Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-15

main as evidence of the past to fall
+, into decay.
After Coronado, there came many to
this place of present day play. De
Vaca got into tho region and Zalvidar
and Alvarado de Moscoso explored 1t.
1t is believed by many that the name
of Mosca pass is taken from the time
when Moscoso was in the country.
In some histories It is stated that the
expedition which surveyed way for
the Grand Pacific railway-a road
never built-came thru where Pueblo
is now located
There was at that time Spanish
settlement on ST. Charles river near
the present forest boundary. 1t is since
lost except to historical treaties. 1t is
stated that. later. the inhabitants were
killed by Indians and the settlement
razed. Would it not be commendable
to erect a monument at this point and
create small historical park around
it?
Another settlement. this time an
English speaking people. was likewise
destroyed by Indians. This was the
Hardscrabblc settlement. II there werc
small historical park and monument
at this point there would be oppor-
tunity to learn history from actual
locations of settlements.
Looking back to the time OF the
Spanish occupation, legendary accounts
state there were silver mines in the
Spanish Peaks before there were many
settlements in our eastern coasts. 1t
IS related that the Spanish monks
made slaves OF the Indians forcing
them to work these mines and after
collecting great amount OF treas
d urc. blew up the approach to the mines
and killed the workers. They never
reached the settlements to the south.
Indians numbering them before they
could reach the protection OF Spanish
iuStira fnetcd
out to the murdcrous monks.
In early histor~ OF our present time.
the romantic figures of Pike, Fremont
and Carson. were part of the life Q,
Carson are stiil existing and should be
protected from further ,uepredations
and dilapidation. The Yort at West
ciitfc should be the location for n state
] historical park. Tho old location OF
Fort Massachusetts should be deter
mined. and II any OF the old buildings
arc standing. they should be preserved.
The same is true OF the present build
fnEs of Fort Garland. AT the present
time. in tho latter fort. the old build
!ngs arc intact. A small amount OF
money spent In restoration would put
them In shape to become n historical
museum. All OF the old parade ground.
the officers quarters. and the uuarters
OF some OF the men are etill in good
state OF repair but need protection and
credited to Kit Carson. exists in the
mountains OF Westcliffc. This should
be found and protected.
The old plaza AT Ia Ncta is worthy
OF protection for II Is the place where
one OF the worst Indian fights OF tho
southwest was wagcd. A man now liv-
| Ing stole out in the night-one OF three
going for aid to Fort Massachusetts.
lie only. of the three. reached the
destination. travelling the many miles
l. - ,,gv{, has. nS
cavalry which routed the Indians.
Perhaps one point that needs pro-
lection more than all others is Arch
cveque rock near the town of Red
wing. Before tho first gun Of the Reyo-
luton had sounded. n troop OF men
! had Invaded the San Isabel country
coming In from tho southwest over n
trail made famous by many others;
/ this is Sangrc de Cristo pass. A mod
] cru road traverses this pass and n
monument should be placed at either
end to point out tho fact that be-
fore there was a United States. even
before tho founders fathers had SGT
sail from Europe, white men had
Travelled this highway and. far beyond
that. redskins OF the southwest had
used this very pasA for n way into
the plains country when on their an
nual buffalo hunt.
Archevequc rock Is easily reached
from EedwinG and Is perhaps one OF
the most priceless OF all historical
relics In the state. Carved in the stone
Is the name of every member OF the
expedition. 1t stands today record
more enduring than that destroyed by
our first governor Of New Mexico,
showing who went this way In the
Eighteenth century.
II this feature of the state. which
is OF interest to the whole nation,
which Is of greater antiquity than tho
event commemorated by Bunker Hill
monument. is to be kept for those who
come. It must receive protection now,
1t is relatively unknown but once dis
covered. will be tho subject of modern