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r* ntii H'uj'im.h oummnrv tMild, sunny weather in late September and early October bring the perennial question, “Is this Indian glimmer?” and the perennial discussion as to whether it is or is not“Indian Summer,” one might presume, must have some connection with Indians. Dr- Erl Bates, adviser on Indian extension at Cornell University, therefore might seem to speak as one having knowledge. He locates Indian Summer quite definitely—around the full moon in November, after the first hard frosts. Why?Dr. Bates says he has found among the Six Nations of New York, the Chippewas of Northern Michigan, the Menominees of Wisconsin and the Kennebecs of Maine a legend attributing the origin of Indian Summer to a “second chance7’ given by the Great Spirit to the “lazy farmer.” Dr. Bates tells it thus:“The bluebirds and the robins have long since flown to the land of the South Wind, and the honk of the wild goose is heard as the smoky haze is wafted westward at sunset.“The gathering of the ripened corn in the cleared land-beyond the village has been completed by most of th villagers, and most of the animals have garnered their .winter store of nuts.“Most of the leaves have now fallen from the oak fend the maple, and Mother Nature is about to close her eyes for the long winter moons soon at hand.“However, there are some lazy folks in the village who do not see the approach of winter and continually say that there is still time for harvest.“At lenth come the sudden gusts of cold, wind through the village, and the early morning sunrise glistens on the frost maidens sitting on the roofs of the lodges.“Finally the Great Bear in the Sky opens his mouth, and the first flakes of snow descend, and through the veins of the lazy man come the awakening shivers.“In desperation, he appeals for another chance, so in answer come the few warm suns of early November.“The Indians call it iazy-farmer moon7, for it is his-last chance to harvest. Because at eventide in the gtilden sunset, changing forms of blue autumnal haze arize like the smoke from the council fires of the red men, palefaces nowadays call the season Indian Summer.”
Newspaper Details
Salamanca Republican Press
Salamanca, New York, US
Mon, Sep 29, 1941
Page 2
Full Page
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Anonymous
USA 29 Jan 2025
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