Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1891-03-14
FERNANDO DE SOTO.

The recent finding of the remains
of the above explorer, with armor
and sword, bearing his name, after
a lapse of three hundred and forty
nine years, shows that after all his
tory is liable to mistakes his body
according to Fort Jefferson (Mo.)
letter, was exhumed by workmen in
excavating for the foundation of a
large brick block in that city. Fort
Jefferson has now the honor of his
grave, the letter was published in
the st. Louis Globe Democrat, and
copied by the Baltimore Anericon
of Feb. 18th. fernando De Soto,
a Spanish explorer, was born at
Heres de los Caballeros in Extrema-
dura about the year 1896, and as his
tory has it, died on the banks of the
Mississippi in 1912. He was OF a
noble but reduced family and by
favor of Pedrarias Davila, was en-
abled to spend several years at one
of the Universities and distinguished
himself in literary studies and espec-
tally in athletic accomplishments. In
1919 he accompanied his patron on
his second expedition to America.
as governor of Darian and was the
most intrepid opponent of the oppres-
sive administration of that officer. He
supported Hernandez in Nicaragua in
1921, who persisted at the hand of
Davila, in consequence of not heed
ing his advice. Withdrawing from
Davila's service he explored in 1928
the coast of Guatemala and Yucca
tan for seven hundred miles in search
of the strait, which was supposed to
connect the two oceans. in 1882 De
Soto Joined Pizarro in his enterprise
for conquering Peru. Being sent
in 1888 with so horsemen and few
targeteers to explore the highlands
of Peru, he penetrated through g.
pass in the mountains and discover
ed the road which led to the Peru
Wan Capital, and was soon after Sc
lected by Pizarro to visit the Inca
Atahuallpa as ambassador. After
the capture of the Inca and when the
latter had paid an immense sum for
ransom De Sofa in vain expostulat-
ed with Pizarro for treacherously
refusing to release the Peruvian
monarch; various expeditions were
set on foot produced by reports of
Cabeza de Vaca and De Soto was
bold enough to attempt to follow the
path of Pamphilo de Narvaez. "He
desired to surpass Cortez in glory
and Pizarro in wealth." He offered
to conquer Florida at his own ex-
pense and Charles V. readily grant
ed him patent. Never had there
been an expedition so well appoint
ed. Six hundred men in glittering
armor and costly dresses gathered on
the feet, which sailed in 1888 from
San Lucas in Spain, as gaily as if
going on an excursion of pleasure.
In May 1889 this expedition landed
on the coast of Florida, having cross
ed the Gulf of Mexico and anchored
in the bay of Espiritu Santo Tam
pa bay).
His route was through a country
already made hostile by the violence
of the Spanish invader, Narvaez. He
began a march of exploration and
conquests after sending back the
ships, wandering for months along
the shores of the Gulf towards Pen
sacola, he at last struck inland and
came to the Ogeechee, then along to
the Coosa, and so on to the town Of
Mavilla, on the Alabama, now the
city of Mobile. This was town of
well-built cabins, better than they
had seen. Weary and worn with
their marches the Spaniards wished
to occupy it. The natives few to
arms. A terrible battle ensued the
first between white men and Indians
on our soil that could really be call
ed a battle. De Soto gained posses
sion of the town and stored the bag
gage, but in spite of armor, cavalry
and troops they did not without
great difficulty rout the Indians, who
fought with desperation finding
their arrows and darts could not re-
pei the invaders, and seeing the
ground strewn with their bravest
warriors, they set fire to the town
and retreated. De Soto had won
the battle of Mavilla Tor Mobile) and
killed more than two thousand Of his
enemies, but eighteen of his mailclad
men were killed and hundred and
fifty wounded, nearly 3 hundred
horses were killed or crippled and
all his baggage had persisted in
the burning town. They were all
destitute, weakened and dishearten'
ed. Ships just then arrived from
| Pensacola, but he was too proud to
return and acknowledged his failure
Various were his marches and wan
derings, and during the days of his
| splendor and display he had married
the daughter of Davila to WHOM he
had long been attached. His ambi
ton was for conquest and renown