The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

This is a Cheyenne Indian legend about Devil's Tower that I
learned when I visited Wyoming years ago. First of all, Devil's
Tower is a gigantic stump-like formation which was established as
the first national United States monument in 1906. The legend
goes as follows: Once an Indian maiden was out walking about
when a big bear carried her away to his cave. When the other
Indians arrived at the cave to save her they put the bear to
sleep. After they hurried away he woke up and began to chase
them. The Indians ran and finally came upon a place where
Devil's Tower now stands. One of the Indians always carried a
rock with him. He began to sing a song and when he finished the
rock had grown. He sang four more times and when he finished the
rock was as high as it is today and the Indians were on top of
it. When the bear arrived at the rock he kept jumping up against
it. His claws made the marks that are on the rock today. The
Indians finally killed the bear with their bows and arrows and
the rock was left standing as it is today.

Where learned: Wyoming

Date learned: 07-00-1982