The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1875-05-27
The Blue Lakes.

THESE gems of California scenery are
in Lake County, Immediately on the
road between Lakeport and Potter Val
ley. AS all know they are more cele-
brated for their depth than either for
their length or width. Lofty and steep
mountains hem them in on both sides.
On the east these mountains are covered
with heavy coating of chaparall, while
those on the west are ornamented with
thick shrubbery and small trees. The
sides are very steep and picturesque,
and the whole scenery has a wild, weird
look that thrills the beholder with a
strange emotion.
The water of the lakes is exceedingly
clear and of deep blush green hue
that mirrors the mighty arms that en-
brace it to perfection. The road winds
along the steep sides of the mountains
on the west, so steep in many places that
ne seems to hang almost over the bright
water. Looking up you see a narrow
strip of blue sky flecked with snowy
clouds; looking below us we see them
depicted with charming softness and per-
fection. Thrilled with holy emotions
one would hardly start to see some angel
face peering over the silvery edge of his
cloud-chariot that sweeps noiselessly
above him. 'Tis not wonderful that the
untutored Indian should invest these
lakes with supernatural mystery that
poop1o1 fborn with m nop ~ ORG uboco pou
ers no human agency could resist, the
flash of whose eyes shot arrows of death.
1.-THE Blue Lake monster" is familiar to
all who know the history of these waters.
The Indian legend is that many years
ago a white man came down from Hum
boldt and married the daughter of the
chief who lived near these lakes. After
a while he started to return. The Indian
girl, ardently attached to him, followed
and overlook him at the upper lake. She
expressed her determination to 60 with
him, when he caught her and threw her
over the steep bank into the deep blue
waters. She was changed into mon
ster with watery blue eyes, and whose
ever looked into that eye died that year.
Hence the Indians are afraid to go about
these lakes. From time to time visitors
have caught glimpses of this monster,
varying in length from thirty to sixty
feet. Accounts of it have found their
way into the newspapers, and many are
fully persuaded of its existence.
had reached the upper end of the
hird and last lake when, what was my
surprise to see dark objectr moving
slowly through the water near the sur
face. 1t was about 100 yards from the
shore, and l was at an elevation of per-
haps $50 feet. reined ia my horse and
watched its movements with intense inter
est. At the time heavy cumulus clouds
obscured the sun and gentle breeze
rippled the surface of the water so that
no distinct outline could be traced. 1t
was moving directly toward me, all at
once began to sink, just when the sun
famed out for a moment, and it took
the form of two immense fish playing
around each other, but before / could
satisfy myself clouds hid the sun and it
moved, an indefinable mass, again rising
near the surface. Again the envious
clouds withdrew, the winds held their
breath for moment, and saw what
seemed to be the long, wavy body of a
serpent with dark back and yellow
sides, its head near the surface and its
tail deep down in the water. This view
lasted but for moment, not long enough
to satisfy me. I leaped from my buggy
and took position on the edge of the
road and looked with all my powers. But
now in the ruffied waters it appeared
only rs dark, indefinable object; rest
lessly yet leisurely moving about. Still
l waited and watched. Soon it assumed
the shape of prone v, or flock OF
geese flying through the air. Again its
serpent shape was assumed. and this
time its broadside was turned to me. l
estimated its length at about forty feet
The sun bursting through rifted cloud
shot his brightest rays into the water,
when the whole mass was dissolved into
separate and distinct fish swimming
around in vast school. They were
perch. Had taksA bysa hasty look
Just as the harmless cloud Of little fishes
assumed the shape of CREST snake, ]
too might have gone away declaring that
the bright Blue Lakes rwers the home ot
monster Of untold size and power
Pacific Aahodjss,