Mississippi River

   Rises in northern Minnesota, its chief source being Itasca Lake, and enters the Gulf of Mexico, after a course of 2550 miles. It was discovered by the Spaniards, early in the sixteenth century. De Soto explored the lower part of the river, and died on its banks in 1541. Radisson was probably the first white man to see its upper waters, in 1659. Jean Nicolet reached Wisconsin River in 1634, but did not descend it to the Mississippi. Jolliet and Marquette in 1673 reached the Mississippi, and descended as far as the mouth of the Arkansas. In 1682 La Salle descended the river from the mouth of the Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. Its headwaters were discovered by David Thompson, of the North West Company, in 1798.

   Index: WM Exploration of, 19. L Exploration of, 145; La Salle reaches mouth of, 150; taken possession of, in name of king of France, 151. Hd Proposed canal route to, 77.

   Bib.: Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World; Parkman, La Salle; Chambers, The Mississippi River and its Wonderful Valley.