Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-09-29
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TnAptrIoSs. The Indians have several tradi-
tions which a.e handed down from one generation
to another and believed
They believe and teach their children, that
great while ago the Great Spirit told all the peo
pie that if they did not cease to be so wicked he
would drown them. But they did not regard the
laundering and he sunk the world in water until
all things that could not live in water were des-
troyed He then sent Beaver down to bring
him some clay of which to make new earth
and new men. But the Beaver returned without
it. and said it was very deep, and he could not get
any After trying several other animals, Craw-
fish brought up a small piece of yellow clay, and
he made the earth, and peopled il with the pres
ent race of inhabitants. -
Again; They say that great many winters
ago there lived at Sault Ste Marie old man and
woman who had no child They tasted and pray
cd a long time till finally they had son born
They did not make him hunt work until he
was about fourteen years old, bat let him sleep
nearly all the time. But they made him fast
great deal in order to gain the favor of all the
gods The father at length being very old, de-
sired the boy to wash the net he had Just brought
from the lake, and scolded him for being SO indo-
lent and suffering his aged parents to support
him. The boy was offended but obeyed, in a sui
len mood, the mandate of his father. But he soon
returned with the net entirely severed in several
places by wTinging; thing which no man had
strength to DO. 1t was now perceived that he
had uncommon strength. This was tested in va
rous ways till he became man, He now made
himself canoe Of stone, and frequently started
up the Lake (Superior) and returned in the even
ing, having gone all round it by the shore. And
when he chose to 60 to any other Lake, he put
his canoe under his arm and went on foot. One
day while making a portage he met hon which
took hold of his arms and tried to break them,
but failed. He said to the lion O my friend,
don't break my arms whereupon the lion reEeas-
ed his hold He then took the lion up with one
hand, ana with the other broke both his fore legs
and threw him down. He would not reverence
the gods but frequently insulted them, striking
one, about the size of a year old boy one day with
his paddle on tender place while asleep The
consequence was, they all became offended. and
determined to destroy him.-For this purpose
they called grand council at the head of the
Lake but found it difficult to devise plan that
would promise success, having failed in several
previous attempts The little one, however. who
had been insuted, agreed to undertake his destrtlc-
ton on condition that they would make fine
day, and induce him to go on the Lake spearing
sturgeon. They agreed, and the day came The
giant as usual went Up the Lake II miles, under
the pictured rocks, Ga perpendicular rock about
pat hi IL 1t
menced his daily labor. Bat il was soon inter
rupted by something falling in the water like hail
lie could sec no cloud and continued his work.
Soon another shower fell, and some entered his
canoe, and one of which pierced its bottom. He
now discovered that the particles were Iron, and
looking up say multitude of little gods on top
OF the rocA. He threatened them with a severe
chastIsement as soon as he should spear another
sturgeon But before that event transpired the
third shower tell which sunk hun and his canoe
to the bottom
Perhaps statement of the history of Sampson
and David. as recorded in tue Scriptures, handed
down by us to our children and by them 10 theirs
Tor above two thousand years without any writ
ten record would not be more intelligent than tbe
above. ae
They have another tradition that in ancient
tunes young man tasted great deal. and his
goa informed hln that he must on no account eat
from the top OF the pot, alleging that all the evils
Were collected there by boiling and because if
was wrong 10 eat the first friend of his after
ward invited him to feast and commanded hin,
10 eat the top; he refused others joined in and
insisted that lie should. lie then took the kettle
by the bail. and standing erect said. q You insist
on my eating the top; my god told me not to do
It, and will now leave you He then took his |
flight straight to the moon, where YOU can now
see hm holding the Kettle by the bail in his hand.
They have other traditions among them but
fearing may tire the patience of those who may
pcruse these sketches. | will close this number by
SAYING that one more viii finish the series
Dodgeyille Sept, 1918 L VI F..
THRILLING ADVENTURE. 81 a. Il
Ill. IL i. L