USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Oelwein > The Telegraph-herald's abridged history of the state of Iowa and directory of Fayette County, including the city of Oelwein, with a complete classified business directory; > Part 2
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CHAPTER XXXI.
But One Able-Bodied Man-They Had No Team-Compelled to Abandon Hen- derson and Smith -- In Their Haste Boy Left Behind-Sheigly Henderson Return- ed Searching for His Boy-Sufferings Were Intense-Were Out Three Days- Flan of Battle-Bradshaw Was to Advance Upon the Indians-A Loud Shout and Signal Proclaimed Them Friends-It Was the Relief Corps-Language Cannot Describe the Joy and Transport-Mr. Church Recognized His Wife and Child- Thatcher Learned of the Butchery of His Child and Perhaps Worse Fate of His Wife-Dr. Bissel Dressed the Wounds-All Felt Safe for the First Time in Weeks-Conveyed to the Irish Colony-Smith and Henderson Were Found Alive-News of Massacre Carried to Fort Dodge-Relief Expedition Organized-Called for Volunteers-Company Poorly Equipped-The Winter Had Been the Severest on Record.
CHAPTER XXXII.
March Was Slow and Difficult-Made But Eighteen Miles in Two Days- Hardship and Sufferings Increased-Supper on Crackers and Raw Pork-Major Williams Made Brief Address-Nine Turned Homeward-Reached Irish Colony -Got Fresh Teams and Recruits-Scouts Sent Ahead-Indians Sighted-Men Formed in Line-Governor Carpenter's Description-Soldiers From Fort Ridge- ly at Springfield-Volunteers to Bury Bodies at Lakes-Twenty-three Volun- teered-Major Williams and Party Went to the Irish Colony-Johnson's Party to Lakes -- A Horrible Spectacle.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Not One of the Colony Alive-Body of Dr. Herriott Found-Luce and Clark Found Some Weeks Later-Homeward March-Sudden Change in Tem- perature-Terrific Blizzard-Horrible Suffering-Separated in Two Companies -Johnson Led One, Maxwell the Other-A Night in the Storm-Johnson and Buckholder Succumb-Fire Started at the River-Went to Irish Colony for Help-The Account of Major Williams-The Principal Division-River High, Spread Over Valley --- Box Ferry a Failure-Messenger Sent to Nearest House- What Captain Richards Says-Governor Carpenter Tells-What Lieut. Mason Says-The Command Broke Up in Small Parties-Sufferings Beyond Description.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
What Capt. Duncombe Says-Four Young Women Prisoners-Indians Load- ed Ponies, Squaws aud Captives with Plunder-Mrs. Thatcher Was Ill-Heart- less Savage Had No Mercy-Forced to Assist in the Camp Drudgery-She Sank Fainting in the Snow-She Was Lashed to the Back of a Pony-Indians Dis- covered That They Were Pursued-Ordered to Kill Captives When Battle Begun -- Lieut. Murray Believed Indians Were Near-Guides Claimed Camp Was Old -When They Reached the Big Sioux-Mrs. Thatcher Ordered to Go on the Driftwood Bridge-She Suspected What Was Coming-Savage Shoved Her In- to the River-One of the Braves Shot Her-Mrs. Noble Anxious for End of
Life- News Reached Indian Agency-Plans Devised to Rescue Them-Mrs. Mable Purchased -- She Bid Her Campanions Good-Bye-She Was Ransomed for $1.000.
CHAPTER XXXV.
Minnesota Legislature Appropriated $10,000-Effort to Exterminate Failed -Taken Far Into the Wilds of Dakota-Hopeless of Rescue-Roaring Cloud Mur- dered Mrs. Noble-Life Had Been a Burden to Her-Abbie Alone Gains River- Abbie Abandoned All Hope-But Friends Were at Work-John Other Day- Learned but One White Woman Left-Miss Gardner Was Purchased-Abbie Conveyed to Mr. Thatcher the Last Message of His Wife-Mr. Skinner Got Information and Was Saved-Don't Seem to Have Told His Neighbors-Mr. Carter Was Also Warned-The Boy Josh Engaged in Massacre-Massacres Traced to the Desperado Lott-Leute's Message-Killed Roaring Cloud-The Old Chief the Most Ferocious.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Major Williams' Report-Governor Grimes' Message-Indians Driven Out of State-Jackson County-Gang of Desperadoes-Counterfeit Money Appeared -- Traced to Some Employe of Brown-Horses Stolen-Bellevue Headquarters of the Gang-Battle Fought at Brown's Hotel-Desperadoes Captured-Murder of Col. Davenport-Mitchell Abused a Young Lady-Thompson and Mitchell Met on the Street-Thompson Missed and Mitchell Sent a Bullet Through His Heart -- Attempt to Blow Up Mitchell's House-Citizens Organized-Sheriff War- ren, Attorney Crawford and Judge Wilson-Warrants Issued for Twenty Des- peradoes -- Posse of Forty Men Marched to Brown's Hotel-Brown Shot Dead- The Gang Fought Desperately-Orders Given to Set Fire to the Hotel-Cry to Hang Them-Punishment Finally Decided by Vote.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Chairman Passed Sentence on Each-Placed in Skiffs With Three Days' Ratios-Sent Down the River-Reign of Terror-Murder of Col. Davenport- Edward Bonney Ferreted Out the Murderers-Burch Turned Out State's Evi- dence- Guilty Brought to Justice-An Atrocious Murder-Vigilance Committee Organized -- Gifford Was Lynched-Confessed He Had Been Hired-Oath Bound Organization-Purpose to Rid the State of Thieves and Murderers-Cruel Mur- der-Barger Was Arrested-Tried Three Times-Always Convicted but Law- yers Saved His Neck -- Vigilance Committee Took Matter in Hand-There Was No Further Appeal-Statement of the Vigilance Committee-Pledged to Stand by Each Other-Law Was Powerless to Protect. ยท
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Each Member of the Gang-Witnesses Ready to Prove an Alibi-Comequick -Took Lon ;; Trips-He Belonged to the Gang-He Frequently Changed Resi- dences -- Robbed an Old Man-Confederates on the Jury Prevented an Indict- ment-Murdered Man and Wife-Brother of Murdered Woman Ran Him Down -- Case Was Continued-Venue Changed, Ete .- Made a Short Speech to the Crowd-Judge Lynch Took the Matter in Hand-Comequick Was promptly Hung -Many Horses Stolen in 1855-6-7-Hard Times With the Settlers.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Project of Dams a Failure-New Constitution Adopted-State House at Des Moines -- Capitol Moved-Financial Depression-Banks Failed-No Banks
of Issue in Iowa-Banks Started in Nebraska-Thomas H. Benton-Iowa Soou Had Plenty of Worthless Paper Money-Self Denial Practiced-Legislature Met at Des Moines Jan 11, 1858-Gov. Grimes' Message-Commission Appointed to Codify Laws -- Severe Law Against Fugitive Slaves-Under Ground Railroad -John Brown Drilled His Little Army-Of the Twenty-Six Men in His Band, Six Were From Iowa-Victor Hugo's Prediction Verified-"John Brown's Body" -Revision of 1860-Branches of State Bank-Where Located-Gov. Kirkwood Vetoes the Banking I.aw-The Greatest Tornado-Its Course-Velocity-Loss of Life-Damage to Property-Strange and Wonderful Electric Freaks-Iowa Sent to the Civil War.
CHAPTER XL.
Indian Outbreak in Minnesota -- First Hostilities in Northwestern Iowa- . Settlers Become Alarmed-Military Companies Organized-Sioux Indians on the Reservation-Indians Planned the Massacre-Men Were at a public Meeting -Indians Fell on Defenceless Families-News of Massacre Reached Spirit Lake -Company Organized to Aid-Indians Were Gone-Frontier Settlements Aban- boned -- Spirit Lake and Esterville Stood Pat-Territory of Minnesota Organized -Indiaus Ceded More Than 30,000,000 Acres of Land-Reserved a Tract on the Minnesota River-Indians Accepted an Amendment-Tribes Concerned in the Uprising-Location of the Agencies-Sioux Represented All Grades of Barbar- isni-How They Lived-Half-Breeds and Traders.
CHAPTER XLI.
Cause of the Outbreak-The Lost Cause Figured-Indian Warriors With- in Reach-Tribes in the Conspiracy-Chiefs Visited Upper Agency-Assured Their Annuities Would Soon Arrive-Five Thousand Camped at Agency-Gov- ernment Warehouse Plundered-Soldiers Passive-Ameican Flag Cut Down- Excitement in Lower Agency-Quarreled With a White Man-Indians Fired, Killing Three-Large Number at Inquest-Indians Decided to Commence Mas- sacre-Little Crow Called on Early in the Morning-Messengers Sent-James Lynde Shot Dead -- Indians Afraid to Go Upstairs-A Bold Dash to Escape- General Massacre Commenced-Red Devils Showed No Mercy.
CHAPTER XLII.
Indians Eager for Plunder-Wabashaw and Other Chiefs Joined-Dr. Hum- phreys-Frightful Massacres-Unparalleled Cruelty-Bravery of Captain Marsh -His Fate and That of Most of His Soldiers-Treachery of the Indians-Loy- alty of Other Day and His Relatives-Friendly Indians Warned Whites-Attack on Fort Ridgely-Attack on New Ulm-Aid Arrived in Time to Save the Town- Second Attack on Fort Ridgely-Narrow Escape of Henry Ballard.
CHAPTER XLIII.
Indian Charge at New Ulm-Whits Made the Mistake of Retreating by de- serted Houses-Indians took Shelter in Them-Sharp and Rapid Firing From Both Sides-Indians Set Fire to Houses and Advanced behind the Smoke- The Conflagration became general-Captain Dood's brave charge-Resulting in his death-Effective service by sharp shooters-Great Indian charge repulsed- A desperate half-breed-Col. Sibley's advance-Abandonment of New Ulm-Vic- tims of Indian quarreled-Defense of Forest City.
CHAPTER XLIV.
Little Crow saw the evitable-Peace negotiations opened-Indians had a large number of captives-Savages were divided among themselves-Battle of
Wood Lake-One large camp with 250 white prisoners surrendered-Womer and children wept with joy-Military Commission organized.
CHAPTER XLV.
Desolate condition of the country-People of New Ulm attacked the prison- ers-Camp Lincoln established at Mankato-A number of Winnebagos tried- Prisoners arraigned on written charges-Witnesses and testimony-Terrible mur ler of Cut Nose -- Number of prisoners tried-Number sentenced to death and number to imprisonment and number executed.
CHAPTER XLVI.
Treatment of the Condemned-How they seemed affected-Description of the condemned-Father Ravoux spent the whole night with them-Preparation for the execution -- White Dog's request not granted-The half-breeds were most dejected -- Ascending the scaffold-The death song was hideous-Nearly all their necks were broken.
CHAPTER XVII.
Republican State convention, 1877-Resolution expressing confidence in President Hayes defeated-Greenback and Democratic conventions-Their dec- larations-Resolution of the Woman's Suffrage Society-Resolutions adopted by the State Grange-The heaviest rain-storm of record-Fate of a railroad train-The dead and wounded-Amount of public land in 1878-Report of Auditor of State-Kate Shelley's heroic act-Recognition by the State Legisla- ture and railroad company.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Drive well patent contest-Case tried before Judge Shiras and jury-Decis- ion against the defendant-The U. S. Supreme Court affirmed the decision- Decision saved the farmers over two million dollars-The citizens who fought the suit deserve great praise.
CHAPTER XLIX.
Messare of Governor Larrabee-Public debt reduced-An appeal for the prohibitory law -- Reduced consumption of liquor-Duty of the legislature pow- er-Gov. Boies' inaugural address-Local option favored-What Iowa needs- Effort to enact a local option law failed.
CHAPTER L.
Destructive hurricane-Gathered in Cherokee County-Graphic description -Two women killed in Rock Township-Destruction of Pomeroy-Shrieks of the wounded and groans of the dying were appalling-Efforts to rescue-Num- ber of dead forty two -- Gov. Boies' appeal for aid-Destructive railroad collision -Presidential election, 1904.
CHAPTER LI.
What caused the death of our Presidents-George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Q. Adams, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, W. H. Harrison, John Tyler, James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, U. S. Grant, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur,R. B. Hayes, William Mckinley.
CHAPTER LII.
Wealth of our P'residents-The famous Connecticut blue laws-Valuable in- formation -- Wonders of the body-Food and drink consumed by the average man-Elevation above the sea level of 19 cities and points-Average fall of the
Mississippi and Missouri Rivers-Punctuation Marks and Rules-Tributes to Women -- Confucious, Voltaire, Adams, Whitteier, Gladstone, Barrett.
CHAPTER LIII.
Rise and decline of the Catholic Church in the United States-Statement of the Very Reverend Dr. Slattery-What advocates of the Parochial School ar- firn-What the Berlin Germania says-Table of immigration and cencus by de- cades from 1790 to 1900, both dates inclusive-Catholic population in1902-The cause of the great coss-When and how the public schools were established -- Great advantage of the Public Schools-Bishop Hennessey's preaching against them-What he encountered-The reason why the Jew did not increase-Ab- stact history of the Jew-Number Moses led through the Red Sea-The early Christians-The tenth general persecution-Where relief came from-What St. Sylvester wanted-What the Emperor Constantine did-Evil results of segrigat- i01 :- Dubuque Public Schools-What the Poet Gray says-Comparison between the increase of the General and Catholic population-What Pope Leo XIII. says.
CHAPTER LIV.
W. J. Bryan's lecture-His appearance on the platform-What is the Value of an Ideal-How to measure life-A good class motto-Description of a noble life-The lecturer had three ambitions or ideals-The most important thing in dealing with young people-Entered politics by accident-Confidence game play- ed on a young man-The science of government-No patience with those who are too good to take part in politics-The boast of Roman matrons-What ought to be the boast of American mothers-Service the measure of greatness-What fixes man's place among his fellows-What sons of farmers, mechanics, mer- chants, etc. have accomplished-Hull House and Jane Adams-The ideal of Tol- stoi -- His change of ideals-The mystery of life-The period of skepticism- Materialism-Different ideals-Self-made men-Speculative spirit-What we need to-day-Domestic ideals-Commercial marriages-Business ideals-Ideals in politics -- Corrupt politics-Voters paid for coming to the polls and voting- Some Democrats followed this bad example-Their excuse-Must have parties- What Jefferson said-Initiative and referendum-Switzerland the most demo- cratic -- Rights of the people-No excuse for frand-An honest platform-What Senator Hill said-A nation must have an ideal-Grand action towards cuba -- Let fiag stand for justice.
CHAPTER LV.
Story of Commodore Perry's Landing in Japan in 1853-The day appointed -The advance boat-Letter to the Emperor of Japan-Letter of the President of the United States Convention-Commodore Perry's letter to the Emperor of Japan-Letter of credence-Receipt given to Perry-The procession-The re- ception building-Conference lasted two hours-Steamer moved slowly down the bay-Japan opened to the nations.
CHAPTER LVI.
Dates of important events which occurred in the United States and Colon- ies from the discovery by Christopher Columbus, October 12 1492, to date. This. is a very useful table.
THE TELEGRAPH-HERALD'S ABRIDGED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA
CHAPTER I.
Inasmuch as the American Continents are isolated on all sides, except at Behring Strait and the Polar region, by a wide expanse of ocean, it has been a question of much speculation, since their discovery by Columbus, as to how, at what time, and whence they were populated. Different theories have been advanced; one is that many years ago, those Continents were connected with Europe by a great Continent called "Atlas," which, long before the Christian era, sunk into the Atlantic Ocean. Another theory is that Ancient Navigators may have crossed the Atlantic Ocean and effected settle- ment. Another theory is, and to our mind the most plausible one, that the ten lost tribes of Israel, who rebelled in the year 975 B. C. and established the Kingdom of Israel, which in the year 721 B. C. was overcome by Shalman- ser of Assyria and all of its inhabitants led into captivity. This put an end to the Kingdom of Israel, and also an end to the ten tribes, so far as history is concerned, for it makes no farther mention of them. They were no doubt col- onized by the Assyrians, and as they were a healthy, vigorous race of people, they increased and in time were liberated. Instead of returning to Jerusalem they may have wandered Northward along the Pacific Coast and after ages reached Behring Strait. At that time the channel was perhaps much narrower than it is now, or there may have been islands in it, sufficient to make it possi- ble for them to cross with their crude crafts. This theory is corroborated by statements made by Columbus that he "observed that the natives he discovered, practiced some of the Jewish customs," and the Iowas, who inhabited this country, and after whom our state is named, had a tradition "that the Great Spirit made a man and a woman out of red clay and all the Indians sprung from them," and again, "it rained for a month and the whole world was de- stroyed, except a few that escaped in a big canoe," and all the Indian tribes claimed that they had come from a great distance, generally from the North- west. Towards the Pacific Ocean. These traditions were handed down from father to son from time immemorial. Archaeologists generally claim that the remains of two distinct races have been found in the valley of the Mississippi River. It is claimed also that the Mound Builders were different from the In- dians who preceded the white man. There is, however, much speculation about this. Because they built mounds over their dead, and manifested some skill in manufacturing copper knives and axes., it does not follow that they were a different race. The custom of building mounds may have been dropped, and the art of working copper forgotten. Moreover, at least one mound was built about the year 1801. For the Commissioners appointed by President Jefferson in 1803 to explore the Louisiana Purchase, found a mound recently built, twelve feet in diameter and eight feet high, erected on a prominent Missouri River
126
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
bluff, over the remains of Chief Omaha. This would indicate that the Indians still built mounds over their most illustrious dead.
The first human skulls discovered resembled those of a Gorilla, having thick ridges over the eyes, and very low forehead, indicating a low degree of intellect. Similar skulls have been found in Europe. The first inhabitants of the Mississippi River Valley, of which we have any evidence, are called Mound Builders. Stone and copper implements found indicates that they had made some progress in the scale of intelligence. As to their number, color, form of government; whether or not they cultivated the land and built comfortable houses, and how they constructed those mounds, is not and perhaps will never be known. In many of those mounds were found skeletons, partially pre- served; with vessels, pipes and ornaments. One opened in Dubuque County disclosed a vault divided into three cells. In the center one were found eight skeletons sitting in a circle, and in the center of the group was a drinking ves- sel made from a sea shell. The whole chamber was covered with logs pre- served in cement. Some very interesting mounds were found near Daven- port. Several of them were opened and found to contain sea shells, copper axes, hemispheres of copper, stone knives, pieces of Galena mica, pottery with coarse cloth which had been preserved by the copper. The pipes were of the Mound Builders' pattern. Some of them were covered with effigies of birds and animals. One bird had eyes of copper, another of pearl, showing much delicacy of manufacture and skill in carving. Eleven copper awls and twenty copper pipes were taken from those mounds. All of the mounds contained
skeletons and ashes. Two contained altars of stone. In one tablets were found upon which hieroglyphics representing letters and figures of people, trees and animals. In one mound two skeletons were found, below these were layers of ashes and river shells, several feet thick. Beneath these three mature skel- etons were lying horizontally, and between them the skeleton of a child. Near them were five copper axes wrapped in cloth. Many of the mounds have been opened and found to contain, in addition to skeletons, evidence of ingenius and skilled work of a prehistoric race. If they were of the same line as the inhabitants of Central America, who erected the massive structures found in ruins on that portion of the Continent, their civilization must have been well advanced. That they existed in great numbers and through periods of many years there is no doubt.
CHAPTER II.
Iowa is one of the Central Western States of the Union. It is situated be- tween 40 degrees 20 minutes and 43 degrees 30 minutes North Latitude; and 90 degrees 12 minutes and 96 degrees 38 minutes West Longitude. The center of the State is about on a line with the Northern boundary of California and Rhode Island, and is nearly midway between the two Oceans. Iowa is bounded on the West by the Missouri River, which separates it from South Dakota and Nebraska, and on the East by the Mississippi River, which separates it from Illinois and Wisconsin. It contains 56,025 square miles, being very near the size of Illinois or Wisconsin. In shape the State forms a rectangle, having an extreme length of 300 and a breadth of 208 miles. The North and South boun- daries are parallel. In area it is about equal to England and Wales. The North boundary separates it from Minnesota and the South boundary from Missouri.
Its highest point is in the vicinity of Spirit Lake and its lowest at the
127
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
mouth of the Des Moines River. The distance between these points is about 300 miles and the difference in altitude 1,200 feet, making an average slope of four feet to the mile. The slope from the Northeast corner of the State to the Southeast is thirteen inches to the mile. From the Northwest corner to the Southwest corner, twelve inches per mile, the Northwest corner to Spirit Lake five feet and five inches per mile. These figures give a general idea of the lay of the land. Its 35,856,000 acres constitute the finest body of agricultural land in the world. No bad lands, but few hills, all of which are good for grazing. Soil rich and well watered with sufficient rainfall. Its beds of coal are almost inexhaustible.
Table showing the increase of population by decades from 1836 to 1900, and the agricultural products for the latter year, according to the United States Census for 1900:
1850- 192,214
1860- 674.713
1870-1,194,020
1880-1,624,615
1890-1,911,896
1900-2,231,853
Acres.
Quantity.
Value.
Corn
9,804,076
383,453,190 bushels
$97,297,707
Wheat
7,689,705
22,769,440 bushels
11,457,808
Oats
.4,695,361
168,364,170 bushels 33,254,987
Barley
627,851
18,059,060 bushels
5,343,363
Clover Seed
15,114 bushels
69,640
Grass Seed
1,276,958 bushels
1,146,123
Hay and Forage
4,644,378
6,851,871 tons
30,042,246
Rye
89,172
1,177,970 bushels
480,817
Buckwheat
13,834
151,120 bushels
84,842
Flax Seed
126,452
1,413,380 bushels
1,380,103
Kaffir Corn
66
1,408 bushels
552
Broom Corn
2,220
1,178,120 bushels
50,636
Tobacco
131
127,421 pounds
8,345
Peanuts
7
127 bushels
164
Dry Beans
2,427
24,903 bushels
24,470
Potatoes
175,888
17,305,919 bushels
3,370,746
Sweet Potatoes
2,688
224,622 bushels
128,981
Onions
1,185
292,097 bushels
177,088
Other Vegetables
81,502
3,332,039
Maple Sugar
2,320 pounds
280
Maple Syrup
2,662 gallons
2,640
Sorghum Cane
7,999
10,033 tons
29,125
Sorghum Syrup
421,212 gallons
190,695
Orchard Fruits
180,076
1,849,767
Small Fruits
9,650
878,447
Grapes
5,180
7,403,900 bushels
166,360
Flowers and Plants
140
166,360
Seeds
71
7,044
Nursery Products
2,905
619,192
Nuts
3,265,628
Fruit Products
3,265.628
Miscellaneous
28,501
Total 22,164564
$195,552, 544
1836- 10,331
1840- 45,112
128
HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA.
Quantity.
Cattle all year on Farm
5,367,630
Value. $142,518,902
Horses all year on Farm.
1,392,573
77,720,577
Mules all year on Farm
57,579
3,737,529
Sheep all year on Farm
1,056,718
3,956,142
Swine
9,723,541
43,764,176
Goats
41,468
146,708
Poultry
20,043,343
6,535,464
Be. es, Swarms
138,811
443,923
Unclassified
Total
$278,830,096
Cattle of all ages not on farm
79,880
Horses
150,775
Mules
5,741
Sheep
2.857
Swine
128,138
Goats
800
The territory now included in the State of Iowa was prior to 1762 claimed by three different foreign countries, Spain, England and France. Spain based her claim to title on the Discovery of North America by Columbus in 1492, and on a grant from Pope Alexander VI., made in 1493, to Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Aragon and Castile, of all the continents, inhabited by infi- dels, which they had discovered, said grant being assigned to their heirs and successors, the Kings of Castile and Leon. By the partition agreed upon by Spain and Portugal, Spain was allotted all of North America. England claimed title through the discovery of America in 1498, by John Cabot, who, together with his sons, had been granted a patent of discovery, possession and trade by Henry VII., King of England. The claim of France was based on the actual discovery of lowa Territory by Father Marquette and Louis Joliet, in June, 1673, and upon the discoveries made by Robert La Salle, in 1682, who had been granted a patent by Louis XIV., in 1678, permitting him to explore the Western part of New France. La Salle descended the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, explored the shores of the Gulf of Mexico to the Westward, and on the 9th of April, 1682, proclaimed the rivers and all lands drained by them to be by right of discovery the dominion of Louis XIV., King of France, and he named the country Louisiana in honor of his King.
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