"When Fray Juan de Padilla learned of the pending expedition, he sought out the leader, Coronado, and begged to go along as chaplain. His offer was accepted.

The dramatic story is well told in history books: how Coronado upon reaching the cluster of Zuni pueblos found them to be far less than what Fray Marcos had described. They were certainly not the famed Seven Cities.

After spending a harsh winter on the Rio Grande, the Spaniards explored eastward onto the Great Plains, hoping to discover a resplendent kingdom called Quivira, described to them by an Indian at Pecos Pueblo.

Upon finding in central Kansas only Wichita Indians living in grass houses, they returned to New Mexico in disappointment once more."

Get the Story:
Marc Simmons: Trail Dust: Friar thought to be first Christian martyred in U.S. (The Santa Fe New Mexican 4/21)

Related Stories:
Marc Simmons: A tale behind Bandelier National Monument (4/9)
Marc Simmons: Official led battles against Navajo and Apache (02/06)
Marc Simmons: Military governor prolonged war with Navajos (11/28)
Marc Simmons: Insider gave knowledge about Pueblo Revolt (11/21)
Marc Simmons: Army enlisted Apache scouts in Indian wars (11/7)
Marc Simmons: Navajos weren't eager to accept Christian faith (10/17)