Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-09-01
The Sacriticial Rock.

Between the War and Navy Depart,
ments will be seen wonderful piece of
copper weighing about five tons. The
history of this wonderful piece CT cop
per is singular and curious. 1t was bro't
from the river Onionagon. near Lake
Superior. Ii was known over two hun.
cred years ago. The Indian priests de-
scribed it to the Jesuits who visited that
part of lhe country and who wished TO
be conducted TO il. But an ancient su.
persli!ion prevented the Indians from
pointing il out to the white man. They
thought that when the white man hsG
seen this rock, the country would fall in
10 their hands and the Indians would all
be destroyed. They had believed tha.
The ManItou resided in this rock, and
they had used i, as place of sacrifice.
They believed that this Manitou had
been TO their ancestors as their Mediator,
when they stood in need Of some favor.
To render The spirit more propi,ious to
them they smoked the calamul over This
rock. And on important and solemn
occasions they imagined tina, the rock
spoke TO them in voice of thunder, and
demanded human sacrifice from among
the enemies OF the Indians. Father
Charlevoix, catholic priest, gives de-
scription of one of these sacrifices, that
ou,rages even cruelty itself. A young
female had been taken prisoner during a
war excursion, and the Great Spirit or.
la h.. hx tai n
maiden Of fifteen years Of age. and was
induced to believe by her caplors that
she would soon become the bride of the
son OF ,he head chief of the tribe. Ev.
cry attention was paid 10 her; her neck,
arms and ankles were crowded with The
finest bracelets Of silver and copper
The lime appointed for the marriage was
the end oil winter, and she felt rejoiced
as the season Of her happiness approach.
ed. The day fixed for the sacrifice fin
ally dawned, and she passed through all
the ceremonies preparatory 10 mar
riage, was dressed in gay attire, and GOV.
cred with all the ornaments the settle.
ment could command, when she was pla.
| ced in the middle Of circle of warriors
dressed in war suits, who seemed 10 es.
co her from motives Of Difference. -
Besides their usual arms each one car
| rieG pieces OF wood, which she had gath
cred The preceding lay, believing ,ha. j
was to be used for the purpose OF eleva-
ting her TO a high rank. The poor mai
den advanced to the reck with rap.urous
feelings of JOY and timidity natural .e
the bosom Of a oung female. The
Manilou was invoked that the Greal
Spiri, might prosper the enterprise; mu
sic and dancing was performed, and the
dec ei,ful delusien was kept up in the
mind of the maiden TO the last moment
But when she reached the rock, and sa v
nothing but fires, torches and instruments
of torture, her eyes were opened. hel
fate was revesled. and she became aware
Of her horrible destiny, as she had offer
heard of the mysterious sacrifices OF sht
copper rock. What must have beer heI
feelings! how great her surprise! how
terrible her change, when she became .
ware of their intentions! Who coult
describe the terrible horror and intsns.
agony of the moment! Tears Of blooe
flowing down her checks; her cries re
sounded through the forest--but nei,he
tears nor entreaties prevailed. She i'm
plored the stern warriors who surround