Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-09-19
DEVILS LAKE" WISCONSIN.
Indian Legend Relative to the Origin
of That Most Beautiful Sheet
Of Water.
The God OF Love. the Devil. and a
Lovely Nymph All Mixed Up
in the Matter.

IL - Il bSduliiul SIttG OF water, 0DtlOt
three miles Icing by tSo in breadth. and of
extremely great depth, with mountain Of
irregular rock rising on its northern side.
Of mass apparently about equal to the
body of the lake. The traditions of the
natives Of the country account for it as fol-
lows:
The present site of the lake and
mountains was once a beautiful garden.
surrounded by a large and noble forest.
and was the chosen retreat of the god of
Love.
Here he RECALLED the nymphs of the for
est as each in turn acknowledged his
sway.
There was Il lovely nymph named Elm
dalia, which being interpreted means For
est Flower.
Upon her the devil had often cast eyes of
longing. but she. no matter what guise he
took, rejected his suit with scorn.
Considering himself aggrieved, he long
ed for revenge; but so long as she remain
ed maid, hoping vet to win her to accept
him, he decided to wait ere making use of
absolute compulSion.
At last he learned that she had accepted
the suit of the god of Love and taken up her
abode in his garden.
Now determined either to enjoy her en-
braces or take terrible revenge. both up
on her and her favored lover, he started
from his southern abode. intending once
more to throw himself at her feet
Entering the garden by its southern gate
and looking around, the sight that met his
gaze brought on a most furious fit of pas
sion, for there before him. reclining upon a
luxurious couch of leaves beneath a grand
old elm We're Elmdalia. and her lover, en-
Ioylng the luscious fruits OF The forest and
garden.
Determined to destroy both, as we'll as
the country in which they had found hap
plneSS, and the trees and shrubs from which
they had enjoyed fruit. he hurled the rock
from the position of the present lake upon
and buried the happy couple and sent a
storm of sand and covered the face of the
entire land.
Unknown at the time to the devil, the
rocks had fallen in such a manner that in
stead of destroying the lovers an immense
and beautiful cavern had been formed
around them, so that they uninjured; but
of course ElmdaIia. being mortal, was I'M
prlsoned forever, while only the physical
form OF the god of Love was confined. his
spirit being immortal and he being able to
don and doff the mortal form at will.
To repair as much as was in his power
the devils evil work, the god of Love
brought the seeds of the toothsome and
delicate blueberry and scattered them over
the land. as well as the seeds of the pine
these being the best growth that will
flourish in such soil.
And the legend must be true. because
the lake. the mountain, the sand, as well
the blueberries and the scrubby pines, are
there in evidence.
And it is even said to this day that
whose ears are properly attained can hear
the sweet converse of the lovers beneath
the mOuntain-though this cannot veri-
ty; but certain it is the spirit of love
hovers ever around the place
For whenever men or women who nave
the genius of love within their breast So
Journ there, if they find kindred soul also
within the influence, they talk. and sing,
and even dream of love.
Being anxious to learn all could of this
legend | consulted the queen of the Chip
pewas, who was an authority on native
mystical lore, and who, indeed, was also
called Forest Flower.
The Chippewas were once the lords of
all the country round about They are d
tribe of more than usual intelligence as
well as comeliness. and have cherished the
traditions of their fathers with unusual
care. My authority assured me that the
legend as | had it was correct, though in
complete. She said that the red men had
noticed that the white people supposed
that the devil and the god of Love were
yet in partnership, and being jealous of
the white mems power, preferred to let
them remain of such belief, to the end
+hot tbay- Of b
preme happiness which the god of Love
confers upon his faithful subjects; hence
tie sequel had not yet been told. But, "
she added, long have ! with sorrow seen
the fear and trembling with which your
people submit to the sway of love
80 much you fear. that. instead of its
being to you an untold and priceless bless
ing, it is frequently even regarded as a sin
and a curse.
Our people sdestiny appears about to be
fulfilled. Soon will he last of my race
have entered the happy hunting grounds.
Soon will |, the last to bear the name of
Forest Flower, the last ndmesake of her
who dwells beneath the mountain, pass
from among you; and ! have learned to
love you pale-faced people, and would
leave to them legacy that | may be re-
tu Will SIdllJuue. even SLuulu JLlG
record of my race have passed away.
go then, thou gray-eyed stranger. and
say to all thy race that, when the devil
learned the result of his attempt to destroy
love. and she who dared to do love S bid
ding learned that instead of their destruc-
tiOn he had but contributed tenfold to her
happiness for as all know. when free to
roam at will and subject to the manifold
influences Of the world, even love can net
entirely protect his chosen one from sor-
row, whereas subject solely to his society
existence for her becomes a never ending
blissfu dreaml and IN no degree lessened
the power of his riVal-when he saw that
his own act had turned against him he
swore mighty oath that bencnforth and
forever instead Of interfering with the god
of Love he would iv at his approach; that
those over whom the god of Love extended
his wings should be free from his (the
DEVILS influence. unless they refused or
ceased to acknowledge loves SWAY.
Say to them that this truth is left them
As a heritage hv Forest Flower. the last of
large race Of kings and queens of the
once mighty Fhippewas. That we know
its truth. for has it not been handed down
to us direct from our forefathers. who
were then lords of all this land; and have
we not proved it in our lives ever since
that time?
Say to them that if they would enjoy
to the full the glory of life they must with
out reserve admit the region of love with
in their breasts: and if they daily with
him by first inviting and then refusing
they but throw dowr the barriers for the |
devil 10 enter. because he will not enter |
while love reigns. He Is cons antly watch |
ing for loves departure. and he takes ten
fold jov in torturing one who has once en- /
joypd the sw cts of love
THAT it Is for this reason that your |
people have confounded the influence of !
the two beings, they not having had suf- /
ficipntly keen visions to detect loves de- I
parture. and, having been taught that /
they reign together and instructed to resist !
loves influence. they have. by their own |
acts and their diStrust Of love, invited the !
devil to reign over them.