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Legend recounts that
Manabozho, the great
mythical wonder worker of the Algonquin Indians had a beautiful daughter named Itasca. She
was wooed fiercely by Chebiabo (ruler of the lower regions who governed spirits of the dead. Itasca
did not wish to leave this fair earth for the region of darkness and told Chebiabo so.
Chebiabo, not to be denied, went into a rage at Itasca's continued refusal and during the
violence, a terrific storm bore away his unwilling bride below the earth. A terrific
upheaval followed, which left the hills as they are today, while Itasca’s tears, as
she mourns for the upper world, are the springs and rivulets which trickle to the lake and
form the ultimate source of the Mississippi River.
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