Monday, July 25, 2011
“Princess Minnewaska” The Story Behind the Stories!
Chamber Corner - July 25, 2011
By Scott Formo
As a young child, I often heard the local stories or perhaps you have heard it referred to as the “Legend” about “Princess Minnewaska” who once lived in this area. Maybe you have heard of or told the story to others. In fact, I would venture to guess that these stories about the Indian Princess have been around for well over a hundred years.
Alice Otillia Thorson (1870 – 1929) lived in this area until the age of 30, when she relocated to Tahoma , Washington Rolling Fork Township , she graduated from Glenwood High School
As a young woman, she studied abroad in Germany , France , and Denmark Pope County Museum
What do Alice Thorson and Princess Minnewaska have in common you ask? Inquiring minds want to know… Well, in 1901, Ms. Thorson published a book titled, “The Tribe of Pezhekee, A Legend of Minnesota.” Throughout the book, Thorson describes the local area in magnificent detail, with descriptions such as:
“Glenwood’s lake, hills and woods are ever beautiful, decked in rich colors of autumn, smiling in summer’s sunlight, or even when buried in the disguising snows of winter. When storm clouds roll over the hills, bending the trees with their breath and lashing the waters into a sheet of green-streaked, foam-flecked blackness; when grim shadows overspread the valley and the air trembles with the roar of angry elements; when the glare of lightning plays on clouds and earth, - then the scene rises to grandeur.”
“Yet in the midst of its terror there is a peace in the valley… The sparkle of moonlight on the water, wherever I may be, will always bring back to me that evening by Minnewaska’s grave, and its mysterious, romantic episode…”
“Peering down the hill side… I discovered a human figure ascending the hill… The approaching figure proved to be a young Indian woman… She was attired in the almost universally discarded garb of her race, fringed buckskin dress – short skirt and feather trimmed – with leggings and beaded moccasins. In her long black hair were two white feathers…
On reaching the summit, she walked directly to the weed-filled depression that marked the Indian’s burial place… She then picked up a small pebble from the grave and placed it in a leather pocket attached to her belt… The Indian looked at me in surprise for a moment, then addressed me thus, in English: “This is Minnewaska’s grave, is it not?”
“After securing my pony with a grazing rope, I sat down upon the stone the Indian girl had designated and she threw herself on the grass beside me. Then she related to me this legend, whose opening words and whose many details still live in my memory, though years have passed since I heard it…”
And so the legend begins… or in this case, the story referred to as the legend… A story of a young Maiden Warrior named Minnewaska who was enslaved by an Indian Chief, Waube-Mokwa (White Bear). It was after a battle in which Waube-Mokwa killed Minnewaska’s father and claimed her as his prize. Some time later, the young chief departs to explore the life of the “White Man” who he has heard much about, not sure if he will return or not.
“The night before the chief’s departure a great fare-well feast was prepared by the villagers. All the resources of the valley were called out in his honor. Feasting, singing, dancing and playing of games was continued till midnight; then a more solemn gathering convened about the campfire… To the warrior whom he had chosen to be leader during his absence (or forever, if need be) he gave a few instructions, and imposed on him a sacred trust – the protection of Minnewaska…”
“A Premonition came to Minnewaska … that they would never meet again…” Had the young maiden fallen in love with her captor or would she rejoice in his decision to take a journey, one in which she would not accompany him? Would she stay in the tribe that she has grown accustomed to? Will she find true love during her lifetime?
Wouldn’t you like to know the answer to these questions and hear more of the story that has been referred to as local “legend” but derived from a remarkable piece of literature captured in the words of Alice Thorson? Well here’s your chance…
Join Glenwood State Bank and Glenwood & Beyond this week, Friday, July 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the lakeshore node, near the City Park Band Shell, where they will host the next Chamber-After-Hours event. They will unveil and dedicate the “Minnewaska” statue commissioned by Glenwood State Bank this past year, where she will stand along the beautiful shores of Lake Minnewaska
The statue will bring a new sense of pride to our community as well as breathe new life to a heritage that has not as prominent as the Scandinavian and German traditions that we hear so much about - that of the Native American culture. In historical context, the Native Americans were in this area long before the immigrants settled.
The Pope County Historical Society and Museum have several exhibits relating to the story behind “Minnewaska” and the true Native American history from this area, in addition to several pieces of Ms. Thorson’s artwork.
The unveiling of the statue is sure to open the doors to a unique opportunity to bring history and imagination to life in our community. There are people already at work to make this unveiling and dedication only a beginning point!
For our Chamber-After-Hours events, we will now begin to pair up local area businesses with a non-profit/service organization to host the social gatherings and showcase their accomplishments and contributions to the community.
We look forward to seeing everyone later this week at the Waterama celebration, including our next Chamber-After-Hours event – hosted by Glenwood State Bank and Glenwood & Beyond this Friday evening!
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