Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-25
MYTHS OF A MOUNT
Professor S~ensberg Relates
the indian Legends
or BEAUTIFUL MOUNT SHASTA
How tns Wondsrfal SpEings Wee
Formed Untss IN. Footsteps Of the
Great spirit Tas Grszzii-s' Curse.

The SHASTA springs are supposed 10
be outlets Of sabterraneaa stream,
fet Nv the eternal SHOWS that crown
The peaks above. where the Coast
msuatAins OF ne west joan the s.erFas
of .as east They include the noted
Mosfras Falls and 4 number Of
springs. several OF when are mineral
ia character. Thsse remarkable
springs OF fountains ara accounted for
b. tae following Legend, mention or
which Is made 81 Bancroft. who cites
from joaquin Miiler's .oFies OF NOdoc
Life.
In the far, far long ago, the Great
Spirit concluded to MAKE the world.
He created Mount shasta first. Using
. large, sharp stone as an anger. be
bored hOls II the sky, through whlcn
he pushed down snow and ics until he
had reared the mountain. Then he
stepped down from cloud 10 cloud 10
TIE peak, thence 10 the earth. Stoop-
ia, he pressed ms finger into the
ground hers and there, and caused the
first trees 10 start. The sun began 20
shine. causing the snow 10 melt and
give nour.snment 10 the trees.
Created Animal life.
The Great spirit gathered some
leaves, bresthed upon them, and they
became BIRDS. lie then broke q stick
into a number or pieces and from the
small pieces re made fishes, from the
middle pieces no made the lesser anl-
mails. from the larger pieces no made
the grizzly bear and gave h.r. author
ny 10 act as master over all the animal
creation. Tue grizzly soon became 50
large, 50 powerful and so cunning that
the Great spirit began 10 fear him, aud
as a matter OF protection made wig
wan for himself out OF Mt. SHASTA
The Great Spirit and his family dwell
within, and the smoke curling up from
the summit showed the fire that was
burning on the hearth. Then a great
storm came, the wind blew the ocean
against the mountain and made II
trsmble. The Great Spirit asked hl'
little daughter 10 go up and quiet the
stosm, cautloning her not to look out
but TO put forth her hand and make !
sign before giving the command. The
ck1ld clambered up to the roof. did a
told. aud was about TO descend wher
her curiosity gained the best OF her
she wanted to see what the worlc
looked ike.
Fate of the daughter.
She put out her hand, the wine
csugh. her by the hair, dragged he
down tbs mountain side, and left he
IN the land OF the grizzly bear. Neal
the mountain base dwell family Of
grizzlies. The Old grizzly was return
ing from a hunt vita Q young elk l.
one paw and q biudgeon on bis snoul
der. RE sped the far child uncon
sciOus on the ground, he lifted ne
tenderiy and carried her 10 his home
The Old mother grizzly pitled the chile
aud gave ner milk from her OWL
breast. and reared her as oRe OF be
own family. The girl grew up ant
married the eldest son OF the oil
grzEly. The grizzlies then were .ver,
different from the grizzlies now-the.
walked erect Ike men, carried club
for weapons and talked. When mai
was born, the grizzly nation rejoiceC
and was filled with pride. They unlt0S
aud built 4 wigwam for the younl
mother near that Of ths Great Spirl
and u ~ now known as little Mt
shasta Many years passed away-th'
old mother grizzly became feeble AM
felt she was soon to die. Her con
science smOte her, because through 81
the years she had concealed from til
Great Spirit the whereabouts OF nj
child. she called the grizzlies togethe
~ the new lodge and sent her eldes
grandson towards the clouds 10 tn
summit Of MI. Shasta TO tell the Grea
Spirit where his darling might b
found.
The Great spirits wrath.
when the Great Spirit heard this hi
was filed with Joy and ran down tn
mountain. 80 great was his speed tn
snow was melted, and great stream
began 20 iiow; hidden watercourse
were formed, aad tie fountains al,
springs along the Sacramento, inciud
ing the would srful "Shssta" spring De
gan 70 aow, ss they continue to tn
day.
The grizzly nation had assemble
from al quarters Il their domain an.
prepared a grand reception. A. to
Great spirit nearsd his daughters b.
found thousands OF grizzlies stsndin
erect with clubs Cd teer shoulders II
two Nee, fsCing ore on either SIDE o
tar door. A TIC Great spirit suei
down between the E1es, shouts Of wel
come rent the ar. lie rsscasd hi
child. but when to found her changed
aad that a new race hEd been create
without his consent, ne was seized W.T.
anger. his rage vas fearful 20 behold
tie looked a. toe grandmother grIftl
wish such an sgful countensuCs tina
she died on the SPOT. Then the gril
zlies began 10 howl aud lament.
Getcse Nsutto's curse
The great spirit lifted bis dsughte
taaterlv IN as arms, and before fs
PARTING turned % She crzTiss AZ
cursed th~ni in BIS fory "Be Hlent,'
30 rrlet, Never again speaki ~tan'
erect 10 more. Uss you hands az Zee
and look So the ground tii j com
az.far Then ~ drove them away
sud also drove the new race OF Ire
from 1ni he ;hen closed tae door q
hsartfa Wouat shasta anf returned
20 ais ownw gvsnl, carrying b e daugh
tsr wth aim. aud they we're neve
afterwards seen.
Tie e. lies are stiii under his curse
thev never SPEAK nor stsnt erect eS
eert waen TIER lfa 3 in tanger-w ne
che 9rsat spirit permits them Go stan
urrIsnts Cf Oh. fnt use their 81
r.r f.~.as ~r-rrf ~fn d