Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-06-22
THE MAIDEN'S ROCK.

Two hundred and thirty miles west of Lake
Michigan, and one hundred and fifty south of
the most southwestern point of Lake Superior,
the channel of the Mississippi, by becoming
deeper and wider than ordinary, assumes the
appearance and character of lake to which the
French have given the name Of Lake Pepin.-
This lake is twenty-one miles long, and on an
average, two miles and balf broad and, in
most places, nearly fills the valley between op-
posing bluffs.
The Indian will not cross the lake when the
wind is strong; for, though small, it is deep, and
easily agitated, so much so as to make it dan
gerous for a man to expose himself to its waves
in the frail vehicles of the natives. The deeds
Of cruelty, of daring, and of danger, which have
been perpetrated, will never be unfolded. 1t has
often been called the +" lake of Tears"
Here, high precptous crag, resting upon a
steep bank, whose base is bordered by the calm,
unruffled surface of the lake, contrasts strongly
with the savage features of the landscape. OF
this place, tale is told, of much interest, that
many heart will be made sad at the recital.
| Many years ago there was in the nation of the
Dacotahs a celebrated and aged chief, whose
name was Wapasha. At the same time, there
was in the village of Keoxa, in the tribe of Wa
pasha a young female, whose name was Weno-
ma, which signifies the first born." She was
dear to her parents, and favorte with her tribe
She had formed a desire to spend her life with
a young hunter, whom she knew to be just as
strongly attached to her.
He made an application for her to her parents
but was denied, and told that their daughter
was already promised to a warrior of distinction
The latter was general favorite in the nation
and was encouraged by Wenona's parents and
brothers. lie urged his claims with ardor, but
she refused him, and persisted iD her preference
for the hunter. To all that her friends said in
favor of the warrior, she replied, that she had
chosen hunter, who would spend his life with
her, provide for her subsistence, and secure his
comfort; but if she accepted the warrior, he
would be constantly absent from her exposing
himself to danger, and his family to hardship.
! Wenona's expostulations were of no avail
with her parents and brothers, and after they
had succeeded in driving away her lover, they
began to use harsh measures to induce her to ac
cept for husband the man they had chosen.-
To all her entreaties that she might not be com
PEELED to live with a man whom she so much
disliked but that she might rather be allowed tC
continue to spend her days alone, they paid nc
regard.
About this time party was formed in the vii
lage to 60 to lake Pepin, to procure a supply o
the blue clay which the Indians use as a pig
ment for the purpose of painting The parents
and brothers of Wenona were Of the party, anC
she also was with them. 1t was on the day o
their visit to the lake, that her brothers ant
friends vexed and rrtated at what they deemed
an unjustfable obstinacy on her part, harshly
demonstrated with her, and even used threats t
compel her to obedience.
Wenona told them that she did not love him
and could not live with him. I" / wish" said she
"to remain maiden, but you will not allow me
You say that you love me, that you are my re
lations, my parents and brothers. Yet you hav
driven away from me the man | loved, the onl,
man ever can love, and the only one witt
whom wished to live. You have compee,
him to go away from the village and he nov
wanders alone in the Forest and has none to as
sist him, none to build his lodge, none to sprea,
his blanket, and wait on him when he return
to his hut, fatigued and weary with the chase
yet he was the man of my choice.
Since this is the love you have for me, let