The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1908-05-21

Joy life at the expense of his en-
ployer. 1t was profitable trip for
La Lande, if not for Morrison. Two
years later Lieut.. Zebulon NJ. Pike set
forth upon his famous expedition.
His report revealed to Americans the
opportunities for profitable trade with
northern Mexico; led to the estab-
lishment of the great and remunera-
tive traffic over the Santa Fe Trail,
and resulted ultimately in the war of
conquest against the southern repub-
lie, and in the annexation of the en-
pire of the southwest to the United
States. Before Pixies expedition lit
tie was known of distances, directions,
obstacles or opportunities in the great
and underlined region called Kan
zas." He mapped the way from the
Great Bend of the Arkansas to the
Rocky mountains, and thence to Santa
Fe and Chihuahua, blazing the trail
for the irresistible progress of the
American pioneers beyond the Mis-
souri,
trader-the first traders to journey to
Santa Fe were those of the Baird, Nc
Knight and Chambers party, consist
ing of IL men, who started in 1906
They were seized, taken to Chihuahua,
and cast into prison, where they re-
manned for nine heart breaking years,
or until the blossoming of Iturbide' s
power, when they were set free. On
the return journey Mcknight was
killed by Inc ans, but Baird and Cham
bers reached civilization in safety,
and in 1922 organized another expedi-
ton. This was late in starting. so
that the animals froze to death, and
the traders had to winter at the cross.
Ing OF the Arkansas In 1921, William
Becknell started for the Missouri
river, intending to trade with the In.
dams of the Arkansas valley; but he
was met by some Mexicans. who per-
suaded him to continue on to Santa
Fe. His trip was successful, and the
next year he tried II again, taking
three wagons along. Although he was
not the first to make the journey. vet
he is known as the Father of the San.
ia Fe Trail" That is the tribute the
world pays to success.
Turning Point Of Destiny.
Thus was inaugurated the first over
land commerce by way of the Santa
Fe Trail. The journey was small in
comparison with some of the trade
routes established by the Spaniards
long before in South America, and al
most trifling compared with that over
the Oregon Trail that came shortly
after; but it was at least three times
as long as any commercial journey by
land ever before undertaken by the
American people, and in danger and
hardship 1t was without preyious
parallel in our national life. II marked
one of the turning points of DESTINY
because 1t was the beginning of the
great drama of the Winning of this
West-the great west beyond the Mis-
souri,. History has not yet done justic,
to the Santa Fe Trail.
| 1hS tNlOoS OUU miles OF 0lGpT
and wilderness to the inland capita
OF foreign province was at first OK
clusively by pack train. When Beck
nell employed wagons on his secon,
trip great surprise was expressed tina
no serious obstacles were encountere,
TO their progress. That fact show,
how true 1t is that the Santa II,
Trail was a natural highway. At IN,
beginning OF the southwestern trad,
little trouble was experienced with In
dams, Not until the Texans and som,
irresponsible traders began India,
batting were the redmen provoked :,
scalp lifting as measure OF retaIia
ton.
Journey One Of Hardship.
Nevertheless, the long distance tho
had to be traversed over waterlas
deserts, the heat of the treeless nIain
and the sandstorms and tempests tba
sometimes overlook the caravan
made the journey. under the mos