Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-05-10
MOCCASIN CREEK.
Its Origin and kame-Paper Read By J. |.
Cotey at Recent Old Settlers Meeting.

Cotey at Recent Old Settlers Meeting.
AS it is coStumary on an occasion of
this kind, that is at the old folks
reunion especially, it is expected that
every one of the organization should
write few of the many incidents
which has occurred to him during his
pioneer days. Therefore as am one
of the old folks it becomes nv duty as a
matter of course to make an effort to
contribute a little something and
which | think, that is according to my
limited Judgment, will be interesting
to the majority of the old folks.
My contribution is in regard to the
origin of the name of Moccasin Creek.
L had intended to write the original
name of all the different points. rocks.
Islands, station and villages on the
Wisconsin river from Prairie du Chen
up to Lake Nieu Desert, but fearing
it would make too long story [ will
therefore cOntine my narrative to
Moccasln Creek which is located in
our county and will be more interest
ing, Moccasin Creek Rock and Rapids
is part Of an old Indian tradition
which is as follows: There was at one
time an Indian named Mee-nan-ban-iO 10
who was looked to by his followers as
Christ IS looked to by the pale face
man, so the tradition relates there was
nothing impossible to Mee-nan-ban-jO,
he would see to everything to the we'll
fare of the Indians.
And at one time Meenanbanjo was
Informed that some of his followers in
the west were very bad, he having
been informed of the fact by Anbeena-
tho POntpn1or of bn OF xrIi ia1,
always comes from the west or the
setting sun as the Indian has no such
word as west they say setting sun and
at that time was travelling in the
region of the rising sun.
MeenanbanjO on being informed of
the misconduct of his people became
very angry and at once started for the
setting sun to punish the bad Indians
make some terrible long steps and on
arriving at the Wisconsin river he
crossed 1T by making two steps, one of
the steps was on the rock now called
MoccaSin Rock on which he left the
print of his mOccaSln which has a
perfect resemblance of a mans track
wearing a mOccaSin. This rock has
been seen by great many white men
and all agree to its perfect resemblance
OF the mOccaSin track.
This rock is of a half round shape
about or feet in diameter and is
kind of detached rock of very dark
color and smooth surface but not of
the granite kind, it is therefore kind
of Stanger. This rock is located about
the center of the river in the MoccaSin
rapids and about 30 rods below the
mouth Of the MOccasin Greek which
flows into the Wisconsin on the west
side about half way between Port
Edwards and Nekoosa and heads up
in the town of Sigel.
Thus MOccaSin Creek has taken its
name from MOccaSin rock. 1t is
stated by the'believers in Meenanbanjo
that it takes fast talker three (3
moons to relate all of MeenanbanjO'S
great deeds up to the present time.
The writer has heard some of the
most eventful deeds of the great
Indian. Was it not for its vulgarity
| would here write a few of the great
deeds which tho vulgar are neverthe-
less interesting for it's mere supersti-
tiOuS SimplicitieS.