A few days ago while travelling in the vicinity of the Shako Flats, I came upon the spot where the "wild man" had been seen. While mazing over the event, my thoughts reverted to the
time when I first met Shako, the aged chieftain.
This was in the year 1836, at the Knogg's place in the south-western part of Shiawassee
county.
My last visit to his camp, was on the spot where the "wild man" was seen; this was in the year 1846, As I entered the camp the venerable man pointed to a seat in front of him, on a
bullrush mat.
After smoking the pipe of peace and friendship, he addressed me as follows: "Brother, I was
once young but now am old, the frosts of many winters are on my head. I am like the aged
oak tree that's dead at the top. Many rude winds have shaken my branches. My last sun is
nearly gone down behind the western hills, and soon I shall be buried with my fathers
beneath yonder thorn tree.
Brother, when I was young I learned to chase the panther over the mountain, and the
swimming elk through the winter flood. But now my moons are numbered. The Great Spirit
calls me to the happy hunting ground. When you visit Shako again, I will be sleeping
underneath yonder thorn tree by the side of the Sha-ah-was-sake-seebe."
These last words of the venerable chieftain were indeed prophetic, for on visiting the place
ten years later, in 1856, I was told that Shako was buried under the thorn tree, at the spot
that he had pointed out to me on my last visit.
In the spring of 1866, the waters of the river had washed out one half of his grave. But now
the pile of stones that marks his grave are twenty feet from the bank out in the channel of
the river, and Shako's bones have been scattered by the waters of the Shiwassee River, no
more to be gathered until the final resurrection, when the sea shall give up its dead.
While musing on the above events I become gradual lost to earthly scenes, when lo! the
venerable Shako appears before me, and casts a reproachful look.
After viewing me a moment, he opened his mouth and said: "Brother, the spirit of Shako is
disquited. The Sha-ah-was-sake-seebe has scattered his bones, and the white men are
hunting his spirit. Go tell them that when they cover his bones they will never be haunted by
the "wild man" of Shako point.
I awake from a troubled sleep, and Lo! it was all a dream.