Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-06-26
WRITE n for the ST. Paul Daily Times.
WHITE BEAR LAKE ISLAND-ITS HISTOR
AND NAME.

WHITE BEAR LAKE IsLAND-ITS HISTORY
Minnesota is we'll known for her many beautiful
and romantic lakes. Among them, there is non'
more to be admired for its scenery or its novel as
sociatons, than White Bear Lake.
This lake is situated some ten miles north from
St. Paul; has an area of about twenty square
miles, and is surrounded by heavy forests ant
rich praires, while its beach is one continued cir
Gle of sparkling pebbles. Its water is 80 pure
and clear, that its millions of fish, Of every kline
and size, can be seen at depth of ten and twelve
feet. Adjacent to its western shore, with space
of about twenty rods intervening, begins an Islant
running back in an oblong shape and containing
about one hundred acres. This Island rises il
most places twenty feet above the surface of tht
lake, and is covered with perhaps the best anc
most extensive hard maple forest in the North
West, with an intermixture of Oak, Ash, Sof
Maple and Elm. Its surface is clean and its sol
rich, resembling very much what is known as bot.
tom land.
In the Spring of 1S49, by an order from Gov.
ernment, this Island was surveyed by B. w
Brunson, ESQ.,, and entered by B. F. Hoyt and
VIM. Freeborn. 1t has since passed from thei,
possession and the present owner is unknown to
the writer. The Island from its first discovery by
the white man, has been called White Bear Island
and from this, the surroupding lake derives its
present name. The writer has been often asked
from what circumstance, or from what event, orr
ginated the name of White Bear, as applied to
that Island?
If the reader will 60 with me one of these bright
Minnesota days, will take him to that Island and
interest him with an Indian legend. Not, howev-
er, until have shown him where many Springs
ago led on to that Island the first white mans
pony that ever trod its soil; and will show hin,
first the ruins of an old log cabin in which fused
to sleep; and will show him the rude rock with
may find the old birch-bark bucket in which
gathered ''sap," and the place where "stirred
Off my ssbatch'' of maple sugar. can make the
journey interesting, for shall remember the even
ing when l fed hot sugar to group of Indian
maidens.
Every Spring, for perhaps century, or rs an
old friend once expressed it, Gas long rs there
has been a nation of red men," this Island has
been visited by band of Indians, for the pur-
pose of making maple sugar. Tradition says that
very many Springs ago, while upon this Island, a
young warrior loved and wooed the daughter of
his Chief, and it is said also, that the maiien
loved the warrior. lie had again and again been
refused her hand by her parents. The old Chief
said that he was no Brave, and his old COnsort
called him woman! The sun had again set upon
the s'sugar bush'' and the bright moon rode high
in tl,n hoo nj tool
down his flute and went out alone, once more to
sing the story Of his love. The mild breeze gently
moved the two gay feathers in his head dress, and
as he mounted upon a leaning tree the damp snow
fell from his feet heavily. AS he raised his flute
to his lips, his blanket slipped from his well
formed shoulders and lay partly on the snow be-
meath. He began his song; but soon felt that he
was cold, and as he reached back for his blanket,
some unseen hand laid it gently upon his should
ers. 1t was the hand of his love; she had been
his angel. She took her place beside him, and
for the present they were happy; for the Indian
has heart to love, and in this pride is noble as
his freedom.
As the legend runs, large White Bear, think
ing perhaps that Polar SHOWS and eternal winter
extended and reigned every where, took up his
lone journey southwark. lie at length approach
ed the northern shore of the lake which now bears
his name, walked down the bank and made his
way noiseessly through the deep, heavy snow,
towards the Island. 1t was the same Spring en-
suing that the lovers met. They had left their
first retrea: and were now seated among the
branches of large elm, which hung far out over
the lake. For fear of being detected they had
talked almost in whisper; and now that they
might get back to the camp in good time, and
thereby avoid suspicion, they were just rising to
was heard at tho camp, and bounding towards the
young brave caught his blanket but missed the
direction Of her foot and fel bearing her blanket
with her, into the great arms of this unknown
monster. Instantly every man, woman and child
of the band were upon the bank, but all unarmed.
Cries and shrieks went up from every mouth
What was to be done? This white monster held
the breathless maiden in his huge grasp, and fon-
died with his precious prey as if he were used to
scenes like this. One deafening yell from the low
er warrior is heard above the cry of hundreds,
and dashing away to his wigwam, he grasps his
faithful knife, returns almost with a single bound
10 the scene of fear and fright, rushes out along
the leaning tree to the spot from where his treas
ure fell, and springing with the fury of mad
panther, pounced upon his prey. One stroke Of
his blade opened the crimson sluice of death, and
the dying monster relaxed his grasp. That night
there was no more sleep, and as the young and old
darced about the carcas of the dead beast, the
young warrior wore another plume; and ere anoth-
er moon had set, he had living treasure added
to his heart. Their children for many years play
ed upon the tanned skin of the White Bear, and
the Maiden and the Brave remembered long the
fearful scene and rescue that made them one.
A PIONEER.
st. Paul, June 10, 1855.
ILLNESS OF ERAsrUs BRooKs.-In consequence of
severe attack upon the lungs, brought on by Sc
verify of labor and exposure in Albany last winter