the Sunshine State page 2 by ric gustafson
Hernando de Soto had returned to Spain from Peru with a fortune in melted down gold and silver. In 1539, he landed on the west coast of Florida with nine ships and six hundred men. His quest was gold and a shortcut to China. In 1542, de Soto died. He became a moody and discontented man.
In 1526, Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon arrived with six ships and more than six hundred people. In the fall, the colonists suffered from disease, lack of food and the cold. Many people including Ayllon died. In 1528, Panfilo de Narvaez drowned in his attempt to conquer Florida. Only four of 1500 men survived. In 1559, Tristan de Luna y Arellano tried to reach Florida by landing near present day Pensacola. A hurricane destroyed their provisions, supplies and hopes. These Europeans brought smallpox, malaria, typhus, bubonic plague, measles and yellow fever to Florida's original people.
research help: ' Finding Florida' by T.D. Allman
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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