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Many Indian Tales, Legends Connected with Lake NamesIndian legends abound in thin Jake region, which was Inhabited by Sioux Indians long befor White men set foot here, and hav_ left their names on many of the lakes.Spirit Lake Is a translation of the Indian name for this body of water. Mini-Wan lion. And there are several legends to account ftilths label with which the Indians tagged it.One story Is that there was once an island in the middle of the lake. A group of Sioux Indians landed there, and were seized and •devoured by Indians. Thereafter, no Indian would venture out upon the island.Underwater Tribe Another legend is that the Sioux people originated under the waters of the lake. Once, one Indian found a way out and helped others of his tribe to follow. But part of the tribe remained under water, and the Indians believed ■they are still, there—the ripples on the lake are caused toy their dances and revelries beneath the water's surface, and they try always to sieze their brethren and pull them -back under the waters.But there is a third, more romantic legend to account for the Indians' reluctance to cross the lake and their belief that spirits roamed the waters.This tale begins with the capture of a beautiful, fair, younj. maiden by the hostile Sioux tribe who lived on the banks of the lake. The Warriors brought her back to their tribe after a raiding party, and ivere preparing to torture and scalp her, although she was young and very fair, in order to please their war god.But the son of the tribe’s chief, Star of Day, fell in love with the fair maid. This young brave also had light hair, and many of the Indians believed that he was really a white man, stolen when lie was a baby by the squaw of the chief.Canoe Overturned One night, Star of Day cut the bonds holding the captive girl, whom the Indians had named Pale Pace Dove. The pair tried to escape across the lake in a canoe, but the war god was angered and overturned their craft in the middle of the lake. Once beneath the waters, they were led by friendly spirits to a shinini deep under the surface.Indians thereafter were afraid to cross the lake, for if they crossed over. where the shining caye was located, a whirlpool would start up and sink them. However, if a white man ventured to cross,, only a slight ripple on the lake’s surface would show him where the cave of the runaway couple was, for the two spirits knew their own people and would not harm them.All of these legends concern the dangers in the middle of the lake, and there is, in fact, a current that ripples the surface of the lake there even when there is no wind, which may have been the cause of the legends.Okoboji Origin Uncertain Spirit Lake is not the only one to claim Indian legends, though, Okoboji has one of two tales about it. But no-one is certain of the origin of this name, since researcher say there is no. Sioux word that sounds like Okoboji. •Some people say the name means “place of rest,” or “and there are others.” The most widely spread legend of this lake has been largely discredited. It was that the lake was named after a powerful Indian chieftain, who was buried here. But no burial mound or grave of this chief has ever been discovered.A romantic legend sun-blinds the naming of one of the smaller lakes in the area, Diamond Lake. This legend is that long ago, be-, fore white men came, a tribe of | Sioux Indians lived in a sheltered ravine, from whence they would go at frequent intervals to make war on the Crow Indians to the west.One Sioux maiden, named Oat-na, which means Jewel, fell In love with a Crow warrior. When her father, the chief, led a war party against them, she betrayed her people into the hands of the Crows. Of the scores of warriors in the war party only ton returned. They soon discovered the maiden’s treachery, and the council of head men decided she was to be tortured by being burned alive at the stake.Manitou Angered The next day, she was bound and a slow fire started at her feet. However, she fixed her eyes westward towards the land of her ■beloved Crow warrior, and sang her death song unflinchingly. The heart of the Great Spirit, Manitou, was filled with anger when he saw the torture of the Indian maid whose love had overcome her loyalty. He flung open the gates of heaven and a torrent of water plunged down on the Sioux tribe,‘ Only two of the clan escaped, and they were the parents of Oatna. They watched as the ravine- filled with water .and the trees sunk out of sight. The lake that was thus formed they named Otanowah, which means Diamond Water, in memory of their daughter, And the Indians told that in the August moon at midnight, the spirits of the drowned Indians rise and walk on the waters of thelake. Anyone who is in a boat on the surface of the water at this Lime is supposedly seized by the ghostly Indians and snatched to the bottom of the lake.Center hake Tale A legend about Center Lake also concerns a tragic love tale. On the shores of this lake lived an Indian maid named Monota. She lived in the wigwam of her father and was happy until one day an old war chief Lain wished to marry her. He brought many rich gifts to be paid for her, but when he had gone, Monota declared she could not marry him. Her father j lists ted that she must, since thev had accepted the old warrior’s gifts and custom forbade them to be returned. So Monota leaped into her canoe, pushed it out on the waters and never returned, for the lake god Mianto took her and -kept her always.The tale also goes that each spring night in the Moon of the Flowers, the shadow of the lost maid can be seen upon the waters.iake First School Hays for BeginnersToward the end of summer, vacation days have a habit of running out swiftly. This means that ■before long thousands of kindergarten lots will be faced with the prospect of the first day at school. For many it may be a frightening experience.A youngster may feci perfectly sure of himself at home, but put him in a strange place and he wants his mama! There will be lots of new people to meet — not only the teacher but also children his’ own age, who may not seem friendly to him at first. The building will be new; the schedule will be new. Actually, a whole new chapter in his life will begin.A mother can ease her youngster’s insecure feeling on the first day of school in several ways. Sh; can let him become familiar with the walk to school and back, by walking, there with .him .several times now. If possible, a tour through the school, pointing out his classroom and the door he will use, should be helpful. If he can picture the school and its location now, it may not seem so strange when crowded with people on the opening day.Clothes may make a difference in the way a child feels, so let him wear comfortable ones he's familiar with. Save the new ones until the second or third week, after he has adjusted to the new situation, because brand new clothes may make him feel strange. You may be avoiding lost jacket or cap, too, if you let him wear clothes he knows. Children often fail to recognize new clothes when they are hang: among 15 or 20 other articles the cloak room.Learning a schedule now also may help your child with the business of going to school. Regular times for meals, bed, and arising in the morning may lessen the strain of a strict schedule at school time.By now, youngsters should have visited the doctor and dentist for check-ups and immunizations, advises the Iowa State Department of Health, Complete the doctor’s and dentist's recommendations this month so that the child will be ready for school when the first day dawns.Youth Can Lead !n Highway SafetyAn opportunity exists for our teenagers Lo lake the lead in .reducing the alarming toll of highway accidents, according to a recent study co-sponsored by the National Safety Council and Standard Oil, Division of American Oil Company.Teenagcd drivers, who commonly get a lot of the blame for what goes on out on the highways, can establish themselves as leaders in accident prevention, according to the survey report, If they choose to follow what the Council outlines as ils formula for pro” drivers.Why are teenagers singled out In this cooperative study? There arc three good reasons:1. They learn faster than older drivers.2. They haven’t had time to pick up a lot of bad driving habits.How do teenagers stack up against older drivers like their Dads? Not. too good, according to the .Council's studies. The facts are that teenagers are involved in twice as many fatal accidents for the number of miles they drive as drivers over age 25.In spite of the average teenager’s faster reflexes and .better vision, the experts point to two more Important attributes on which the average youngster falls short - attitude and experience, Suppose you decide to become a real sharp driver,” flic survey queries in typical toon. Jargon,ETEicfnA of I tele; atin nels -by Con T. vfsk pasta mulunchetpuplandsent
Newspaper Details
Milford Mail and Terril Record
Milford, Iowa, US
Thu, Aug 22, 1963
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 08 Jan 2025
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