The Saco River holds no secrets. Those who brave its rapids or swimming areas knowingly face the cold, rapidly-changing water levels, fallen trees and obstacles, underwater ledges and rocks, and intense turns; the risks are evident. However, for many each year temptation trumps judgment, and sadly for some who enter, only their bodies return. There have been numerous deaths along the length of the Saco for centuries. Some say it’s the nature of the river, others say it’s the curse.
In 1675, the amiable 50-year relationship between the English colonists and Maine Sokokis Native Americans was forever changed. Three drunken English sailors along the Saco River spotted a canoe containing an Native American mother and her infant child. Having heard a tale about Native American children, the men approached the canoe with the intention of testing the legend. Based on a folktale that the children can instinctively swim from birth, as animals do, the men forced the child from the mother’s arms and threw him in the river. The mother quickly jumped in and rescued her child, but he died shortly after returning home. By this time, the sailors, who saw this as entertainment, had returned to their anchored ship. They had not only murdered a Sokokis child, they murdered Mikoudou, the son of Chief Squandro, a powerful, yet peaceful chief known to have the powers of a sorcerer. After three days of mourning, Squandro waded into the river, vowed revenge on the colonists, and commanded the river spirits to take three lives every year until they were driven from its banks. He then continued his vengeance by uniting the Sokokis and Androscoggin tribes against the colonists in King Phillips War.
Image by Joseph A. Citro
Cursed in New England Stories of Damned Yankeed
This Saco River fulfilled its responsibility of taking three lives every year. The curse was believed so strongly by those who lived along the Saco, that some would not enter the waters until after it claimed its three souls. This pattern continued until 1947, when no recorded deaths occurred. However many locals along the river banks today tend to disagree. They claim the river still takes three lives a year and never in the same spot along its 135 mile long body. With this belief in mind, many never enter the water, while others wait for it to claim its quota before enjoying nature’s gift.
Anyone for a swim?
Image by Saco River Coucil
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If you would like to learn more about Squando and the Saco River Curse please visit or review the below resources.
Thank you to all the resources that made this blog possible.
Resources:
Agostino, T., & Nicholson, A. (2013). The Saco River's Undying Curse. In Legends, Lore and Secrets of New England (pp. 64-65). Charleston, SC: The History Press.
Church, B., & Church, T. (1859). The history of the great Indian war of 1675 and 1676 commonly called Philip's war ; also, the old French and Indian wars, from 1689 to 1704 (Rev. ed., p. 309). New York: H. Dayton.
Citro, J. (2004). The Saga of the Saco River. In Cursed in New England: Stories of Damned Yankees (pp. 37-45). Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press.
Curse of the Saco, or Squandro's Curse. (2010, December 5). Retrieved from https://savethesaco.wordpress.com/2010/12/06/curse-of-the-saco-or-squandros-curse/
Parker, G. (n.d.). Saco River Curse. Retrieved from http://www.historyaliveinme.com/A559A5/historyaliveinme.nsf/folklore/BEB484181D2128BA86256EC40062166D?Opendo
Saco River Recreational Council: Home. (n.d.). Image Retrieved from http://www.sacorivercouncil.org
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