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When they found Quivira, they were again disappointed to find a very poor tribe of Indians – now known as the Wichita Indians – wearing simple clothing and living on buffalo. Coronado claimed all the land in the name of the King of Spain. Then he executed El Turco for lying.
In 1542, Coronado quickly led his expedition back to Mexico. Having been injured, Coronado had to be carried on a stretcher pulled by a pair of mules. Many of his men refused to obey his commands and some deserted rather than return home in disgrace. Fewer than 100 soldiers reached the capital city after their journey of more than 7,000 miles. Later Coronado was accused of bad management, cruelty to the Indians, and of stealing Indian property. A royal panel led by his friend Viceroy Mendoza rejected all the charges against him. For ten more years, Coronado lived with his family in a mansion in Mexico City, dying in 1554. He and his expedition had traveled over land rich in gold, silver, and copper, but it would not be discovered for many years. [more]
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