It was discovered and mapped for the first time in 1856 by Jacob de Córdova, who found the river while surveying for the Galveston, Houston and Henderson Railroad Company; it was named after Texas Governor Elisha M.

[3] The Middle Pease river rises 8 miles (13 km) northwest of Matador at the confluence of Mott and Boggy creeks in western Motley County; it flows 65 miles (105 km) in an eastward direction before joining the North Pease in northeastern Cottle County.

It runs through rolling, isolated, and sparsely populated ranch lands; the only settlement ever established on its banks was the now mostly abandoned ghost town of Tee Pee City.

The state has established a 28,000-acre (110 km2) region called the Matador Wildlife Management area along its course in northwestern Cottle County.

The geographic feature of the Roaring Springs (not to be confused with the town), 4 miles (6.4 km) downstream from the river's source, was a popular gathering place for Indians, cowboys, and others.