Seven Pillars of Mississinewa

[wicked]

Seven Pillars- on the old Frances Sloccum Trail 3 miles east of Peru

For the tribe of Miami Indians that inhabited the Mississinewa River Valley, Seven Pillars was more than a landmark of natural beauty. It was a "gateway to the other world". Here the Tribal Council would meet within the grotto-like alcoves, feeling that their ancestors would be present to help guide them with their wisdom. It was also where criminal proceedings were held, and where those found guilty of the most grievous crimes against the tribe would be beheaded.

Until recently Seven Pillars was a popular camping and fishing site for the inhabitants of Miami County, and many an adventurous camper has braved the night to sleep within the limestone chambers of the pillars- and just as many have left with tales of fright.

Bruce S. was one of the more adventurous. " There's ghosts in them woods. There I was, sleping under the main pillar, when I was snapped awake by a sense of, I don't know...it was something that wasn't right. I saw it hovering over the water. It was a ghost... it was like what I always thought a ghost would look like, I guess. It drifted along the bank. It was beautiful, but scary... know what I mean?"

Shannon D. saw something similar."It was a mist, roughly in the form of a man, swirling among the pillars. We were camped on the south bank when we were awakened by the sound of someone running through the water. We went to look and saw the apparition moving in and out of the limestone pylons on the north side of the river."

The area has recently been purchased by the ancestors of the Miami as part of their bid toward having their tribal status reinstated by the US Government.

(taken from Encyclopedia of Haunted Places)

Has anyone heard of this place before? It sounds intriguing.

[wicked]

Forgot the pic!

[stormblast]

No, never heard of this place before, but it looks awesome. I'd definitely try to get permission from the tribe to check the place out if possible.

What's up with all the hauntings around the Mississinewa?

[IN Ghostdude]

Mississinewa Battle Grounds
The Entire Area -To get the entire story of the magnitude of events that transpired here you will have to also see the Lafontaine,Okie-Pinokie and Wabash listings. In short, there was a history of bloodshed in this area between settlers, Government troops and the Miami Indians. This is where Frances Slocum was discovered. Frances Slocum was a Pennsylvania Quaker who was abducted, and was thusly spared in the Wyoming Massacre, by Delaware Indians in recourse to conflict between whites and Indians . She was brought to this area and married the Chief of the Miami Indians, She-pan-can-ah and she fought vehemently for the rights of the Miami to maintain homestead at Mississinewa. Ki-po-ki-na-mo-qua: Eldest daugh. Louis Godfroy
The haunted caves that are associated with this listing are actually a formation known as 7 Pillars, a sacred site to the Indians. A legend from the days of Indian inhabitance says that the site was guarded by snakes. There are extensive reports of witnessing Historic phantoms as Indian spirits as well as government soldiers. There is a cemetery here containing the soldiers that died in battles here along with many Indian cemeteries and monuments. This area serves as a time capsule for that era as the dense, plush woods alongside the Mississinewa River stand pretty much as it did then but farm land is steadily encroaching upon this beautiful scenery. I feel a psychic hum when I visit this area.
There is also talk of a “Hobbitland” near here. Locally this is known almost more a fact than fiction. The Delaware Indians also camped here and it is from them the legend of the Puk-wud-ies, a tribe of little people that still inhabit the forest, hails. I have to wonder if there is a connection between Hobbitland and the Mounds State Park Puk-wud_ies. Okie Pinokie -Just north of ther Mississinewa Dam on the east side of the river is Okie-Pinokie. One of the first stops for ghost hunters in the area. Although they never seem to find much, people that have had the fortune or misfortune, depending on how you look at it, to experience the supernatural forces that dwell here will tell you that this is arguably one of Indianas most haunted sites. It is warned that you do not go here if you are faint hearted or troubled and that one should NEVER ouija here as the spirits do not like it. Maybe there is an entity here that the ancient inhabitants of Okie-Pinokie have managed to squelch and that they would prefer to keep dormant.
The staff of Mississinewa State Forest had reported the finding of eight decomposed bodies in the swamplands that dried up when the reservoir was constructed. Some people feel that the spirit of thousands of Indians are maintained in the trees, as they swirl around you when you are taking the firelane that leads to Okie-Pinokie. The trees are foreboding and have thorns. When you get to the turn around at he end of the lane, whistle. It is said that someone or something will return a whistle from deep in the woods. Some have heard what sounds like a pig squealing and that the sound seems to be right next to them although there is nothing to be seen. Maybe there is a connection of the sounds heard here and the Miami name for themselves, Twightwees, meaning the cry of the crane. Mississinewa town was one of the biggest villages of the Miami Indian, at the confluence of the Mississinewa and Quabash (Wabash) River and home to the last remaining Indians of Indiana after the United States government drove them west on the Trail of Death. Many people have reported seeing an Indian spirit here.
There have been reports of hearing the screams of torture thought to be coming from a young girl named Stephanie. There are extensive devil worshipping and witchcraft and other cult activity in the area. A farmer here stumbled on a group of them while checking his land and they drove him away. When the County Sheriffs arrived they found numerous signs of animal slaughter. From what I know Stephanie may have been murdered to silence her, but her screams will continue until those responsible are held accountable or dead.
The whole area surrounding Mississinewa Reservoir is high in supernatural activity. The south side of the reservoir has winding lanes and an old schoolhouse that just has to harbor spirits. The south side is the locale for the Mississinewa battle fields where clashes between Indians and white settlers were exceptionally bloody with women and children caught up in the warfare. There are several Indian cemeteries. “Hobbitland” may be found in this area, also (see La Fontaine). I personally have witnessed a Black Dog Phantom on one of the roads near the reservoir.
You combine ancient Indian land with traumatic civilian bloodshed and throw in occult activities and you have all the ingredients of a land that will not rest. There may be every type of spirit at work in these parts. Reported here are replaying, residual historical, intelligent, black dog, anniversary, familial, and photographic poltergeists, spirits, apparitions, phantoms and entities. With the exception of only my personal experiences with North Manchester, Okie-Pinokie is of the most interest to me.

[stormblast]

Great post Scott, lots of interesting information there. I've been thinking about taking like a one week vacation sometime this summer, it would be cool to spend a couple days in the Mississinewa Reservoir checking out all these places. It would be awesome to walk the bank from Okie to 7 Pillars, or vice versa.

[wicked]

that could be an awesome trip! we should look into that

[stormblast]

Indeed, that would actually be a really cool place to do a group investigation.

[wicked]

spring or summer?

[stormblast]

I would prefer spring, due to the lower temperatures and lack of rampant wilderness in my way, but it would more than likely have to be in the summer. I get out of school in a few weeks, so you never know, but I'd imagine this trip will involve a bit of a financial investment.

[wicked]

spring would be better as far as conditions go but yes money is always an issue! play it by ear then and hope for the best

[stormblast]

Well if moobeat wants to come with me, we could split the expenses so it might not be that bad.

[wicked]

that helps. i have myself and 2 maybe 3 others.

[reeb]

I am up for a trip to check it out.
Still interested?

[nate]

I'll go. Whenever is good for me as long as its not raining

[stormblast]

I'm free just about every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.