The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-31
The Annnlns OF Explorers.

Several months aga some small Ohio
newspapers revived tho played out and
ridiculous fiction that their Eotoriou, neigh.
Dor. captain" WILLARD GLAzIER of
Cleveland. was the only original discovercr
OF the real source Of the Mississippi River.
All these articles were marked. sent to lead
ing newspapers and to writer's on geograph-
ical topics, and tho postage WINS probably
paid by the irrepressible Captain HIM
SELF Then letters began t. reach the
newspaper offices and writer's enclosing
clippings from the Ohio organs OF tho OK
plorer and questions propounded by persons
unknown to fame who begged to inquire
What is your opinion OF the GLAZIER contro-
versy?" or who wished to be enlightened with
regard to your position as to tho sources
OF tho Mississippi" A little later other let
tiers began to arrive announcing that Ex-
plorer GLAzIER was about to revisit the
scene Of his geographical triumphs with
proper scientific outfit" and Offering at
tho regular rates series Of letters descrip-
tive Of his fresh discoveries.
Anything with less elasticity than rub
Der ball would have been crushed to powder
long ago under the trip hammer OF exposure.
Nobody but GLAZIEE would have been stu
pid enough topalm of upon scientific Jour-
nal page after page OF ScuooLcRAFr's we'll
known book as narrative OF his own ex-
periences. or could have held up his head In
decent society after Mr.. HARRowER's
scathing exposure OF him as literary thlof.
The mans record OF his imaginary OK.
p!oratIon was long ago repudlated by CHAN
MING PAINE, the only white man, except
his brother GEORGE, who accom- panied him.
Flo has been denounced by tho very Indians
OF tho ltasca region to whom he assigned
theatrical role In tho story OF his exploits.
He has boen tiayed alive by the Minnesota
Historical Society. which In 1887 published
complete expose Of his pretenslons, dubbed
him "pervertcr OF history and distorter Of
geography" and dismissed him as char
lutan adyenturcr" ie has been pilloried
by tho Legislature Of Minnesota. The
people OF that State had been 30 far imposed
upon that the lawmakers found 1t necessary
In April, 1889. to enact law forbiddlng tho
use In the public schools OF any school
geography giving the name OF Lake Glazler
to Elk Lake. Ho has been left without Lex
to stand on by RUSSELL HINMAN. HoPEwELn
CLARKE, j. V. BROwER. and other geogra-
piers or practical surveyors.
This storm OF denunclatlon and indignant
protest was aroused. not by the importance
OF the mans claims for they were too flimsy
to stand an hours investigation. bu. by the
fact that his audacious falsshoods were &C.
cepted as facts by few text book and map
makers, both In this country and abroad, and
maps began to circulate the world over In
which the real discoveries Of tho Mississippi
pl's sources were dishonored that a brazen
adyenturer might flourish. No wonder that
intelligent people In Minnesota cried out In
anger when they saw maps on which the APP
propriate Indian names Of dozen OF their
beautiful lakes had been replaced with the
appellations OF WILLARD GLAzIER and his
numerous relatives.
But the indomitable GLAzIER has risen
superior to this storm OF exposure and pro-
test. He has been knocked down repeated
~. only to come to the scratch again with
smiling face. just al present 1t Is believed
that his cup OF felicity Is running over.
Thanks to the American Geographical So
cicty. the facts with regard to GLAzIER
very clearly and forcibly set forth In
paper by Mr. HuRLBUT. Its librarian. were
presented for the consideration Of the H.
transitional Geographical Congress at Barne.
Tho evidence was referred to committee.