The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-08-10
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BARABOO.
It's Scenery, Manufactures, etc.

town OF Barahoo, gives him favorable
impression, which is not dispelled by a
closer acquaintance. Its picturesque
situation en- the Baraboo river, nesting
as 1t does in the valley, surrounded by
hills that might almost be termed noun
tains, makes it really romantic The
close proximity of DeUTs Lake, with its
magnificent scenery, and strange legends,
makes Baraboo not less attractive, but on
the contrary brings many strangers from
all parts of the country to view its won
ders. We, ourselves, having heard of
the wonders Of the scenery and legends,
came more than a thousand miles to veri-
fly them, and are not disappointed.
As all, even old residents OF the coun-
ty, may not know the true history, we
will here give the generally accepted YER
sion of the
DEVILS LAKE
Long years ago, before the foot Of the
pale face had ever desecrated the hun
ting grounds Of the red man, there lived,
on the banks Of the Baraboo river, a
tribe Of Indians, a distant shoot of the
noble nation of Delewares, honest and
upright, who worshipped the bIanitou in
an humble spirit This tribe was nam
ed SLI-wIT-TU8I- DRoN -Ko-oN-sII,s so called
from an old chief of that name, mean
ing sly as fox from his great cum
ming. A few of their descendants are
still living in the neighborhood OF Bara-
boo, and bear at least a portion of the
old name.
They lived by fishing and hunting, as
the river furnished varieties of fish, and
the forests abundance of game.
At that time the present lake was not
In existence the eternal hills Of sand
stone rock rose fully $500 feet from the
plain below, and formed the lookout,
from which either game or foes could be
discerned for miles. The pride of the
tribe was the beauteous maiden Waw-be-
wa wa, or graceful antelope. She was
known among the nations far and wide
for her beauty, gentleness and goodness.
Songs were made in her honor, aud suit
ors thronged her fathers wigwam, to all
OF whom however she turned deaf ear.
Late one evening a stranger Of noble
aspect mace his appearance, and brought
as an Offering, te Waw-be-wa-wa :
bison which he bad brought on his shout
ders from the prairies OF the far west.
His prodigious strength reminded the
people OF the legendary kwa sind or
strong man. He was treated with the
greatest hospitality. He woed aud won
the maiden, and carried her on the top
of the bill, where Ia d song he gave the
people 10 understand that he was the
Nee bd-nd,c-bojgs, or evil spirit, and was
going to carry his bride to the lower re-
gious. The chiefs Of the tribe attempt
ed to rescue the graceful antelope, when
Nee-ba-naw baigs chanting weird In
cantation, stamped on the ground. The
effect WAS terrific. TIE heavens became
covered with clouds, aud darkness reign
ed over the land. the lightning struck
the bill, which together with Nee ba-
aaw-baIgs and -be-wa-wa sunk into
the abyss that opened and swallowed
them up. Fire rose thousands of feet in
the air, while ashes and rocks we're seat
tered all over the country. This erup-
ton lasted seven days. After it subsi-
ded, the cavity was filed with water
strongly impregnated with sulphur. The.
Indians Stunned the place and called it
-ba-naw- baigs, or Devils Lake.
which name it bears to the present day.
The lake is about 200 feet above the
level of the Wisconsin river, and has
been supposed to be without bottom.
We sounded the lake howe gs~,and ahonF
the center found bottom at the depth oeE
3,147 feet. The water is very clear and
soft, and the bottom of the basin appears
to bs funnel shaped. The bluffs rise on
three sides, in places to height of 500
feet actual measurement. The north end
is open, and in the south cast corner is =
Eorge or canyon, which enabled the