<p>Longfellow insisted, "I can give chapter and verse for these legends. Their chief value is that they are Indian legends."</p><p>Longfellow's sources for the legends and ethnography found in his poem were the Ojibwe Chief Kahge-ga-gah-bowh during his visits at Longfellow's home; Black Hawk and other Sac and Fox Indians Longfellow encountered on Boston Common and additional writings by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, an ethnographer and United States Indian agent.</p>