The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-23
zEBULoN N K


known in the northwest. Pike was de-
spatched by the General in command Of
the army, first up the Mississippi to near
its sources, and then up the Missouri and
to the mountains in the hear of the con-
tinent.
His expeditions were purely military
in their organization His COMPANIONS
were detailed from the army, and the strict
discipline OF their commander was n
OF the large factors in the great success
he won. Here is an illustration OF his
discipline.
In January, 1907, Pike and his little party
were near rerishing hundreds OF miles
from sucoor among the Rockies. One
day he heard a soldier remark, 30 that all
might hear:
1T In more than human nature can bear
to march three days without food through
snow three feet deep and to carry loads
only At for horses
Pike waited till camp was pitched and
then he called the men together and thanked
them for their obedienoe, perseverance and
contempt Of every danger.
But, Brown he went on, you have
presumed to-day 20 use seditious and
mutinous language. This time I will pardon
you. for I attribute our conduct rather
TO your distress than b an inclination to
SOW discomfort. But I warn you that il
you ever repeat such language you will be
punished by instant death"
Pixies soldiers knew hat he was always
ready to do more and suffer more than any
man under his command. They fully re-
spected him: he kindled their enthusiasm,
M this IL among the reasons why one Of
Pixies biographers was able to write the
honest truth that considering his small
force and inadequate means no other mar
ever contributed to the geographical knowl-
edge OF the United States an amount oom-
parable to that which the world owes to
the heroic efforts and indomitable per-
severance Of Pike"
We may sum up very briefly what he did.
Our oountrymen knew practically nothing
Of the actual course of the Mississippi
north OF the site Of Des Molnes, OF the nature
and capabilities Of the soil. Of the Indian
tribes scattered along the river or tho
possibilities OF developing that region.
A few trappers and traders lived along
the river, but they knew little except their
own business and had little to say about
that. There we're eighteen houses in
Prairie du Chen, n IL was the only settle
ment anywhere near the river north Of st.
Louis. Pixies map, at the site Of Dubuque,
bears the legend: Mr.. Dubuque's house,
Along tho mighty highway, through
this wilderness, Pike and his twenty men
padded in their keel boat, seventy feet
long, p~rovisioned for only four months
though they were to make q survey Of
the river to its sourcel"
At every bend in the river Pike noted
its change in direction. He calculated his
distances by time and rate Of travel; noted
on his route map and in his diary the
rivers, creeks, highlands, prairies, islands,
rapids, shoals. timber. water, soil an d
Indian villages.
He made a special study Of the tribes and
the fur question. He brought to the Indians
tho first news Of their Great Father, made
treaties with them In the name Of the Gov
eminent and was lost to sight for nine
months.
Allhis work above the Falls Of st. Anthony,
where Minneapolis stands, was done in
the lead Of a Minnesota winter, with no
food but game, amid incredible hardships
and with tho larger part OF his foroe left
behind In camp disabled. He explored
the river TO Loech Lake, about thirty miles
east Of it, real source, and the special re-
ports he made on tho information he COL
lected were among the most valuable geo
graphical docuEnSnts OF his time.
Pike made . treaty with the Sioux by
which thu Government came into possession
Of about 10000 Acros Of land along the
river from the mouth Of the St. Croix to
three milee above St. Anthony Falls. He
nAively reported that the treaty cost him
$500 in presents, including whiskey and
tobacco and the private bribery OF two
high priced chiefs.
But Il "a Pixies second and still greater
expedition to the great Rockies Of Colorado
that will b most In mind at this weeks
cslebration. Hs party was toiling over
tia high plateau on November IS; 1905,
when h saw what looked LAss a small blue