The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MISSISSIPPI LEGEND

THE EXPLORER, DE SOTO, STOLE ALL THE AZTECS GOLD, BUT
NONE OF HIS MEN KNEW THAT HE HAD IT; HE WAS GOING TO
KEEP IT ALL FOR HIMSELF. ONLY A SERVANT KNEW. THE
INDIANS BECAME ANGRY, SO DE SOTO AND HIS MEN HEADED UP INTO
WHAT IS NOW LOUISIANA. THEY WERE BUILDING BOATS TO SAIL
HOME, WHEN DE SOTO DIED. THEY PUT HIS BODY ON A BOAT AND
SANK IT SO THE INDIANS WOULDN'T GET HIM. BY MISTAKE--OR
UNKNOWINGLY--THEY SANK THE BOAT WITH THE MONEY ON IT, SO
BOTH THE GOLD AND DE SOTO ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
MISSISSIPPI.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 05-15-1965