Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-20
DESOTO MARKS
ARE RECALLED
Holder Of New Autos
Name Was Colorful
Early-D Day Figure

fernando DeSoto, ~discoverer Of the
mississippi river, whose name has
been chosen for the new DeSoto six
recently announced as "A product of
the DeSoto Motor corporation, new di-
vision of the Chrysler corporation,
was in addition to being one of the
most romantic figures among the
early explorers and %conquerors Of
America a most determined and cour-
ageous personality.
DeSoto's marriage to the Donna
Isobella B~ovidalla, daughter of Count
Pedro Arias d'Avila, was the result
OF a which the conqueror
entered into while still a youth. This
great love for Donna Isobella per-
sisted through the eight years that
he spent exploring Nicaragua and
Peru and had IL not been for this
romance il is extremely unlikely that
DeSoto would eve have set foot on
the shores of North America.
Son Of noble but impoverished par
ents, DeSoto's youthful beauty att
tracted the attention Of the Count
d'Avila who had him educated at the
University of Saragossa. Here he
excelled in fencing, wrestling, horse
manship and became q frequent vic
tor in the tournaments or mimic bat
ties which featured the life of his
day. Returning to Heres, the village
of his birth, DeSoto Immediately fell
in love with the beautiful Donna Iso-
bella. This lady was at once attract
ed by the appearance Of the strong.
apparently fearless youth and a mu-
tual romance resulted.
The Count d'Avila, however, con-
sidered this move on DeSoto's part
Prescriptions and ungrateful. Stormy
scenes followed between both the
lovers and the count. He forbade his
daughter TO see DeSoto again and
instructed his men-at-arms 70 eject
the youth violently whenever he APP
peared on the premises.
Donna Isobella had a mind Of her
own. She sought out her father and
declared with vehemence that she
would either marry DeSoto or enter a
convent. Knowing that she would
keep her word, d'Avila planned 10 get
him out Of the way by sending him
to the newly discovered continent Of
North America. The count had been
appointed governor Of Darien CPana-
MAJ ard in his heart he hoped that
the troublesome DeSoto would be
killed in the warfare between the
Spaniards and the Indians.
Ever alive 20 the call Of adventure,
DeSoto saw in this offer n chance to
distinguish himself and to replenish
his family Golfers. He at once ac-
cepted Don Pedro's proposition and
come months later found himself in
command of Spanish troops engaged
in exploring Panama and vanquishing
the Indian tribes which offered re-
sistance to the advance Of the white
men.
Though he was always first or sec
ond to enter into battle. never wait
ing to be third, DeSoto escaped in
jury through countless battles and
d'Avila was at loss to dispose Of this
unwelcome prospective son-in-law
when word came that Francisco Pr
zarro. then engaged in the conquest
of Peru. needed reenforcoments and
needed them badly.
Thinking that DSoto would never
survive the hardships and dangers of
n Peruvian expedition d'Avila ordered
him 10 proceed Immediately with his
men and lend all possible aid to Pr
zarro. But DeSoto was not marked
out to die by Indian arrows. He
reached Pizarro's camp and enabled
that leader to check the assaults Of
the Peruvian Indians who had sur
rounded him.