Alsea Texts and Myths

Fachtenberg, Leo

In the present volume are embodied materials collected at separate periods by two investigators. The older collection, consisting of three creation myths, two tales, and four stories that were obtained in English (nine traditions in all), was made by Dr. Livingston Farrand during June and July, 1900. These narratives are printed in this volume as Nos. 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 25, 26, 27, and 28 respectively. My own material, comprising five creation myths, seven folktales, three historical narratives, and four superstitious believes (19 talks in all), was obtained at two different periods. Tales numbered 1, 2, 4, 7-9, 10, 13-16, and 18-24 were dictated to me during July and August, 1910; the tradition numbered 17 was collected in the month of February, 1913. ... Speaking in a general way, Alsea mythology may be said to be characteristic of that area of the Northwest which embraces northern California, Oregon, and Washington.