According to local legend, a tribal band of Seneca Indians lived in the area of Woodward and called their land The Valley of the Beech Tree.  The Beech Tree from which the valley took its name was beloved by the Storm God, and revered by the Indians throughout the entire area.  The Beech was immune from the lightning of the Storm God, and under it the tribe would gather during fierce storms, knowing that beneath its protecting branches they would find shelter and safety.

Red Panther was a son of an aged Seneca Chief named Mountain River. Through personal triumphs, Red Panther turned arrogant, cruel, and warlike.  He respected neither the Beech Tree nor the Storm God, and often threatened to destroy the tree to show himself mightier than the Great Spirit. 

Returning from an particularly successful hunting expedition, Red Panther cut down the mighty Beech Tree in spite of his pleading father.  Red Panther then ordered his favorite braves to cut it into proper lengths and carefully laid in a heap for burning.

As the proud warrior leaned forward to light the blaze himself, a sudden stroke of crimson lightning followed by a terrific peal of thunder echoed from the clear sky.  The entire tribe was stunned by the shock. Upon their recovery, the lifeless body of Red Panther was discovered lying across the newly kindled fire.  The Storm God had taken his revenge.

Mountain River, the young brave’s father, was the first to reach his side, and lifted his son’s body tenderly.  Not a mark of any kind was found on the corpse, but life itself had departed.

Hoping to appease the wrath of the Storm God, the chiefs of the tribe decided to place the body in the cave of a nearby hillside, which had long been reverenced in religious ceremonials.  After prolonged prayer, the mortal remains of Red Panther were taken to the largest of the chambers in the cave and placed in state.  Chanting the tribal funeral dirges, the guard of honor withdrew, leaving the corpse alone in its natural sepulcher.

After due time, in which all manner of supplication was offered, Mountain River and his chiefs returned to the cave, expecting that the Storm God would relent and restore the young man to life.  Instead, they found that water from the roof of the cavern had fallen on the body and the luxurious bier on which it rested, turning the whole into solid stone.  The outlines of the body were preserved perfectly in the rock formation, and fearing another sacrilege, Mountain River and his followers withdrew, leaving Red Panther to sleep his last sleep undisturbed.