The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-05-13
De SOT0'S MARCH TO THE
MISSISSIPPI.

New Orleans Pcayune.
fernando, or Fernando, de Soto, the
first European who led an expedition
westward from the Spanish posses.
sions in Florida, and by chance "dis.
covered" the Mississippi River, until
then unknown to the European world,
was one OF the most daring and sue
cessful OF those Spanish conQuistad.
ores, or conQucrors, who spread the
power of Spain in every direction In
the American ports within the half
century subsequent to the discovery
OF the new world in 1902.
De Soto was born Of n noble, but
reduced, family OF the province OF Es-
tramadura, in Spain, about 1896, and
he died on the banks OF the Missis-
sippi in 1912. lie was one Of the lead
ing spirits under Pizarro in the cxpc-
dition for the conquest OF Peru, in
1882, after having distinguished him.
self as the leader OF various cxplor.
ing expeditions in Central America
during the administration in that
country as governor OF Darien Of Pe.
drarias Davila, who in Spain had been
his patron and had assisted him in
receiving his education.
After the successful establishment,
by means OF slaughter and rapinc, OF
the Spanish power in Peru, De Soto,
whose conduct in Peru had been as
humane as it was possible to have
been under the circumstances, stand
ing ont in marked contrast to the un.
controlled and bloodthirstlncss OF Pi-
zarr0 in the latter's treatment of the
conquered Pcruvians and their un.
fortunate Inca, Atahualpa, returned
to Spain possessed Of sufficient wealth
| (s5OO,OOO) to enable him a few years
later to undertake his famous march,
from Florida, which ended in his mem.
orablc discovery OF the Mississippi
River $50 years ago.
| Dc Soto, on his return to Spain, was
given ilattering reception by tho
emperor, Charles V, the monarch OF
that country. At court he appeared
zen grand seigneur," and, as fortunate
in love as he had been successful In
war, he ended by marrying the beauti
full daughter Of Davila, his early pa
tron, for whom he had long enter
tained a lovers affection.
We now find De Soto ripe for an,
enterprise Of conquest and adventure
in the Americas, to which the delud
ing hand of fortune might beckor
him. He began to consider. Where
ever the Spaniards had penetrated ir
the continents OF the new world the!
had found silver and gold in immense
quantities why might not furthe
exploration OF Florida, already knowT
to and visited by the Spaniards, revea
new sources OF metallic wealth? /
was this thought, this incentive Il
pluck fortune from the bowels Of th
earth, that instigated De Soto to cnte
upon that great march through tn
southwest regiUns OF what now con
stitutes the territory Of the Unitc'
States that has linked his name witt
Immortality in the affairs Of men
The yellow-golden phantom rising ou
OF the Everglades of Florida like a
ignis fatuus danced ever before hi
, eyes, arousing his spirit OF the cor
: quistador. He was in the prime q
D life and of his bodily strength, a
athlete and master In all knight
accomplishments. At last his min
, was satisfied that he had missio
and q destiny before him-a missio
which, although he did not know i
was to be the prologue to the story
: the greatness Of the United State
O and the settling Of louisiana by
nation not his own, and which In hi
II dreams he did not conslder-a missio
: to which, however sOrrowfully
: might end to him personally, A
i mighty God had called him. And
order to carry out this mission, WI
e II, perhaps, that the Lord had p,
X into the possession Of De Soto u
: riches that be had brought with hi
. to Spain from Peru, for ~ Soto pr
posed. to make his explorations
. Florida, and beyond, at his own e.
!. pense. lie sought an audience VII
: Charles v and Informed him Of n
!. !, design. The emperor gave Ills col
: : sent, and the hero OF Cuzco in u
Peruvian wars made his preparation