DRY CRIK Journal

Four Directions, Native American Drummers, northern tradition

Elsah Cort & John

Trudy Wischemann

Marie Wilcox - Owl Peak story

Marie Wilcox was born on the Cutler Ranch between Visalia and Ivanhoe and attended the Elbow Creek School.

Owl Peak, a landmark located on the Camel Ranch near Auckland, came about as a result of a whining child that was directed to go outside one night. An owl swooped down and took the child back to its tree and hung him in a sack until the owl was hungry. The child escaped, bringing the story home. The owl, of course, came looking for the child. The father explained to the owl that he didn’t want to have the whining child around and agreed to give the child up to the owl, but he would have to cook the child first. The owl agreed to come back later for his meal. The father began boiling water in a huge pot, putting in three large stones, cooking them until they were good and hot. The owl arrived. The father said he would feed the owl, but he’d have to close his eyes and open his beak. The owl did and was fed the stones. He then flew off towards home, but became tired with the extra weight, rested, and remains to this day at the present location of Owl Peak. (liberally paraphrased)