The Grand Tower, MO Lewis learns that the first time any boatman passes the Grand Tower, a ritual is held. Lewis describes the streams and rivers that enter the Mississippi.
Grand Tower of the Mississippi River
© 2021 by Robert Heacock. Used by permission.
Large Shawnee Village
The Apple River extends a considerable distance back in the country say 40 or 50 miles & heads with the waters of the St. Francis’s River. on this stream about 7 miles from it’s mouth, is a settlement of Shawnees, which more than any other in this quarter deserves the name of a villiage
—Meriwether Lewis
Coal Mining
there are many fine mines of pitt Coal on this stream [Big Muddy River], and one not far from its mouth whence boats asscend in common and high tide are loaded with and transport it the Saline on W. of mississippi and to Kaskaskias & elsewhere for the use of the blacksmiths and other artizans—
—Meriwether Lewis
Grand Tower Ritual
Arrived at the Grand Tower a little before sunset, passed above it and came too on the Lard. shore for the night. This seems among the watermen of the mississippi to be what the tropics or Equanoxial line is with regard to the Sailors; those who have never passed it before are always compelled to pay or furnish some sperits to drink or be ducked
—Meriwether Lewis
