The first written records of Caddoans comes from Coronado's entrada in 1541.

With cavalry, steel weapons, and guns he had forced his way through the Apaches, Pueblos, and other nations of the modern southeastern US, but they had no gold.

Coronado's interpreter has repeated rumors (or confirmed Coronado's fantasies) that gold was to be had elsewhere in a location named Quivira.

After more than thirty days journey, Coronado finds a river larger than any he had seen before.

This is the Arkansas, probably a few miles east of present-day Dodge City, Kansas.

The Spaniards and their native allies follow the Arkansas northeast for three days and find Quivirans hunting buffalo.

The natives greet the Spanish with wonderment and fear, but calm down when one of Coronado's guides addresses them in their own language.