Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca -- Hernando de Soto -- De Soto with Pizarro -- Discovery of the Mississippi -- Marquette and Joliet -- Robert Cavelier de la Salle -- La Salle explores the lower Mississippi -- Last voyage and death of La Salle -- Father Louis Hennepin -- La Hontan, Charlevoix, Carver -- Expeditions of Lieutenant Pike -- the Cass expedition -- Beltrami and the "julian source" -- Schoolcraft and Lake Itasca -- Investigations of Nicollet -- Exploits of Charles Lanman -- Recent explorations -- Journey to Minnesota -- Winona to Minneapolis -- Early history of Minnesota -- The "Twin Cities" -- Preparation for second expedition -- Minneapolis to Park Rapids -- Through the wilderness -- Headwaters of the Mississippi -- Journal of the expedition -- Return to Minneapolis -- Indorsement and conclusion.