DID 7 HE ROMANS COLONIZE AMERICA ? 371 



Minnesota names. There is not in them an isolated expression of a fact — the 

 evidences are numerous and unmistakable. And yet if we attempt a more care- 

 ful analysis of some of the names we are met with cumulative testimonies. The 

 legend says that Minne-ton-qua means "thundering water." The Latin has 

 tono for thundering — and the ''qua" is but abbreviation of a^z/<7. Minnehaha 

 reveals one of the Roman idioms referred to in a previous paragraph. The word 

 contains, as a term for river, the Teutonic Aha, the equivalent of Celtic Acha, 

 The name is supposed to have applied originally to what is now known as the 

 " Great Red River of the North." It is no unus^ual occurrence for an inter- 

 change of names to be found in our growing country. In more modern times 

 two of the Texas rivers have changed names. The Brazos was once known as 

 the Colorado, and the present Colorado was known then as Brazos. Other ex- 

 amples could be cited. The poetical associations of Minnehaha have had much 

 to do in its history. (I would not detract from the memory or fame of the grand 

 old bard who has immortalized that word ; rather would I lay additional honors 

 about his own immortal name.) 



In analyzing the word Minne-h-aha we discover what might appear as a super- 

 fluous h, yet, if we are right in our conclusions, the letter is there for a definite 

 purpose. It is there as an expressive factor in the name. If we were to sup- 

 pose the name meant simply "red water," we should perhaps do injustice to the 

 Indian's art and knowledge. Let us probe the problem deeper. 



By reference to our standard authorities on the Latin language, we find that 

 the letter H is often the abbreviation of the word habeo, which, with most vigor- 

 ous translation, means to hold. The word Minnehaha would therefore mean, 

 with a liberal construction, river that holds red or vermillion clay. This is demon- 

 strated by the actual physical facts : — the waters do hold the red element for a 

 long distance. 



Have we other examples illustrating this idiom ? In the Southern States 

 are many rivers that flow through low alluvial soils and often in banks of a loose, 

 friable clay. These banks are continually "falUng in,"^ and hence the waters 

 are always muddy. The Talla-ha-chie is a noted illustration. We have the 

 river term in this word in the Celtic Acha. The intermediate H indicates the 

 habeo or holding the ialla. What is "talla"? 



A reference to our Latin shows us that terra and tella are identical in that 

 language. The Southern Indians very rarely used r: and "talla" is but a cor- 

 ruption of tella^ the earth, or the earthy debris held in solution in these muddy 

 southern rivers. Those who know from observation the character of those rivers, 

 know that this earthy debris (represented by the "talla") is one of the distin- 

 guishing features of those rivers. 



One of the Alabama rivers which is always muddy (where I have known it) 

 is the Talla-p-oosa. This word is replete with suggestiveness and truth. The 



6 Tradition says Monongaliela means " falling-in-banli river." The snfflx " ela " is easily 

 located in the Latin elabor, whicli means to fall out, or slip away; hence the Indian " falling in." 

 Our English word elude perhaps has same parent. 



