The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1893-02-10
A LEGEND OF The WILLAMETTE II,
Written by B. S. Martin, Corvallis. o:eson.]

Nearly every race of the human family
has some form Of religion. They believe IL
some supreme power, some supreme being o.
beings that shape and fashion the destiny O.
all. Various are the ftiine, differing as
widely from ;,tse anGthctas could be conceiv-
ed. But as the phiioloyist examines the
various languages Of the human family and
by certain principles, cassities them into
aryan, etc, so the socoiogist Classics and ar
ranges the r1anv systems and forms Of re-
ligions.
The s,1ciologist cassifea them upon certain
principles common to a class, though they
may differ widely in other paitouiars.
Bat there seoms to be pecu3iir difference
between the religion Of th2 aborginas OF this
country, and that Of any other existing sys-
TEN.
They are Monodeitist. The Mighty
Spirit nlanifests himself in many ways.
| They see him in E4ec!ouds and hear him in
the gentle breeze; they see him in the limpid
waters and hear him in the raging tempest;
a mystic awe ttutcs their principal hom-
| age TO this Mighty Spirit OF the universe.
! Bat associated with this n:onodei;istic idea,
which is universal! with the aborigines Of
! America, are those Of d more casual nature,
a superstition belonging to son,e special
| place, often originating with some transac-
ton, or calamity, and consequently known
only t. Il tribe, or their l!.lncdiAtc ne; ghDors.
Sucil j. the Legend OF the willamette" "
| When first the host1nIn:n l,2destrianed his
! way through the Willamette y:,!lcy-!Ie found
tic upper portion occupied 5y the Ca!ipooia
| Indians.
In other word. their territory extended
from fa.' it), the Callrooia river on the east to
! the Coast .;,lsc On the west, including the
prairies cf Geuton, linn uHd Lane counties.
| AS the pioneers reared their log, cabins in
| this paradisacat luild, the rodnlan gradually
retired towards the Caircoia river. The
founding of the mission three miles south Of
what is now the present town Of Brownsville,
caused many Of them to take up their abode
! in thnt locality.
The writer has been informed by
one of the few Of the HOW al
most extinct tribe, that at one time
they were great and powerful nation, brave
and courageous in war, but true and mid in
peace. But long before The bostonman had
turned his thoughts to this western verge
"where rolls the Oregon" the prosperity Of
the Calipooians had begun to wane, gradL-
ally but continually have they decreased un-
til at last there are bat three left to tell the
! history Of once great nation and TO reheGrse
| to their pale face listener their mystic tales.
The moaning OF " Uodinia as related in the
! following poem is supposed to be the rustling
| ofthe leaves Of the evening breeze, also the
! low murmuring OF the waters OF the William
etteas it glides gently on at evenings close,
but interpreted by the supcsstitious Calipoo-
iuns rs the wailing Of Midinia over her slain
| lover, which, according to tn l,gaal, was
the cause Of the downfall OF the nation.
This il a true Indian legend, and Is only
one of the many to be found among tn. ao-
| origincs of this coast.
Hark, what strange sound wakes my hearing,
| What mysterious notes ofpain?
| What, wild shrieks as Il by demons,
Hari, hear again, again.
Hear yon not that mystic moaning
Waited By the evening breeze;
Catch you not, It's thrilling story,
! As it uathcs the quivering leaves,
See you not those lines mysterious
Written on the maple trees?
| They were chslcd by the waters;
| Shay ed and fashioned by this breeze.
They are records Of nation:
| Which once lived bat arc no more;
Men who loved, strove and had passions,
But whose daring deeds are o'cr.
And this strange inccssant moaning
Al the coseing Of The day,
Is Mi2inia lowly sighing,
As she slowly wcnds her way.
Yes, Midinia of the ages,
| Who, OF yorc was queen of love; -.-.
| Who, by her superior Sracos,
All, was fancicd from above.
Maiden OF the Calipooia,
Rulers Of the g::tssy plain;
| Foremost in the iiercest battles,
| Iron-hearts that meier were tanned.
And Midinia, fairest maiden
Ofthis mighty race Of men;
Cherished idol of her father,
Where both love and beauty blend.
She the idol of the nation,
| Who had suitors from afar;
Down on knees they sued for graces,
Ere they sought their country's war.
But one came from Umpqrla River,
Far to south, DER mountains high,
Sought the side OF fair Midinia;
Caught the love drop from her eye,
Took it up and bathed his tresses,
Bathcd his forehead broad and square,
Put his arms around her shoulders,
Breathed low and fereent prayer.
Then they heard the Mighty Spirit,
In a low and solemn breath,
''Be forever thus united.
Through all life time and through DEATH"
Slowly rising from their sitting,
Struck by Cupid's quiyering dart;
Pledged themselves with arms embracing,
Not through life nor death to part.
Thus the wooihg Of Aiidinia
| A = H. 4 . = Inr-