Both DeSoto County and its county seat, Hernando, derive their names from the great discoverer, Hernando DeSoto, who crossed the county, passing near the town of Hernando, just before reaching the Father of Waters in May 1541. This county is situated in the extreme northwestern corner of Mississippi. At the time of its establishment, February 9, 1836, it was bounded as follows: "Beginning where the northern border of the State intersects the Mississippi River, thence south with said boundry line, to the center of range five, west; thence west, through the center of said township, to the line between range nine and ten, west; thence north, with said range line, , the the line between township two and three, range nine, west; thence west, with said township line to the Mississippi River; thence up said river to the beginning." In 1872, a large portion of DeSoto County was cut away on the south to form Tate County, leaving its southern boundry, beginning at the center of the southern line of township three, range five, west; thence west, with said line, to the Coldwater River; thence down said river to the line between ranges nine and ten, west. Its average elevation is about three hundred feet. Its surface, for the most part, is moderately hilly, except along the Mississippi and Coldwater Rivers, which is level. In fertility it is superior to its neighboring hill counties. Politically, its influence has been well recognized-particularly so in the period about to be treated. It was then the home of Jas. Bright Morgan, Ham H. Chalmers, G.D. Shand, Felix Labauve, Thos. W. White and others. These men by their keen discernment, diligent work, and skillfull management so checkmated their carpetbag and scalawag foes that the county was piloted through the great reconstruction period without any bloody riots,or very extravagant administrations and with only a moderate degree of disorder and political disturbance. It had carperbaggers in the Legislature, two carpet bag Sheriffs, one black Sheriff, several carpetbaggers and native Republicans, white and blacks, on the Board of Police, and in other county offices. But in spite of these facts, the affairs of the county were conducted well.