The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-08
ON SACRED GROUND.
Two Fishermen Intrude Upon an In
dian Cemetery on Island of
Cass Lake.
Find a Bunch Of Skeletons and Are
Chased by the Angry
Redskins.

Fosston,. Mimi, July S.-AnOther chap
ter. has been added to the series OF
thrilling events in which residents OF
Fosston have participated, and prom1-
nent citizen of this place has been given
a bad scare. I. I. Hillestad, well known
merchant here. in an unguarded moment,
consented to go to Cass Lake with James
Van Pe1t Of St. Paul, a travelling man
and a fisherman whose, proWess is. recog-
nized even in the twin cities. where the
princes Of piscatorial liars Of. the state
reside, - =.
The gentlemen secured a gasolene
launch Of small caliber, and went to the
point near the Indian Mission, where the
Mississippi river, in it's southern course,
flows into .Cass Lake. This is one. of the
most beautiful spots In that part; Of the
country Across the ,narrows, where the
Father of Waters" Wends its way, is
StaA. island, one. Sof natures phenomena.
In the exact. center Of the island Is located
a small lake, with no visible inlet or
outlet, 49,. -l.- -;
On this island the Indians have, for
years, held their religious services, and
many Of the former heroes of the Cass
Lake; band of Chippewas are buried on
the island. One spot. the east end Of the
island, is regarded as sacred by thesreds,
and they: never allow. any >one to intrude
on this ground, if it is possible to pres
vent it, ,.-I.sst-~ = +
This explanation may digress some
what from the story, but it is necessary.
Messrs. Hllestad and Van 'Pelt secured
a large number Of fine pike at the mar
rows, which is considered one of the best
pike fishing grounds in the state. In
fact it Is so well thought of that Sam
Fullerton on several occasions attempted
| to secure there his supply of eggs Of
| that species for the state fish hatchery.
| After firing of the sport of hauling in
| the pike, Hillestad and Van Pelt went
| over to the east end of Star island to take
! a. look at the lake the inside. They
penetrated some 200 feet inland, where
there were some small houses resembling
dog huts, In front Of each Of which was
a pole surrn mounted by a small flag, and
on a. board nailed to each house were
/ some strange figures and letters. Van
Pelt,. being an Italian, and able to speak
| several languages f1uently,. attempted to
,decipher the characters, but was COM
PEELED to- abandon. the attempt
] When the anglers had inspected about
half a dozen of the small, box aped
l,huts, they began a closer examination OF
one Of peculiar make, trying, to open the
slide door in the side. Van had opened
the slide far. enough to look inside, wher
he gave a. yell and started on the run for
! the spot where the boat was anchored
There was a hlood-curdling yell from
/ the timber and Hillestad, looking up, saw
a half dozen Indians bearing down or
him, shaking their fists in his direction
and shouting like demons He did MOI
stop to parley with the reds, but followed
in the wake Of Van Pelt at a rapid rate
Van Pelt and HiHestad reached the boa
and made all possible speed toward thu
boat landing. which they reached ii
safety. Neither said a word till the.
reached the restaurant when Van Pei
said know what saw In that box
Skeleton. with skull and bones, plain al
i day. Ug-h!''
i Alex Kittson, the veteran guide, ex
planned to the fishermen that they ha,
4 been. tanpering with the boxes contain
ing the remains of large number Of In
dams, and that the spot where they ha,
been was the ojibway Chippewas GENE
terry, and had been used as such for tn
last thirty years. The Indians, who cam
In the vicinity, had seen the anglers Il
the cemetery and had started after them
and had they been able to catch them
would undoubtedly have given them roug
usage. Both Van and Hillestad will TAX
guide the next time they go to Cas-
Lake.