The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

VENGEANCE TREE LEGEND AT NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY

" THE VENGEANCE TREE IS NEAR THE SHORE OF ST. MARY'S LAKE ON THE
NOTRE DAME CAMPUS, SOUTH BEND, IND. AN INDIAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING A
WHITE MAN WAS TRIED NEAR THE SITE. HE SWORE INNOCENCE, AND SAID THAT
THE TREE WOULD STAND AS WITNESS TO HIS INNOCENCE. TODAY, THE TREE
WITH ITS FIVE BRANCHES STANDS AS PROOF OF HIS UPRAISED HAND IN
SWEARINGHIS FREEDOM FROM GUILT. IT IS A SYCAMORE TREE NEAR CORBY HAL
.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Keyword(s): PLACE NAMES

James Callow Keyword(s): INDIANA ; SYMBOL

Date learned: 01-22-1968