"Why It Is Here" - essay by Julia E. Reynolds

(Published in the 1923 "Retrospect" yearbook of Bluffton High School, 
Bluffton, Wells Co., Indiana)

Once a long, long time ago, when Indians lived all around this country, 
there was a beautiful Indian princess, Janiscan (Graceful) who was beloved 
by all the young braves for miles around.

Manithan loved his daughter dearly and was interested in getting her a 
good husband, but Janiscan had othed (sic) plans.  She was in love with 
Fleet Wings, god of the winds, whom no one had ever seen.  Now we all know 
that the Indians were very superstitious folk and to have his daughter 
fall in love with the wind-god, forboded danger to the anxious mind of 
Manithan.  Accordingly in the full moon of the Rain Month the announcement 
was sent all around of a feast and contest to be held in Manithan's camp 
the following Harvest Moon.  Then the word was whispered about that 
Janiscan was to be given to the strongest man, the winner of the contest 
held during "The Feast of the Red Corn."

Manithan told his daughter of his plans, and ordered her to prepare her 
wedding finery and make ready for the feast.

In great unhappiness she hastened to her hiding place, a hollowed out 
tree, and called her lover Fleet Wing.  He came swiftly and under cover of 
a tempest, spoke to her and discovered her plight, then gave her his 
promise of aid.

The day set for the feast came around and Fleet Wing's promised help had 
not arrived.  Janiscan was despondent.  At last the contest was on.  The 
story was circulated that Mother Earth was stronger than any man, woman or 
child, so the object was to see who could push a stick of wood the 
farthest in the earth.

All the braves tried and the winner, Wincaster, was chosen.

Janiscan tearfully dressed herself in the prepared wedding finery and went 
forth to the ceremony.  All was silent and the chief's upheld hand 
announced the beginning of the uniting when a horrible clanging was heard 
and there dropped at the side of the Chief a bar of some strange material, 
the like of which had never been seen.  It was iron.  Before the chief 
could regain his senses, a whirlwind of dust came down between the trees 
and out stepped a beautiful young man.  The Indians staring in wonder at 
this supernatural vision were started to see Janiscan run forward and drop 
to her knees at this strange person's feet and ask in a strange voice "Are 
you Fleet Wing?"  For she had never seen him.  The warrior nodded and 
turned to the priest, saying, "The Fate will find a way."  With these 
words he stood the iron bar on end and with one push ran it almost 
entirely into the earth.

Then snatching Janiscan to him, they were both whisked away and were never 
again seen.

To this day the iron bar remains in the earth and when the High School was 
built near this iron piece, my grandmother told me the history of the iron 
bar and my ancestress, Janiscan.