Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-26
Authentic Datn About the Region
Nennrutnd NV AI.-Sm r-ncn IL niE hts.

Authentic Dntn About the Region
Nencrnted by Als-SUr-Ben knights.
Mr.. Charles +. Lummis, the eminent eX-
plorer and historian OF the southwest,
sketches in his Land of Sunshine" the
origin and meaning of the myth OF the
Quivira and the location of the real ruins.
1t has special historic value for the valiant
Knights of Ak-Sar-Ren, who have hitherto
conducted their explorations on a misleading
trail. Mr.. Lummis writes:
The NEST romantic and remarkable ruin
in the United States is that OF the spectral
and long-forgotten "city" which is the last
resting place OF the most famous myth in
North America, the myth OF the Quivira.
There are larger ruins Oh this continent
Though none within our national boTTlers)
and come handsomer, But no other is so
ghostly in look nor the grave OF so many
centuries OF golden hopes.
The myth of the Quivlra orig-
Pecos, n. M.-itself ruin now Just
then Francisco VssqueZ de Coronado-having
explored from the Grand Canyon OF the
Colorado to the Rio Grande-had come here.
The Pecos, to be rid of him, procured a
Pawnee captive TO tell him of the Qulvira,
fabulous city of gold far to the northeast.
Coronado made an astounding march in pur-
suit of this will-o'-the-wisp, oyeTrunning
what is now the Indian territory and Kan
sas. to about where Kansas City stands
today. He proved the myth lie in the
very year of its invention. for he found the
Quivira-tle tepeeS OF a Teton tribe of
nomad, buffalo-tagging savages, absolutely
ignorant Of the precious metals. But though
strangled so young, the Quivira fable is
not dead yet. Even sober Onate, the
founder of New Mexico, more than half a
century later chased the golden bubble, and
SO did many others In the two centuries
following. And more Americans believe
today In the fable than ever Spaniards did.
| have known a man to start from Los
Angeles on this fools errand within twelve
months.
In these 1856 years, however, the locus OF
the myth has shifted from the eastern edge
of Kansas matter of 500 miles-clear
down to the center OF New Mexico, and
there 1t has halted for good. 1t will never
move again-for no other place is so lifting.
And doubtless it will never perish, since
fools will never cease.
For something like century. now, the
name Gran Quvira" Great Quivira) has
been applied to the wonderful ruins which
are the subject OF this article. 1t Is OF
course stupidity out OF the whole cloth;
another case where sheep herders and gold
crazy yagabonds have been permitted TO make
what we are pleased to call history. Not
only has this spot not the remoteSt COnnec-
ton with anything distantly related to the
Quivira, but 1t Is a town so historic and SO
unmistakable that only ignorance could have
misnamed II. Ii Is the City that was For
gotten-until a historian came along with
common sense-namely, Bandelier.
From the valley of the Rio GIande at
Albuquerque you see close on the east the
long range of 1O0O0-foot peaks which begin
with the Sandals and stretch far to the
south. shutting off from the valley the bound
less great plains. You can go by carriage
or horse through TiJeras canyon and the
hamlets OF Chilli, fatigue and ManzaEo, a
long hard interesting ride. but you will dc
well not to go without a guide, and you
must carry, the last day going, water FOR your
animals as well as for yourself,
On your right is the great mountain wall
on this side sending down to your very
path the vanguard Of its noble armies OF
pines. On your left the plains stretch brown
to the very sunrise. Far down them glitter
the Accused lakes, where millions OF buffalo
drank until the gods blasted the waters 10
sadness in anger at a treachely $50 the
Pueblo folklore says For centuries they
have been the natural salt works OF the
aborlglnes and Mexicans for more than 100
miles.
The little Mexican towns are interesting
in enc, at least you may see the Penltente
professions your itinerary will natu-
rally include the superb ruins OF Abo and
Cuaray. And from Punta de Aqua you come
down into the strange. hushed. grassy lone