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lobstick
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1n.
(originally associated with the northern Indians) a tall, conspicuous spruce or pine denuded of all but its topmost branches to serve as a mark of honor for a friend, as a monument, or often as a living talisman of the man for whom it was made.
Quotations
1821
After Dinner we observed that two of our Men had lopped away the Boughs and all the Lower Branches of two Trees leaving a Top. This is called a Lop-Stick and the Voyageurs named it Garry's Point.
1847
Two gentlemen were travelling a short time since, and lobsticks were out for them; but they professed tee-total principles, and could not think of encouraging intemperance, by giving rum.
1908
The Indians lop-stick, called by the Crees piskootenusk, is a sort of living talisman which he connects in some mysterious way with his own fate, and which he will often go many miles out of his direct course to visit.
1923
To commemorate this great battle, three lobsticks were cut on each side of the river.
1964
There was a tradition among the Northern Indians that a lobstick honouring an individual would fall when its sponsor died
2n.
such a tree serving as a landmark.
Quotations
1789
[We observed a great number of trees, in different places, whose branches had been lopped off to the tops. They denote the immediate abode of the natives and probably serve for signals to direct each other to their respective winter quarters.]
1819
At this place we observed a conspicuous lop-stick, a kind of land-mark, which I have not hitherto noticed, notwithstanding its great use in pointing out the frequented routes.
1896
The "lop stick" is always made on a very high point of ground, and stands as a kind of traveller's guide-post in this wilderness.
1928
The lobstick (originally lop-stick, from the fact that it is a tree with all but the topmost branches lopped off close to the trunk) serves the North for everything from a mark of navigation to a flagpole, tombstone and monument.
1963
We located and headed towards the lobstick which marked the portage into Shorson Creek.