Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-22
SPIRIT LAKES LEGEND. An Interesting and Pretty Story
 of Indian Lore.
How Young Star of Day and His Pale- raced Captive Died Together-why No Indian Ventures on the Lako-
 Superstitious FnnclcS.

paradise Iowa was for the nomadio tribes that first peopled it, writes MT. J. A. Smith in the Sioux City (Ia.) Jour nal. It's lakes and streams alive with fish and fowl; its prairies the pasture ground for almost countless herds of wild ruminating animals; it's 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 ono is led to wonder if the same people who fought so long and hercely for possession of the bleak and rugged hills of New England and the Middle States, and who made of the Ohio val ley''a 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 ono of the most charming of lowa'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,
 
 Spirit" and tho legend gives the sig nificance of the name. One who has only seen Spirit Lake on calm, bright summer day, with scarcely P ripple disturbing the sheen of it's broad eXpanse, could but imagine-so peaceful, so rcstful and quiet is the scenc-that if spirits abide therein they must surely bc those gentle gnomes and fairies whose mission to the human fam fly was always orc of kindness. But when one has seen it lashed to fury by the pitilcss north wind, watched it's te2ly-bluc, foanl-crcsted waves roll high up on Sandy beach or dash in inn potent raga against roclz-lined cliffs, WLilN afar of masses of vapor and the very clouds seemed to meet it's angry | surface l!lc q bosom of destruction then it would be easy to understand that tho expectations red man might regard such manifestations as threaten ing death to any who should venture. l upon its turbulent waters.
 | Many years ago, SD runs tho legend, a. l w:.r party of Sioux who had joined their bro thrcn near the great lakes in an in | cl!rsion to drive away the usurping white man, returned to the tribe, bring | ing with thcln captive a beautiful white cAnidcn. Alter many weary days of 1 journoyinG they found the camp fires of their people among tho trees that fringcd tho western shore of Spirit Lake. Tho grief and beauty of tho white girl had touched the heart of Star of Day" son of a powerful chief. and during tho wcarisome journey ho tri0d to soften the hardships she en- durcd and to show her the love she had awakened in bis hSodst. But the poor captive had no thought for any thing but thc home and friends from whom she had been SO ruthlcssly torn, although her heart was filled with gratitude to- ! ward tho young h,'...,H, w.:o protected l her in his rude fash.on.
 When the camp oi: the lake was reached tho captive was rl:cod in charge of an old squaw and confined in J wiGwam, where she bcmoaned her sad fate with tears and entreaties to be l restored to her f'"iGnds. Star of Day tried for a time :,s opportunity offered, | Q ulTc his suit, but without avail. In l vain he rchearscd his prowess in battle or pointed to trophies of the chase taken by his skill. His love-making bat added to the maiden's misery, and her only answer to his wooing was pit cOus appeals that he would set her free. | Finally Star of Day determined to not cnly give her liberty, but to conduct her safely to her family, hoping that such generosity would awaken the love he | crarCd. He chose time when most of | thc tribe were absent on 8 grand hunt, and selecting 8 dark and threatening night for greater security the pair launched out upon the lake in 8 light but frail canoe. Tho girls absence was soon discovered by the old squaw, and the alarm spread through tho camp Other canoes were manned in chase of the fugitives, and being propelled by several pairs of strong arms, the fash ing light of torches ere long enabled tho pursuers to catch sight of Star of Days canoe. But just as their capture was l imminent tho storm bur!t with terrible fury, engulfing all in the surging whirl- | pool of dark waters
 | From that time 10 Indians canoe ever crossed the lake. Either storm would suddenly arise and swamp tho l frail bark or soC2o unseen power drag it beneath tho waves. Then the tragic fate of Star of Day and the white maiden was invested with Indian superstition, and their spirits were said to haunt the lake for the purpose Of working mis- chief upon all rcd men who should venture thereon.
 When in after years tho adventurous white hunters who first visited the lake launched boldly upon it's surface and re- turned safe from their voyages, tho fact was accepted as fully confirming tho theory of mysterious spirit influence which was exercised for the protection of the pale-faces, as we'll as for the dc- struction of the red men. As years passed it became part of the tradition that no white man would ever be drowned in the lake, but that in storm or calm his boat would safely ride it2 waters, shielded from danger by the on, chantment of the spirits that rule the waves and guide the fatal whirlpools. l rl, iCfn