The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1910-04-08

never been found. For many years,
the existence of one or more large
rivers west of the great watershed of
the Rocky Mountains was considered
very probable by geographers, includ-
ing Thomas Jefferson, afterwards
president of the United States. Search
for the supposed river was vigorously
prosecuted by various explorers and
others. In 1893 Captain Grey, who
had been sent out to buy furs i'm the
interests of Boston Merchants, made
the discovery of the mightiest river of
the Pacific coast and named 1t the
Columbia, after the vessel of which
he was master. Not long afterward
in company with Captain Van Couver,
an Englishman, they sailed some dis
lance up the Columbia, but made no
overland explorations of the country.
Twelve years later the great overland
expedition of Lewis and Clark traver-
sed the territory and recorded its
chief characteristics. The expedition
led by these two gallant officers into
the UNEMPLOYED wilds lying to the
west in North America, regarding
which comparatively nothing was
known, was of the wild, reckless ma
ture particularly calculated to sur
round its members with a halo of
romantic interest. For the next fifty
years the territory was known only to
the hunters, trappers, and misionar-
les who traversed it in all directions;
and the only settlements were the
trading posts o fur companies, a few
missionary establishments and the
habitations of number of mountain
men, who had married Indian women
and settled in this vast wilderness.
To these intrepid men are we indeb-
ted for the interesting story of their
experiences and for many thrilling
legends of the red men, the children
of the sun.
The primitive savage, thoroughly
STEPPED in superstitious lore, invari-
ably associated the Great Spirit with
the production of any unusual natural
or visitation from the ele-
ments. The following legend, al
though not coming under those of the
Northwest, SO APPLY illustrates this
savage characteristic, that | shall re-
late it.
Ages and ages ago, this legend
runs, the Indians inhabitating the
beautiful San Bernardino valley call
ed by them Guachina, a place of
plenty" waxed strong and prosperous
because of the fertility of the soil
and the abundance of the streams
that watered it. They were mighty
in the land, and, becoming selfish
and proud in their arrogance, forgot
the All Ruler, the bestower of their
abundance and power. Then was the
Great Father displeased at their in
gratitude, and thereupon sent down
upon this people, a hot, fierce spirit
from the Sunland, who blighted their
,egetation, drank of their streams I'M
Ill only the sand beds were left, and
Trained their lakelets till only salt
and bitter waters remained therein.
Then did the people gather in coun-
Ill and make offerings to appease the
niger of the Great Spirit. But the
'corching blasts continued and all
Kings withered and crumbled. Then
we're the people visited with pesti-
ence and famine. The wailing In
lians at length, driven to dire ex-
remities knelt with outstretched |
rms and bowling to the ground, Of
cred to make any sacrifice-even to '
he forfeiture of the most precious
lie in the tribe-if only relief might
e granted them. Now the chief had |
beautiful daughter, Ne-wah-na by
ame-maiden of the New Moon
he fairest and most beautiful of all
Finally, in answer to
is last appeal voice floating from
ut the broad expanse of the skies
ore this message: "Give Ne-wah-na
$ an Offering to heaven" The CHER,
sing from his devotions, slowly went
} his wickiup. Robing his daughter I
/ her best he led her forth to meet /,
ne fiery wrath of the destroyer.
1hen the sacrifice was completed and
e-wah-na was consumed, the heav-
rs opened and Immediately a white
rrow of light shot out and struck
own the heat monster; others fol-
wed, one striking the mountain side
here it left its mark. Then was the II
lessed rain poured from above, cool
lg the earth and filling the streams.
he heat monster writhed in agony I
nder the cooling down pour until
le earth opened to swallow him. AS