In 1682 he claimed the entire Mississippi Valley for France; 5 years later, his own men killed him in Texas
[DOC] [TLE] Rene-Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle | French explorer ... [PAR] French explorer in North America, who led an expedition down the Illinois and ... 
22, 1643, Rouen, Francedied March 19, 1687, near Brazos River [now in 
Texas, U.S.]) French ... seeking the mouth of the Mississippi, he was murdered by 
his men.