Sword and Pen Part 53

_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 ent.i.tled 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 ent.i.tled 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 ent.i.tled 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 ent.i.tled 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, Princ.i.p.al 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 ent.i.tled 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 a.s.sertion, 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 a.s.sist 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,