Mailbag: Story of Kit Carson reminded me of another

That was a great article by David Henley regarding Kit Carson’s trek through Orange County (“Reader Report: ‘Kit’ Carson’s trek through Orange County,” Dec. 16). However, if my recollection of history is correct, there is more to it.

Prior to coming to Californian, Gen. Stephen Kearny and his forces were sent to what is now New Mexico to confront Native Americans. Afterward he was to continue to California, which he did.

Without topographical maps, GPS or other present day methods of finding his way, he turned to famed guide Carson to show him the way, which Carson agreed to do.

They arrived somewhat bedraggled to a mesa close to San Diego Harbor, which was the good news. The bad news was that Mexico was not thrilled with their arrival, and troops had them somewhat surrounded with the intent of overwhelming the Kearny forces.

Kearny needed help from the U.S. Navy, which was anchored in San Diego Harbor, but the Mexican forces were between his forces and the harbor and were not inclined to let them pass through. Kearny’s solution was to send Carson and a Native-American guide to slip through Mexican lines, barefoot at night, to seek help from U. S. Navy personnel.

It worked, and Kearny’s Army was saved. Today, that mesa is called Kearny Mesa in honor of that event.

In 1853, James Gadsden, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, negotiated a deal with Mexico to purchase parts of what is now New Mexico and Southern Arizona known now as the Gadsden Purchase.

Clarence J. Turner

Costa Mesa

Firefighter’s suicide is a tragic loss

I’m so saddened by Eric Weuve’s death, a good man with children and a wife (“O.C. fire captain kills himself in jump onto 5 Freeway in Mission Viejo,” Dec. 14). It’s obvious that deep emotional pain, often unnoticed in men, can lead to suicide. This emotional pain overrides the effect of one’s suicide on their children.

I’ve known three wonderful men who have killed themselves. Two were confined to wheelchairs after severe injury. I understand their emotional pain, as I wake up every day in pain and believe living is more difficult than the alternative.

Eric had a loving family at home and at the station, which should’ve have overridden any thoughts of ending his life. He wasn’t alone.

Lynn Copeland

Huntington Beach

The pen remains mightier

Numbers don’t lie. I am a lifelong Democrat who wishes Hillary Clinton had won the election last month. But she didn’t. Monday’s electoral college vote sealed the deal for Donald Trump. He will become America’s 45th president on Jan. 20. I’m not going to protest in the streets like many of my friends intend to do the day after the Trump inauguration. Instead, I will remain at my desk, writing what I consider to be thoughtful responses to the new president’s initiatives. For me, it’s the best way my voice can be heard long after the marchers return home next month.

Denny Freidenrich

Laguna Beach