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University Daily Kansan Monday. April 17, 1961
Courtesy The Kansas Historical Society
CONQUISTADOR—Coronado leads his party of Spanish troops across the desert and into Kansas. The famous explorer and his armed party
came in search of gold and converts for the Church. His objectives were common ones for Spanish explorers of the time.
Coronado Led 1541 Trek
Spanish Troops Sought Gold
By Scott Payne
Over 400 years ago, the birds and beasts of the unexplored great plains country must have looked in wonder at a strange procession of swarthy men on horseback, clad in gleaming armor, wind its way across the wind-swept prairie, the flag of Spain at its head.
THESE CONQUISTADORS were a small band of men led in 1541 by Don Francisco Vasquez de Coronado on an exploration with a threefold purpose: to establish the Church, to acquire new territory and to find gold.
In early 1539, Coronado left Compostela in search of the Seven Cities of Ciola, and reached Tigeaux (today's Bernalillo, New Mexico) his final point of departure, on April 23, 1541. After leaving Tigeaux, Coronado came to the first of the Seven Cities, Granada. This was a pueblo village inhabited by Indians who had very little wealth but who displayed great courage in the face of Spanish firearms and armor.
It was here after the successful attack on Granada, that an Indian claiming to be from what is now northeast Kansas presented himself to Coronao. "Turk", as the Spaniards called him ("because he looked like one"), noted the Spaniards' lust for gold. He fabricated the tale that he was from the kingdom of Quivira—a land of vast riches. He offered to lead Coronao to this kingdom. Coronao accepted his offer, thereby involving himself in what can only be called a wild goose chase on a grand scale.
From Granada, Turk led the party north, then northeast, then east and then due south. Here, other Indians accompanying the party convinced Coronado that the Turk had misled him and that he should turn north again. Coronado was faced with a dilemma. His supplies were low, his horses weak, and he still had long miles to go. Finally, he sent the bulk of his force back to Tigeaux and then proceeded northward with 30 horsemen—and the delinquent Turk. Coronado in-
tormed this unhappy individual that his life depended upon the discovery of the riches he had spoken of.
THE PARTY reached the Arkansas river and paralleled it until reaching a point near what is now Dodge City. Here they crossed the river and continued on to the 40th parallel—now the Kansas-Nebraska line. This general area was Quivira.
The expedition remained in Quivira for 25 days and found nothing but grass, buffalo and Indians. The Indians there had nothing that a civilized man would want—let alone gold. Turk was summarily garrotted. He had the grim distinction of being the first Indian killed by the white man in this area.
The Spanish had little interest in what they called "a sandy plain" so Coronado returned with his small group of horsesmen to Tigeaux via what is probably the old Santa Fe trail. This was the last practical effort in exploration of the great plains for nearly 250 years—until Lewis and Clark opened up the vast Louisiana Territory.
Of all the great events in the history of the United States, perhaps the Louisiana Purchase was the most important. It doubled the size of the United States and Kansas became the property of the Union.
Since very little was known of what had been purchased, President Jefferson commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition and later the Pike expedition.
On June 26, 1804 the Lewis and Clark party reached the mouth of the Kaw and delayed ascending the Missouri until the 29th. On July 4, the group reached and named Independence Creek, near Doniphan, Kansas.
PIKE's expedition, consisting of 74 members, left Belle Fountain, Mo. on July 15, 1806 and entered Kansas near what is now Fort Scott. Pike was very much impressed by the diversity of the game in Kansas: buffalo, elk, deer and antelope.
COLLEGE MOTEL
Pike's mission was to return Osage and Pawnee prisoners to
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their people, to make peace between the Osage and Kansas Indians, and to establish claims to Kansas.
In his serpentine travels across Kansas, Pike became involved with a tribe of Pawnee Indians who had recently been visited by a small Spanish force. This tribe was located in north central Kansas, not many miles from what is now the Nebraska border.
Pike persuaded the Indians to substitute the United States flag for that left by the Spaniards. After this, he proceeded into western Kansas.
The expedition arrived at the Arkansas river on October 18. Here it divided. Pike's second-in-command, Lieutenant Wilkinson, descended the Arkansas and Pike went upstream, to Colorado and the now-famous peak that bears his name.
Pike's expedition was of more initial benefit to the United States, although the long-term results of the Lewis and Clark expedition soon overshadowed it. Accounts of the Pike expedition reached the people long before those of Lewis and Clark.
Kansans Joyful at Statehood-
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and was followed by general crop failure. Panic struck the people and once more the citizens felt the pinch of hard times.
Kansas was deep in the depression when the 75th anniversary rolled around. The state became part of the gigantic Dust Bowl, as dust storms rolled over the plains for as long as six days at a time. Huge clouds of dust blotted out the sun as they traveled on the wings of 50-60 m.p.h. winds.
The 50th anniversary saw Kansas expanding industrially and agriculturally. The Bull Moose Party carried the state elections and elected George H. Hodges governor. This period following the turn of the century also saw such colorful characters as hatchet-wielding Carry Nation, the prohibitionist.
TORNADOES AND FLOOBS added insult to the already injured Kansas by ravaging the eastern sections of the state.
But Kansas Day and the 75th anniversary of statehood were celebrated in Topeka by Republicans as Gov. Alf Landon announced his intentions of becoming a candidate for president.
Many celebrations were held throughout the state to commemorate Kansas' birthday. Re-enactment of the pony express, beard growing contests, kangaroo courts, and old timers' days were all featured in these celebrations.
This year, 1961, Kansas is celebrating its 100th year of statehood. Its progress and expansion will be relived throughout the state as plans have been made to make this the largest and most complete celebration in the State's history.
KANSAS CENTENNIAL
1861-1961
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BOOKS and ANTIQUES
LAWRENCE TYPEWRITER EXCHANGE
735 MASSACHUSETTS ST., LAWRENCE, KANSAS PHONE VI 3-3644
TO THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY OF KU,
For more than half a century (since 1908 to be exact) the Lawrence Typewriter Exchange has been providing K.U. with Royal typewriters and the latest in duplicating machines.
As our state enters its second century of development we are proud to salute the University of Kansas for its tremendous growth and progress. We also are happy to have played a part in this progress by providing the students as well as the University with the latest in manual and electric equipment for faster and more efficient work.
Sincerely, JACK STRONG Owner