The  Legend  of  the  Linden  Tree

          A long time ago, before the coming of the white man, there was a strong tribe, the Twightwees.  They lived by the Great Bear and Little Bear Rivers (known as the Big Blue and the Little Blue today) [see sec 31, Addison Twp-pmf].  They made their shelter out of upright logs that were chinked and covered with sod.  The houses were wrapped together with an inner bark of the Linden tree, and this is where my story starts.
          Once along time ago, a chief of the Twightwees, Mopiti, had his pride and joy, his seven sons, presented to him from his wife, Kela.  Mopiti's house was in the middle of a grove of Linden trees.  The largest of the trees was in front of his home.  For special occasions only, he would make Linden tea from the leaves and fruits from it.
          The tribe had been in peace for along time, until when Mopiti and all able men were hunting, the Delaware Indians (whom were both warriors and vandals,) swept the village and killed every woman, old man, and child.  Among those children killed were Mopiti's seven sons.
          When the villagers returned, all they saw were their families dead and their houses in shambles.  They were so very angry.
          Soon, a horrible lightning storm came and struck the giant Linden tree.  It fell.  After the storm, the Delaware ambushed the men and killed all but Mopiti and two other men.  They knew they weren't safe there, so they moved to the tribe by Flat Rock River.
          The hunters came back to the rotting Linden tree.  There, in the severed tree, seven new shoots were sprung from the ground.
          For years and years to come, Mopiti made a pilgrimage to the seven trees.

Sources I have used for my report:
Shelbyville genealogi files:  F-L, Legends (The Linden Tree)

This report was made for Mrs. Vaught's 4th Grade "Strive" program at Coulston Elementary School, Shelbyville, IN.

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