Some of Coronado’s men traveled east, still certain they would find riches and jewels. They became the first Europeans to see and dine on the buffalo. It wasn’t until much later that Coronado realized the trick the Indians had played on him. Coronado and his army visited many lands that would become states of the United States of America. They explored in California, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Coronado and his army did not find cities of gold. They did explore many new lands and meet many Native American people. They opened new trails into the American Southwest for future explorers and settlers. In April 1542, after more than two years of searching for Cibola, Coronado led his thin and weary soldiers back to Mexico City, empty-handed. Coronado never recovered from the terrible journey. Most of his fortune was wasted and his health was ruined. His dream of golden cities had turned into a nightmare. Coronado died on September 22, 1554 at the age of 44. Yet all the gold that Coronado and his men looked for was really in Arizona. It just wasn’t paving the streets and homes of cities. That gold was still buried in the soil of Arizona and other western states. The men of Coronado’s army explored the lands found in the seven states highlighted in gold. Why did Father Kino come to Arizona? Spanish explorers and missionaries continued to come to Arizona for more than 200 years. The missionaries helped Spain start new settlements and claim the land. One of them was Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, who was called the “Padre on Horseback.” Father Kino came to the Pimeria Alta, the Upper Land of the Pima Indians, in 1687. He came to teach the Pima, Tohono O’odham, and Yuma Indians about his Catholic religion. He also showed them new methods of farming. He brought seeds for new kinds of grains and vegetables. He also taught them how to use wells. This is a monument of Father Eusebio Francisco Kino located in Tucson. Father Kino’s name in Italy was spelled “Chinus” or “Chino.” He changed the spelling to Kino when he came in New Spain in 1681. Chapter 5 • The Second People: Explorers and Settlers  57