Chapter XLVIII: Appendix: By the (2)

"The work of coasting Itasca for its feeders was begun at an early
hour on the morning of the twenty-second. We found the outlets of
six small streams, two having well-defined mouths, and four
filtering into the lake through bogs. The upper or southern end of
the south-western arm of Lake Itasca is heavily margined with reeds
and rushes, and it was not without considerable difficulty that we
forced our way through this barrier into the larger of the two open
streams which enter at this point. This stream, at its mouth, is
seven feet wide and about three feet deep.

"Slow and sinuous progress of between two and three hundred yards
brought us to a blockade of logs and shallow water. Determined to
float in my canoe upon the surface of the lake towards which we
were paddling, I directed the guides to remove the obstructions,
and continued to urge the canoes rapidly forward, although opposed
by a strong and constantly increasing current. On pulling and
pushing our way through a network of rushes, similar to that
encountered on leaving Lake Itasca, the cheering sight of a
tranquil and limpid sheet of water burst upon our view.

"This lake, the Chippewa name of which is _Pokegama_, is about a
mile and a half in its greatest diameter, covers an area of two
hundred and fifty acres, and would be nearly an oval in form but
for a single promontory, which extends its shores into the lake, so
as to give it in outline the appearance of a heart. Its feeders are
three small creeks, two of which enter on the right and left of the
headland, and have their origin in springs at the foot of sand
hills from two to three miles distant. The third stream is but
little more than a rivulet of a mile in length, has no clearly
defined course, and is the outlet of a small pond or lakelet to the
south-westward.

"The latitude of the lake in question is about 47 deg.; its height
above the Atlantic Ocean 1,582 feet, and its distance from the Gulf
of Mexico 3,184 miles.

"The statement that the lake now very generally accepted by
geographers, and educational publishers as the True Source of the
Mississippi was so regarded prior to the organization of my
expedition cannot be substantiated; for, on the contrary, both
press and people throughout Minnesota were ignorant of its
existence, so far as we were able to ascertain by diligent inquiry
from Saint Paul to Brainerd; and, in fact, I may add that the
missionary, Indian agent, and post-trader at Leech Lake knew no
other source of the Mississippi than Lake Itasca, except what they
had been told by my chief guide, Chenowagesic, and a few other
Chippewas in that vicinity. Barrett Channing Paine, fully confirms
this statement in his letters to the Brainerd, Minneapolis, and
Saint Paul papers of that period. These letters prove most
conclusively that the people of Northern Minnesota had no knowledge
whatever of the lake beyond Itasca until its existence was
announced by me through the medium of the press in 1881.

"If the assumption by some writers that the lake to the south of
Itasca had been seen before my visit to that region in 1881 is well
grounded, I need only say in reply that it had not been assigned
any geographical importance prior to my visit; in other words, it
had not been recognized by any one as the true source of the
Mississippi.

"When William Morrison, the fur-trader, pitched his tent on
Schoolcraft Island in 1804, he evidently did not know that the
outlet of the lake on which he looked was a part of the mighty
river. Schoolcraft followed, at the head of an expedition
twenty-eight years later, and claimed the lake as the source of the
Mississippi. It is very generally admitted that Morrison had seen
Itasca before Schoolcraft, but no one questioned that the latter
was entitled to the credit of discovery, since he was the first to
establish the fact that the Mississippi was its outlet. My claim to
have definitely located the _true source_ in the lake beyond Itasca
stands on precisely the same ground.

"I do not desire to pass a reasonable limit in an effort to insure
justice, but having consumed considerable time and money in
locating lakes and streams in Northern Minnesota, and having
established that the lake to the south of Itasca is the primal
reservoir of the Mississippi, I do not feel disposed to allow
myself to be thrust aside by those who know comparatively little or
nothing of that region.

"Assuming that the statements of my party are incontrovertible
concerning the lake which we claim as the True Source of the Great
River, it follows naturally:

"I. That Lake Itasca cannot longer be recognized as the
fountain-head of the Mississippi, for the reason that it is the
custom, agreeably to the definition of geographers, to fix upon the
remotest water, and a lake if possible, as the source of a river.

"II. That the lake to the south of Itasca, and connected therewith
by a perennial stream, is the primal reservoir or True Source of
the Mississippi; that it was not so considered prior to the visit
of my expedition in 1881; and that my party was the first to locate
its feeders correctly, and discover its true relation to the Great
River.

"III. That Schoolcraft could not have seen the lake located by me,
else he would have assigned it its true character in the narrative
of his expedition.

"IV. That Nicollet, who followed Schoolcraft, could not have been
aware of its existence, as he gives it no place upon his maps, or
description in the accounts of his explorations.

"V. That the lake known as Pokegama by the Chippewas was not
christened 'Glazier' by me, or through my instrumentality, but was
so named by my companions, in opposition to my wish that it should
retain its Indian appellation.

"Finally, whatever the verdict may be upon the merits of my claim
to have been the first to locate the _source_ of the Mississippi
River and publish it to the world, if any person had seen this lake
prior to 1881 it was certainly not known to the white residents of
Northern Minnesota, or to the Indian tribes in the vicinity of its
headwaters. Lake Itasca was still recognized as the fountain-head,
was so placed upon maps, and taught as such in all the schools of
the country.

"I simply claim to have established the fact that there is a
beautiful lake above and beyond Itasca--wider and deeper than that
lake--with woodland shores--with three constantly flowing streams
for its feeders--and in every way worthy of the position it
occupies as the primal reservoir or TRUE SOURCE of the Father of
Waters.

"Willard Glazier.
Syracuse, New York, December, 1886."

* * * * *

A letter from Pearce Giles, of Camden, New Jersey, who was identified with the GLAZIER expedition from its inception to its close:

"_To the Editor--Boston Herald_:

"In 1832 Henry Rowe Schoolcraft led an expedition through the wilds
of Northern Minnesota and discovered what he believed to be the
source of the Mississippi. Being at a loss for an appropriate name
to bestow upon the lake which constituted this supposed source, so
the story goes, he asked a companion what were the Latin words
signifying 'true head,' and received in reply '_veritas caput_.'
This was rather a ponderous name to give a comparatively small body
of water, even though the Father of Waters here took his first
start in the world. The explorer, therefore, conceived the idea of
uniting the last two syllables of the first word with the first
syllable of the second, thus, by a novel mode of orthography,
forming a name which might easily pass for one of Indian
origin--_Itasca_. A person versed in orthographical science would
probably perceive at once that the name did not belong to the same
family of harsh Indian appellations which have affixed themselves
permanently to many towns and rivers in Wisconsin and Minnesota,
but was more allied to the softer language of southern Indian
nations. But it has now been discovered that Lake Itasca is not
_veritas caput_; and LAKE GLAZIER, discovered in July, 1881, by
Captain Willard Glazier, must be regarded by all future generations
as the true head of the Mississippi.

"The Mississippi, on its first stages, flows in a northerly
direction, the whole system of small lakes which contribute to it
being surrounded on the north and west by an amphitheatre of hills.
LAKE GLAZIER lies above and beyond Lake Itasca, and its waters have
an elevation of probably seven feet above that lake, being
connected therewith by a small, swift stream. Lake Itasca is
composed of three arms, extending in the form of a trefoil, having
a length of five miles and an average width of about one mile. The
upper, or southern end of its middle arm apparently terminates in a
swamp, which might easily have deceived any one not familiar with
the country. But Chenowagesic, Captain Glazier's Indian guide, who
had for years used the region of these lakes for his
hunting-ground, readily made his way through the reeds and rushes
at the mouth of the connecting stream. LAKE GLAZIER at its outlet
presents another barricade of reeds, through which the party made
their way in their canoes.

"LAKE GLAZIER is about two miles in length by a mile and a half in
breadth. Its shores, instead of being low and marshy, as are those
of many of the neighboring lakes, present finely wooded slopes and
surround the lake in what would have been the shape of a perfect
oval, had not a bold, rocky promontory indented its southern end,
and given to it the outline of a heart. On the point of this
promontory is a spring from which flows ice-cold water. The waters
of the lake are exceedingly clear and pure, proceeding from
springs, some of them in the bottom of the lake itself, and the
others at a greater or less distance from its shores.

"LAKE GLAZIER has three small feeders, one of them named Eagle
Creek, entering it near its outlet, and taking its rise a mile or
so farther south, in a small pond or lakelet, upon which Captain
Glazier bestowed the name of 'Alice,' after his daughter. Eagle
Creek runs nearly parallel with the western shore of the lake, a
little distance from it. Two streams, two or three miles in length,
flow northward into LAKE GLAZIER at its southern extremity on
either side of the indenting promontory. Excelsior Creek, so named
because it represents the very highest water of the Mississippi, is
the longer of these. Deer Creek, to the eastward, and rising a
little nearer the lake, has been so named for the reason that
numbers of deer were seen in its vicinity.

"LAKE GLAZIER is thus supplied by three feeders, Eagle, Excelsior
and Deer Creeks, now named in the order of their importance, and as
uniting these waters in one common reservoir, this lake is
undoubtedly entitled to be regarded as the _veritas caput_--the
true head of the Mississippi.

"Pearce Giles.

"Boston, August 6, 1886."

* * * * *

We insert here an interesting letter from Paul Beaulieu, Interpreter to the United States Indian Agency, White Earth, Minnesota. Mr. Beaulieu is a very intelligent half-breed, about sixty years of age, and has lived nearly all his life in the neighborhood of the headwaters of the Mississippi. His testimony, therefore, upon a subject with which he must necessarily be familiar, will have due weight with the inquiring reader:

"U. S. Indian Service,

"_White Earth Agency, Minnesota_,

"May 25, 1884.

"_Dear Sir_:--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the sixteenth instant. In reply, I would respectfully
state that according to the ideas of the people of this section of
country, for a score of years past, in alluding to Lake Itasca,
which is known only as Elk Lake by the original inhabitants of this
country, was never by them considered as the head or source of the
Father of Running Waters, or May-see-see-be, as it is by them
named. I have received a map showing the route of exploration of
Captain Willard Glazier in 1881, and being well acquainted with his
chief guide, Chenowagesic, who has made the section of country
explored by Captain Glazier his home for many years in the past,
and who has proved the truth of his often repeated assertion, when
maps were shown him, that a smaller lake above Lake Itasca would in
time change a feature of those maps, and proclaim to the world that
Lake Itasca cannot longer maintain its claim as being the fountain
head of Ke-chee-see-be, or Great River, which is called
May-see-see-be, by the Chippewas. The map as delineated by Captain
Glazier's guide, Chenowagesic, and published by the Glazier party,
is correct; and it is plain to us who know the lay of this whole
country (I mean by _us_, the Chippewa tribe in particular, also the
recent explorers for pine) that LAKE GLAZIER is located at the
right place, and is the last lake on the longest stream of the
several rivers at the head of the great Mississippi.

"With respect, yours truly,

"Paul Beaulieu,

"_U. S. Indian Interpreter_."

* * * * *

An eastern correspondent addressed the following communication to the Saint Paul _Dispatch_, in which he claims that the discovery of the true source of the Mississippi should be credited to Captain Glazier:

"_To the Editor--Saint Paul Dispatch_:

"Having been a resident of Minnesota in 1855, I wish to say a word
about Captain Glazier and his discovery. Minnesota, at the time of
my residence there, was thinly settled. Minneapolis and Saint
Anthony were both straggling villages. Saint Paul could boast of
something like 10,000 population. The nearest railroad point to the
latter city was one hundred and thirty miles distant. In winter
Burbank's Northwestern Express carried the mails and the very few
passengers that could muster courage to make the toilsome journey;
and well do I remember my trip over this route. I know that, at
that time, there was a question with the Sioux, Chippewas and many
pioneers as to Lake Itasca being the source of the Great River.
There was a settled opinion that something would be found beyond
that would eventually prove to be the source of that stream. I
believe Captain Glazier to have been actuated by a desire to
establish the truth of this problem. Interested parties may seek to
withhold from him his rightful due as a discoverer, but
notwithstanding these attempts, in some schools in this region,
LAKE GLAZIER is taught as the true source of the Mississippi. To
attempt to discredit one who took front rank for the preservation
of the Union, and who suffered in many rebel prisons, is altogether
unworthy of the parties who are making themselves conspicuous in
the matter.

"J. C. Crane.

"West Millbury, Massachusetts, January, 1887."

* * * * *

Letter from Mr. John Lovell, geographer and historian, and one of the leading educational publishers of the Dominion of Canada:

"Captain Willard Glazier:

"_Dear Sir_:--I owe you an apology for not having earlier
acknowledged your courtesy in sending me a copy of your remarkably
interesting work 'Down the Great River.' Owing to illness and a
variety of calls on my time, I had not an opportunity ere this of
finishing the reading of it. I have no hesitation in saying that it
is most interesting and instructive, especially where you so ably
summarize the results of former expeditions, and where you describe
in animated language the aim, course, and outcome of your own
explorations. You have had an experience which has fallen to the
lot of few travellers, and, in certifying the source of the Father
of Waters, have rendered a great service to the cause of
geographical discovery. The account of your voyage from the newly
discovered Source to the Gulf of Mexico gave me much pleasure and
information. The patience and endurance of the brave fellows who
were with you, considering the distance, in canoes, is worthy of
praise. Your own able management of the expedition is worthy of all
commendation and of substantial and immediate thanks from the good
men of your own wonderful country.

"Again I sincerely thank you for your handsome and most acceptable
present.

"With sincere respect, I remain, dear sir,

"Yours faithfully,

"John Lovell.

"Montreal, October 17, 1887."

The following letter will speak for itself. Mr. Gus. H. Beaulieu, of White Earth, Minnesota, Deputy United States Marshal for the district, is an educated half-breed, and cousin of Paul Beaulieu. His home is on the Chippewa Indian Reservation, within sixty miles of the source of the Mississippi. In this letter he presents the Indian theory as to the comparative volume of water in the two lakes--GLAZIER and Itasca:

"Captain Willard Glazier:

"_Dear Sir_:--I have been somewhat interested in your discussion
regarding the source of the Mississippi. Even had you never
proclaimed to the world your discoveries, from information received
by me from Indians and old mixed-blood Indian voyageurs, there
would have always been a doubt existing with me as to whether
Itasca was the head of the Mississippi.

"Henry Beaulieu, a brother of Paul Beaulieu, always maintained that
LAKE GLAZIER was the true source of the Mississippi. I remember
that, after his return from Itasca with Mr. Chambers of the New
York _Herald_, I think in 1872, he said that Winnibegoshish or Cass
Lake might as well be called the source of the Mississippi as
Itasca. Other mixed-blood have repeatedly stated the same thing. I
mention this to show you what the general opinion is among Indians
and those of mixed blood.

"Chenowagesic's theory concerning the head of the Mississippi is
this: That while Itasca presents a larger surface than LAKE
GLAZIER, it does not contain as much water as the latter. He
arrives at this conclusion from the fact that Itasca freezes over
two or three weeks before LAKE GLAZIER. This, he says, is a sure
sign that the latter lake is the deeper of the two, and contains
more water. His arguments in favor of LAKE GLAZIER are rather
novel, and, as a matter of course, are taken from an Indian's
standpoint.

"Yours truly,

"Gus. H. Beaulieu.

"White Earth, Minnesota, December 17, 1887."

IV. PUBLIC OPINION IN MINNESOTA.

The evidence here presented in support of LAKE GLAZIER, is, in our judgment, most conclusive; we may add, overwhelming. Many of the most prominent citizens of the State in which the Great River takes its rise volunteer their endorsement of a claim, of the merits of which, they must necessarily be better informed than persons living at a remote distance from the head of the river. State authorities, including the Governor and his staff; senators and representatives, many of whom have resided from twenty to forty years in Minnesota; pioneers, clergymen, and school-teachers, with many of the leading citizens; editors, school-superintendents, professional men, and others, strongly affirm that Lake Itasca is not the source of the Mississippi, but that the lake to the south of it, definitely located by Captain Glazier, is the primal reservoir or _true source_ of the Father of Waters. These witnesses, moreover, unequivocally assert that the credit of the discovery should be awarded to the man who made it, notwithstanding the groundless opposition of a few cavillers who have never themselves visited within many hundred miles a region they affect to be so marvelously familiar with.

_From His Excellency, A. R. McGill, Governor of Minnesota_:

"Captain Glazier's claim to be the discoverer of the true source of
the Mississippi seems reasonable, to say the least. I have been a
resident of Minnesota twenty-six years, and never until Captain
Glazier's expedition, heard the claim of Itasca being the source of
the Great River seriously questioned."

* * * * *

_From Hon. Horace Austin, Ex-Governor_:

"I think that it would be a very proper thing to do under the
circumstances that Captain Glazier's services should be recognized
by the passage of a bill by the Legislature giving his name to the
lake which is the real source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From Hon. W. H. Gale, Ex-Lieutenant-Governor, Winona_:

"I have been a resident of Minnesota for more than twenty-eight
years, and I believe it was the generally accepted opinion of the
people of this State that Lake Itasca was the source of the
Mississippi River, until after the expedition of Captain Willard
Glazier, and his publication to the world that another lake south
of Lake Itasca was the true source, to which lake has been given
the name of LAKE GLAZIER. This is now generally recognized as the
_true source_ and head of the Mississippi, and Captain Glazier as
the man who first made known that fact to the world."

* * * * *

_From F. W. Seeley, Adjutant-General_.

"I desire to say, in justice to Captain Glazier, that, having been
a resident of Minnesota for twenty-five years, and quite familiar
with the geography of the State, it is my belief that he was the
first to discover the true source of the Mississippi River and
publish it to the world."

* * * * *

_From Moses E. Clapp, Attorney-General:_

"From such information as I have on the subject, I am convinced
that the actual source of the Mississippi had not been recognized
prior to the published accounts of the explorations of Captain
Willard Glazier."

* * * * *

_From H. W. Childs, Assistant Attorney-General:_

"There is, in my opinion, no reason or ground for disputing Captain
Glazier's claim to have located the body of water now undoubtedly
regarded as the source of the Mississippi River, and appropriately
named LAKE GLAZIER."

* * * * *

_From J. K. Moore, Private Secretary to Governor McGill:_

"From the evidence, it seems clear to me that the actual source of
the Mississippi River had never been recognized until Captain
Glazier made its discovery in 1881."

* * * * *

_From Gus. H. Beaulieu, Deputy U. S. Marshal,
District of Minnesota:_

"Having been born and raised in the State of Minnesota, and a
resident of White Earth Indian Reservation, and being familiar with
the Indian traditions, I certify that Itasca Lake had never been
considered the source of the Mississippi by the best informed
Chippewa Indians. Although I had never seen any published maps to
the contrary, prior to the expedition of Captain Glazier in 1881,
from the best information I have among the Indians, I now regard
LAKE GLAZIER as the true source of the Mississippi River. I regard
his chief guide, Chenowagesic, as the best authority among the
Indians regarding the section of country about the headwaters of
the Mississippi, and consider him thoroughly reliable."

* * * * *

_From Ed. W. S. Tingle, St. Paul Globe:_

"After a study of the literature of the subject, I am convinced
that the lake to which the name of GLAZIER was given by the Glazier
exploring expedition is undoubtedly the true source of the
Mississippi, and that Captain Glazier was the first to call general
public attention to the fact."

* * * * *

_From Rev. W. T. Chase, Pastor First Baptist Church, Minneapolis:_

"There seems no reasonable doubt that the actual source of the
Mississippi had never been recognized until Captain Willard Glazier
made its discovery in 1881. Captain Glazier merits the gratitude of
every citizen of the United States who is interested in knowing all
that is knowable about the great Father of Waters."

* * * * *

_From Ex-Mayor Pillsbury, Minneapolis:_

"From the best information I have been able to obtain, I am
satisfied that Captain Willard Glazier was the first person that
discovered the true source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From Rev. J. L. Pitner, Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church, Minneapolis:_

"From the evidence I have examined, I am convinced that the real
source of the Mississippi was not known prior to 1881. I am quite
sure the claims of LAKE GLAZIER are not ill-founded, and that in
its deep, cool bosom the Great River takes its rise."

* * * * *

_From John E. Bradley, Superintendent Public Schools, Minneapolis:_

"From such examination as I have been able to give to the problem
of the _true source_ of the Mississippi, it seems to be
satisfactorily established that LAKE GLAZIER is to be so regarded."

* * * * *

_From Hon. Samuel E. Adams,
Member of the Minnesota Historical Society, Monticello:_

"I have no doubt of the correctness of Captain Glazier's statement
that he discovered the new source of the Mississippi now bearing
his name."

* * * * *

_From John H. Elliott, Secretary Y. M. C. A., Minneapolis:_

"I have no hesitation in stating that I believe LAKE GLAZIER to be
the real source of the Mississippi River, and that Captain
Glazier's claims are entitled to respectful and grateful
recognition."

* * * * *

_From J. S. McLain, Evening Journal, Minneapolis:_

"I have no reason to question the claim of Captain Glazier to have
been the first to correctly map the section of country about the
source of the Mississippi, or that the body of water which bears
his name is the true source of the Great River."

_From Albert Shaw, Minneapolis Tribune:_

"Unquestionably Captain Glazier may claim the credit of having
called public attention to the fact that there is a lake beyond
Lake Itasca which is more strictly to be considered as the source
of the Mississippi. That the lake will always be called LAKE
GLAZIER, and that it will henceforth be spoken of everywhere as the
source of the Great River, I have no doubt; nor do I doubt the
propriety of the name."

* * * * *

_From Judge John P. Rea, Commander-in-Chief G.A.R., Minneapolis:_

"I have resided in Minnesota eleven years, and always supposed that
Lake Itasca was the source of the Mississippi. I never heard the
fact questioned until within the past four or five years. From all
the evidence I have upon the subject, I am satisfied that LAKE
GLAZIER is the true source."

* * * * *

_From G. M. Wing, Secretary
North-West Indian Commission, Minneapolis:_

"Concerning the real source of the Mississippi, I would say that
the lake which Captain Willard Glazier has located, and which he
claims to be the source, is no doubt more properly the true source
of this Great River than Lake Itasca. There is no doubt whatever in
my mind but that Captain Glazier was the first person to discover
that fact, and make the same known to the world; and that fact
alone, though it might have been visited before, should entitle him
to the honor of naming the same. I have been over the route
traversed by Captain Glazier and party, and find that the map which
he has published is a correct delineation of that section."

* * * * *

_From Hon. J. G. Lawrence, Ex-Senator, Wabasha:_

"I believe Captain Glazier is certainly entitled to the credit of
having discovered the true source of the Mississippi in a lake
above Lake Itasca, and now named LAKE GLAZIER."

* * * * *

_From Judge L. A. Evans, Ex-Mayor, Saint Cloud_

"First Mayor of Saint Cloud, and have served six terms as such.
Have resided in Saint Cloud for thirty years. I believe that LAKE
GLAZIER is the true source of the Mississippi River, and this is
the opinion of the majority of the people residing in this part of
the State."

* * * * *

_From Will E. Haskell, President and Managing Editor, Minneapolis Tribune:_

"There can be no longer any doubt, when the question is carefully
considered, that the credit of discovering the true source of the
Mississippi belongs to Captain Willard Glazier. Captain Glazier's
discovery has now become an accepted geographical fact, and future
generations of school-boys will speak knowingly of LAKE GLAZIER, as
we did in our youth of Itasca."

* * * * *

_From J. O. Simmons, Little Falls._

"Have been a resident of Little Falls for the past twenty-nine
years; County Attorney and justice of the peace for several years;
would state that I am personally acquainted with the half-breed
Indian interpreter, Paul Beaulieu. Have known him since June, 1857,
and know him to be a person of intelligence, great experience, and
personal knowledge of the northern portion of Minnesota, which up
to very recently has been a vast wilderness occupied only by the
Chippewas. Have often conversed with him relative to the country
north of us, and speaking of the Mississippi, have heard him say
that Lake Itasca was not the fountain head; that there was a stream
emptying its waters into Itasca from a lake a short distance above
the latter, and which, in his opinion, was the true source. Since
Captain Glazier's exploration, I accept the lake bearing his name
as the true source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From Rev. Andrew D. Stowe, Rector, Trinity Church, Anoka:_

"This is to certify that from the testimony of Indians and
Half-breeds living at White Earth Agency, Minnesota, during my
residence there of two years, I am persuaded that LAKE GLAZIER,
instead of Itasca, is the real source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From D. Sinclair, Winona:_

"In the autumn of 1862 I spent several weeks in that portion of
Northern Minnesota, extending from Crow Wing to Leech Lake, and the
country about Red Lake, in company with Paul Beaulieu, the
well-known Indian guide and interpreter. During a conversation as
to the source of the Mississippi, Beaulieu informed me that Lake
Itasca was not the real source of that river, but that a smaller
lake, located a short distance south of Itasca, was entitled to
that distinction. After investigating the matter recently, I have
no doubt of the genuineness of Captain Glazier's claim to be the
person who first publicly established the fact that the lake which
now bears his name is the true source of the Mississippi River."

* * * * *

_From William A. Spencer, Clerk
United States District Court, Saint Paul:_

"I have resided in Minnesota upwards of thirty years, and until
recently have always thought that Lake Itasca was the source of the
Mississippi; but after an examination of the claim of Captain
Glazier to be the discoverer of the true source, I am satisfied his
claim is well founded."

* * * * *

_From O. C. Chase, Chairman County Commissioners, Otter-Tail County:_

"From information received, I am fully satisfied that Captain
Glazier was the first person to publicly announce the true source
of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From John J. Ankeny, Postmaster, Minneapolis:_

"From the best information I can obtain, I am persuaded that the
source of the Mississippi had not been recognized prior to the
published accounts of exploration by Captain Willard Glazier in
1881. I think, therefore, he is entitled to the credit of the
discovery."

* * * * *

_From P. P. Swenson, Sheriff, Hennepin County:_

"After a residence of thirty-two years in the State of Minnesota,
until recently I have always supposed that Lake Itasca was the
source of the Mississippi River. I am now well informed of its true
source being LAKE GLAZIER, having personally traversed that section
of the State."

* * * * *

_From Freeman E. Kreck, Postmaster, Aitkin:_

"I have been a resident of Aitkin County since 1881; have been
County Auditor for past two years, and for a time proprietor and
editor of the _Aitkin Age_. Since Captain Glazier's explorations I
do not hesitate to say that I believe LAKE GLAZIER to be the true
primal reservoir of the Mississippi, and I think I voice the
sentiment of the majority of the residents of this section."

* * * * *

_From A. Y. Merrill, County Attorney, Aitkin:_

"I believe that the lake claimed to have been located by Captain
Glazier is the real source of the Mississippi River."

* * * * *

_From J. W. Wakefield, Aitkin:_

"Resident of Minnesota for thirty years. Personally acquainted with
Chenowagesic. Indian trader more than fifteen years. Thoroughly
familiar with the Chippewa language. I recognize LAKE GLAZIER as
the true source of the Mississippi River."

* * * * *

_From Lyman P. White, Ex-Mayor, Brainerd:_

"I have been a resident of Brainerd since 1870. Built the first
house in Brainerd. Have had charge of the town site for the Lake
Superior and Puget Sound Company for sixteen years. I met Captain
Glazier on his Mississippi trip, and fully endorse his claim to
have discovered the true source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From W. W. Hartley, Brainerd:_

"Have been a resident of Brainerd for the past fifteen years.
Editor and publisher of the _Tribune_ from 1875 to 1881, and
postmaster from 1879 to 1886. Met Captain Glazier and his party
here in 1881, both _en route_ to the source of the Mississippi
River, and on their return voyage by canoes to its mouth. Have no
recollection of ever having heard any other than Lake Itasca
claimed to be the source of the Mississippi prior to the Captain's
expedition. LAKE GLAZIER has since been accepted and is believed to
be its source."

* * * * *

_From J. H. Koop, Postmaster, Brainerd:_

"Have been a resident of this State for sixteen years. Met Captain
Glazier at the time he made his expedition of discovery to the
source of the Mississippi, and I recognize the lake bearing his
name as its true source."

* * * * *

_From N. H. Ingersoll, Editor, Brainerd Dispatch:_

"I fully endorse the statement that Captain Glazier was the first
to proclaim to the world the _true source_ of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From Rev. Fletcher J. Hawley, D. D., Rector of
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Brainerd:_

"I have been a resident of Brainerd since 1880, and have not heard
any one question the truth of Captain Glazier's claim to have
discovered the true source of the Mississippi to be in LAKE
GLAZIER."

* * * * *

_From John F. Peterson, Register of Deeds, Minneapolis:_

"I have resided in Minnesota for the past eighteen years, and fully
believe that LAKE GLAZIER is the true source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From C. P. De Laithe, Superintendent of Schools, Aitkin County:_

"I recognize LAKE GLAZIER as the source of the Mississippi River.
Have resided in Aitkin for several years."

* * * * *

_From J. H. Hallett, Brainerd:_

"I recognize the lake discovered by Captain Glazier as the real
source of the Mississippi. Have been an Indian trader for the past
fifteen years."

* * * * *

_From Hon. N. Richardson, Little Falls,
Judge of Probate of Morrison County:_

"I have resided on the banks of the Mississippi for thirty-one
years. Met Captain Glazier at Little Falls with his exploring
party, that visited the headwaters of this river in the summer of
1881. From information derived from sources that I consider
reliable, I regard LAKE GLAZIER as the true source of the Great
River. Have been a member of the Minnesota Legislature for three
terms."

* * * * *

_From O. L. Clyde, First Lieutenant, National Guard, Little Falls:_

"I have been a resident of Northern Minnesota for twenty years, and
always supposed that Lake Itasca was the source of the Mississippi.
I never heard any thing to the contrary until the year 1881, when
Captain Glazier explored the Upper Mississippi, and made his report
of the same. I now recognize LAKE GLAZIER as the true source of the
Great River."

* * * * *

_From Moses La Fond, Little Falls:_

"LAKE GLAZIER is now considered the true source of the Mississippi.
I am one of the old pioneers of this State, having resided in the
northern section for over thirty-two years, and was a member of the
Legislature in 1874."

* * * * *

_From R. Cronk, of the Government Survey, Sauk Rapids:_

"This is to certify that I was compass-man on the survey of
township 143 north, range 36 west of the 5th principal meridian,
which embraces Itasca Lake, (the Indian name of which I understood
to be _Omushkos_ or Elk Lake,) and hereby affirm that LAKE GLAZIER
is the only well-defined body of water emptying into Lake Itasca,
and in my opinion is the true source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From Hon. T. G. Healey, Ex-State Senator, Monticello:_

"Have resided in Monticello since 1856. I regard LAKE GLAZIER as
the true source of the Mississippi River, and it is now so regarded
by the people living in this section of Minnesota."

* * * * *

_From William Tubbs, Postmaster and Ex-County Auditor, Monticello:_

"Have resided in Minnesota twenty-nine years. LAKE GLAZIER is
regarded by the people generally of this section as the true source
of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From W. J. Brown, Principal of the High School, Monticello:_

"I consider LAKE GLAZIER to be the true source of the Mississippi,
and know of no other. I teach the same in the public schools of
this place, as also do my assistants."

* * * * *

_From Commander A. H. Fitch, J. S. Cady Post, G. A. R.,
Department Minnesota; Anoka:_

"I am fully convinced that the body of water, known as LAKE GLAZIER
since 1881, is the true source of the Mississippi, and not Lake
Itasca."

* * * * *

_From J. M. Tucker, M. D., Hastings:_

"I believe Captain Glazier's claim to being the discoverer of the
real source of the Mississippi is _just_, and have never heard it
questioned. It must stand as one of the facts of history."

* * * * *

_From Daniel O'Brien, Police Justice, Hastings:_

"I am satisfied that the lake to the south of Itasca, located by
Glazier, in 1881, is the true source of the Mississippi, and that
Captain Glazier is entitled to whatever credit there is in the
discovery."

* * * * *

_From J. R. Lambert, Ex-Mayor, Hastings:_

"It has been a generally accepted fact that Lake Itasca was the
source of the Mississippi River, and like many others who have
preceded me in giving testimonials in favor of Captain Willard
Glazier's claim as the discoverer of a body of water now known
quite generally as LAKE GLAZIER, and so represented in many of our
standard geographical works, I cheerfully admit that Captain
Glazier is entitled to credit as the discoverer."

* * * * *

_From S. Westerson, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners, Hastings:_

"It seems to be clearly proven that there is a lake--now called
LAKE GLAZIER--which is the true source of the Mississippi,
discovered by Captain Willard Glazier in the year 1881, and that
said Captain Glazier was the first man to make it public. The
honor, therefore, in my estimation, is due to him."

* * * * *

_From B. B. Herbert, Editor, The Republican, Red Wing:_

"After a careful examination of the claim made for and against the
reputed discovery of the head of the Mississippi, by Captain
Willard Glazier, I am convinced that he was the first to question
the received statement that Lake Itasca was its source; and first
to connect the lake, which some respectable geographers have
called by his name, with the Mississippi as its source. Having
lived in Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi, for nearly
thirty years, had any other person claimed to have discovered any
other source than Lake Itasca, I should have been informed
thereof."

* * * * *

_From W. W. DeKay, Red Wing:_

"From such information as I have upon the subject, I regard the
lake located by Captain Glazier, to the south of Itasca, as the
true source of the Mississippi. I have resided in Minnesota for
thirty-three years."

* * * * *

_From William Moore, Superintendent of Schools, Lake City:_

"Knowing the facts in regard to Captain Glazier's discovery of the
true source of the Mississippi, as brought out by public
discussion, I am convinced that he is justly entitled to be
considered the discoverer of the source of the Mississippi River."

* * * * *

_From George C. Stout, Mayor, Lake City:_

"I have no doubt that Captain Glazier is fully entitled to the
honor of first discovery of the true source of the Mississippi
River."

* * * * *

_From D. O. Irwin, Postmaster, Lake City:_

"I am convinced that the actual source of the Mississippi had not
been recognized before the published account of explorations by
Captain Glazier; and I regard LAKE GLAZIER as the true source of
the Great River."

* * * * *

_From H. L. Smith, Editor and Proprietor of the Graphic, Lake City:_

"I am fully convinced that LAKE GLAZIER is the real source of the
Father of Waters. Have resided in Minnesota seventeen years."

* * * * *

_From F. J. Collins, Mayor of Wabasha:_

"I have no doubt that Captain Glazier is fully entitled to the
credit of having discovered the true source of the Mississippi
River. I have resided in Minnesota thirty-one years."

* * * * *

_From Hon. James G. Lawrence, Ex-State Senator, Wabasha:_

"I believe Captain Glazier is certainly entitled to the credit of
discovering the true source of the Mississippi, in a lake above
Lake Itasca, now named after him, LAKE GLAZIER."

* * * * *

_From D. L. Dawley, Principal of Schools, Wabasha:_

"I believe Captain Glazier to be the real discoverer of the true
source of the Mississippi River."

* * * * *

_From S. B. Sheardown, M. D., Winona:_

"I believe that Captain Glazier is entitled to the credit of
discovering the real source of the Mississippi River. I have been a
resident of Minnesota over thirty-one years."

* * * * *

_From Judge A. F. Storey, St. Vincent:_

"I have no hesitancy in saying that there can be no question, but,
that LAKE GLAZIER is the true and primal source of the Mississippi
River."

* * * * *

_From James A. Thompson, Postmaster, Leech Lake (the nearest
post-office to the source of the Mississippi):_

"I am of opinion that LAKE GLAZIER is the source of the
Mississippi. I have talked on this subject with some of the Indians
who accompanied Captain Glazier on his exploring expedition in
1881, and they all say it is the last lake; that they went all the
way in their canoes, and could go no further. It is the general
belief here that LAKE GLAZIER is the true source."

* * * * *

_From Paul Beaulieu, United States Interpreter, White Earth Indian
Agency:_

"I would respectfully state that according to the ideas of the
people of this section of country, for scores of years past, in
alluding to Lake Itasca, _which is known only as Elk Lake by the
original inhabitants of this part of the country_, was never by
them considered as the head or source of the Father of Running
Waters, or May-see-see-be, as it is by them named. I received a map
showing the route of exploration of Captain Willard Glazier, 1881,
and being well acquainted with his chief guide, Chenowagesic, who
has made the section of country explored by Captain Glazier his
home for many years in the past, and who has proved the truth of
his often repeated assertion, when maps were shown him, that a
smaller lake above Lake Itasca would in time change the feature of
those maps, and proclaim to the world that Lake Itasca cannot any
longer maintain its claim as being the fountain head of
Ke-chee-see-be, or Great River, which is called May-see-see-be, by
the Chippewas. The map as delineated by Captain Glazier's guide,
Chenowagesic, and published by the Glazier party, is correct; and
it is plain to us who know the lay of this whole country (I mean,
by _us_, the Chippewa tribe in particular, also the recent
explorers for pine) that LAKE GLAZIER is located at the right
place, and is the last lake on the longest stream of the several
rivers at the head of the great Mississippi."

* * * * *

V. RECOGNITION.

The discovery and final location of the source of the Great River of the North American Continent by Captain Glazier has received general recognition in this country and in Europe, and our aim to place before the reader of this volume, material to assist him in forming his judgment on the validity of the author's claim, would not be attained if we omitted to include in these _addenda_ the following evidence, the nature and weight of which we think should carry conviction to the mind of every impartial critic.

A report of the discovery was duly sent to Hon. Charles P. Daly, President of the American Geographical Society, New York, and by him forwarded to the Editor of the _New York Herald_, and published by that paper, accompanied by a map of the region explored, showing the true source of the Mississippi.

A report was also sent to the Royal Geographical Society, London, England, and the following courteous reply received:

"Royal Geographical Society,

"_London_, January 12, 1885.

"Captain Willard Glazier, New York, U. S. A.

"_Dear Sir:_--We owe you an apology for delaying so long
communicating with you on the subject of your interesting letter
and its accompanying map; a delay caused by the long summer
vacation of our council, which commenced a little before the
arrival of your letter.

"I am happy to be able to send you a copy of the January number of
the Proceedings of our Society, containing your letter and map, and
trust you will find no error has crept in.

"Your discovery was considered a distinct addition to our knowledge
of the geography of the Mississippi basin, and well worthy of
publication by the Society, and I am directed to thank you for
having communicated this brief account of it to us.

"Your obedient servant,

"H. W. Bates,

"_Assistant Secretary and Editor_."

* * * * *

George W. Melville, the famed Arctic Explorer, writes:

"_Philadelphia, Pennsylvania_

"February 5, 1885.

"Captain Willard Glazier:

"Dear Sir:--Your very interesting paper and map of the discovery
of the source of the Mississippi came to hand this morning. Having
but a single number of your paper I can form but an inadequate idea
of your labor and patience, except by a look at your map, which is
a very good one, and shows an immense amount of labor; in fact I am
astonished at the amount of work done in so short a space of time
as is shown on your track chart.

"I am gratified at being made the recipient of your favor; and with
sentiments of the highest esteem and regard for a worthy brother in
the world of science,

"I am, dear sir, very respectfully,

"George W. Melville,

"_Chief Engineer, U. S. Navy_."

* * * * *

_Geographers and Educational Publishers._

Many of the geographers and educational publishers of the country have not only made the necessary changes in their maps of Minnesota, but have expressed their recognition and acceptance of the GLAZIER discovery in letters addressed to friends of the Captain and others interested in arriving at the truth of this important question. Among these may be mentioned:

Rand, McNally & Company, George F. Cram, and George H. Benedict & Company, Chicago; Matthews, Northrup & Company, Buffalo; A. S. Barnes & Company, New York and Chicago; University Publishing Company, New York; Charles Lubrecht, New York; M. Dripps, New York; W. & A. K. Johnston, Geographers to the Queen, Edinburgh, Scotland; MacMillan & Company, London and New York; Nelson & Sons, New York and Edinburgh, Scotland; Gaylord Watson, P. O'Shea and George H. Adams & Company, New York; W. M. Bradley & Brother, Philadelphia; School Supply Company, John A. Boyle, Boston; J. K. Gill & Company, Portland, Oregon; John Lovell & Son, Montreal, Canada; Map and School Supply Company, Toronto, Canada; F. A. Brockhaus, Leipsic; A. Hartleben, Wein, Austria; and many others.

The following extracts are from BARNES' COMPLETE GEOGRAPHY by the eminent geographer, Professor James Monteith:

_Page 4. "Record of Recent Discoveries and Events._

"The source of the Mississippi River is LAKE GLAZIER, a small lake
from which water flows into Lake Itasca, which until recently was
thought to be its source."

* * * * *

_Page 73. "North Central States (Western Section)._

"Recent surveys have shown that LAKE GLAZIER is about seven feet
higher than Lake Itasca, into which the former discharges its
water; and it is now recognized as the source of the Mississippi
River."

_"Maury's Manual of Geography, University Publishing Company, New York:_

"Page 56. Minnesota is crossed by the ridge or 'Height of Land'
which separates the Valley of the Mississippi from the northern
slope of the Great Central Plain. On this elevation, 1,600 feet
above the sea, both the Mississippi and the Red River of the North
take their rise, the one flowing south and the other north. The
crest of the 'Height of Land' is crowned with lakes of clear water.
LAKE GLAZIER, one of these, is the source of the Mississippi...."

* * * * *

_From Herr F. A. Brockhaus, Geographer and Publisher of Leipsic, Germany:_

"I shall not fail to recognize and call public attention to your
important discovery of the True Head of your Great River."

* * * * *

_From Professor J. W. Redway, of Philadelphia, a well-known
geographer and scientist:_

"_Philadelphia_, September 9, 1887.

"Captain Willard Glazier:

"_My Dear Sir:_-- ... You will have the satisfaction of knowing
that by your exertions and enterprise an error of more than fifty
years standing has been made apparent. The world owes you a debt
for determining an important question in geography.

"Sincerely yours,

"J. W. Redway."

* * * * *

_From the Messrs. Harper & Brothers, New York:_

"Recent exploration and survey establish the fact that Lake Glazier
has the best claim to the distinction of standing at the head of
the Father of Waters. School Geographies generally are being
corrected to show it."

* * * * *

_From Rand, McNally & Company, Map-makers and Publishers, Chicago:_

"As to the source of the Mississippi, we gave it considerable
attention in preparing our new map of Minnesota, and finally fixed
it as LAKE GLAZIER. This, we consider, has the best claim."

* * * * *

_From George F. Cram, Map and Atlas Publisher, Chicago:_

"I mail you to-day a copy of the corrected map of Minnesota,
showing LAKE GLAZIER as the source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From Matthews, Northrup & Company, Art Printers, Buffalo, New York:_

"We regard LAKE GLAZIER as the true source of the Mississippi, and
are so showing it on all maps, etc., issued by us."

* * * * *

_From Messrs. Cowperthwait & Company, Philadelphia._

"We have added LAKE GLAZIER to our School Maps as the source of the
Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From E. A. Lawrence, University Publishing Company, New York:_

"We think LAKE GLAZIER is important enough to outrank Itasca as the
source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From W. M. Bradley & Brother, Philadelphia:_

"LAKE GLAZIER appears on our large Atlas of the World, and on
Mitchell's Atlas, as the true source of the Mississippi."

* * * * *

_From John Lovell & Son, Educational Publishers, Montreal:_

"The collection of testimonials from leading citizens of Minnesota,
and others, tells convincingly in Captain Glazier's favor."

* * * * *

_From MacMillan & Company, London and New York:_

"Pray accept our very cordial thanks for your courtesy in sending
us the map of the true source of the Mississippi. We are forwarding
it on to our London house, who will gladly avail themselves of the
information it conveys."

* * * * *

_From Gaylord Watson, Map and Chart Publisher, New York:_

"I shall show LAKE GLAZIER as the source of the Mississippi on my
maps."

* * * * *

_From P. O'Shea, Catholic Publisher, New York:_

"I have come to the conclusion that LAKE GLAZIER is the true source
of the Mississippi, and intend to give it as the source in the new
editions of my geographies."

* * * * *

_From Geo. H. Adams & Son, Map Publishers, New York:_

"We recognize LAKE GLAZIER as the True Source of the Mississippi
River, and believe that Captain Glazier's claim to its discovery is
now admitted by all the leading Map Publishers of the country."

* * * * *

_From the Map and School Supply Company, Toronto:_

"We consider LAKE GLAZIER the source of the Mississippi River, and
are having it appear on all our latest maps as such."

* * * * *

_From Captain A. N. Husted, Professor of Mathematics,
State Normal School, Albany, New York:_

"Captain Willard Glazier:

"_My Dear Sir:_--I have been much interested in your trip to the
beginning of the Father of Waters, and feel that you have
contributed a valuable item to the great volume of geographical
knowledge."

* * * * *

_From Colonel George Soule, President of Soule, College, New Orleans:_