Vial, Pedro (-1815). gunsmith. Pedro Vial, a native of Lyons, France, made the journey from Santa Fe to St. Louis, on behalf of the Spanish crown. Vial, who had worked in New Orleans and in San Antonio de Bexar (now San Antonio, Texas) was known as a trader and gunsmith with many talents, such as horseman, diplomat and linguist. Vial arrived in Santa Fe in May of 1787, after traversing a route from San Antonio to Santa Fe, an historic accomplishment because it marked the first European use of that route. Vial was then contracted by the Spanish governor, don Fernando de la Concha, to blaze a trail from Santa Fe to St. Louis. Vial and two companions, Vincente Espinoza and Vicente Villanueva, left Santa Fe on May 21, 1792. They were the first of European descent to traverse what later would be known as the Santa Fe Trail. The group arrived back in Santa Fe from St. Louis on Nov. 16, 1793. The Spanish frontier was defined at the time by the Mississippi River, from New Orleans to the Illinois area. The decision was made by the governor of New Spain, Fernando de la Concha, to open a trail from Santa Fe to St. Louis, which would serve Spain very well. The choice of Vial to lead this excursion was a good one because he was familiar with the majority of the Indian nations that populated the plains. The first detailed the journey from Santa Fe to St. Louis; the second from St. Louis back to Santa Fe. It is assumed that Vial stayed in Santa Fe to make his life. The last public record of him is found in the will that he signed on Oct. 2, 1814. His estate was settled on August 15, 1815 [Sante Fe New Mexican, 30 May 2009].
