^ -J'-. "> •^. Legends r Lost m It &: -^iae Hi f»(i]|jlflj:i I ^1 Class Book Oc^ C< f light N^_ COPYRrCHT DEPOSIT. LEGENDS OF LOST RIVER VALLEY As Related by Joseph Pontus O » ) * » o Affangfed by William BrCunningham CHICAGO Champlin & Carlisle 063 C^ THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, Two Cofj'ies ReceivfC SEP 28 1903 Copyngrtt tntry CLASS 0^ XXc No ) ^ / ^ / ^ COPY b. Copyright 1903 BY William B. Cunningham *-,* c.c INTRODUCTORY. Recollecting the interest awakened in the minds of those who heard the words of Joseph Pontus, as spoken during the preparation of the memo- randa from which the following chapters were written, and ever recalling the request of my comrades and friends of long ago, I have sacredly preserved the original memoranda for many years past. If their use at this time serves to kindle in the mind and heart of the reader, even a trifling part of the interest created by their original de- livery, I will be amply repaid for time spent and work done, and shall enjoy the satisfaction of having, to some extent, at least, contributed to the entertainment and happiness of others. Robert Benton. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE. I Joseph Pontus 7 II Lost River— The Great Springs 16 III The W01.VES . 35 IV Dave and Tige :..... 40 V Fanny Dii^bro — The Indian Bride 43 VI The Pigeons— Migration of Birds 49 VII Indian Rewgion 56 VIII The Garners — Cupid's Pranks 75 IX Carrie LEE— The Bridge 83 X The Houcks — The Reindeer 87 XI The Great Toboggan 100 XII Court Stories of Eari.y Times 109 XIII Jim Cummings' Speech 133 XIV Two Giri.s 152 XV Jumping G1.0R y 156 XVI Rebekah— "The CameI/S are Coming" 166 XVII Orange County- -Its Peopi^e VkA ^^ XVIII Indiana— The Past— The Future 173 Legends OF Lost River Valley CHAPTER I. Joseph Pontus. ?ROM the center of the stream of Lost River the elevation is generally abrupt for some distance, forming well rounded hills, and back of these, the surface is level, or gently undulating, forming a plateau of marvellous beauty and rich- ness. On the western part of this plateau, under the protection of the mighty hills, whose forest-crowned tops seem to bank against the sky, was located the home of Joseph Pontus; here he had resided for more than half a century. His father was an adventurous fur trader, who often visited the Indian tribes, in the original fur age, when purchasing furs of Indians was the great western industry; his mother was an Indian girl, who was tall and lithe, and who, in beauty and elegance of manner, excelled any other woman in her tribe. Joe was reared among the rugged scenes and shared the stormy experiences of frontier life, from the Indian point of view, at the time 8 I^KGENDS OF I.OST RIVER VALI^EY when the white man gradually, but certainly, step by step, drove the Indian toward the setting sun. As a lad, he was playful, full of bravery and determination, and in the midst of the disappoint- ments and the joys of his young life, the one emotion that asserted itself and controlled all others, was his unwavering fidelity to his mother. He clung to her with all the strength and devo- tion of his youthful heart, and when she was taken from him by death, his proud young spirit was utterly broken. He was silent and alone in the great world, so full of uncertaintres and dan- gers. But at length there appeared a rift in the cloud of sorrow pending over him, he gradual^ emerged from this great grief with no one to bestow parental affection upon him, and to know no master but the great spirit of the heavens, his mother's God, and the only God of his earlier years. He soon asserted his individualit}^ among his comrades. He was a physical stalwart even in the midst of a tribe of aborigines distinguished for its braves of gigantic size and courage. Yes, ''There were giants in the earth in those days," men of bravery and unwavering fidelity to the welfare of a race, by decree of the God of the nations, doomed to slow but certain extinction. Joe's shrewdness and intelligence made him an import- ant factor and adviser in matters of both local JOSEPH PONTUS JOSEPH PONTUS 9 and of a public nature. "Wit will shine through the dark cadence of a rugged line." Years hurried by, the waves of time and war and death passed over the Indian people. The distinguished Tecumseh's brother, Elskwatawa, the prophet, the war leader of the tribe, was slain at Tippecanoe, which place is now known as "Battle Ground," on the Monon line, beside the Wabash Riv^er, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and his people — his nation — gradually faded away, as if dazzled and stupified by the effulgence of the Star of Empire on its western pilgrimage. The storms of many winters, the passing of many years, the anxieties and griefs that burdened his sympathetic heart, had made deep impressions on Joe's strength and appearance. His long, straight hair had assumed the whiteness of the snow. He remained near his old home^near the grave of his mother, and had grown to be a venerable father. Full of wisdom and experience, he was universally called by the name of Uncle Joe, which name, however, was used only as a term of endearment and as a recognition of the superior wisdom of this venerable but rough child of nature. Joe's people, the Shawnees, having slowly and solemnly passed on toward the great Pacific sea, he remained, quiet, solitary and alone. Like the stal- wart oak, having braved the storms that had pros- 10 I^EGENDS OF IvOST RIVKR VAI.I.EY trated its fellows, standing alone and solitary on the mountain, the sole reminder of its departed com- rades, so he remained the noble, picturesque and solitary reminder of a vanquished race. He had erected a comfortable house many years before, had planted gardens and cared for them after the manner of the white people, and gradually, and even unperceptibly to himself, had adopted the ways of living of his white neigh- bors, who always made him one of their number. The new learning and intelligence that seemed to spread over the west, like the air we breathe, like the light of the sun, or the rising of the morning, seemed to pronounce a benediction on his declining years. He was great in his influence, great in his wisdom, and great in the admiration and respect of the people; he accepted the blessings of civilization, and the white people were his brethren. The white residents were uncouth and unpolished, and in many respects, Joe was head and shoulders above them all. Perhaps it was true that no one knew as much as he, of every- thing and everybody, but, whether true or not, there was in the minds of the neighbors no doubt, that when desired information was not elsewhere obtainable, he was the unfailing source from which that commodity could be procured. Marvelous stories were told of him. Perhaps it was an in- spiration, perhaps oraculous, but whatever may be JOSEPH PONTUS 11 the theory or explanation, it was a matter about which there was no dispute, that Uncle Joe was in some way gifted and full of knowledge in the matters of the graver sort. Four young men who had been visiting the Medicine Springs near by, moved by curiosity and interested by the marvelous stories related of Uncle Joe, concluded to go to his home to see the vener- able father — to hear his own words, to be pre- pared to form opinions, on all mooted points re- garding him, for themselves. Regarding this as a trip of pleasure, they ascended the hill in a rolic- some and aggressive mood and presented them- selves at his home. He was seated under a wide- spreading beech tree, which formed a veranda of leaves and shade in front of his house, smoking a long- stemmed pipe. As the four men came near the house they selected Mr. Robert Benton as their spokesman and imposed on him the duty of keeping memoranda of their interview. They approached with some degree of hesitation, but when near the house Uncle Joe arose with great dignity and received his visitors with such kindness that the faces of each of them seemed to say, "Sure enough, we have found the grand old man." Mr. Benton said, "We are told that you have re- sided here longer than any other person, and you know many things of people and facts concerning this community in the earlier years that are un- 12 IvKGKNDS OF I^OST KIVER VAI.I.EY known to the great body of the inhabitants. Will you tell us something of your early life and something of the times and events through which you have passed?" With great deliberation, Uncle Joe filled his pipe afresh and said: "Gentlemen, pray be seated. I am glad to see you, and am happy to relate anything that I may know of interest to you. In my old days I sit here much of the time, thinking of the past and future; about the present I do not have much concern, as I have something to live on, in my simple way, and have learned that a home here on this pleasant table-land among these friendly trees, and their more friendly warbling in- habitants, away from the miasma of the swamps, away from the sewer and other gases of towns and cities, away from the contagious diseases that thrive, and grow, and spread, and kill in crowded locali- ties, away from the need of insurance (as there is no one living who would burn my home and I am not fool enough to burn it myself), is not a bad thing for an old man to possess, and affords in- numerable comforts and advantages. But, I beg pardon, gentlemen, you requested that I tell something of myself and of the events of olden times, and did not expect my mind to wander to the highest hill and take a crack at broad creation. "Now, as to myself. I lived with my mother JOSEPH PONTUS 13 and was an Indian in my mode of life until I was fourteen years of age, when the Great Spirit took her away from me and I was a lonely orphan boy. By her death I suffered the greatest loss that a human being ever sustained; but her influence has ever overshadowed me. My heart still loves her, and my prayer has ever been that the Great Spirit will guide me to her when I cross the River, for I know her arms are ever out- stretched to receive me. When I was alone I played with the Indians, I lived with them, but I ever and earnestly wanted to be with the w^hite people. I never crossed or disagreed with my Indian friends, but helped them when I could, but when the proud Shawnees gradually left this country, I remained, and slowly emerged from the influence and associa- tions of the free and happy Indian life to the more elevating influences of the white men and women. I read much; I learned much; and while I never inclined to return to my life with the Indians, still I loved them, and the many hardships that befell them seemed ever to rest heavily upon my soul, and I have helped the poor and helpless among them all these years. An hundred times while hunting on the hill- tops, I have found myself gazing intently to the far west, childishly striving to penetrate the fogs of the Mississippi Valley, and imagining that away there, beside the western rivers — in the shades 14 I^EGENDS OF I,OST RIVKR VAI.I.EY of the Rockies, I could see my people in their struggle for existence — in their struggle for bread; then, the reverie dispelled, I would turn away — my heart full of sadness — my eyes full of tears; and in their discouragements and defeats, in their wanderings and their intervals of happiness, my prayers for their welfare have ever ascended to the Great Spirit — their ow^n God — their own pro- tecting Spirit. "My younger life was spent much in the woods with the dogs and gun. The gun is usually the delight of a boy, but this sensation was more delightful to me than to boys general!}', because I had two dogs, each of whom seemed to under- stand that the special duty of protecting their young master rested solely upon him, and the additional fact that upon the departure of the Indian hunters the timber wolves grew very plentiful and could easily be found by the dogs. In addition to this, there was in me an intense intoxication in going to the woods and returning with a wolf as a troph}^ of the hunt. That I was elated over my success in hunting, is .not only true, but I fear that I sometimes permitted the spirit of triumph and exaltation to exceed the bounds of discretion. The truth was that I could go into the haunts of the wolves in a sense of security, because I knew those dogs would defend me as long as life remained in them. In my long life, I have never JOSEPH PONTUS IS had more courageous and faithful friends. When I am not hunting with the dogs, I remain at home and read a great deal and write to my Indian friends. I like books and keep many of them here on these shelves. While thus spending a day at home, I raised the window in the morning to let the fresh air in, and at noon I sat on the porch watching the men haul grain from the fields, and as the sun sank behind the western hills, I sat down at my table and wrote. "THE* WHOLE DAY. "Raise hig-h the eastern windows, All hail the coming" day, Drink full the morning- freshness, Gain life and health for aye. "Rejoice in day's higfh noon time, It's life and strength to all, Rejoice in heaven's sweet boon time, Earth's children — g-reat and small. "Fare thee well, thou sinking- sun. Night's shadows o'er thee creep, Inviting nature's common rest. Heaven's gift to mankind — sleep." 16 . I^KGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI^I^EY CHAPTER II, Lost River Mr. Benton: "But, Mr. Pontus, we have heard so many speak of Lost River and have heard stories that sound queer to us, now what are we to un- derstand about Lost River? Is there a river? Was it in fact lost, and how, and when, and where? If lost was it ever found?" Mr. Pontus: "Gentlemen, Lost River is a reality and one of those geological freaks of nature, if I may use such a term, that is not easily explained. The facts are, plainly speaking, that a considerable stream whose waters are gathered in the northeastern part of the county flows in a southerly direction, and when it reaches a point south-east of Orleans, it finds a low, open piece of ground where it spreads out for a considerable distance after the fashion of a little lake, or perhaps a large pond, which is fringed with rough vegetable life, that finds nourish- ment in the low ground, and somehow — that is not perceptible to a casual observer — it sinks and gets out of the way, graduall3% but completely, out of the sight. It has found an opening that enables it to go somewhere and not return to the surface in that particular neighborhood; so that the river is lost. It has disappeared in an unknown way, has found a course of its own without consulting the wishes, or catering to the curiosity of the inhabitants. I,OST RIVER 17 "Now that is all it seems to do. You can not see it rush precipitately over a fall; you can not see it form a great whirlpool in which logs and debris keep whirling about and then make a mad rush down the center, reminding you of a diminutive maelstrom; you can not observe the exact point where the waters of Lost River make their descent. No, you stand there and look at the water as it spreads out before you, with weeds about the edges, with a quiet surface on the stream, with sticks of wood lying lazily on the surface of rather muddy water, and you likely see a squad of wild ducks 'summer resorting' on the pond, and that is all. But when we turn our eyes beyond the water, you see a distinct channel, say sixty feet wide, and from four to ten feet deep, leading away off before you. You follow the channel and find it distinct and well defined, and you then know that water, at one time, filled that now vacant river bed. Water fowl no doubt, loved that quiet, shady stream and loved to gather under the low branches of the over- hanging trees and enjoy the shade, the coolness and strength arising from the clear, running water, and if there you may have heard the merry twittering, and even the louder bird-song notes, ring- ing out upon the morning air in such variety and volume as to render the scene unique and enjoyable. You can easily imagine light-running canoes gliding up and down the stream bearing pretty Indian girls 18 IvEGKNDS OF IvOST RIVER VAI.I.KY on a visit to their neighbors. But, of course, I never saw these pleasant scenes, nor heard these cheery bird-songs, nor did I ever see those Indian girls; nor can I testify, from actual observation, that they were pretty, but when we can have things as we wish, when we are to have canoes, they can just as well be light and gliding as ordinary mud scows; the bird-songs might as well be clear, sweet and cheery as like the dull thug of the bull-frog; and as to those Indian girls, who would be willing to rave about untidy girls when we can as well imagine them to be artistic and pretty ones. I hope this senti- ment will meet with the approval of all present." Mr. Benton: "Yes, Mr. Pontus, it is agreed that those girls, if there were any, who rode in those canoes, if there were any canoes, were all pretty, with peach-blow cheeks, cherry lips, pearly teeth, with wild roses in their hair, and that they were singing the prettiest Indian love songs as they glided down that river bed now dryer than a horn." Mr. Pontus: "That important point being definitely and satisfactorily settled, we will look up the channel of that river again or it will be lost as well as the river. This channel leads off toward the northwest and is usually easil}^ fol- lowed; but at points in the valley where the waters frequently rise and run sluggishly through the river bed, the channel is gradually being filled up and I^OST RIVER 19 the banks gradually washed away; and these in- fluences acting together have the effect of destroy- ing the distinctness of the channel in many places. In can not be absolutely proven that the waters that disappeared in the pond aforesaid, ever again appear on the surface of the earth, but about ten or eleven miles distant from the point where the river disappears, where the little town of Orangeville is now located, a peculiar scene attracts attention. A great spring rushes from under the hill. A veritable river bursts from the hillside and flows away toward the ravine below. This affords the water supply for the whole town. The people on the hill above the spring have wires stretched from their homes to the spring, and on these wires buckets are hung on pulleys; they are run down to the spring, by their own weight, and when full are drawn up by a wind- lass; so the spring is being utilized by all the people of the town. Whence came these waters? Why is it that the channel of a river leads towards this great spring? What became of Lost River? Have its waters been hemmed in, in a great reservoir for ages, and where? What in- fluences furnish the waters of this unusual foun- tain? Now consider these facts, viz: ''First. That a river without doubt, in the long ago, ran through that old river bed. "Second. There is no other river near that could have run there but Lost River. 20 I^EGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI^I^EY "Third. During the unusual freshets, when Lost River is very full, the water is forced up through the rocks near this river bed, miles distant from where the river disappears, and spreads over the land. ''Fourth. The abandoned river bed leads the way from the pond where the river disappeared towards the great spring that comes so unex- pectedly from the hillside under the town. "Fifth. The size of the river as compared with the volume of water in the spring, indicates that it is the same. ''Sixth. What becomes of the waters of Lost River which, during freshets, swell and rage and rush in great volume to some outlet, if they do not find their way to this spring? "Seventh. Although the county abounds in many noted springs, many of them large, many of them what is known among the Indians as Medicine Springs, of great strength and beauty, as those of French Lick and West Baden, yet no one of them approaches m the volume of the water the great spring at Orangeville. "These circumstances almost unerringly show that the same river that disappeared near Orleans and Paola is the same that now rushes with hurry and bustle from under the hill and chases on until it is lost in the south fork of the White River, thence to the Wabash — to the Ohio — to I^OST RIVER 21 the Mississippi and the sea. For these reasons, the great spring is said to be the rise of Lost River and these reasons are regarded as satis- factory to the residents generally, and geologists and others who are versed in the knovs^ledge of the geological formations of Southern Indiana allege nothing that is inconsistent with this view. It is, therefore, concluded that Lost River has been found. ''The theory and explanation is, that that portion of the country is built upon great rocks; that the rocks have openings between them, and that one of these openings happened to be at the point where the river disappeared and that the water flows down and through and between the rocks and follows one or many subterranean water-ways until it is liberated from prison by bursting from under the hill in the great spring at Orangeville. "Many stories are related of Lost River. It seems to have been a theme prolific of 'yarns' and stories of the shady sort. One story was that about a hundred fish, called Croppies, that were never known to inhabit Lost River, were liberated in the waters of Lost River where it descends into the unknown, and a net was set below the big spring at Orange- ville and many of these fish were shortly there- after caught in the net. Another story was that an Indian riding in a little canoe was caught in 22 I^EGKNDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI^IvEY the sinking water and carried down and found a cavern where he was safe, but could not get out, and his friends tied food to a board and sent it into the river and kept him ahve, until they released him, a week later. Again it was said that a man who lived near the river killed his wife and the mob undertook to lynch him and that he, being well acquainted with the currents of Lost River, rushed into the lake, dove into the water and was never heard of again. Another story was that a lot of corks were thrown into Lost River, near the point of its going down, and that these corks were soon after found bob- bing about in the spring where it bursts from under the hill near Orangeville. But I relate these stories with due consideration of the source whence they came and with such allowances and reservations as are proper when your friends relate what actually occurred when on their last fishing trip. "This section of the country Wcis generally heavily timbered, and the forests were so dense and the trees so tall that the ground, in the dis- tance, was entirely obscured. Great oaks, poplars, burr-oaks, hickory, beech and other varieties grew in profusion and of prodigious size; more especially were they large about the springs and rivers and in the lower grounds. About the great Lost River spring these trees seemed to struggle to rear their wide-spreading tops above their fellows, to wave I,OST RIVER 23 and play in the stronger winds above the gen- eral herd of trees. After the Indians had been defeated at Tippecanoe, the government stationed soldiers here and there to keep watch on the In- dians and prevent another uprising. One company camped on the bluff east of Lost River Valley, and built a stockade of heavy logs, as a protec- tion. About this time, tw^o gentlemen came from the south to use the waters of the Medicine Springs near the head of the valley, and to hunt for the big game, bear, deer, wolves and other wild animals, as well as wild turkeys in the neighboring hills. In their trips over the hills they came upon the Lost River Spring, and so delighted were they with the water and the sur- rounding scenery that they built a fire and camped there for the night, leaving their friends to discuss the probability of their being devoured by the timber wolves, so plentiful at that time. During their stay they would many times visit the great spring, cook their dinners there and rest themselves and their hunting dogs after the chase. "As soon as the snows of the following winter had disappeared, one of the gentlemen came back, hired men and built two large log houses with great porches to each of them, and arranged everything for the convenience of two families, to arrive on the first of June for the summer. Each of the families had grown children and as the 24 I.EGKNDS OF I,OST RIVKR VAI.I.EY daughters were educated and accomplished and in the very prime of young womanhood, it was not surprising that they should create a stir, ap- proaching a sensation, in the neighborhood. It soon was 'the proper caper' to visit the new- comers at the spring. Mrs. Brown had the largest house in the neighborhood, and by general consent and her own inclination, the young people in the community would congregate at - Mrs. Brown's frequently to spend the evening and pass away the happy hours in the merry whirl of the genuine countr}^ dance — and between the dan- ces Jack Hedges, w'ho was a great expert, would entertain the party by an exhibit of his 'single footer' accomplishments. What added zest and genuine enjoyment to these social gather- ings was the fact that Mrs. Brown w^as happy to be able to oblige her young friends with these gatherings and everybody knew that fact. "Captain Howard Payne was with his company and was part of the army which was temporarily^ quartered among the bluffs on the side of the valle3\ To satisfy his curiosity, and moved by the wonderful tales he had heard of the spring, he mounted his horse and galloped along the winding road through the forest, crossing ravines and roaring creeks until he dismounted at the Lost River Spring. He stood for some minutes gazing in surprise and astonishment at the scene LOST RIVER 25 before him. It seemed that a small river was bursting from the hillside. The spring was cir- cular in form and about thirty feet in diameter. The water came with such force and profusion that it lashed the water from the other side of the spring and then rolled and tumbled toward the center in a noisy jumble, then hurried away toward the White River and was soon lost in the forest-shaded ravines aud gorges, on its way to the great Mississippi, and the sea. But the spell that controlled Captain Payne was now broken, for above the noise of the gurgling waters he heard the full, clear notes of a lady's voice, as sweet and free as the song of the wild birds of the mountain. By walking toward the other side of the spring, he saw a young lady resting on a rustic seat built on the roots of a great oak. Surprised, she arose quickly, her hat swinging by its ties in her hand and with wild flowers in her hair. The Captain lifted his soldier's hat in the severest soldierly manner and said ^Ah, Miss, good morning. I hope you will not consider me rude. 1 am a stranger in the neighborhood and came to see the spring. Are you the nymph of the spring?', She came toward him, saying, 'Oh, no, Captain, I live for the summer just there, at that house on the hillside and come here mornings to read and rest where I can hear the music of these cheery waters. Here is a cup if you would like 26 LEGENDS OF I.OST RIVER VAIvIyEY to try the water; I imagine it is sweeter and clearer by this white rock,' and she filled the cup and handed it to him saying 'please excuse me, good morning.' This was accompanied by the most graceful little courtesy and she hurried along the path and soon disappeared in the vine-covered veranda of the summer house. The captain stood musing. 'What a lovely face — so expressive and sweet. Her voice so clear and joyous, and she so lithe, so tall, so graceful; and kind nature, so often partial, has united her powers with good health and sunshine to make her singularly at- tractive. "What though the sun with ardent frown Had slightly tinged her cheek with brown ''Nevertheless she was altogether a beauty. She seemed to him like a wild flower of the mountain, the Goddess of the Spring. He adjnired the water, the tall trees, the great solitude of the surrounding forests. Trees of such marvelous growth and miles of them on every side; great high reaching oaks, and below the spring cypress trees of mam- moth growth rearing their foliage-crowned tops far above their comrades. Such a brotherhood of giants! God's own great trees, — planted and pruned by Him alone! Near the head of the spring, stood a stalwart oak, towering far above its brothers, — an acknowledged monarch in this home of giants. "The captain rode home in a thoughtful mood. I.OST RIVER 27 The spring, the surrounding forest and all else were simply thrown aside and forgotten, in thoughts of that unknown one; that vision of beauty and loveliness that had in so short a time captivated his mind and enraptured his heart. That night he felt as if he must return the next day to the spring; such rudeness and impropriety, however, could not be tolerated, but how could he see her? He did not even know her name. He then recollected that he had been invited to attend a ball at Mrs. Brown's a few evenings hence, at which he had been told the beauty and cul- ture of the neighborhood would be assembled. Would the girl at the spring be there? The Captain had been urgently invited to attend the ball and did so. His tall and comely figure, and his faultless military uniform, gave him dash and almost princely bearing. Among the gentle- men in attendance no one presented a more noble and manly bearing than he. The Captain scrutinized the guests as they appeared with great eagerness until one particular guest came in. He was introduced by the hostess and secured her for several dances. He found her name to be Miss Elsie Argo. His hostess said to him that she hoped he would like her, 'as she is cer- tainly one of our prettiest girls, and is the acknowledged intellectual star of the vicinity.' Thrills, throbs and palpitations are tame words 28 I^EGENDS OF I.OST KIVER VAI.I.KY to express the condition of the Captain's heart when he and Miss Argo for the first time, floated around the great ball-room. His heart was full. Full to the brim, and overflowing. He and his friend, Tom Blanchard, called at the spring the following day and spent an hour at the hill-side home. The Captain's heart throbbed with unbounded happiness. His mind was not in condition to recollect that, " 'Joy comes and g"oes, hope ebbs and flows like the wave.' "The next day. Captain Payne was chagrined to learn that the soldiers had been ordered to move at once, and all was hurry and bustle in camp. He sent 'Good-bye' to his friend through Mrs. Brown. They marched from their quarters, and as they left the place two ladies on horse- back, one on a magnificent pacing grey, dashed up to see the soldiers pass; Captain Payne soon recognized the one on the pacing grey as his friend from the spring, and lifted his hat repeat- edly and she waved her handkerchief as often in reply. When he had passed, the ladies dashed off and disappeared on the winding way toward the spring. "The Captain, alas for the weakness of human nature, involuntarily turned as if to go after them, and then turned manfully awa}' and kept step like a soldier. He was ordered to Northern Alabama and was marching toward the I,OST KIVER 29 south, but his thoughts were ever turning to the spring; to the house on the hill-side; to the dance; but more particularly to the girl on the pacing grey. He felt that all these things were gone, but they still lingered in his mind. The darkness and quietude of the camp, as he rested on the ground at night, only added to the vivid- ness of his recollections of the Lost River Valley scenes. He said to his friend Tom, 'I suppose this is what it means to buffet the billows and brave the storms and squalls of life.' ''Four months passed and they were pleasantly located in camp in Northern Alabama. Rest and leisure vividly recalled the past. He talked to his friend, Tom, of his girl and how he hoped, in some way, to meet her again. As weeks lagged by, he became still more unhappy. His state of mind will be better understood by the following letter: " 'My dear Miss Argo: I can not but wish that our acquaintance was such as to allow me to address you in terms more endearing, but while that is not my privilege, I still beg to say, that time and dis- tance has only strengthened my thoughts and regard for you. May I then tell you so? Will you regard the attentions of one whose heart hears but one song and that the singing of one, then unknown to me, at the spring? The one great hope that sustains me most is that I may in some place meet you when I am not under army orders, and not bound by duty and honor 30 I.KGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VALI.EV to remain in camp. May I hope to hear from you, saying that you are not offended by my presuming to write you these faulty but candid words? Sincerely, Howard Payne.' The reply. " 'Capt. Howard Payne. My Dear Sir: I most thoroughly appreciate your kind letter of the 1 2th inst. and am honored to know that your sincerity moved you to write. You are entirely excusable in writing me and I am happy to know that one so brave and noble remembers me and entertains kind recollections of me, but Captain Payne, I regret to tell 3^ou that I am now so circumstanced that it would be improper to encourage you to write again. With kindest recollections, Elsie Argo.' "Upon receipt of this letter, Captain Payne called to his friend, 'Tom, you remember that girl who was introduced to us at the dance at Mrs. Brown's, well, Tom, I have been loving that girl ever since and now I have lost her. She is engaged. I know it. Read that letter. While I know I have lost her, still I am gratified to know that she has a heart to leave a poor fellow in the right way, but I will keep that letter. I know b}^ it that she was all that I ever thought her to be, the dearest, best girl on earth. Once I lived in contemplating glorious moons and gorgeous sunsets in the love of that LOST RIVEK 31 dear girl, and now I can see before me but gray mornings and hopeless nights.' "A few months later, the Captain read the notice of the marriage of Miss Elsie Argo of Tennesee to Judge Manderson of Alabama, and he said to Tom, 'Yes, that is my girl. I knew by her letter that she was engaged. Now she is lost to me and that ends m}^ love exploits for life.' Tom replied, 'No, Captain, you will soon find another just as good.' But the Captain insisted that there was only one girl for him and she was that particular one from the spring. "The Indian troubles soon ended and Captain Payne settled near Birmingham and purchased a large coal field in the suburbs. Soon after a number of furnaces and factories and other large plants were established near his coal lands. He gave his attention entirely to business and in a few years, was a wealthy man. In the mean- time Judge and Mrs. Manderson had settled in a beautiful home in Sunny South Land and en- tered upon their married life, with all the surround- ings that make life enjoyable, but only to have their ideal life destroyed and utterly broken up, bringing upon Mrs. Manderson grief and sorrow sufficient to break a thousand hearts. Scarcely five years had passed when it was announced in the papers that Judge Manderson of Alabama was killed in a railroad wreck in Texas. Captain 32 I^KGKNDS OF IvOST RIVER VAI,I.EY Payne attended the funeral of Judge Manderson but sat on the large veranda until Mrs. Manderson passed out to the carriage when he moved near enough to see her face among widow's weeds and widow's tears. He then turned away saying almost audibly, 'She never was so pretty as now.' "His state of mind during the six months following is unknown except what may be gathered from the following: " 'Mrs. Manderson. Dear Madam: — I will be in your city on Thursday, and if agreeable, it would afford me pleasure to call upon you. Will you grant me that happiness? I am presuming that you still remember me. Sincerely. Howard Payne.' "This letter brought the following reply: " 'Capt. Payne. My dear Sir: — Your letter was a surprise, as it was quite unex- pected but the surprise was a pleasant one. I do recollect you very well. I will be pleased to see you after three o'clock, Thursday afternoon, as I will be from home until that hour. Very truly, Mrs. Manderson.' "This is all that is known, except that Captain Payne was absent from his home 'on business' very frequently during the months following the above letters, and his friend Tom received a tele- gram from him requesting that he meet him in I,OST RIVER h Mobile at a given street number, as he desired to consult him upon an important matter. Tom, always ready to oblige the Captain, was on hand at the time stated, but was surprised to find the place of meeting to be a large and costly furnished private residence and that others were there before him. He was received and informed that the captain would see him soon. Then came the music, fol- lowed by the marriage of Captain Payne to Mrs. Manderson. At the proper time, Tom, with much gravity, inquired the nature of the business to be considered, that he was now ready. The Cap- tain said, 'Tom, I wanted to consult you as to my judgment in choosing a wife. I told you there was only one girl in all this world for me, and now Tom, that girl is my wife and I am the hap- piest man in Alabama.' Tom replied, 'Well, Cap- tain, 3^ou want my opinion on this matter. I will say that I always asserted that I would never marry, but. Captain, on the square, if I could find such a wife as you have, I'd get married without hesitation, I like her — I approve your judgment. God bless you and Mrs. Payne.' "The newly married pair took the train for the Lost River Spring. They arrived in the morning - when the trees were budding and spring flowers on every side, and as they approached the spring their hearts throbbed with a new happiness. The laughing waters rushed to meet them — the birds' 34 I.EGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAIyl^EY songs grew sweeter tq greet them. They came like children long absent, returning to the home and hearthstone from which they sprang. The Captain dipped water from near the great white rock and handed it to his wife saying. 'Dear, I imagine the water is sweeter and clearer by this white rock.' They both drank from the cup and then sat down on the rustic seat by the great oak, where he first saw Miss Argo years before. The quiet of the place was unbroken, except by the rustle of the foliage in the tree tops so far above them, the notes of wild birds in the trees and the music of the waters they both loved so well; and there, in the glow of health and love and life and hope, they recalled the past, re- newed their sacred pledges and commenced life anew." THK WOI.VES 35 CHAPTER III. The Wolves. Mr. Benton: "This must have been a wild coun- try in the early times and I suppose you had bears and wolves here then." Mr. Pontus: -'Yes. In that ravine yonder the wolves were plentiful, and they were such fearless night prowlers that we had to act on the offen- sive to protect our stock from their attacks. My two sturdy dogs were both wolf hunters and wolf fighters. When either of them closed in combat with a large timber wolf, there was no hesitation or parleying, but it was a hand to hand, or rather a teeth to teeth wager of battle; Greek had met Greek in a final struggle for victory or death. In the midst of the fights, as I could not shoot, as opportunity presented I would rush up and kill the wolf with a blow with my hatchet. It was in fact a very small ax with a very sharp blade and pole or hammer. It had a handle about four feet long and I used it when in such close quar- ters that I could not use the gun. The dogs had great experience and tact. I have often sent them ahead and they would crawl through the brush for a long distance to surprise the wolves and en- gage them in battle. Just before they would charge, they never failed to look back, to see if I 36 I.EGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI,I,EY was coming, and was ready to assist in the strug- gle. By this look I knew the supreme moment had arrived, and would immediately dash forward. The chances were that my strongest dog, Tige, would have hold about the throat of his antag- onist, which hold was there to stay, and I have repeatedly killed the wolf with the hammer of my hatchet by a single blow. Here on the wall is the weapon mentioned. It has been my sole reliance in many a struggle. I have had the blade renewed several times. '•Sometimes I have had a piece of fresh meat trailed on the ground in a long circuit, and then securely tied to a small tree, while I would hide in some secure place, and as soon as the wolves would catch the trail they would immediately fol- low it, and on finding the meat they would in- variably commence fighting over their find, when I would shoot one at least, and have shot two of them before they could get away. I would cure and tan the skins, as 1 learned to do in my early hunting life with the Indians. Here are wolf skins that I tanned. I always take the greatest care of them. They are all trophies of the chase. In the winter they are a great comfort to me. "One day while hunting we found a distinct bear track in the snow, which my friend and I followed half a day, when we observed tobacco stain on the snow, and concluded that a bear had ''defending himseIvF by swinging his gun to ward off the hungry, howi^ing, ravenous devii^s" THE WOLVKS 37 too much sense to chew tobacco, and returned home to learn that one of the neighbors had skin- ned the feet of a grizzly bear and made a kind of moccasins of the skin, which accounted for the tracks, so that the tracks were genuine, but the animal making them was a fraud. Not a wolf in sheep's clothing, nor an ass in a lion's skin, but a man parading in the shoes of a bear. ''One day when I was in the field near the ravine yonder with Tige at my heels I heard an unusual noise in the hollow beyond and ran there, hatchet in hand, to learn the cause of the commotion. 1 found my neighbor, Markell, sur- rounded by a pack' of timber wolves and defending himself by swinging his gun in front, to ward off the hungry, howling, snapping, ravenous devils. I had time only to rush to him to save his life. The next moment Markell, myself and the dog were in the center and seven timber wolves in a circle round us. The desperate, snarling creatures made continual efforts to get hold of us. Markell had lost his nerve and was unable to reload his gun, so that the dog, the hatchet and my good right arm constituted the amount and extent of our munitions of war. Again and again I would hit one of the wolves and they would fall back momentarily and then renew the attack. I kept the dog at my feet as a defense, fearing to let him fight one, as the others would take 38 LEGENDS OF I.OST RIVER VALI.EY part and kill him. For half an hour that strug- gle was continued. For half an hour I stood between that man and death. A hundred times I strained every nerve to lay the leaders low. At length I hit the most venturous one among them and he fell prostrate, and as I did so his mate tore my left arm. The dog took him by the throat. And here a moment's delay would have resulted in certain death to both of us, as the wolves rushed in. I sprang instantly for- ward and hit the wolf in the back of the head and then finished both of the infuriated beasts, and the others, seeing their leaders had fallen, instantly fled through the underbrush, leaving us in possession of the battle-ground. We bound up my arm, saved the skins of the slain wolves, to be tanned, and for weeks thereafter I bathed my arm in water from the medicine springs (now West Baden). Going below the springs, 1 lay down and let the sulphur water run over my arm. This water cleansed the wound, re- duced the inflammation and eliminated the danger of blood poisoning. I have known Indians in the olden time to come many miles to bathe their injuries in the sulphur water of these springs. My arm recovered, but here are the scars of that wolf's teeth, which scars I will carry to my grave. As I grew older I avoided the risks of such fights with the wolves, but for many years we were THK WOI^VKS 39 compelled to fight for their extermination, as we were unable to raise stock; they would destroy the young calves, lambs and pigs, and they drove off other game; rabbits, turkeys, quail and other birds were kept away or made very scarce by the continual hunting of the wolves, so we had to fight them to protect our stock and ourselves, and the game we so dearly loved." 40 IvEGENDS OF I.OST RIVER VAIvLEY CHAPTER IV. Dave and Tige. Mr. Pontus: "I cannot take leave of the wolves w^ithout a brief mention of my dogs Dave and Tige. I purchased them when young, and they were raised and schooled and trained by me. In their puppy days they learned to go with me, and if any danger threatened they would stand by me and were ready to fight an3/thing that came near. Each of them inspired his mate with courage. They soon grew fearless, and both grew to be terrific combatants. The}^ feared no wolf on earth, and when they had become ex- perienced in hunting them they sought out their enemy with great tact and adroitness. Their courage, strength and experience combined to make them terrific in an encounter. When a pack of timber wolves would charge upon them, they found that there was 'a lion in the way.' Tige would stand by me, looking the embodiment of infuriated vengence until the danger was im- minent and impending, when he would charge with such velocity and violence that he rarely failed to get the advantage of the enemy in his first charge. Dave was always with him, assist- ing in the fight or keeping the other wolves at bay. Either of them would readily die at my DAVE AND TIGE 41 feet in my defense. Neither of them ever showed the white feather one moment in their lives. Then do you wonder that I loved them? Do you wonder that I like to tell of my faithful friends? It was a sad day for me when Tige died, and I had him buried in the woods that he loved so well, while Dave stood by. The next morning I called Dave and he did not come. I looked here and there for him and then I went to Tige's grave, and there was old Dave lying with his head on his paws, at the grave of his friend. I do not know whether he was shedding tears or not, but he did not need to, as I shed tears enough for both him and myself, and I wept there with poor broken-hearted Dave, and oh, such tears, and such sorrow, for poor Tige, who had sprang into the jaws of death an hundred times to save us. Yes, I could weep now for him, and am not ashamed to tell it. '''' Reqiiiescat in pace my dear and faithful friend. "But it is said he was only a dog. 'Only a dog-.' You wonder why I grieve so much to see him die. Ah, if you knew How true a friend he was to me When friends were few! "Only a dog- — a beast, you sneer Not worthy of a sig"h or tear. Speak not to me Such falsehood of my poor, dumb friend While I have lang-uag^e to defend His memory. 42 I^KGENDS OF LOST RIVKR VAI,I,EY "Throug-h ups and downs, through thick and thin My boon companion he has been; For years and years. He journeyed with me many miles, I gave him frowns, I gave him smiles And now sad tears. "Ah, go away and let me cry. For now you know the reason why I loved him so; Leave me alone to close his eyes That looked so watchful and so wise Trying to know. "At garden gate or open door You'll run to welcome me no more My dear old friend; You were so good, so kind, so true, I question now looking down at you Is this the end? "Is there for you no 'other side,' No home beyond death's chilly tide And heavy fog; Where meekness and fidelity Will meet reward although you be Only a dog. "Old Tige had love and faith and joj'. As much as any baby boy — Intelligence — Could smell, see, hear and suffer pain, What makes a soul if these in vain. When I go hence, ** 'Tis my belief my dog will be Among the first to welcome me, Believing that I keep his collar and his strap. We will meet there and no mishap; So good by, Tige, Dear, faithful Tige." FANNY DII^BRO 43 CHAPTER V. Fanny Dilbro. Mr. Benton: "How did the Indians and white people get along? Did they associate to any extent?" Mr. Pontus: "During the early times when the Shawnees lived in this section in large numbers, there was a great deal of business intercourse between the Indians and their white neighbors, and this acquaintance resulted in friendly relations and many marriages between them. Scarcely any of the Indian men married white wives, but it was not uncommon for white men to marry Indian girls. "This resulted in quite a number of half-breeds scattered here and there throughout the territory. A white man by the name of Dilbro married one of the half-breed Indian girls, who was handsome, quite well educated, and a most excellent woman. "They had three daughters, who were well edu- cated, intelligent, and were everywhere respected, especially for their good sense and charitable work. These ladies were authority on language at the county seat, and when cases were tried, in which the parties or witnesses were Indians, they were repeatedly called into court as interpreters, to translate the Indian language into English, and being in court so frequentl}' they became well 44 I.EGENDS OF I.OST RIVER VAI,I.EY known and honored everywhere. Especially were they loved by the Indians and regarded as their friends. "The two older girls married the most respected and well-to-do men in the community and were leaders in usefulness as well as in social events. "The younger sister seemed to have been par- ticularly favored by nature. She had good health, beauty and general accomplishments, and was the acknowledged leader in social functions. When the Shawnees left this country for the West some of the tribe were compelled to remain, on account of sickness and old age, and many of them en- joyed such pleasant surroundings that they were loth to change their present location for one utterly unknown to them. They did not know the nature of their prospective surroundings, in the unknown country whither their people were going. Quite a number of people were related by marriage to the white people and were rather proud than otherwise of their white friends. So that, every- thing considered, there was quite a remnant of the tribe that remained here even by choice. "Some years later the Chief of the Shawnees, in the Sciota Valley, in the Indian Territory, came here to look after this remnant of his people and to induce them to join their friends on the reservation. "He found a home while here at Mr. Diibro's FANNY DIIvBRO 45 house, and as he was young, tall, very richly dressed, and a man of great ability and distinction, he talked English fluently and was a man of fine address, and naturally was interesting to the young lady of the house, Miss Fanny Dilbro. He re- mained three weeks and visited the Indians here and then left again to join his own people. He corresponded with Miss Dilbro, and some months later returned and took her away as his wife, to be Queen of his tribe. Miss Dilbro announced two weeks before her marriage that she was going to marry the Chief and go away. "The departure of such a lovely girl under the circumstances created the most profound sensation in the community. Her father was very indulgent, and spared no time or money to make her de- parture happ3' and even distinguished. The new bride of the Chief proved to be a blessing to the whole tribe. She assisted in establishing schools everywhere throughout the tribe. She was a friend to the churches and assisted various denomi- nations to open Sunday schools within the Shawnee country. She assisted the Chief in having a paper started as a medium of communication between the scattered families. And the Chief, who was always inclined to adopt measures to elevate and educate his people, found in her not only a wife in his household, but a most competent and valuable adviser in all matters relating to the betterment of 46 IvEGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI^LEY his people. The people here never forgot the Indian bride. They never would admit that she was not of their own kith and kin, but claimed her as their own friend and as an angel on a visit to a people who appreciated her and considered her a blessing to them all. She corresponded with her people here, and they were proud to tell of her doings in the far west. Her father was my friend, and she always called me "Uncle Joe," and I knew her well from childhood. I had a letter from her which I always preserved with the great- est care, and as it will be interesting, I will give it here: " 'Mr. Joseph Pontus. Dear "Uncle Joe": — I wish many times that 1 could spend a whole week telling you how I spend my lime and how I find happiness in the performance of my many duties. My associations, in my youth, with intel- ligent people, the educational advantages that my father afforded me, and my love for the church and Sunday school seemed to be the guiding star and the inspiration of my life here. I have established many schools, I have often visited those already in existence, going to every one of them at least once a year. My husband is always most kind and good to me. He goes with me to visit our own people and also the neighboring tribes, and he always speaks at the feasis and out-door gatherings. He tells them to raise more corn, wheat and oats. He tells them to feed their horses better, and he praises their fat horses whenever he sees one. He spent much of his own money to improve their stock. He tells them he wants to see big gardens, big FANNY DILBRO 47 truck patches and big fields of grain, and always tells them that he will come soon again and will expect great improvement. He urges them to depend on themselves to provide for their families, and he wants them to be a strong, sober, industrious and independent people. No chief is more liked by the surrounding tribes than he, nor is any chief loved more in his own home than he. When I attend my husband on his visits, I encourage the women, and no word I ever utter falls un- heard and no kind act is unappreciated by these humble women. I speak to them (and, you recollect, I used to sing) and sing to them, and nothing has filled my heart with such happiness as to see how their houses are put in order, and what efforts both teachers and pupils make to have everything pleasant for my visits. I wish you could go one day with me on my school, church and social trips, and your heart would throb with delight to see the amount of happiness that one little woman can give to the most appreciative children on earth — and I do not claim any credit, because it does seem to me that the overruling and universal Father of us all, has lifted me up and placed me at His chosen post of duty and told me what to do from day to da}'. To illustrate: When I go out among my people all eyes are upon me, and especially those of the young women. They watch how I walk, how I speak, how I dress, how I laugh and how I sing and how I pray; and knowing this, and feeling that one silly act may be copied, and how one improper word may be repeated, it requires no reasoning and con- sideration to know my duty. It is my great pleasure to be simple in dress, discreet in my words, and correct in my acts. You can never measure the responsibility that rests on me. You can never know the pleasure it gives me to Hft my people up to a full reahzation of the bless- 48 IvEGENDS OF IvOST RIVER VAI,I,EY ings of liberty, education and Christianity. And oh, how unworthy am I, yet, the happiness that their welfare, their improvement, their apprecia- tion and devotion brings to my heart can never be known this side of heaven. Many ties bind me to the Shawnees. I be- lieve I was sent here to help them. Their love for me and unwavering faith in me, gives me influence and control over them, to make them do right. I speak their language as well as our own, and can make known their wants according to their true merits. I am related to them by blood and have made them my people by adop- tion. I would not be loyal to my husband if I did not help his people* I would be unworthy of my patriotic father if I did not teach them loyalty to our country. I would not be true to my good mother if I did not be a mother to the sick and helpless about me and help to "wipe sorrows' tears away.'" You must come to visit me, you must come. Good-by — do not forget me. God bless you, dear Uncle Joe. Fanny.' ''I visited the Shawnees in the reservation once, but that was before Miss Dilbro left this countr}-, but now since she is there, and so circumstanced that she will make my visit pleasant, I will go again to visit the tribe. You see, my mother's uncles and other relatives are located there and I will be at home among them. "The valley of the Sciota River, in which they are located, is rich, and the tribe ought to prosper there and, as I understand, do prosper. At all events, they are good people and ought to suc- ceed, especially as the chief of the tribe is a most excellent man." THE PIGEONS 49 CHAPTER VI. The Pigeons. Mr. Benton: "Excuse me, but what kind of birds are those coming 'round the hill-top yonder? they seem to be fast flyers." Mr. Pontus: ''Why, those are wild pigeons; they are usually sailing about the hill-tops in great numbers. They like to frequent the forests of tall trees such as you see there. They are very pretty birds, and are fine food. I was accustomed to shoot them and many times have enjoyed pigeon pot-pie, but lately I do not like to kill them. Much shooting drives them off and I would be lonesome if I could not see them. So I entirely quit killing them and have begged my .neighbors not to disturb them. We do not see them in the winter; they seek a more congenial climate, but always return here. So with many of my feathery friends, they come and go and I await their return and welcome them by scattering crums and grain about, so they will like to come and like to stay. The}^ are friendly, beautiful and enjoyable associates." Mr. Benton: "The annual migration of birds and how they know where to go has always been a matter of thought with me; and especially how the homing pigeons know how to return to their 50 LEGENDS OF I.OST KIVEK VALI.EY homes, when taken so far away, has caused me much thought and consideration. May I ask what are your ideas on that subject?" Mr. Pontus: "Of course, that is one of the questions that can not be answered by facts and figures, but I can give you my thoughts on that subject without any trouble or delay. "Birds and animals have an instinct or knowl- edge of location, distance and direction, the de- gree of that knowledge depending upon the nature and habits of the species. Take a dog or a horse many miles from its usual haunts and it will find its way home, because the outdoor life, experience and habits of the horse and the dog are such as to inform them in regard to direc- tion and distance. This is true to a very limited degree in the lower order of animals. If you take a frog two miles from its native pond it can never find its way back, because its life and ex- perience is so circumstanced, so hemmed in, that knowledge of direction and distance is not essentiaj to its manner of life, but the animals and fowls of higher intelligence, and especially those whose mode of life requires them to travel about, have an extensive knowledge of location and direction when compared with that of the lower order of animals. " 'How instinct varies in the grov'lling" swine, Compared, half-reasoning elephant, with thine, 'Twixt that and reason, what a nice barrier, Forever separate, j'et forever near.' THE PIGEONS 51 "Birds generally quit their summer homes as soon as the storms of fall threaten, and spend their winters in a warmer climate, southward. Wild geese love the northern lakes and marshes, in the summer time, and rear their young there, but when approaching winter makes their homes uncomfort- able, and food scarce, they form themselves into a football 'V and immediately start southward to their winter resorts. "How do the birds know which way to goF How does the wild goose on the shores of Northern Superior know the way to the more sunny shores? They must naturally have that knowledge. Some say they know because their ancestors have gone that way each year, and the head center of the 'V is a gander selected as the leader, because he has been over that long route several times, but how did his ancestors first know of the warmer resorts, and how do birds generally know the exact locality of a climate to their liking? It seems clear that nature furnishes them with knowledge sufficient to guide them in these things, and it seems that the higher orders of the fowl kingdom and the higher orders of the animal kingdom are particularly gifted with such knowledge. The wren and the woodpecker, both birds of short flight, would likely know little of direction and distance, but the long flyers — the crane, the heron, the wild goose, the eagle — know 52 I.EGENDS OF I.OST RIVER VAI^I^EY intuitively, or by experience, of distance, location and direction. "It is reasonable that birds accustomed to long flights, who are great travelers, should know where and how to go and how to return home again. "If you capture an American eagle on the Rocky Mountains and liberate him on the Alle- gheny Mountains, I have no doubt that the magnificent scenery of the Alleghenies and royal beauty of their wild ravines, fringed and inter- laced with ferns, would be a great disappoint- ment to him; that he w^ould soar away above it all, circle around a few times to get his bear- ings, and then strike for the fastnesses of his native Rockies, where jagged rocks 'the rat- tling crags among,' with their snow-capped tur- rets would afford his soul its wanted rest. "Thus with the carrier pigeon. Its species has always been selected as a carrier, because of its remarkable intelligence and its love of home. Its species has always had an opportunity for training and education in distance and direction. It is a long flyer, like the eagle and the wild goose, and surveys a long distance route as easily as the woodpecker or the wren would survey the space of a few thousand feet. "The ancestors of the pigeon were gifted by nature with this power. This gift has been en- THE PIGEONS 53 larged and improved by experience and training, and has been transmitted to their progeny. These favorable conditions, encouraged and strengthened by early and continued training, necessarily makes the pigeons with brief experience acquainted with the topograph}^ of a state, as a horse or a dog is acquainted with the township in which he lives. Such pupils and such training affords the fine 'homing pigeons' of to-day. "It is a fact that the pigeon famity has always been especially endowed with the faculty of know- ing where to go to a greater degree than ordi- nary birds. Why did not Noah send a yellow- hammer out of the ark to report the condition of the waters? He knew better. A dove was se- lected, because it was able to make a long flight, and it knew its way home again. In Turkey, where these birds are much used, ^nd are most reliable, they are carefully trained. They take a bird nine months old the distance of one-half mile, then gradually increase the distance and the tests until it learns the general lay of the land and water. It is then a reliable messenger. "It is said that a carrier pigeon was taken to a great height in a balloon and turned loose. It rose much higher and circled about, but returned to the balloon, finding nothing familiar to give it its bearings, indicating that some hint of the direc- tion was indispensible to it in determining the way. 64 IvKGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI.I,EY ''When a carrier pigeon is liberated is goes up to a great height and circles around, takes the direction and goes home. It goes up and circles about until something indicates which way to go, so it has to make up its mind. If not, why does it not start at once? Why does it go high? Why does it circle about? "Intelligent birds may know much more as to the points of the compass than we are likely to suppose. They know the rising and setting of the sun better than man. They greet the rising of the morning with their cheery songs, and when they see the sun, like Phoebus Appollo, sinking into the sea surrounded with glory, they go to rest to await the re^:urn of the morning. The carrier pigeon may know the rising and setting of the sun better than many human beings. For example, if a pigeon, reared in New York, were liberated in Chicago in the early morning he would look to the rising sun and go; and if liber- ated in the evening it would glance at the setting sun and turn at once east, because it knows that the sun arose out of the great sea, and that its home is near that sea. When it has flown all night, and has overtopped the Allegheny moun- tains, and beheld the gray light of the morning break in the east, it knows that light comes over the sea, sees the slope of the whole country to- ward the ocean, and his breast heaves with recog- THE PIGEONS 55 nition of his home-land, and new hope and re- newed strength bears up its tired wings. "The best 'homing' pigeons are the mothers who are taken away from their young, and who can say but that their mother love is so intense that it retains, in spite of distance and darkness, some memory of the direction back to its home and dear ones. "It may be that trees, rivers ' and other things speak in nature's language to birds. For instance: A farmer on the prairies of Illinois can give the points of a compass immediately by looking at the branches of a tree as certainly as by looking at the sun, as he knows the continual winds in- cline the branches to the northeast, and such things may serve as indices to intelligent birds. Consid- ering these things, the conclusion is reasonable that the pigeon, hke other birds of long flight, is gifted with a natural power to a marked degree to determine direction and location; that it has a keen, far extended eyesight; that these natural pow- ers aided by training and experience, detects famil- iar objects very far away; that the general con- tour of the country passes in panoramic views before its extended vision. "The sun, the mountains, the lakes, the fogs of the valley, the slope of the countr}^ or some com- bination of some of these are guide-posts to the carrier pigeon in its homeward flight." 56 I^EGENDS OF I^OST RIVER VAI^I^EY CHAPTER VII. The Indian Religion. Mr. Benton: *'If not disagreeable to you we would like to know about the religion of the Indians, and, generally, what you think of re- ligious denominations and their creeds and doctrine." Mr. Pontus: ''I tell you candidly that I do not like so many different denominations and creeds. I do not regard it necessary to have so many sects and so much difference on trivial points. That there are so many sects shows them to be the work of man. There ought to be one great Christian church agreeing on the acknowledged essential belief of Christian faith, leaving all other matters to be non-essential and matters of personal preference and opinion. "The various denominations should not find fault with each other. I know a very zealous Baptist woman who says no one can ever get to heaven, unless they are immersed and put entirely under the water. She seems to believe that so much water will wash away sin. I believe in a form of baptism, but think that a few drops of water as good as a tank full, as water of itself does not eradicate sin. Tears of penitence form the only kind of water that will wash away the sin- THE INDIAN RKIylGION 57 fulness of a wicked heart. A man who lived over there has been cruel to his wife and children for twent}' years and is altogether mean. You would not wash away that man's sins by drag- ging him up the Mississippi from New Orleans to St. Paul. "I do not find fault with any church and am thankful for what I receive, be it much or little. I am like the preacher who sent his hat all over the church for a collection and waited to give thanks for the money; when the hat came back there was nothing in it, and the preacher promptly returned thanks for getting his hat back again. "Nor do I know if it is best to mislead the minds of children into believing in Santa Claus, as the effect on their minds when they ascertain how^ they have been deceived for years may not be that of a simple joke, but may have the effect of destroying confidence in the word of their parents. For example, when Johnny was nine years old he said to his father and mother that they had made him believe that Santa Claus really existed, and had him writing to him for years, and now he learned that the whole story was false, and that now he supposed the story of Jesus was all false too, and that he would have to look that up now. That is, he lost confidence in their word. This reminds me of the old story shown in the follow^ing conversation: 58 IvEGENDS OF IvOST RIVER VAIvlVEY "Pat: 'Yes I believe the Bible and every- thing in it.' "John: 'Do you believe that Jesus v^^alked on the vvrater?' "Pat: 'Is that in the Bible?' "John: 'Yes.' "Pat: 'Then I believe it.' "John: 'Do you believe that the whale swal- lowed Jonah and he lived three days inside the whale?' "Pat: 'Is that in the Bible?' "John: 'Yes, it is, sure.' "Pat: 'Then I believe that, too.' "John: 'Do you believe that Samson caught three hundred foxes and tied their tails together and set them afire and let them go?' "Pat: 'Is that in the Bible?' "John: 'Yes, sure it is.' "Pat: 'Then I do not believe it; I have caught foxes and I know Samson or nobody else can catch three hundred of them and I don't believe that at all, and I will go back on that whale story, too, and I'll not believe anything in the Bible at all.' "But more seriously, as to what I believe. "Perhaps my environments were unfavorable to the formation of correct views of theology and religion, as my early ideas on that question were confined to what my mother instilled into THE INDIAN REIylGION 59 my mind, which ideas have always been held sacred by me, because I know what she taught was from the sincerity of her heart. Since that time my reading and the information I have gained by associating with my white brethren has caused me to change my mind, so far as to believe in the God of the white people and to believe in heaven, and a life of eternal un- happiness for the dishonest, the hypocrite and the criminal. The Indians always believed in a future existence as well as the white people. Yet I do not believe that heaven is a place of golden streets and pearly gates, but regard that as an erroneous and harmful view to convey to the young and to all people, because gold is nothing that gives pleasure except to the miser, the mean, the stingy, all of which is illiberal, selfish, miserly and opposed to all my ideas of a broad, sensible Christianity. "Suppose the walls, the floors and furniture of your houses were pure gold and you walked upon it and sat upon it and handled it every day and saw it every time you opened your eyes, how long would you be happy with your golden home? How long would you want to stay in that home to look at the cold, smooth, glistening gold? You could not sleep on it, you could not eat it when hungry. You would grow weary of its appearance, and would leave your own home 60 I.KGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI,I.KY to get away from the sham and show, which could afford you neither use nor pleasure. "Human beings are not calculated and organized for monotony in anything. The human mind must have variety. You have heard that true old say- ing that 'variety is the spice of life.' It is not only the spice of life, but variet}^ is a necessity for healthy, physical and mental life. Shut a man in his young life in a place where he could see but one thing, and his physical life will soon be a wreck. Compel the individual to study and consider but one thing, and he will soon be nar- row^ and contracted in his views and wholly unable to consider anything in a broad, liberal, fair. Christian view of the subject. "I knew a man, by name of Watson, who was an educated gentleman, an honor to his family, an ornament to the neighborhood and added interest to every public gathering. He undertook the study of spiritualism and confined his reading and thinking to that subject. "He gradually became silent. His nature seemed to gradually change and he withdrew from the society and the associations of men, and event- ually lost his reason. He thought only of spirit- ualism and that robbed him of his reason, his usefulness, his life. Not that thinking of spiritual- ism necessarily played havoc with his reason, but the continual confinement of the mind to that one THE INDIAN RKI.IOION 61 subject, ignoring all others, denying the mind the diversion, relief and relaxation it naturally would have enjoyed by considering other subjects, and denying and preventing the rest and strength which are a necessity to our healthy mental nature, brought wreck and ruin to his reason. "The preachers of Christian denominations warn their hearers against the love of gold. They say that the love of gold is the very root of evil. You must use the gold for the extension of the gospel, to all of which I fully agree. But they then tell you that you should seek a home in Heaven, and as an inducement to do so, they tell you that there are golden streets there, that Heaven has pearly gates, and that the walls are of precious stones, and you should strive to reach there and live in this happy place. I have heard this golden street argument more than any other. If the love of gold is pernicious why hold it up before the people to allure them? The idea is all wrong. There is nothing heavenly in golden streets. Who wants to walk on a street of gold.^ The majority of church members in this vicinity would be outrageously unhappy if they had to walk on gold all day and could not dig it up. Compel them to walk everywhere on gold and they would have, not a fashionable convulsion, but a genuine, old fashioned fit. "When the prodigal son, with repentant heart, 62 IvKGENDS OF I,OST RIVER VAI,I,EY returned, he did not stop to look for mahogany furniture trimmed with gold, and ask to see the jewelry of the family. No, no, he wrapped his arms around his old father's neck and wanted nothing on earth but to be welcomed home. So when we arrive in the heaven beyond the dark waters of the valley, we will look, not to see the brilliancy of the place, but if we can see the dear ones who have gone before us, if we can see the approving face of Jesus, our Savior, and hear the song of the redeemed of 'Welcome Home,' it will be enough — it will be enough. ''The Happy Hunting Grounds of the Indian, with hills, vales, trees, rivers, grassy nooks, shady coves and sylvan bowers is the more correct idea, where there is sun, shade and scenery in infinite variety. Oh, but they say the angels will sing in heaven on the golden rostrum. I would rather hear them sing among the hills and vales, in shady nooks with crystal waters gurling eternal music, that comforts the heart of the whole human family. "The Great Spirit, the Indian understands, made nature in its life and beauty for man to enjoy, and which will impart life and health to the physical nature, and by which the mental part of man would be strengthened and enlightened and rendered capable of imparting pleasure and happiness to others. Longfellow's idea of heaven THE INDIAN REI.IGION 63 comes nearer my own than the golden streets- pearly gates idea. ** 'What is that Nokomis?' And the good Nokomis answered: " 'Tis the heaven of flowers you see there; All the wild flowers of the forest, All the lillies of the prairie, When on earth they fade and perish, Blossom in that heaven above us.' "Even 'acres of roses and miles of palms* might not prove to be distasteful. "We are so constituted that society is a neces- sity. Humanity must associate with humanity, otherwise our cheerful, useful, intellectual influence to others would all be lost forever. "The minds of human beings are varied; one strong, another weak, one inclined to one de- partment of industry, while his brother will follow another. One mind is naturally constituted to build houses, another to manufacture tools, another to preach, another to music and song and another to studv the stars of heaven, while still another will study the winds and the waves, and thereby foretell the weather for days to come. This variety of mind and the benefit and pleasure of hearing of others and gathering their thoughts from books, lectures and other sources is what makes the mind grow in strength, practicability and usefulness. This is what gives mental power and mental scope to the mind of mortals, result- 64 I.EGENDS OF I,OST RIVKR VAI.I.EY ing in the blessing of all mankind, so that mental association is essential to a healthful, mental ex- istence and essential to the happiness of man, whether he is one plane of existence or another, as I understand, the philosophy of individual ex- istence. I understand that heaven will be a place where the mind of mortals redeemed and re-embodied will intellectually enjoy themselves, where advancement in happiness and existence in the very presence of God, the angels and the just and good will grow in interest and joy forever more. "So now what is there that proves to you and me that the happiness of the good and just in the lands on 'the other side' shall not be augmented by mingling together in songs of praise and walks through the 'parks' of heaven. The songs of angels may enhance the glories of the place. The stars may sing together in the morning of eternal glory, and the spirits of the just made perfect shall bless all other spirits that in the providence of God shall enter that holy place. "Another thing: the mind of men and women is full of emotion, is full of love, is full of tender attachment. Like the love of mother for her child, the love of children for their parents and this great love that God in his providence has planted in the breast of human beings can never die. THE INDIAN REI.IGION 65 ''Who can measure the depth and purity of a mother's love? Although she has forsaken every- thing that is pure and good and has lived in depravity and wickedness, still she will cling, to the very death even, to the child of her shame. It is said that the lily grows purer and more perfect in the blackest mud. But when a mother has forsaken all that makes a woman pure and good, and drags her person, her life and charac- ter into the sinks of iniquity, tell me what power it is that still preserves the mother love in her heart so that it lives and grows in strength and seeming purity in the very midst of extreme depravity. Why was it not tainted, drowned and blotted out by the burden of sin and shame that crushed her life, her heart, her ver}' soul in de- spair and wretchedness? God created it; he planted it in the mother's heart, there to remain forever. The mother's heart is the safety vault box and God holds the key. A kindred love lives in the hearts of children even when death has claimed iheir mother and her body has passed into dust. It lives and grows between loved ones even when they are separated by distance and years, and is even rendered stronger and more enduring by the separation. I think that one of the greatest sources of happiness that will fill the heaven above will be the recognition and enjoy- ment of those we love, and love will be purified. 66 IvEGENDS OF I