The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-11-26
WHITE BEAR LAKE
Hosr 1t Derioed Its Na.ne-A Roma nalc
Indian Legend

IL
Adjacent to the western shores of tho lake,
with space of about twenty rods interven-
ing, begins an Island, running back in an
oblong shape, and containing about sixty
four acres. This island rises in most places
twenty feet above the water, and is covered
with perhaps the most extensive hard maple
forest in the Northwest, with an intermi1-
ture of oak, ash, soft maple and elm.
ORIGIN OF WHITE BEAR-NDIAN LEGEND.
Every spring for, perhaps, century, OF as
long as there has been nation of red men,
this island has been visited by band of In
dams for the purpose of making maple sugar.
Tradition says that many years ago, while
upon this island, young warrior loved and
wooed the daughter of his chief, and it is said,
also, the maiden loved the warrior. He had
again and again been refused her hand by her
parents, the old chief alleging that he was no
brave, and his old consort called him a woman.
The sun had again set upon the ssugar-
bush,' and the bright moon rode high in
the blue heavens, when the young warrior
took down his flute and went out alone,onoe
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 the
trunk of q leaning tree, the damp snow fell
from his feet heavily. As he raised his flute
to his lips his blanket fell from his we'll
formed shoulders and lay partly on the snow
beneath. He began his wierd, wild love song,
but soon felt that he was cold; and as he
reached back for his blanket some unseen
hand laid it gently on his shoulder; it was
the hand of his love-his guardian 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 he is as
noble as is his own freedom, which makes
him the child of the forest. As the legend
runs, . large white bear, thinking, perhaps,
that polar SHOWS and dismal winter extended
everywhere, took up his journey southwark.
He at length approached the northern shore
of the lake which now bears his name, walked
down tho bank and made his way noiselessly
through the deep, heavy snow toward the
island. It was the same spring ensuing that
thelovers met. They had left their first retreat
and were now seated among the branches of
large elm which hung far out over the lake.
Che same tree is still standing and excites
universal curiosity and interest.) For fear
of being detected, they had talked almost in
q whisper, and now, that they might get
back to the camp in good time, and thereby
avoid suspicion, they we're just rising to re-
turn, when the maiden uttered shrek which
was heard at the camp, and bounding to-
words the young brave she caught his blan-
ket, but missed the direction of her foot and
fell, bearing the blanket with her,
into the great arms of the unknown
monster. Instantly every man, wo-
man and child of the band we're upon the
bank, but all unarmed. Cries and shrieks
went up from every mouth. What was to be
done? This white monster held the breath
less maiden in his huge grasp, and fondled
with his precious prey as if he were used to
scenes like this. One deafening yell from the
lover warrior is heard above the cry of hun
dreds, and dsshing away to his wigwam he
grasps his faithful knife, returns almost with
q single bound to thescene of fear and fright,
rushes out along the leaning tree to the spot
from where his treasure 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
bear relaxed his grasp. That night there
was no moro sleep for the band or the low
ers, and as the young and old danced about
the caroas of the dead beast, the young war
rior WAS presented with another plume, and
orc another moon had set he had living
treasure aided to his heart. Their children
for many years played 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.