Researched by Ghosts of Idaho
Kanishee,
a young girl in a white dress with long black hair, is seen
in a canoe on top of the water. When the canoe is approached,
it disappears.
08/17/2005: The following information was found while doing a search
engine search for Ghosts Of Idaho. It was found in an article
done on 11/2/2002 by Tom Skierka of the Spokesman-Review.
Visit our GOI
In The News page to read the full article.
One of the most
common ghost stories involves the long-held legend of Spirit
Lake.
It tells the
story of Hyas-Tyee-Skookum-Tum-Tum (Good Chieftains) of
the Kootenai Tribe, who had a lovely daughter, Hya-Pam (Fearless
Running Water). She loved a Kootenai brave, Hasht-Eel-Ame-Hoom
(Shining Eagle). Hostile tribes lived east of here, governed
by an ancient chief, Pu-Pu-Mox-Mox (Yellow Serpent). He
threatened war on the tribe if he was not allowed to wed
Hya-Pam. To avert war, Hya-Pam's father consented to the
marriage.
Here is where
the alternative endings enter. One ending says Fearless
Running Water and Shining Eagle were dismayed and vowed
eternal love. They bound themselves together and leapt into
the lake from Suicide Cliff, never to be found.
Another ending,
according to the documentary "Spirit of The Lakes,"
says Shining Eagle snuck into the hostile tribe's camp and
slit Yellow Serpent's throat. He and Fearless Running Water
escaped by canoe and crossed the lake. Yellow Serpent's
tribe fired several arrows at the canoe and in the morning
the lovers were found dead inside the canoe, struck by several
arrows.
A third has the
lovers swimming in the moonlight to escape never to be seen
again. The last has Fearless Running Water throwing herself
from the canoe after learning that Shining Eagle was captured
in his murderous attempt and slain.
All the legends,
however, have the same conclusion. On a moonlit night, when
the wind is still, you may see the shadowy silhouettes as
they drift across the lake in a phantom canoe.
As the lake ice
floes melt and grind together in springtime, mournful and
haunting sounds can be heard. |
