From More History, Mystery, and Hauntings of Southern Illinois by Bruce Cline.
There is an old Indian legend about twin springs that run with warm and cold water. The springs are located in what is now Marquette Park. The legend states that the chief of the Iroquois tribe did not have a son to one day take over as chief. In view of this sad fact, the chief hoped that his nephew would one day lead his tribe to great victory in battle against the hated Illini tribe.
One day the chief was shocked and angered to find that his nephew was in love with the daughter of the Illini chief. The Iroquois chief tracked the lovers to their meeting place and shot an arrow at the Illini chief’s daughter, killing her before his own nephew arrived. Satisfied with his deed, the Iroquois chief returned to his camp. When the nephew found his lover lying dead with his uncle’s arrow in her heart, he went mad with grief. He pulled out his hunting knife and thrust it through his own heart and collapsed in death next to the body of his lover.
Twin springs emerged from the ground shortly after this tragedy. One ran with warm water year round while the other ran with cold water year round. The Indians believed that the cold spring was in honor of the woman who was already cold in death and that the warm spring was in honor of the man whose blood was still warm when it flowed from his broken heart. The Indians believe the springs will flow forever in tribute to the power of true love.
Copyright 2013 Black Oak Media, Inc. You do not have permission to copy this post.
