The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-06-23
LEGEND OF THE PlASA ROCK.
TERRIBLE MONSTER WHICH MADE
WAR ON THE ILLINI TRIBE.
Killed at Lart by a brave Chief
aud His Followers.

Overlooking the Piasa River. which
pours its waters into the Mississippi
just above Alton, stands the Plasa rock,
says an Alton. ILL.,, despatch to the Chi
caso Tribune,
About this there clings the remnant
Of an Indian legend which tells Of a
brave chief. Wapatoga. and how he
saved his people from a monster There
are people now alive who remember
when the rocks bore the rude picture OF
huge bird which was slain by Wa
patogo painted there by his people to
mark his act of heroism. The story
was handed down In unwritten tribal
history. and the early settlers heard 1t
from the chiefs OF the tribe of which
Wapatogo was the foremost chief.
AT an early period IN the history OF
this country a tribe of Indians inhab-
tied the territory now embraced in the
State Of Illinois. They were the Illinis.
from which the State derived Its name.
For many years this tribe increased in
power, prosperity and numbers until
their tepees could be seen on Its green
prairies and their canoes upon IT'S peau-
State to the other.
! After a time a change came over this
happy nation. Their hunting grounds
ed. Where their people were the most
numerous and where their great chief
! had his home there appeared a bird
fowi"whieh took up it t.. abode ns' on aHa a
rock overlooking the Mississippi
Its huge boay was covered with
ssaes ,s Of eyery hue %h one D blow
trembie. 1t had head like an OK. with
the bsak OF an eagle. Immense horns
hung over eyes that shone with the
were armed with powerful talons. In
each OF which It could carry buffalo.
When 1T, Il haRpea Its wings there was VISA
into the river great waves rolled upon
To ms animal the Illinis gave the
This bird Toasted daily upon the lllini
people whom 1t bore of in Its claws.
The influence Of the medicine men
saw with terror their number diminish.
Ing to crafty the Unsuitable appetite OF
the Piasa. Village after village was
Throughout all their tribe. There seemed
nothing in the future for them but en-
tire annihilation.
Al last wapatogo, the, brave young
as their greatest warrior. whose fame
extended beyond the rising and setting
sun called council Of the priests In
OF prayer and fasting they slept. Pres
patogo and told him the only way to
| was to OFFER himself as a sacrifice. The
young chief started up, aroused the
sleeping priests. informed them OF his
vision from the Great Spirit and OF his
resolve to make the required sacrifice
Wapatogo dressed himself as becorl-
ing great ehief-.put on his war paint,
arrows, took his position on this premi-
nent point of rock to await the coming
OF the bird OF death. the slayer of his
people. As had been directed in his
vision many of his brave warriors wcA
concealed in the interstices OF the rocks
each to await with arrow drawn this
i, time when their beloved chief should
geance on their dreaded enemy.
Erect and powerful stood the. un
daunted Wapatogo, calm and placid
came n roar as OF thunder. and in on,
instant the Piasa, with a wild scream
e that shook the rocks. darted down upor
the CHIEF snt The BRAKE wapstogo qSaIie,
his tomahRwk deep into the monster
head; every arrow went with lightning
y speed into Its body. and the Piasa. witt
, opposite shore, fell dead.
q Wapatogo stood unharmed-not NJ
;, arrow nor even the taions OF the biz
}: admiration OF the noble sacrifice tn
n generous and brave Wapatogo woul
e hHye made for his ronEle, held owe
Is way 20 the widest JOY, held n grea
feast in honor OF the event. and. I
commemorats 1t. painted the figure Q
side Of which their N noble c6 SET h s
stood In his heroic defense There in
d picture remained for ages-until With
m the memory OF jewellers OF Alton
mark for the arrow or bullet OF the re
man as he assembled or descended tn
great Father OF Waters"
The Eteamer Witskind from Bremen June