The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-07-30
spirit ROCK
STORY FAILS
Boulder Disintegrates But
Number of MenOminee
Indians Increases.
MANY LEGENDS TOLD


Neopit Wis -, Contrary to the
ancient Indian legend tina THE histori-
cal tribe oi Menomonee Indians will
be extinc twhen Spirit Rock, near
Keshena, shall have been completely
disintegrated, Indians on the Menom-
nee reservation are Increasing In num-
bers while the huge boulder is slowly
weathering away. Census takers last
year found that 1870 red men were
living on the reserve in that year,
while at the present time 1920 In
dians are on the roster in the govern
ment office at Neopit.
In spite of the Increasing popula-
ton, there are many of the more pa
gan tribesmen, who firmly believe
that the passing of the stone will
mark the end of the tribe. These In
dams at certain intervals during the
year, go on pilgrimages to Spirit Rock,
and place thank. offerings of tobacco
on its surface. Some supplement their
gifts with prayers asking the Great
Indian Father, that the tribe live for
ever. Others in making presetations,
seek relief from stricken consci-
ence.
The stone is of granite and is
approximately four feet in diameter.
Around it is a quality of rock dust
and chips, indicating that the boulder
was probably twice as large, when,
many years ago the legend of Spirit
Rock originated
Marked for Tourists.
Tourists travelling north on highway
55 when in Shawano county can easily
see the stone for the Wisconsin high
way department has fenced 1t in with
a guard rail- It stands close to the
highway in the forests not far from
Keshena.
Various legends are told about the
boulder, by the tribesmen.
When the Indians, after the treaty
of 1852, left Lake Roygan and came
to the present reservation, one Of
their chiefs, Weke had a tent pitched
near the rock it is said. He observed
that whenever he passed it at night
he heard strange sounds, as If the
stone were haunted by spirit. 9th
ers began to hear the same noises
and at length one of the medicine men
in the tribe discovered it was a
spirit rock, and that at night it would
beg passersby for tobacco.
Story of Tribesmen.
Another story relates that the rock
is one of ten tribesmen, who many
years ago were visited by a spirit
which told them that if they would
travel west into the setting sun un-
til they met NaxpataO, the brother of
Ma nabus (God), the wishes Of their
hearts would be granted. Ahey needed
the voice and travelled at great length
and finally came to Naxpatao's lodge.
The first man asked Naxpatao: 81 de-
sire powerful medicine to enable me
to kill game whenever / wish" The
second asked to be powerful doctor
to prolong the lives of the sick, and
the third wished to be prophet. Each
was told his wish would be granted
Others wished for riches, and long
life, and the tenth man asked: II
desire to live forever so long as the
world stands"
every WELL" Naxpatao said, at shall
be as you say. Go and sit over there,
you shall be rock, and last as long
as the world; that is the only way
know Of granting your wish"
The other nine men returned to
their tents, and their desires were
granted But the tenth still remains
as Spirit Rock, the legend says. He
passes the time smoking, SO thaht
every Indian to please him, leave some
tobacco there, asking blessing of
the silent one. If they should fail to
do this he would make noise. How
ever, person without tobacco and
longing for smoke may take some
from the rock, saying, II smoke this
for the memory of the spirit rock"