"The Mississippi Territory has held a unique and fascinating place in history, dating one hundred fifty years before the Revolutionary War. It had one of the earliest settlements in America. Norsemen likely visited the Mississippi Territory as early as 1000 A.D. The Mississippi Territory was raw frontier, sparked with the excitement of fortunes to be made in rich lands and business opportunities. These advantages induced many to become citizens of the old Southwest Territory. Also, many passed through the territory on their way westward to other new frontiers of excitement. France, Spain, and England fought over the riches the new territory had to offer, and each country in its time controlled the area and left the mark of its culture on the people. Large farming and business empires were created in the territory, and some people became extremely rich. Before the Civil War, Mississippi, with a population of only 791,305 people, was numbered the fourth wealthiest state of the United States. The Mississippi Territory was a cotton kingdom where fortunes were made overnight. Gamblers who were attracted to the wealth of the Mississippi appeared, as did terrorists who preyed on travelers on the famous Natchez Trace. Mississippi has throughout the years furnished gallant, indomitable, military leaders, along with great distinguished orators and statesmen whose contributions have been inestimable to the occasions o f which they were a part." -from the Preface This intriguing history takes readers from the days of the early Indian governors through the 1970s.