JUAN DE ONATE 

Juan de Onate was born in 1550, growing up to be a renowned explorer and founder of the first European settlements in the upper Rio Grande valley of New Mexico.  Juan’s father, Cristobal de Onate, was a well-known Zacatecas mine owner and encomendero, a person able to use Indians as workers or to tax them.  While in his early 20s, Juan led a number of different campaigns against the Chichimec Indians throughout the northern territory around Zacatecas.  During this time, Juan was also busy prospecting silver. 

In the newly conquered territory, Juan helped establish several missions.  Eventually, he married Isabel de Tolosa Cortes Moctezuma who was a descendant of the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma and conquistador, Hernan Cortes.  After being married, Juan and Isabel had both a son and daughter.  By 1595, Juan was awarded a contract by King Philip II of Spain, giving him permission to settle New Mexico. 

While in New Mexico, Juan set about spreading Catholicism but unfortunately, a large group of colonists showed more interest in striking silver.  Although it took some time, Juan was finally able to begin his expedition in 1598, fording the Rio Grande at the El Paso del Norte crossing, which was discovered by him that same year.  In late May, he encountered the first of what would be many pueblos and by July, had set up his headquarters at San Juan, successfully extending the Camino Real more than 600 miles.  Interestingly, the Camino Real remained the longest road in all of North America for several following centuries. 

Juan began to explore much of the surrounding area, only validating his current position.  Soon, the mission at San Francisco began construction, along with a special mission for the Indians of the area.  However, riches were not immediately found as Juan and his followers were faced with a number of challenges to include desertion, dissent, and even mutiny.  A group of Juan’s men decided to explore the east, well beyond the Pecos pueblo, searching for herds of buffalo.  Historians believe this group probably reached the Canadian River, not too far from today’s site of Amarillo, Texas. 

As Juan made his way to the Acoma pueblos to the west, on to Zuni and Hopi pueblos, one member of his party went all the way to the Arizona where silver ore was found.  With this, the man staked his claim.  However, when Juan returned to Acoma, a revolt broke out, costing 11 colonists their lives.  Angry with the rebellious Indians, Juan punished them severely, even going as far as to kill two of them. 

To try to bring prosperity to the colony, prospecting expeditions continued.  Then in 1600, the colony was strengthened but with shortage of food and supplies, and being faced with harsh weather conditions, life was difficult.  Then in the summer of 1601, Juan headed out to Quivira, looking for both wealth and an outlet to the sea.  Following the Canadian River over the Texas Panhandle close to the Oklahoma border, he arrived in what most believe to be Kansas.  Unfortunately, the Quivira settlements were a huge disappointment so they headed back. 

During this particular expedition, the conditions in the New Mexico colony became worse due to the rebellious Indians, poor land, and not finding silver.  Eventually, the colony was abandoned, although a few of Juan’s faithful followers remained with him.  As the deserters returned to Spain, they spoke openly about the deplorable conditions of the colony in New Mexico.  Because of this, Spain’s government set out to find out what was going on, specifically the treatment of the Indians by Juan.  At this same time, Juan was busy with his final expedition, moving from the Zuni pueblos toward the Colorado River and then to the Gulf of California. 

By 1606, Juan had been ordered by King Philip III to face allegations of abuse but for some reason, Juan was completely unaware that charges had even been brought against him.  He left office in 1607 but only because of financial problems and the poor condition of the colony.  Staying in New Mexico so he could witness the founding of Santa Fe, the King made the decision to continue supporting the colony.  However, when a new governor took office in 1608, Juan was summoned to New Mexico.  Even so, he would not face his accusers until 1613. 

The charges filed included his using excessive force, hanging a couple of Indians, adultery, and executing deserters and mutineers.  Juan’s punishment included being fined and then banished from New Mexico where he could never return and banished from Mexico City for four years.  For the majority of his remaining life, Juan worked hard to clear the charges with slight success.  He would eventually make his way back to Spain, being given the position of mining inspector by the king.  Then in June of 1626, Juan de Onate died