St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-28

William Morrison, when he wintered on
one OF the tributary lakes of the Missis-
sippi river in 1904, was not aware of the
fact that it formed part of the great
stream. l have in my possession a
short printed sketch of William Nor
rison;s life and labors, which
appeared Oh the occasion of his death,
prove interesting matter to many OF
your readers. leave to discerning
public to pass judgment on the ques-
ton of Who discovered the source of
the Mississippi river?' | believe Nor
rison is entitled to the honor. The five
small streams flowing into Itasaa lake
in 1904. which he mentions in cOnnec-
ton with Lake Itasca as being the
sources of the great river, have formed
a lake during the eighty years since he
stood upon their banks. and,
WHETHER STREAMLETS OR LAKELET.
he was the first man to know of the
fact, and to make notes in his dairy OF
what lie observed; and from his notes
prepare the letter which he wrote fifty
years afterwards to one or two hlstorl-
cal societies in the Northwest country.
The following is to be found i'll volume
vi, 1866, page SIS, of the American IAN
nuaD cyclopedla, published by ID. APP
pletOn IL Co:
William Morrison, Canadian fur trader
interpreter and explorer born in Montreal,
Canada, in 1885; died on Morrison island,
Aug. z, 1866 In 1902 he commenced his ap-
premiership with the Northwestern Fur
company at Fond du Lac, and was soon after
admitted as q partner. During the years
1903 10 he explored the entire region of the
Northwest, and wintered at many important
geographical points Mr. Morrisons life has
been all eventful one, but that which VIII
immortalize his name is the fact OF his beng
the discoverer of the source Of the Mlssls-
sippi river This honor has been generally
ascribed to Schoolcraft, but the business OF
Mr. Morrison's claim is beyond doubt
The following copy of letter adj
dressed to one of the historical societies
of this country-dated believe in 1855
or 1s56-very clearly sets forth his
claims to the honor of the great dlscov-
cry. He writes in answer to inquiries:
l left old Grand Portage in 1902, and
lanTed at Leech Lake in september. In DC
tober, went and wintered on one Oh I I
Crow Wing streams, near its source, our In,
dams were Pillagoes In 1891 wlntered
at Rice lake. passed hy Red Cedar lake
now Cass lake, and followed up the Missis-
sippi TO Cross lake. Then followed the Mlssls.
sippi TO Elk lake NOW ltasca) the source OF
the great Mississippi-the portage we mace
TO get to Rice lake that empties itself INTO inc
Red river, which visited in 1904. And II the
ia Gen. Pike did not Icy it down as such
when he came 10 Leech lake 1t is because ne
did not happen TO meet me. was AT an
outpost that winter. The late Gen. Pike lald
down on his map Cass lake as the head OF
the Mississippi river. / did not trace any
vestige of white men before TO ltasca lake:
III lS11-12 again went the same route. ana
down the Rice river to the plains linen l
overlook a gentlemen with an outfit from
Mackinac-Mr. Olepe-with whom l parted
Mt Fond du Lac. We took the south towards
Mackinac, and went 10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
had been changed to Fort WILMINGTON
plain that l visited in 1894 and lell-lZ
Itasca, and five small streams that empty
into that lake. By way of explanation
why the, late Gen. Pike IN ,i ieo2'
sippl to its source failed TO do SO, l
must say he was stopped little below Swan
river (what is now called Pike Rapids or
Block House, by the foe, and had to proceed
TO foot of Leech lake-he had TO learn there
where the source of the Mississippi was. he
went to Cass lake, and could proceed no far
ther. He had been told that / knew the
source, but could not see me, being at an out
post. This want OF information made MIN
commit the error. Some person, not
no river above Cass lake Cass
lake receives the watere of Cross lake. ard
Cross lake receives that of ltasca lake. Ihere
are five small streams that empty into ltaSea
lake. Iuey are SHOTl anu sOOh ioSC ehSii
selves in swamps. Rice river is short port
age and is called the heights of land. which
is the dividing line between the Mississippi
and the waters that empty into Red river
and Hudson's bay. No white man can claim
the discovery of the Mississippi before me,
for was the first who saw the source.
WILLIAM MORRISON.
a few errors have crept into this let
ter in the process of printing it. but II
is substantially correct, and is taken
from the Montreal Star newspaper of
August. 1866. Mr.. Morrison was an
honorary member of the Wisconsin
Historical society, and of others posi-
bly,. not known to this writer, and Will
lam Morrison was at the headwaters,
knowing they were such, in 1904. Lieut..
Piber very near them in 1903; Gen.
Cass was the next, then Nicollet, Bel
trami. Schoocraft and Willard Glazler
and others since. Truly yours, ETC., -"