New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-08-15
INDIAN MYTHOLOGY INDICATED.

Correspondence Of The Detroit Tribune
MAcRINAc, July 1850
In my Summer ramble TOWARD Lake Superior, was
induced TO pass few days the Island of Macknac,
TO thuad lis shady walks visit ts curosi les, aud
feast on its fine salmon trout and white iish.
The day before Yesterday, tremendous storm
sprag up rather an Unusual thing here at TINS season.
accom- anied by the fercest thunder and lightning
ever Witnessed the water poured from the heavens IN
torrents and have never before seen rain fall as II
dia here Streams ran through the streets, tearing
them in ridges and tie little board race at the Ga
son gate roared and threw the spray like young
cataract rocks stones, and gravel we're ssplaced IN
quantities from the brow of the bluff
Tie following mornn z, boys Ia gong along tue nase
of he Forth east Of their stables, found that several
large masses Of rock had been displaced by the rain
and rolled down from their original beds. One larse
ole YVES noticed, having left an opening OF some ieet
by TO- Some of the boldest CT the boys immediately
explored az far the lghs would admit. Ihe report
spread far and near and many people soon came ami
examined tie entrance Finally, party OF gentlemen
and lades YVES organized TO explore the opeuing tho
following morning with Others Wondered 10 40 or
die shall in this letter, briefly rs can give the OUT
lire of he information obtained respecting this cave,
and what my self write others wi messed.
From undoubied authority the derivation OF the
rame Of this island is from the Indian word Meche-ue
mock -nupg- gorge which means leland Of Great or
Ga1t Fairies and not from the Indian word for great
"urtle' lnoiaL ythoogy relates tnat three brothers
of reat or giant a les occupied different Islands IN this
2. ctCn of countr-,he eldest lived on this island the
called Poltawatnie Island, and the youngest on p
oua-be Conge an island in Lake Huron 10 the south
eastern ex,reu ity OF the Great Manitoba groups.
The Indians 10 this day look upon them with awe
ard yeperation and in passing to ana fro by their
sbort offer tobacco to prOpitata me goodwin N t0ese
giant spirits. The pr sent Garrison gate overiooks
tbe spot where in ages past an entrance existed 70 me
subtfrrane6n abode of these sprlis OF the Ies is
fact gas ascertained from a. old venerable Ind
Meta, who once encamped within tee hints OF the
present garrison garden then covered with giant
growth OF beech and maple. de stated that somet time
during the nie ht after be had fallen asleep fairy
,ouched him and az be awOsc be beckoned 70 fol-
low him. His spirit went with the fairy and they after
passiug through long am high aisle, entered grand
done or anphiihe6er which was llt up with an un-
earthly brliaucy; at the far end OF the dome, on
seat of shining rock Sat who appea Ell 70 be the
leader of The Giant Spirits. DIyerglng irOn hun rlgnt
ard left with the form Of the amphheater, sst numer
Gus 81 rts IN solemn conclave. Tue lEdan Meta lost
III wonder and astOBlsl ment, covered his mouth With
bis hand while he stood aud Witnessed the uneathly
.eht he chief fairy then directed one OF their mum
Der 10 conduc. the ln0ian spirit back 20 hls oily d.
recug him. If asked, 70 state the fact Of their exist
erce but not 10 mention what he had heard; G Meta
10 tie day Of his 18th never dvUged what ne heard
10 hat exit NJ spiritual visit. $500,
Travelers arr aware that the formation Of his sand
consists of stratum Of limestone Of great tuicAIoe'
bas.d upon calcaTeous rock, IN "nich ne -
cr saiLne structure proves rs lnterI 'y. have
overlap ed by The rock forming the olun- VIII
large cavities Of carbonate Of lime, and when nave ~
Commanding an aupearance upOa aPproachinS he
sy - - l,tvofious from One bundled 20 be
tween lire and four hundred fet. The naaoasnis
ana strangers am Informed slS ma .sI mr. Sss
NJ 0 49, carriages pass over the sland. Scdl
c.'n Scs,;s, cave and Devils Cave are renowned,
~I,b are believed low 10 be outlets OF othees OF
ersa or ms riiuGe. $.
~, N. liDae stands on rocky emnence mnledi.
,,.Iy above be village and at present Is grris0ned
hv a company Of United States artillery, under the
! eSnmsnd Of Breye. Major T. Williams.
! The party Of iadis aud gentsgen before alluded