The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-05-23
Did Indian Tradition May be Enacted
With Elaborate Detail at Spirit
Lake This Sum-
mer.
A PICTURESQUE SHOW
Story Of How the Lake Received It's
Name as Told by the In
dians In Tales of
the Past.

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa, May 23.-Tt
enact with elaborate detail the legenc
of Minnie Waukon" on the beautiful
lake where 1T is alleged this Indian
romance occurred and gave to poster
ity the title Spirit Lake, is a plan be
Ing considered by the population oil
this city.
1t will probably be enacted in Aug.
ust, during which month THE Indian. "
the crack rif1emen of the country
gather here for their annual tourna.
ment and for one festivity bedeck
themselves in the regalia of the Red
Men. 1t is planned to induce these
Indians to join in the celebration.
Real Indians would be out of the
question for not since the legend of
Minnie Waukon originated centuries
ago has Sioux dared to float his
canoe on the waters of Spirit Lake.
Because of the picturesque shores
anG the natural amphitheater on some
OF the large bays it is believed the
romance could be acted with great de.
tail and yet within close range OF
thousands of spectators. 1t being an
Indian story dealing with the way in
which this great body of water receiv-
ed its name there is great opportunity
for spectacular and dramatic per-
torrance.
The legend dates back to the time
when all the west belonged to the
Sioux Indians, undisputed until the
mercinary white trappers pitched their
tents on the lake shores and com
menced to destroy and carry away the
Indians game. 1t was at this time
the Red Mems chief longed for an
heir to his undisputed rein. The son
his squaw presented him, it was In
later years whispered around, had not
by her been born, but stolen from a
trapper's camp. He grew to manhood
however, and was given the name of
Star of Day." He was brave and
gay warrior. Though his eyes were
Ozark his beard was fair and his skin
more OF the tanned white than the
copper dyed. But he was honored
and feared by all the tribe Reverses
came to the tribe. There was sick
ness from the cold winds that howled
across the lake and loss Of canoes in
the angry water. At council of the
chiefs followers it was decided that
the spirit of the water minnie
1t would be appeased Across the
lake the smoke of trapper's camp
curled through the trees and stealth
lily the Indians padded there to find
their sacrifice. After a fight in which
the white men fell, beautiful white
girl was captured, and carried to the
Indian camp. They called her pale
Face Dove The beauty of this white
girl with flowing hair and soft blue
eyes appealed not to the Dacotah who
worshiped, not the beautiful but the
ugly. This beautiful girl was fit
sacrifice TO their Great Spirit that ex-
emplified all that is ugly and hideous.
But the white birth of Star of Day"
here manifested itself. The beautiful
girl for the first time awakened in
his warrior breast the sentiment of
love. He resolved to rescue her ( I'D
bear her to her own land where he
hoped TO make her his bride. So
while his tribe made ready the place
OF sacrifice where the white girl was
to be burned alive, he secluded two
swift footed horses across the lake
and hid his canoe in the brambles by
the lake side near his tribe. The girl
saw the tenderness in the young In
dams eyes and responded with a
blush. Having the confidence of his
tribe the Indian was left to guard the
girl Though they spoke a different
tongue they managed to make known
their love and the maiden relied upon
her sutton for her rescue. Now If
CHANGED that Star of Day. was in
turn loved by dark skinned Indian
maid who when his ardor for her
cooled, quickly devined the cause She
waited patiently to see the girl sac.
rifced. The day approached for the
ceremony, On that eve the Tilted In
dian girl discovered the plan of Star
of Day" to rescue the white girl. She
might have told the chief, but that
would only have brought upon her hat.
red from the brave she loved. She
sought a different way Quietly as
Star of Day cut the thongs of the
captive maid his Indian love cut holes
In the bottom of his canoe. Not until
Star of Day" and his rescued maid
were far on the water did the alarm go
up in the Indian camp. Quickly the
Indians few to their canoes and start,
ed in hot pursuit. Lower and lower
sank Star of Days" canoe in the
water and Just as the pursuers reach
ed him canoe and lovers sank out of
sight in the lake. AS their spirits
left their mortal bodies the spirit of
the storm broke upon the waters and
the Red Mems canoes were upset and
many drowned
The most spectacular features in