The St. Johns herald., 1890-07-31
SPIRIT LAKES LEGEND.
An Interesting and Pretty Story
 of Indian Lore.
How Young Star of Day and His Pale Faced Captive Died TOgether-Why No Indian Ventures on the Lake -
 SupcrstItioCs Fancies.


 paradise Iowa was for the nomadic tribes that first peopled it, writes Mir. J. A. Smith in the Sioux City Ga.) Jour nal. Its lakes and streams alive with fish and fowl; its prairies the pastsre ground for almost countless herds of wild ruminating animals; its timber belts furnishing convenient shelter and fuel, while the rich soil responded abundantly to their rude and desultory attempts at agriculture. And thinking of this one is led to wonder if the same people who fought so long and fiercely for possession of the bleak and rugged hills of New England and the Middle States, and who made of the Ohio val ley ga dark and bloody ground" sub- mitted with such comparative tameness to be driven from these, their best hunt ing grounds.
 But it is rather for the purpose of re- calling one of the most charming of Iowa's legends than for speculating upon the Indian hegira that this narrative is written. One of the loveliest sheets of water in the world is Spirit Lake, now so widely known as Iowa's beautiful summer resort, and with it's name is connected the legend mentioned. The Indian name of Spirit Lake is Mime Waukan, or "Water of the Great Spirit," and the legend gives the sig nifcance of the name. One who has only seen Spirit Lake on a calm, bright sur1rcer day, with scarcely a ripple disturc-lg the sheen of it's broad expansa, could but imagine-so peaceful, so restful and quiet is the scene-that if spirits abide therein they must surely be those gentle gnomes and fairies whose mission to the human fam ily was always one of kindness. But when one has seen it lashed to fury by the pitiless north wind, watched its steely-blue, foam-crested waves roll high up on Sandy beach or dash in inn potent rage against rock-lined cliffs, while afar off masses of vapor and the very clouds seemed to meet its angry surface like bosom of destruction then it would be easy to understand that the superstitious red man might regard such manifestations as threaten ing death to any who should venture upon its turbulent waters.
 Many years ago, so runs the legend, war party of Sioux who had joined their brethren near the great lakes in an in cursion to drive away the usurping white man, returned to the tribe, bring ing with them captive a beautiful white maiden. After many weary days of journeying they found the camp fires of their people among the trees that fringed the western shore of Spirit Lake. The grief and beauty of the white girl had touched the heart of ''Star of Day. son of a powerful chief, and during the wearisome journey he tried to soften the hardships she en- dured and to show her the love she had awakened in his breast. But the poor captive had no thought for any thing but the home and friends from whom she had been so ruthlessly torn, although her heart was filled with gratitude to- ward the young brave, who protected her in his rude fashion.
 When the camp on the lake was reached the captive was placed in charge of an old squaw and confined in a wigwam, where she bemoaned her sad fate with tears and entreaties to be restored to her friends. Star of Day tried for time, as opportunity offered, to urge his suit, but without avail. In vain he rehearsed his prowess in battle or pointed to trophies of the chase taken by his skill. His love-making but added to the maiden's misery, and her only answer to his wooing was pit eous appeals that he would set her free. Finally Star of Day determined to not only give her liberty, but to conduct her safely to her family, hoping that such generosity would awaken the love he craved. He chose time when most ot the tribe were absent on grand hunt and selecting a dark and threatening night for greater security the pair launched out upon the lake in light but frail canoe. The girls absence was soon discovered by the old squaw, and the alarm spread through the camp Other canoes were manned in chase Ot the fugitives, and being propelled by several pairs of strong arms, the flash ing light of torches ere long enabled the pursuers to catch sight of Star of Day: canoe But just as their capture was imminent the storm burst with terrible fury, engulfng all in the surging whirl pool of dark waters.
 From that time no Indians canoC ever crossed the lake. Either a storn would suddenly arise and swamp tho frail bark or some -nseen power drag it beneath the waves Then the tragic fate of Star of Day an1 the white maideI was invested with Indian superstition and their spirits were said to haunt th' lake for the purpose of working miS chief upon all red men who should venture thereon.
 When in after years the adventurou white hunters who first visited the lakt launched boldly upon it's surface and re turned safe from their voyages, the fac was accepted as fully confirming tn, theory of a mysterious spirit inhuenct which was exercised for the protection of the pale-faces, as well as for the de struction of the red men. As year passed it became part of the tradition