José Naranjo (scout) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Naranjo
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| Born | c. 1662 |
| Died | 14 August 1720 Near modern-day Columbus, Nebraska |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Spain |
| Years of service | 1692-1720 |
| Battles/wars | Apache campaign El Cuartelejo expedition Villasur expedition |
| Spouse(s) | Catalina |
| Children | At least seven |
José Naranjo (born around 1662 – died August 14, 1720) was a brave Pueblo Indian leader. He also had some African family background. José Naranjo worked for the Spanish government in a place called New Mexico.
His father might have helped lead the Pueblo Revolt in 1680. At first, José Naranjo did not want to work with the Spanish. He even escaped from their custody. But after October 7, 1692, Naranjo decided to join the Spanish side. He worked for the governor of New Mexico, Diego de Vargas.
Later, Naranjo helped the Spanish by stopping a rebellion led by his brother, Lucas. For his loyalty, Naranjo was made an alcalde. This was like a local mayor or leader. He also became a leader of Indian helper troops. These troops fought alongside the Spanish. He led them on trips against the Apache people. He also went on expeditions to find Pueblo people who had moved to El Cuartelejo. In 1720, he became the main scout and leader of helper troops for the Villasur expedition. He was killed on August 14, 1720. This happened when the expedition was attacked by Pawnee and Otoe warriors.
José Naranjo's Early Life
José Naranjo was a Pueblo Indian. He was born around 1662. His father was Domingo Naranjo. Some people believe his father started the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. José Naranjo was the grandson of a freed black man and an Indian woman. Because of his mixed background, he was sometimes called el Mulato or el negro.
Soon after the Pueblo Revolt, José was captured by Spanish soldiers. These soldiers worked for Governor Antonio de Otermin. But José refused to betray his people. Governor Otermin ordered him to be taken to Guadalupe del Paso. José escaped on January 8. He found safety with the Northern Pueblo Indians. He might have joined his father in Taos.
Serving the Spanish Government
José Naranjo was found in Taos by the army of Diego de Vargas. This happened on October 7, 1692. It seems that at this time, Naranjo decided to support the Spanish. He likely went with Vargas on his mission to take back New Mexico. He saw many small fights and battles. After this, he settled in Santa Cruz.
On June 13, 1696, Naranjo learned that his brother Lucas was leading a rebellion against the Spanish. Naranjo told the Spanish leaders. He then found and stopped his brother. In 1700, Naranjo was rewarded for his actions. He was made the alcalde of the Zuni people. He also became the leader of their helper troops. These troops fought for the Spanish. In this role, he helped Spanish missionaries go to the Hopi tribe. He also protected them from attacks.
Naranjo helped the Santa Clara Pueblo people surrender. He brought their leaders to talk with the Spanish in Santa Fe. He also helped the Tano tribe surrender. He went back to Taos. There, he convinced the Indian people to build a church. He also persuaded them to welcome a Spanish priest.
Naranjo went with Vargas on his Apache trip. He was the leader of the Indian scouts. He was there when Vargas was killed in Bernalillo in 1704. Naranjo had learned the Apache language. He learned it through his connections with Apache people. He worked as an interpreter between the Spanish and the Apache. In 1707, he joined Juan de Ulibarrí's trip. This trip aimed to capture Pueblo Indians who had moved to El Cuartelejo. El Cuartelejo is in what is now Kansas. Ulibarrí named a watering hole after Naranjo during this trip.
By 1707, Naranjo was married to a woman named Catalina. They had seven children. Fernando de Alencastre, 1st Duke of Linares was the Viceroy of New Spain. He was in charge from 1711 to 1716. He made Naranjo the chief of all Pueblo helper troops. Naranjo was the first Indian to hold this important job. He led his troops on several trips against the Navajo people. In 1719, he asked the Governor of New Mexico to start a trip against the Ute people.
The Villasur Expedition
In 1720, José Naranjo joined the Villasur expedition. He was the main scout and leader of 70 helper troops. The goal of this trip was to find French people. People thought the French were living among the tribes of the Great Plains. Spain was fighting France at that time in the War of the Quadruple Alliance. This expedition went "farther into the interior than anyone from Spanish America had ever gone before."
The expedition reached the Platte River. On August 14, they were surprised by an attack. Pawnee and Otoe warriors attacked them. Forty-six people from the group were killed. This included Naranjo and Villasur. The people who survived went back to Santa Fe. The expedition was a big failure. About one-third of New Mexico's military forces were lost. Naranjo had told the governor, Antonio Valverde y Cosío, not to send the expedition. But his advice was not followed.
