The Weekly Arizonian., 1871-04-08
Legend of Donner Lake

the following beautiful description Of Donnar Lake, Cal, aad gives the old Indian legend which would seem to suggest its origin:
 Bonner Lake may, with good tasse and truth, be called the pride of California Lakes. If
 Lake Tahoa spread it's dimensions wholly up- on California soil, instead of portion of 1t in
 Nevada it would be positive rival to the title
 forit is tho most beautiful sheet of wetar OF
 the Pacific Coast. Donner Lake is situated
 near the towering suamits of the Sierras, fold--
 ed iu their granite arms, amid the grand est
 scenery to be imagined. The Sierras around in boldest outlines, and wondrous features of sublimity; deepest pockets; most abrupt and rugged peaks, spurs and palisades, canyons, and sunlmits; lofty and snow-crested peaks ;; Gr and pine timbered mountain sides, reaching up, up, to impossible heights and nnmeasured attitudes In such scenes as this, far up to the very crown of the Sierra, reAscting the giant trees and neighboring mountain peaks, nestles DonDer Lake.
 There was an old legend, existing among the early Indians of California who lived and died many years before the sunset land vas ever heard Of, and which has never been pub- lished or circulated, to this effect The Indi- ans living in what is now known as the Trucs kee Valley, quarreled with their Chief and fought bloody battle, bringing upon them ths anger of the Greas Spirit. As a punish- ment, he banished the leaders of the quarrel, and sent them to certain locality over the great mountains where there was neither water nor food but great basin boiling with fire and lava this place Was Naat-wa call Bonner Lake The exiled Indians, after tedious and tiresome journey over the great snow peaks, came down to the great cauIdron, or basin, which was seething and bubbilng with fire and throwing up hot stones, and cinders, and smoke coutinualy-lt so terrified tRe weary and hungry Indians that many of them perished- but few Whc had faith in the forgiveness of their sins, prayed to their offended God to stop the smoke and the fire, and promised obedience to all his commands, if he would. spare their lives. While they prayed they fell. asleep, and laid all night with thar dead con,- pauions wrapped in their blankets and very weak from fatigue and hunger. In the morn ing they awoke and lonnd the warm, pleasant sun dressing the hiIl@tops in silver and gold and the great basin that was boiling with fire and lava the ight before, was not to be seen; but. in place, beautiful lake of pares. water filled with sporting fish, and rsHectug the snowy peaks that surrounded 1t. The Indians fell down on their faces aud gave thanks to the Great Spirit for his goodnass-they buitthem~ selves huts and lived at peace the rest ofthsir lives around the beautiful lake finding plenty of fish in it's waters and plenty of game in it's 
 This is the old legend of Donner Lake, told us by grey haired pioneer ofAeVada who had spent much ofhs time among the Pi-ute Indians, and was familiar with their stories nd legends. Whether true or false 1t is fact that an engineer of the Central Pacific Rail. road, during its construction. sounded the lake
 
 o the depth of 500 feet, without finding bot, om, and upon that fact was predicated the<be- ief that the lake occupies the site of the crate ,f an extinct volcano. This would give faint ay of truth to the old Indian story-leaving ,uttho painful portion of the cause aud ef- ect-which makes the legend really interest," ng.
 The name Donner was given it in memory , f the suferings endured on it's banks by a par- J ofemigrants, commanded by Captain Don- Ter, who became snow bound in the fruckee i Pass in lS46 Many perishei from cold and unger, and the living ware obliged to eat the esh of the dead to keep from starving. The ut where these sufferers camped was standing ntil shsrt time ago, and visited by the hun. reds and thousands of persons who have made l