Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-11-18
rnr M1ssrss1rrr,s So UMcn.
Nos Lake Htssca but n Newly Dis-
covered lake.


Nos Lake Htasca but n Newly Die
covered lake.
Pssrre Giles In the Boston Sunday Tinee.
No Injustice is done to the memory Of
the two early explorers Of he northwest,
SohooIcraft and Nioollet, In the statement
that, notwithstanding their many valuable
additions to thegeogIaphical knowledge of
northern Minnesota, their explorations
ala not extend to the discovery and loca-
ton of the true source Of the Mississippi.
Schoolcraft believed il to be Lake Itasca,
and Nicollet confirmed him in his error.
Glacier, in July 1881, started for this lake
and learned upon diligent inquiry at the,
government agency at Leeoh lake that the
dsnse forests which surround the source
Of the Father of Waters were rarely pene-
trnted by white men, or even by Indians,
nj any time except in winter when lakes
a "a rivers are frozen up, and the whole
surface Of the country covered
with mantel OF snow. He also learned
through the guides and interpreter
who accompanied him, that the Indians
OF these prineyal forests did not regard
Itaeca as the source OF the river, but,
while REJECTING il, differed among them
selves as to what lake really was the
fOunsHlu NehN. bhpthiu 0iuAtci dFtNA
mined 20 thoroughly examine all this re-
gion and to locate definitely and forever
lis primal reservoir or true source. In
accordance with this design he pushed on
toward lake Itasoa intending 10 make it
starting point for further exploration.
Reaching this point, he and hls eompen-
ions camped upon SchoDlerati's ishltd,
and after a day ~ rest he directed opera
tions toward the lakes and streams OF the
surrounding country. He closely OK
amined the shores of Lake ttNsca fol
tributary streams, finding but three d
any importance. OF these, by far TIT
largest came in at the southern end 81
the lake at point where IL is nearly filled
with bulrusbes and other thick vegetation
Taking two canoes, Glszier aseendrc
this stream which, though shallow, Ii
rapid, yet 80 narrow in places TINT K
jump ACROSS il would be an easy task
Follnwipg its winding for between three
ana seaF miles, 4le eatefed what appeared
to be lakelet filled with Tushes. Pushing
through these, however, the canoe finally
glided out upon the still surface of I
beautiful lake, clear as crystal, will
pebbly bottom, and shores covered with
thick growth Of pine. This lake is formet
IrreBuIariy IN Inc suhpe Vi ueArt, uhFhll
but one marked promontory. lie measure,
its length and found it to be about tw
miles, and its width mile and hall
The lake was supplied by three riyulet
which rise in swamps few miles froI
the lake, and after thorough examins
ton, he became convinced that his beauti
full lake was in reality the source @
primal reservoir of the mighty rivel
Without much discussion the members c
his party decided unanimously to call
Lake Glazier in his honor.
OF the three feeders of the Glazier lax,
one enters It from the west, which has il
source in a lakelet named "Alice." Til
feeder is shown on the land office map 6
entering Lake Itasca, which is an errol
1t enters the Glazier lake at its norther
extremity and of this Captain Glazit
fully satisfied himself by padding up Il
s. stream to its source in Lake Alice. Lal
Alice lies further to the south than Lal
Glazier, and if the stream issuing fro
it debouched ~ Itasca, then this lakel
would be the veritable source of the Mi
sissippi. But it is simply feeder of d
Glazier lake and hence is entitled to lit
consideration.