sky beyond the big salt water. A special boy-child had been born to a tribe chosen by the creator He had grown into a man of wisdom and had taught his people the ways of the Creator and the straight white path of peace. He was a man of kindness and brought strong medicine (nu-wa-ti) to his people. Although he taught purity and harmony with the creator, he had many enemies who would not hear his message of peace They would not believe that his medicine made sick people well. Thus, on this day, they would torture and kill this wise man, and he would walk towards the nightland (death).
       As the sky grew dark, the Indians sang a death song to honor this beloved man of peace whom they called the Son of the Creator. All of the animal nations of the forests soon came and stood by them, Because of their sorrow, the Cherokee began to cry. Their tears soon covered the ground. When their weeping had ended, they looked down and saw that their tears had been changed into small stone crosses. For the Indians, the cross design had always represented the cardinal points or the four directions. Now it had a new religious meaning. The Creator (E-do-da) had heard their prayers and songs and had given them a gift. The Cherokee kept these stone crosses and always honored them.
       Many Cherokee Indians still possess these stone crosses and treasure them. It is a blessing from the Creator to find one of these sacred objects. Today, these stone crosses are found in the old Cherokee meeting Place in Virginia that is called Fairy Stone State Park.
       The Cherokee Nation in the 18th century (1700's) claimed most of the land in what is today Southwest Virginia. The western part of Patrick County, Virginia belonged to the Cherokee at this time. In the Treaty of Hard Labor signed on October 14, 1763, The Cherokee Nation gave up their land from the top of the Blue Ridge to the Holston River.
       To the eastern Indians of the United States, the Little people were the fairies or dwarfs that lived in caves and under streams in the forests. They were about two feet tall, had long black hair, and spoke Indian languages. Loving music and dancing, it was believed that they taught the Indians about medicine. The Little People were usually friendly towards humans and could be helpful and kind. It is said that they often found lost children in the woods and returned them to their parents. They also helped people by working in their cornfields al night, guarding their houses, and watching over their families. The Little People loved to eat cornbread and strawberries, and the Indian, would set food out for them. They could be mischievous and if angered, they would throw rocks at you.
       The Chiltoskey family of Cherokee North Carolina has preserved this Cherokee Legend of the stone crosses