Sally's Gut?

[KTO]

Curious. . . Again. . .Anyone know the story behind Sally's Gut? If anyone knows. .please reply. . . Thanks!
________
ZR750K (http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/Kawasaki_ZR750K)

[glennsteely]

My grandmother used to say that one of the original land owners in cummings cove's wife's name was Sally and she was so skinny....hence the name. I dont know if it is true or not cause I have also heard something about that area being so narrow that you could reach out and grab peoples laundry, and that was supposed to have something to do with the name also, but I have no idea what......this is a thread that interests me al lot.......can anyone shed some light?

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Sally’s Gut

From Winnipesaukee Whoppers; Fabulous Legends of the Lake Once Called Winnipiseogee
By Elizabeth Crawford Wilkin
1949

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15033/Sally.jpg

Then there was that lass called Sally from Meredith.
She was the only daughter of a blacksmith who specialized in making runners for fish house sleds which were in great demand when the temperature dropped to – well, you wouldn’t believe us anyhow.
Next to his blacksmithing and winter fishing, there was nothing the blacksmith loved so much as his daughter.
She was a fine figure of young womanhood. No farm horse was ever built better than Sally; she had withers that would make a heavy draught horse tear its tail out with envy, and fetlocks that would frustrate a Suffolk Punch. Nothing much was ever said about her face, but we gather it was there between a black mane of heavy hair and her thyroid glands.
She had a large following of suitors – all probably with an eye to business, for Sally could do and honest day’s work as easily as she could climb a mountain or swim in the lake.
But her old man had a business eye, too, and he wasn’t standing any nonsense. When she walked there had to be at least six of them – no less.
One bleak Sunday in November just before the lake froze, she made up her mind to take a long walk out of Meredith Neck and swim the passage to Stonedam Island.
Her six escorts were a bit shaken when they heard of this plan, but they trotted gallantly at her side. After a few miles one of them tripped over a small boulder and broke his uvula. Sally didn’t fancy the idea of leaving the poor fellow there to suffer alone, so she said that one of the others must stop with him.
A little further on another of the lads barged into a tree and dislocated his necktie. Sally insisted that his best pal stay behind and watch over him, so now Sally had only two escorts left.
Just as the threesome sighted the island across the broad expanse of frigid water one of the two remaining young men slipped on some pine needles and bent his eyelashes. They must stop behind, said Sally, and she walked to few hundred yards left to the lake’s shore alone.
On reaching it she tossed off some of her winter harness, jumped into the icy lake, and swam with a few easy strokes the two hundred yards to the island.
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/15033/Sally_2.jpg

The uninjured man on the shore gazed after her in shivering admiration.
“What guts!” he said finally.
“Whose guts?” whispered the invalid with the bent eyelashes.
“Sally’s Guts!” came the envious reply.
And that is why the passage between Meredith Neck and Stonedam Island is marked on the map as Sally’s Gut.
P.S. The difference in spelling is due to the fact that printers’ ink was hard to come by in those days.

[glennsteely]

RG, You know, when I posted I thought you would answer me. You have a great deal of knowledge about the area, its stories and traditions. My Father would love to talk to you, I am sure. (He is sort of a self proclaimmed Lake history buff) I hope to continue to talk to you and read and see the posts you are responsible for, you truly impress me. Glenn

[KTO]

Well I haven't seen this post since earlier this summer! Thanks for replying to it! I was really curious about that. However, I've since been told many variations of the story, including this one:
"Two guys and someone named Sally used to like to have contests of all sorts.One day, they were having a contest of jumping off a rock just off of Stonedam Island. Both of the men jumped off successfully, but when Sally jumped, she cut herself open"
Ok, so that is a REALLY gross story, but that is what I heard and I thought that someone would want to hear a different variation.

[mcdude]

RG: That is the funniest story I have heard in a long time. (He bent his eyelashes?) Do you think the story is a WHOPPER? As the book's title suggests? :D
I mean really, he broke his uvula?
Too funny. :D

[glennsteely]

That is the thing about New Hampshire, the people still have humor....they still find the funny in life.......

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Glenn, I am quite happy that you are enjoying my historical posts. It’s not so much that I have a great knowledge of the lake, as it is that I have found some sources of great information, which I like to share. You should get your father hooked on the site to share what he knows about Lake Winnipesaukee! When you get a chance, check out Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society (http://www.lwhs.us/). This is one of my favorite places to visit.

I thought this would get a chuckle from you McDude. This one certainly is a whopper! Some crazy lingo, that’s for sure. :laugh: Lots more funny stuff in this book, some are different spins on stories we know and some we have not heard before. Rum Keg Dolly, The Witches, Bashful Becky, The Injun and Barn Door Islands and The Barber Pole to name a few. (Unfortunately this book is not politically correct. :eek: ) It has some interesting illustrations too. Between this book and Three Centuries on Winnipesaukee, I should be able to keep myself from missing the lake by sharing the stories of the lake.

[Jersey Bob]

RG,

Any ideas where one could purchase Winnipesaukee Whoppers; Fabulous Legends of the Lake Once Called Winnipiseogee.
I looked at amazon.com, with no luck. Is it still available anywhere?

Thanks,
JB

[Rattlesnake Gal]

RG, Any ideas where one could purchase Winnipesaukee Whoppers; Fabulous Legends of the Lake Once Called Winnipiseogee.
I looked at amazon.com, with no luck. Is it still available anywhere? Thanks,
JB

Found one! I sent you an e-mail with the information.

[glennsteely]

Where are you from? Im from Jersey too. Saltwater or Freshwater or both, like me? What is your story and association with the lakes region? Would love to hear from you.......GS

[Rinkerfam]

I have read two different accounts regarding Sally's Gut. Unfortunately I can't seem to find the book that contains those accounts. Anyway, the 1st legend is about a teenage girl named Sally who was dared to swim the channel between Stonedam Isl. and Meredith Neck "au natural". Upon completing the task, it was said that it took "guts" to do so, hence the name Sally's Gut. The second legend speaks of a family that was brutally attacked by Native Americans (scalped). The only person to escape was a youngster named Sally who swam to safety through the channel between Stonedam Isl. and Meredith Neck. This short "cut" that Sally took was credited with saving her life. Supposedly Sally's Gut was at one time called Sally's Cut. If anyone has the book that I am drawing these references from please let me know. I have four lakes region historical reviews in front of me, and none of them seems to be the one. It's been some time since I first read the afforementioned accounts.

[Bear Islander]

From Dictionary.com

gut n.

7. A narrow passage or channel.



This might explain the "gut" part. But who is Sally?

[Joe Kerr]

... Anyway, the 1st legend is about a teenage girl named Sally who was dared to swim the channel between Stonedam Isl. and Meredith Neck "au natural". Upon completing the task, it was said that it took "guts" to do so, hence the name Sally's Gut. ...

I guess we should be lucky if this story is true. Interesting that Sally's "guts" were her most memberable asset from an "au natural" swim. If Sally were a different type maybe the channel might have had a different name.

And if it were a guy in the story, like Salvator or Sal. The passage might be Sal's Gut. Or maybe something else. I can think of a few... Sal's ________ (fill in word or anatomy part that conveys or implies "guts" upon completing a dare-devil task).

did Dr. Heald of the Weirs Times ever write about the name Sally's Gut?

[Grant]

Funny -- I got a copy of that "Whoppers" book as a present from my folks when I was just a kid. I have no idea where it is now, but I remember getting a lot of laughs and picking up all sorts of folklore-ish disinformation from it. Good find!

[SAMIAM]

I vote with Bear Islander......the phrase "having guts" was not used back then as it is today.I know its less exciting,but, Sally's Gut is just a narrow channel named after someone named Sally.Sorry to bring the bad news (sniff,sniff) :laugh:

[Jameside]

Rattlesnake Gal,

I'm also interested in knowing where to buy this book. I tried google but the only thing that came up was the Winnipesaukee Forum ;) Appreciate the help.

Thanks,
Jameside

[Rattlesnake Gal]

I sent you PM with the link for a copy. Good luck! $58 - Ouch!

[glennsteely]

Would be a great read in a chair under the Winnipesaukee sun right about now.....