County of site: Madison County
Location of site: The Great River Rd. (IL 100), N. of Alton
Marker 1 erected by: Illinois State Historic Society
Marker 1 erected: 1984 [removed by IDot, repainted and re-installed 2007]
Marker 2 erected by: The City of Alton
Marker 2 erected: 1995
Marker 1 Text:
THE LEGEND OF THE PIASA In 1673 Jacques Marquette reported that he and fellow French explorer Louis Jolliet discovered a painting of what was probably two "water monsters" on the bluffs of the Mississippi River near present-day Alton. By 1700 those pictographic creatures were no longer visible. In 1836 the novelist John Russell described an image cut into the bluff on a legendary dragon-like creature with wings. According to Russell, the creature was called Piasa, "The bird that devours men." That version of the pictograph as well as myths about the Piasa have become prominent folklore.
Marker 2 Text:
THE LEGEND OF THE PIASA
Many thousand moons before the arrival of the paleface, when the great magoionyx and mastodon, whose bones are now dug up, were still living in this land of green prairies, there existed a bird of such dimensions that he could easily carry off in his talons a full grown deer. Having obtained a taste of human flesh, from that time he would prey upon nothing else.
He was as artful as he was powerful, would dart suddenly and unexpectedly upon an Indian, bear him into the caves of the bluff, and devour him.
Hundreds of warriors attempted for years to destroy him, but without success.
Whole villages were nearly depopulated, and consternation spread throughout all the tribes of the Illini.
At length, Ouatoga, a chief whose fame as a warrior extended even beyond the great lakes, separated himself from the rest of his tribe, fasted in solitude for the space of a whole moon, and prayed to the great spirit, the master of life, that he would protect his children from the Piasa.
On the last night of the fast the great spirit appeared to Ouatoga in a dream, and directed him to select 20 of his warriors, each armed with a bow and poisoned arrow, and conceal themselves in a designated spot.
Near the place of their concealment, another warrior was to stand in open view, as a victim for the Piasa, which they must shoot the instant that it pounced upon his prey.
When the chief awoke in the morning, he thanked the great spirit, and returned to his tribe, told them of his dream.
The warriors were quickly selected and placed, as directed, Ouatoga offered himself as the victim. He was willing to die for his tribe.
Placing himself in open view of the bluff, he soon saw the Piasa perched on the bluff eyeing his prey. Ouatoga drew up his manly form to its utmost height and planting his feet firmly upon the earth, began to chant the death song of a warrior.
A moment after the Piasa rose rose into the air, and, swift as a thunderbolt darted down upon the chief.
Scarcely had he reached his victim, when every bow was sprang and every arrow sent, to the feather, into his body.
The Piasa uttered a wild, fearful scream that resounded far over the opposite side of the river and expired.
Ouatoga was safe. Not an arrow, not even the talons of the bird had touched him. The master of life, in admiration of the generous deed of Ouatoga had held an invisible shield over him.
In memory of this event, the image of the Piasa was engraved on the bluff. Such is the Indian tradition.