New-York tribune., 1898-01-21
THE "SIECR DE LA SALE"
HIS ADVENTUROUS LIFE AND LONG
SEARCH FOR THE WISHED
FOR ORIENT.
IN THE DisCOvERER OF THE MISSISSIPPI Is
FOUND HERO AND CHEvALIER TO

IN THE pIscovERER OF THE MISSISSIPPI IS
FOUND HERO AND CIIEvArLER TO
WIN MArDESs' HEARTS.
Miss Annie Bcaston gave the first Of a series OF
Thursday morning lectures on our Native Land"
yesterday at the home OF Mrs. Egbert Guernsey
No $50 Central Park South. The subject was an
nounocd as "rhe Adventures Of John Smith, but.
as Miss Beaston wanted to keep the English stories
together she began with THE sieur de la Salle'-
the beautiful Sieur de la Sale she called MIN
adding that when she had finished her lecture those
of her audience who were unmarried would be sure
to consecrate themselves to him. and those VINO
were not would brush away vain regrets.
La Sale, as an occasional individual may remem-
ber was the dscoverer OF the Mississippi but
probably few know the facts which Miss Beaston
gave yesterday. H. belonged 10 a rich and ancient
French family, magnhcently educated. de-
vout Catholic and intimate friend and associate
OF the Jesuit missionaries He came TO America
when he twenty lone years OF age ana settled
on what Is st. Paurs-st.. Montreal. But ne
could not rest there. for he wanted TO find that
marvellous Orient which Columbus had failed 10
discover So he sold his segneurie. getting for the
spot that is worth princes ransom just seven
canoes and enough money to hire fourteen Indian
guides. This expedition a failure and Is COM
memorated by the name La Chine. given TO the
place in dersion. all the China La Sale was ever
likely 10 find. But he was not 10 be discouraged.
lie started again. accompanied by jesuit priest,
Father Hennepin. OF whom Miss Beaston said
"IIe is of my jewels. because he such
perfect liar He had a heart Just like Bob Acres,
and his lies engaging,'
The result of this expedition the discovery of
the Mississippi and the Gulf of Mexico When the
party reached the mouth Of the river they
dressed" La Sale said "as befltted their God
and their King" and took possession of the great
stream and all Its tributaries In the name of Louis
lie Grand Then, having accomplished the object OF
their Journey they turned their faces inland and
walked back - Montreal, a distance of three thou
sand miles. a beautiful incident OF the trip down
the Mississippi the saying Of mass at an altar
built OF crossed paddles at the junction OF the
Arkansas with the Father OF Waters For this
ceremony La Sale according TO his records.
put on his red coat
La Sale now returned to France to secure means
TO continue the search for the Orient ard. coming
back with ship. he unable to find the mouth
Of the river. Nothing daunted. he announced his
IT from the land and If this failed of walking bac!:
TO Montreal and again tracing the stream 10 rs
mouth. Meantime his men were TO wait for him.
La Sale thinking that they could easily subsis ~
that fertile country. He started accordingly, with
single companion. jesuit priest. but before
taking final leave Of his men he went to meet
which had been left behind on the way, his com
panion has recorded. he talked OF many things and
him from SO many perils" during twenty years OF
adventure. Then unaccountable sadness came
over him. which the priest tried in vain TO dspel.
them. and they advanced another who had re-
mained in ambush shot the explorer. Thus died. in
the forty-fourth year OF his the gallant Scur
de la Sale.
Among those who braved the rain TO hear tho
lecture yesterday were Mrs. J. VI. Hartshorn. Mrs.
Mrs Emmerson, Mrs. NJ ". Taylor, Miss X. X.
Taylor and Miss Ellen Buckalew.