At the first thunder shower in the spring; old Indians would go outside and build a fire; and cut up tobacco and throw it in (the fire) saying “our grandfather wants a smoke.”

Wečkawihle petαko mile wətαmawe kəmohsomsena here comes the Thunder, give tobacco to your grandfather.

July 21, 1857

Author and Transendentalist Henry David Thoreau comes to Indian Island and hires Joe Polis for a journey to Moosehead Lake, the West Branch of Penobscot, the Allagash, East Branch of Penobscot, and then back down the main branch of the Penobscot River.