The Portland daily press., 1881-09-21
The Source Of the Mississippi.

[St. Louis Globs-Democrat1
For years Lake Itaska has been regarded
both by geographical societies and uap-maksrs,
as well as by the public generally, as the
source of the grandest Of rivers-the mighty
Mississippi. But geographical knowledge,
like other knowledge, is nothing il tits not pro-
gressive, and in its history we have seen the
irmly-rooted beliefs of centuries torn up aud
tossed aside by the explorations and reasoning
Of intrepid travellers, who, respecting truth
aud facts more than mere theory have ac-
cepted nothing without proofs, merely because
others have so accepted it. This Is the ground
occupied by Capt Willard Glazier in his ex
plorations IN search of the source OF the Mis-
sssippi.
Starting for the hesdwaters of this great
river in July last, he learned that the dense
forests which rouDded the source of the
father Of waters were rarely penetrated by
white men, or even Indians, at any time ex-
cept in winter, when lakes and rivers were
frozen up aud the whole surface of the coun-
try covered with mantle of snow.
He also heard through the Indian guides
and interpreters who accompanied him, that
the aboriginal inhabitants of these prineval
forests did not regard Itaska as the source but
as to what lake really was the fountain head.
Some claimed that the stream from Itaska was
not itself the main stream, but flowed into the
river proper some three miles below the lake.
The stream to which 1t was tributary, though
narrower was, they claimed, deeper aud
swifter. bringing to the united streams more
water than the one from Lake Itaska.
Others consider the Itaska stream as the
main one, but talked of another lake, broad
and beautiful which lay above Itaska aud
noura6 ira QlaaF W infn 1hQ tod
source through a small stream which entered
the southern arm of Lake 1t ska. Capt. Gla-
zier determined TO thoroughly examine all this
region, and to settle deanitely aud forever the
true source of the father OF waters.
Acting in accordance with this design the
captain pushed on toward Itask a. intending 70
make it a starting point for further explora-
tions. Reaching this objective point, after in
Vulnerable hardships, he csmped on School
crafts Island, and after day of rest he direct
ed operations toward the lakes and streams Of
the surrounding country.
Thoroughly surveying the stream that the
Indians claimed to be the main one, he found
it to be much inferior in volume to that from
Itaska. This point settled, be closely exanin-
ed the shores OF Lake Ibaska for tr hn'srv
streams, finding but three of any Importance.
OF these three the one by far tie largest catna
IN at the extreme head Of the lake az e poiut
where it is nearly filed with bulrushes
Taking two canoes, Capt Gazier ascended
lis stream, which, though shallow, Is rapid.
yet so narrow in places that TO jump across it
would be an easy task. Following its windings
for about three quarters Of mile, be entered
what appeared TO be little lake filed with
rushes. Pushing through this, however, the
canoes glided out upon the still surface OF
magnificent lake, clear as crystal, with pebby
bottom and shores covered with thick growth
of pine. The lake is formed iFregularly in the
shake of heart, having but one marked prom
ontory. Is greatest length is about two miles,
and its width one and half miles.
Capt. Glazier found that this lake was sup
piled by three little rivuets, which rose in
swamps, few miles from the lake, aud thor
oughly convinced that this beautiful lake was
the true source of the mighty Mississippi, he
proclaimed it as Such Without waiting for
discussion, the members Of the party decided
unanimously and by acclamation, to call it
Lake Glazier, in his honor. Modestly express
ing his thanks for this mark of their apprecia-
tion, Capt Glazier said that though he firmly
believed this lake TO be the source of the river,
he should relax none of mis- vigi ance on the
trip through the unknown part Of the stream,
but would carefully examine all streams flow
ing into the Mississippi, in order to be positive
that it was really the main stream. 1t is need
less to add that no larger str am was found.