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Gc 979.1 F22h v.1 1256551
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00829 5559
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That Edwin Havish
HISTORY
OF
ARIZONA
BY
THOMAS EDWIN FARISH, ARIZONA HISTORIAN
VOLUME I
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 1915
COPYRIGHT 1915, BY THOMAS EDWIN FARISH, ARIZONA HISTORIAN
THE FILMER BROTHERS ELECTROTYPE COMPANY TYPOGRAPHERS AND STEREOTYPERS SAN FRANCISCO
1256551 HISTORY OF ARIZONA
BY
THOMAS EDWIN FARISH
Printed and Published by Direction of the Second Legislature of the State of Arizona, A. D. 1915.
GOVERNOR: HON. GEO. W. P. HUNT.
SENATE: President : W. P. Sims,
COUNTY : HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES : Speaker : Wm. E. Brooks.
APACHE.
Fred T. Colter.
Mrs. Rachael Berry.
COCHISE.
W. M. Riggs. W. P. Sims.
W. J. Graham. Oscar Doyle.
J. S. Merrill.
Sam P. Briscoe.
John E. Newbury.
Wm. L. Cook.
Chas. T. Francis.
COCONINO.
Hugh E. Campbell.
William Marlar.
GILA.
Alfred Kinney. John E. Bacon.
Wm. E. Brooks. B. F. Baker. W. D. Claypool.
GRAHAM.
D. H. Claridge.
J. H. Lines, J. D. Lee.
GREENLEE.
Geo. H. Chase.
John Christy. Sam F. Lanford.
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
SENATE:
COUNTY: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: MARICOPA.
Sam F. Webb. O. S. Stapley.
T. T. Powers. A. G. Austin. J. E. McClain. J. C. Goodwin. Guy D. Acuff. Loren F. Vaughan.
MOHAVE.
W. P. Mahoney.
D. D. Crabb.
S. W. Proctor.
PIMA.
Andrew P. Martin. Mose Drachman.
J. W. Buchanan. J. B. Richardson. Sheldon A. Reed.
PINAL.
Chas. E. McMillin.
Frank Pinkley.
SANTA CRUZ.
H. K. Karns.
Richard Farrell.
YAVAPAI.
Mrs. Frances W. Munds. Morris Goldwater.
A. A. Johns. O. F. Orthel.
J. J. Sweeney. J. E. Leeper.
YUMA.
J. S. Garvin,
J. B. Flanagan. Jas. L. Edwards.
Henry Lovin,
NAVAJO.
PREFACE.
ARIZONA-The name is significant. Its derivation is uncertain; all that is known of it is that in the latter part of the seventeenth century it was given to a range of mountains across the border in Northern Sonora, in what was then known as Pimeria Alta, and there- after was applied to the territory now embraced within the boundaries of the "Baby State."
Its history is in two parts: One, the story of a vanished race, who left behind them a record of achievement in cavate dwellings, the ruins of pueblos, fortifications, abandoned irrigation canals, and hieroglyphics on the Painted Rocks, which, it is claimed, antedate the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, and record the activities of a civilized, cultivated and refined people, who converted the desert into gardens, causing its waste places to contribute to their comfort and happiness; scientists, for thirty or forty years, have been studying these records. The other, beginning with the Spanish explorers of the 16th century, and the successive governments under the Spanish, Mexican and American flags, is the narrative of the building up of a great prosperous commonwealth, the redemption of an empire from savagery to civilization.
This history, as it proceeds, will deal with historic facts in historic times, and the prehistoric records, the story of a lost race, revealed by modern scientists and archaeologists.
No state of this Union has such a background of romance and adventure. Kentucky is called the "Dark and Bloody Ground," but the daring and enterprise of her pioneers are insignificant when com- pared with the trials, sufferings and heroic endurance of the early settlers of Arizona, who laid, firm and deep, the solid foundations of a great and prosperous commonwealth. In their case the truth, plainly stated, needs no embellishment to enshrine their memories in the hearts of a grateful posterity.
For forty years after the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, these pioneers in the wilderness of an unreclaimed territory, warred against the most relentless savages on the continent, and with their blood enriched the land of their adoption. We owe them a debt of grati- tude which can never be cancelled. The recital of their deeds, which this history will record, however lacking in literary skill, makes a
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PREFACE.
story of most absorbing interest. These men settled our valleys and peopled our hills. Of them, the Postons, Woolseys, Ehrenbergs and Walkers, who formed the vanguard of the army of civilization that made Arizona what it is, could be paraphrased what Junius said of Pitt: "Immortal honors crown his monuments and gather o'er them. It is a solid fabric, supported by the laurels that adorn them."
In these volumes will be found a short record of the conquest of California, which England was preparing to seize, and the opening of the Santa Fe Trail, which, while collateral history, had such a bearing upon the fortunes of Arizona, that it could not well be omitted from these pages.
The task assigned me, while difficult, is a labor of love. A library has been written upon the early days of Arizona, most of which is pure fiction. To collate the historical data, separate the wheat from the chaff, and give only authentic facts, has been my object in this work.
Those who have been active in civic affairs, or prominent in our Indian Wars, will be given due credit chronologically as this history progresses.
THOS. EDWIN FARISH.
Phoenix, Arizona, December twenty-second, nineteen hundred four- teen.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
THOS. EDWIN FARISH Frontispiece MAP OF THE WALLED TOWN OF TUCSON Facing Page 72 L. J. F. JAEGER Facing Page 237
CHARLES D. POSTON . Facing Page 282
W. H. KIRKLAND AND WIFE Facing Page 345
CONTENTS. -
VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I. EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS. PAGE
Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca-Andres Dorantes-Alonzo del Cas- tillo Maldonado-Estevan - Narvaez-Indians - Avavares- Faith Cures-Route of de Vaca-"Cow County"-Don Joseph de Basconzales-El Moro-(Inscription Rock) 1
CHAPTER II. EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS (Continued).
Juan de la Asunsion-Antonio de Mendoza, Viceroy-Fra Marcos de Niza-Fra Honorato-Estevan-Route of de Niza-Killing of Estevan-Cibola-Zunis-Yaquis-Pimas .. 7
CHAPTER III. EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS (Continued).
Nuño de Guzman-Expedition Abandoned-Antonio de Mendoza- Seven Cities of Cibola-Francisco Vasquez de Coronado- Captain Melchior Diaz-Chichiltecale-Corazones-(Ures) or the Village of Hearts-Fight With Indians-Garcia Lopez de Cardenas-Hernando de Alarcon-Hernando de Alvarado- Colorado River-Rio del Tison-Gulf of California-Death of Melchior Diaz-Don Pedro de Tovar-Grand Canyon- Quivira-Route of Coronado-Return of Coronado.
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CHAPTER IV. EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS (Continued).
Antonio de Espejo-Route of Espejo-Moquis-Mines Near Pres- cott-Juan de Oñate-Fits Out Expedition at Own Expense- Result of First Expedition-Founds City of Santa Fe- Oñate's Second Expedition-Oñate's Third Expedition-Jeal- ousy of Enemies-Obstacles and Delays-Aided by Friends- Juan Guerra-Dona Eufemia Penalosa-Aña de Mendoza- Nepotism of Oñate-Rio Grande-El Paso del Norte-So- corro-Abo Pueblos-Puruai (San Antonio)-Submission of Indians-San Juan-Further Submission of Indians-Revolt of Acoma Indians-Their Punishment-Praise of Arizona- Zuni Province-Rio del Tison-Cruzados-Oñate Reaches Tidewater-Pueblo de la Conversion de San Pablo-Oñate's Return-Santa Fe
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
EARLY SPANISH MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES. PAGE
The Moquis - Franciscan Friars - Missions - Father Eusebio Francisco Kino-Nuestra Señora de los Dolores-Father Juan Maria de Salvatierra-Sobaipuris-Guevavi-Tuma- cacori-San Xavier del Bac-Pima Indians-Immaculate Conception-St. Andrew-San Pedro y San Pablo de Tubu- tama-Saric-Tucubabia-Santa Maria de Suamca-Co- cospera-Casas Grandes-San Dionisio-Jesuits-Fr. Felipe Segesser-Fr. Juan Baptista Grasshoffer-Fr. Gaspar Stei- ger-Fr. Jose Carucho-Fr. Francisco Paver-Fr. Ignacio Keller-Fr. Jacob Sedelmair-Revolt of Pimas-Fr. Alonzo Espinosa-Fr. Ignacio Pfefferkorn-Fr. Jimeno-Fr. Pedro Rafael Diaz-Tucson-Santa Barbara-Buena Vista-Cala- bazas-Fr. Barera-Expulsion of Jesuits.
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CHAPTER VI.
EARLY SPANISH MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES (Continued) AND MILI- TARY ANNALS.
Tubac-Tucson-Revolt of Pimas-Expulsion of Jesuits-Re- lapse of Indians-Military Annals-General Croix-General Ugarte-San Xavier del Bac-Padre Francisco Garces- Franciscans-San Jose de Tucson-A Walled Town-Padre Garces - Biography - Founding of Presidio -Pueblo-Mis- sions on Colorado-Death of-Inspector Hugo Oconor-San Agustin del Pueblo de Tucson-Tubac-Captain Juan B. Anza-Apache Depredations-Guevavi-Padre Juan Crisos- tomo Gil de Bernave-Tumacacori-Fra Narciso Gutierrez -Juan B. Estelrio-Ramon Liberos-San Cayetano de Cala- bazas-Arivaca-Mines-Don Ignacio Zuniga-Abandonment of Settlements
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CHAPTER VII.
THE SANTA FE TRAIL-EARLY EXPLORATIONS AND EXPLORERS. Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike-Agriculture-Mining-Population- Navajos - Irrigation - Albuquerque - Santa Fe-Military Government-Colly-James Pursley-Governor Allencaster- First Expedition into Santa Fe-Succeeding Expeditions- Development of Santa Fe Trade-Troubles With Indians- Arrival of Caravan at Santa Fe-Tariffs-Stage Route Established-Pioneers-Jedediah Smith-The Patties-Bill Williams-Felix Aubrey-Pauline Weaver-Kit Carson- Adventures of the Patties-Black Canyon of the Colorado- William Wolfskill-Felix Aubrey's Famous Ride-Bill Will- iams' Mountain-Bill Williams' Fork-Fremont-Carson's Connection With Fremont-Mexican War-General Kearny- Captain Gillespie-Lieutenant Beale-Battle of San Pascual -Carrying of Dispatches by Carson and Fights With In- dians-Death of Kit Carson-Santa Rita Copper Mines- Massacre of Apaches by Johnson-Retaliation by Apaches- Benj. D. Wilson
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER VIII.
CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA BY FREMONT AND SLOAT. PAGE
Annexation of Texas-Treaty With England-Cabrillo-Discovery of California-Establishment of Forts-San Diego-Santa Barbara-Monterey-San Francisco-Establishment of Mis- sions-Conversion of Natives-Cattle and Horses-Trade in Hides and Tallow-Overthrow of Spanish Power-Immigra- tion of Whites-Fremont Drives Mexicans South-"Bear Flag"-Commodore Sloat Receives Instructions from Secre- tary of Navy-Dispatches Surgeon Wood to Mexico City to Obtain Information-Sloat Arrives at Monterey-Takes Possession of Town for United States-Instructs Captain Montgomery to Take Possession of San Francisco-Dis- appointment of British Admiral, Seymour.
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CHAPTER IX. WAR WITH MEXICO.
General Zachary Taylor-General Ampudia's Declaration of Hostility-Attack on American Dragoons-Declaration of War by United States-Army of the West-General Stephen W. Kearny-Colonel Alex. W. Doniphan-Mormon Battalion -Capt. P. St. George Cooke-Governor Armijo-Ambassador James Magoffin-General Kearney's Instructions-Civil Gov- ernment of New Mexico-Kearny Code-Doniphan's Expedi- tion-Kearny's Expedition to California-Kit Carson's De- votion to Duty-Pima Indians-Captain Cooke's March With Wagon Train and Mormon Battalion-Wild Cattle-Game- Arrival at Tucson-Letter to Don Manuel Gandara-Gover- nor of Sonora-Maricopas-Crossing the Colorado-Colonel Price-Revolt in New Mexico-Killing of Governor Bent and Other Officials-Punishment of Revolutionists . . 127
CHAPTER X. TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO.
United States in Possession of Mexican Territory-Circumstances Concerning War With Mexico-The Treaty Protocol-Bound- aries-Area-Cost of Cession-Delivery of the Cession .... 149
CHAPTER XI. BOUNDARY COMMISSION SURVEY-GADSDEN PURCHASE. John B. Weller-John C. Fremont-John Russell Bartlett- Major W. H. Emory-Gadsden Purchase and Treaty-Propo- sition Submitted to Congress by Mr. Gadsden. .
183
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII. TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS. PAGE
Skill and Craftiness of the Apaches-Inez Gonzales-Her Cap- ture and Rescue-Position Taken by Indians With Reference to Captives-Interviews by Commissioner Bartlett With Mangus Colorado, Delgadito and Ponce. 199
CHAPTER XIII. TROUBLES WITH THE INDIANS-(Continued).
Killing of Indian by Jesus Lopez-Restitution by the Murderer- Apaches Steal Stock-Discovery of Gold Mines-Apaches Steal More Stock-Shooting of Delgadito-History of Man- gus Colorado. 218
CHAPTER XIV. EARLY AMERICAN OCCUPATION.
Tucson-Indian Raids-Population of Tucson and Tubac-Route of Gold Seekers-First American Child Born in Arizona- Ferry Across Colorado-Massacre of Glanton Party-Ferry Re-established by Jaeger and Hartshorne-Major Heintzel- man-Dr. Webb's Encounter With Indians-Fort Yuma- Adventure of L. J. F. Jaeger-Schooner "Invincible" With Troops and Supplies Reaches Mouth of Colorado-Navigation of Colorado-Schooner "Sierra Nevada"-First Steamer "Uncle Sam" -- Colorado City, Afterwards Arizona City, then Yuma, Established-Yuma Indians 233
CHAPTER XV. INDIAN RAIDS AND OUTRAGES.
The Oatman Massacre-Capture of Olive and Mary Ann Oatman -Death of Mary Ann Oatman-Efforts of Lorenzo Oatman and Henry Grinnell to Rescue Oatman Girls-Rescue of Olive Oatman-Maricopas Attacked by Yumas and Mohaves- Death of Chief Francisco-Death of Olive Oatman. . .. 257
CHAPTER XVI. SURVEYS FOR RAILROADS AND OTHER PURPOSES.
Thomas H. Benton-Survey by Boundary Commissioner Bartlett -- Reconnaissance by Captain L. Sitgreaves-Appropriations by Congress for Surveys-Survey by Lieutenant A. W. Whip- ple-Reconnaissance by Lieutenant J. G. Parke-Exploration and Survey by Lieutenant J. G. Parke for a Railroad-Ex- ploration for Location of Mines-Fight With Apaches- Description by Captain J. C. Cremony-James Kendrick Killed-John Wollaston, John H. Marble, and Theodore Houston wounded
263
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XVII. EARLY MINES AND MINING. PAGE
Arizona Mining & Trading Company-Ajo Copper Mine-Plan- chas de la Plata-Copper Mine Near Tucson-Silver Mine Near San Xavier-Herman Ehrenberg Forms Sonora Explor- ing & Mining Company-Major Heintzelman, President- C. D. Poston, Manager-Locate at Tubac-Conditions at Tubac-Establishment of Fort Buchanan-First Mining Ma- chinery in Arizona-Description of Heintzelman Mine by Sylvester Mowry-Breaking Out of Civil War-Withdrawal of Troops-Raids upon Mining Camps by Outlaws and In- dians-Abandonment of Mines-Patagonia (Mowry) Mine- Acquired by Sylvester Mowry-Confiscated by General Carle- ton-First Placer Mining-Gold Placers on Gila Discovered by Jacob Sniveley-Discovery of Placers at La Paz by Pauline Weaver-Discovery of Weaver Diggings-The Walker Party-Henry Wickenburg Discovers the Vulture Mine .... 277
CHAPTER XVIII. THE NAVAJOS.
Location-Occupation-Possessions-Dress-Arms - Blankets- Superstitions-Equality of Sexes-Divorce-Women Un- chaste-Number-Form of Government-War With Mexicans -Not Dangerous as Warriors-Disregard Treaties-Expedi- tions Against Them-Colonel Doniphan-Major Walker- Colonel J. M. Washington-Colonel Sumner-Building of Fort Defiance-Killing of Negro Boy Jim-Campaign by Agent Yost, Captain McLane and Captain Blas Lucero- Campaign by Colonel Miles-Captain John P. Hatch-In- dians Furnished With Firearms, Supposedly by Mormons- Colonel Miles' Second Campaign-Captain Lindsay-Lieu- tenant Howland-Treaty 300
CHAPTER XIX.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND FIRST ATTEMPTS AT ORGANIZATION OF TERRITORY.
Survey and Location of Town of Yuma-Establishment of Fort Buchanan-Establishment of Forts Mohave and Brecken- ridge-Tucson-New Mexico Memorializes Congress for Or- ganization of Territory of Arizona-Convention at Tucson- Nathan P. Cook Elected Delegate-President Buchanan Recommends Territorial Government for Arizona-Senator Gwin Introduces Bill-Various Petitions-Election at Tucson -Sylvester Mowry Elected Delegate-Congress Again Memo- rialized-Mowry Again Elected Delegate-Constitutional Convention at Tucson-Provisional Government Established- Officials Chosen-Edward McGowan Chosen Delegate-Sena- tor Green Introduces Bill
319
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XX. THE CRABB MASSACRE. PAGE
Henry A. Crabb-Ygnacio Pesquiera-Organization of Expedi- tion-Treachery of Pesquiera-Surrender of Crabb's Party at Caborca-Massacre of Crabb and Party-John G. Capron's Account of Expedition from Tucson to Join Crabb 327
CHAPTER XXI. EARLY DAYS IN ARIZONA.
Tucson-Population-Lawlessness-Charles D. Poston-Granville H. Oury-William S. Oury-Estevan Ochoa-Pennington Family-General Stone-Dr. C. H. Lord-W. W. Williams -Peter R. Brady-William Kirkland-Hiram Stevens- Samuel Hughes-Sylvester Mowry-John G. Capron-Solo- mon Warner-General Wadsworth-Colonel Ed. Cross-C. H. Meyer-First American Store in Tucson-First Flouring Mill-Tucson Only Walled City in United States-"Tucson a Century Ago"-Another Account of Survey and Location of Yuma
344
CHAPTER XXII. EXPLORATIONS FOR WAGON ROADS-CAMELS.
Felix Aubrey-Appropriation by Congress for Camels-Major Henry C. Wayne and Lieutenant D. D. Porter Bring Camels to United States-Habits, etc., of Camels-Lieutenant E. F. Beale's Expedition-Use of Camels-Lieutenant Beale's Route -Abandonment of Camels-Capture of and Exportation- Greek George and Hi Jolly.
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA VOLUME I.
HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
CHAPTER I.
EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS.
ALVAR NUÑEZ CABEZA DE VACA-ANDRES DO- RANTES-ALONZO DEL CASTILLO MALDONADO- ESTEVAN-NARVAEZ-INDIANS-AVAVARES - FAITH CURES-ROUTE OF DE VACA-"COW COUNTRY"-DON JOSEPH DE BASCONZALES- EL MORO-(INSCRIPTION ROCK).
The journey of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca and his companions, Andres Dorantes, Alonzo del Castillo Maldonado, and Estevan, the Arab negro slave of Dorantes, across the continent from near what is now Galveston, Texas, to Culiacan and San Miguel, a few miles from the Pacific coast, as published in the Relacion of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, and translated by Fanny Bandelier, with an introduction by Ad. F. Bandelier, is a story full of romance and ad- venture, exceeded by none of the early Spanish explorers.
These men were the sole survivors of the Narvaez expedition of four hundred men and eighty horses which, in February, 1528, sailed from the coast of Cuba to explore the peninsula of Florida. All the rest lost their lives at the hands of hostile Indian tribes, by disease, or by shipwreck.
De Vaca and his companions were held as captives by the Indians on the eastern coast of
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
Texas for several years, when they effected their escape. After their escape from the hostile Indians, they came upon another tribe called the Avavares, by whom they were received with the greatest of kindness, being honored as great medicine men. Castillo seems to have been a wonderful healer. His first cure was to relieve an Indian of a pain in his head, by making the sign of the cross and commending the Indian to God. At one time five sick persons were brought into the camp, and the Indians insisted that Cas- tillo should cure them of their ills. At sunset he pronounced a blessing over the sick, and all the Christians united in a prayer to God, asking him to restore the sick to health, and on the fol- lowing morning there was not a sick person among them.
By such acts as these the Spaniards estab- lished a reputation as healers, and they, them- selves, were impressed with the belief that the blessings of God were resting upon them, and that they would, in due time, again reach the con- fines of civilization.
The Spaniards remained among these Indians eight months, going naked during the day, and covering themselves with deer skins at night. Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca also developed the scientific art of healing. One day Castillo was summoned by some Indians to go to their lodges and cure the sick, one of whom was at death's door. Castillo declined to go, and de Vaca and the negro Estevan went in his stead. Arriving at the lodges the Indians declared that the sick man was dead. De Vaca removed the mat that
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EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS.
covered him, breathed upon him and prayed the Lord to restore him to health. According to the Indians' story : "he who had been dead, and for whom I wrought before them, had got up whole and walked, had eaten and spoken with them, and that all to whom I had ministered were well and much pleased."
At another time a man was brought to him badly wounded. The head of an arrow was im- bedded in his flesh. Cabeza de Vaca cut out the arrow, sewed up the wound with stitches, which he cut the next day, after which the Indian was fully restored to health.
When the Spaniards left one tribe, they were accompanied by Indians, who promulgated to the next tribe the wonderful powers of these demi-gods, or "Children of the Sun," as they were called. They were received with open arms by all of the natives, and when they reached the Valle de los Corazones, the "Village of the Hearts," their commissary was supplied with six hundred deer hearts.
When they reached the Pacific coast where the Indians, probably the Opata and Pima tribes, showed signs of civilization, living in houses cov- ered with straw, wearing cotton clothes and dressed skins, with belts and ornaments of stone, and cultivating their fields, but had been driven therefrom by the brutal Spanish soldiery and had taken refuge in the mountains, de Vaca and his comrades, being regarded as emissaries from the Almighty, exercised such power over these untutored savages that, at their bidding, the In- dians returned to their deserted habitations, and
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
began again to cultivate their fields, the assur- ance being given them by de Vaca and his com- panions that henceforth they would suffer no harm at the hands of the Spaniards.
There is some doubt as to the route pursued by Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca and his com- panions. Twitchell, in his History of New Mexico, contends that they crossed the Rio Grande about fifty or sixty miles above the pres- ent town of El Paso, thence traveled west to within about the same distance of what is now the eastern border of the State of Arizona, then going south in a southerly direction through Sonora to Culiacan and San Miguel in the State of Sinaloa, Mexico.
Bandelier is very positive that they never touched New Mexico at all, but, after going a little northwest from their starting point and crossing the Rio Colorado in Texas, that they continued their journey in a southwesterly direc- tion, crossing the Pecos river just north of its junction with the Rio Grande and crossing the Rio Grande itself about one hundred and fifty miles south of the present town of El Paso, then continuing west through the Sierra Madre Moun- tains in Chihuahua and Sonora to the Arras and Mulatos Rivers, which form the headwaters of the Yaqui River, thence south to the Spanish set- tlements of Culiacan and San Miguel, arriving there on the first of April, 1536, where they were received with open arms by their fellow country- men.
This is the first Spanish expedition across the North American continent from the Atlantic
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EARLY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS.
Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, and while there is some doubt as to the exact course of the expedi- tion and whether it ever touched any portion of the State of New Mexico in its westward journey, there is no question as to the fact that it never, at any time, came within the boundaries of what is now the State of Arizona.
Cabeza de Vaca must have been a man of great determination and force of character. Never, at any time, did he despair, but, with his three companions, forced his way across the continent. The journey was not fruitless; it was rich in ex- ploration; it gave the Spaniards the first insight into what they called the "cow (buffalo) coun- try," of the rich plains, the rivers and mountains which are fully described in his "Relacion." While he did not claim that the country was rich in precious metals, yet, from other standpoints, it was a great acquisition to the Crown of Spain. He also brought some confirmatory news of the Seven Cities of the Cibola, which excited the cupidity of the Spaniards to such an extent that other expeditions were formed to discover these cities, which were reported to have a wealth of gold and silver as great as that of the Incas of Peru. With the exception of the negro, Este- van, none of the companions of Cabeza de Vaca ever prominently appeared thereafter in Spanish history.
Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca went from Culia- can and San Miguel to the city of Mexico, from which place he returned to Spain, making his report to his royal master, Charles the Fifth. Subsequently he was appointed "Governor of the
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HISTORY OF ARIZONA.
settlements on the La Plata river, vacant since the death of Pedro de Mendoza. Reaching his post in 1541, he soon became the object of sinister intrigues on the part of his subordinates. The animosity against him broke out in 1543 in open revolt. He was seized and sent to Spain as a prisoner. His (mild) captivity there lasted eight years. It is asserted that he lived in Se- villa to an advanced age, and occupied up to the time of his demise, (the date of which I have not yet been able to find), an honorable and fairly lucrative position."
While the "Relacion" of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca is the first authentic account of a journey across the North American continent, there seems to have been an earlier expedition, con- cerning which William A. Bell in his book "New Tracks in North America" on page 205, has the following to say :
"Early in the spring of 1526-ninety-four years before the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in New England, and thirty-four years after the shores of St. Salvador delighted the eyes of Columbus-Don Joseph de Basconzales crossed the center of Arizona towards the Great Canon, and penetrated at least as far as Zuni. No rec- ord remains of this, the first expedition into the country, but the bare memento of the fact carved on the side of 'El Moro' (Inscription Rock) ; for none of the expedition ever returned to tell of their adventures. They perished either by the hands of the Indians, or met a more miserable end amongst the labyrinths of chasms still further north, across which naught living but the birds can successfully pass."
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