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Collection: Directories and Documents > Historical Clippings
Historical Clippings Book - Indians (HC-15-16) (191 pages)
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Page: of 191
y Cots : ke
Wie let 7
—
A WASKOE INDIAN LEGEND
OF
TEE ROCKING STONE AT TRUCKER
At Truckee, there stands a tower that is vnique for it is built
upon a large flat-topped grnite boulder, twenty-two feet in diameter
and of about the same height. Within the tower is a smaller stone
exactly in the center of the flat top of the large one. It is about
six feet in diameter and height, and weighs approximately sixteen ton
Surprisingly, however, this stone can easily be rocked back and forth
like a cradle by a slight pressure of the hand.
The granite of these two stones is not the same, but both have
a similarity of shape, being larger at the top. than at the base.
This is contrary to nature and has caused discussions among scien=
tists, as to the reason for this.
There are about twenty-four knowm Rocking Stones in the world.
The older Indians will not touch the Rocking Stone, for they
know it belongs to the wind God. Ee can always be heard howling and
shrieking in anger around the tower during the storms, which he causes hoping they will] help him to regain his Rocking Stone.
The following is their legend:In the long ago before the white man came, the Washoes dwelt in
the place now called Truckee. They made their wigwams upon a hil)
at the top of which stood a huge granite boulder.
This rock was like no other they had ever seen for it was small
at the base where other stones are broad, and the top was not rounded in the natural manner, but was as flat as a teepee floor. This
great rock stood ag high as four tal] braves, one above another, and
it was as wide across its circular top as it was high.
Seeing that no animal could climb the high overhanging sides,
they placed their food upon the stone using it as a place to dry
their meats for winter. But their contentment was soon gone, for
while the strong men of the tribe were away in the forests hunting
and fishing, and only the weak, o]d men were left at home with the
women and children, great flocks of birds swooped down upon the rock
and carried away all of the food. This happened again and again
while the Indians strove in vain to frighten the binds away.
The shadow of fear at last crept into their hearts for they had
no food stored away to keep them alive when winter sat upon the earth.
Then the chief built a signal fire upon the rock which could be seen
by all his people wherever they might have roamed, calling them to
come home to a great pow-wow. At this feast they prayed to their
Gods to help them to protect their food from the birds.
The Wind God, who was wandering near, heard their prayers, and
taking pity on then, decided to help them. ke called upon a great
(349.