Pipestone

Charles Montgomery Skinner (August 4, 1844 - June 30, 1928) was an American writer who published myths and legends collection books. His dream was to make American folklore heritage more glorious. Skinner’s writings were wide ranging. His career in literature and journalism included editorship of the Brooklyn Eagle. His study of the paper’s famed Walt Whitman appeared in the Atlantic Monthly.  He also commented on turn-of-the-century America’s turbulent economy in Workers and the Trusts and American Communes.

This short piece of prose represents a bright example of Skinner's writing style — laconic and clear. Charles Skinner tells us an Indian legend that explains how the 'red people' were created. Their origin traces back to the pipestone — a red type of rock which serves now as the material for making pipes...