The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-12
MYSTERIOUS LAKE CICOTT.
Has No Visible Source of supply, but
Overiows Every Seven Years.

Logansport Qnd j. journal
Overlooking its banks every seven years
and with no Visible outlet and no visible
inlet, Lake Cicott, a small body Of water
in Jefferson township. this county. pre-
sents a strange phenomenon. 1t is the only
lake In Cass county. and is about one mile
square. There is not the smallest rivulet
that empties Its waters into the lake, and
not a drop is carried from it by any visible
means. Its water is fresh and as clear as
crystal. however. and there is no doubt II
Is fed from an unseen source and that it
has a subtsrranean outlet. The most mys-
terious characteristic of this lake is the
overlooking OF Its banks every seven years.
Old settlers say that as far back as they
can remember 1t has never failed TO flood
the surrounding country every seventh
year.
The Pottawattomie Indians, who inhabi-
ted this part OF the country. were well ac-
quainted with the peculiar action Of the
lake. They believed the bottom of the lake
was the dwelling place of a powerful spirit,
which at intervals of seven years indicated
Its approval Of the tribes actions By caus-
ing the water in the lake to overflow.
Hence they watched eagerly and well
coined the first indication of the rise of
the water that would prove to them they
had done nothing to place them in dis
favor. This legend Of the lake was given
to the white settlers who located there and
since that time those who have watched il
Closely say the lake has never failed to
overflow every seventh year.
At the present time the water has
reached Its highest point, and hundreds OF
acres OF land that one, two and three years
ago were cultivated in corn, are now COW
cred with water to a depth of several feet.
Rural mail route No. Z, out of this city,
traverses the eastern shores of the lake,
and the carrier, Charles Robinson, says the
roadway Used by him last summer Is now
three feet under water. Amos Jordan, a
veteran OF the civil war, who resides on a
blum overlooking the lake, says he has
watched the peculiar actions OF the water
for many years. and that wet and dry sea-
sons seem to have no effect on its strange
actions. When the year for it's overflow
comes. no matter how little rainfall there
Is. the water gradually rises until the sur
rounding land Is inundated. Then, Just as
gradually, the water recedes, and no mat
ter how great the rainfall. the lake slowly
assumes Its normal condition and remains
within Its banks for another period of sew
en- years. Farmers who own the land adj
joining the lake have become familiar with
its peculiar action. and every seventh year,
although their fields may look dry and
promising for a good crop they make no ef-
fort TO put out a crop because they know
the water will surely rise and cover the
ground for the entire season. Years of ex-
perience have taught them that the lake
never fails TO perform In this mysterious
manner. In 1896 the water reached it's high
est point In the month OF June. the same
as this year. II will soon begin 10 recede
and will not rise again until the year 1910.
The only explanation of this strange phe-
nomenon is that the lakes subterranean
outlet becomes closed at times, but in
what manner and just why this should &C.
cur at regular intervals of seven years is
as much of a mystery as is the course OF
the lakes supply of fresh water.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company,
which owns large icehouses on the edge Of
the lake, recently made soundings at differ
ent points, and the greatest depth was
ninety feet. This was in the center OF the
lake. Around the edge of the lake are great
beds OF white water lilies. and during May
and June every year thousands of these
beautiful flowers, with stems a yard long,
are shipped TO Chicago and other points,
and sold at fancy prices.