# Kit Carson — Death Comes for the Archbishop character guide

> Kit Carson in Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Carson, Christóbal

**First appearance:** 0010-ii-the-lonely-road-to-mora

## Snapshot

The legendary frontiersman, now a practical neighbor and friend, whose knowledge of the land and its peoples makes him invaluable to the new Bishop.

## Who they are

Kit Carson appears in the novel as a working scout and settler rather than a myth, a man whose help Bishop Latour relies on to understand the country and its powerful old priests like Martínez. When Father Vaillant falls ill in a stricken pueblo, Carson hurries to the rescue with a pack of venison, arriving just before the storm breaks, and later helps carry the enfeebled priest back to Santa Fe. His death is one of the losses that empties the Bishop's present, leaving only minor characters in the world of the living.

## In the story

### [Book II: Missionary Journeys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/book-ii-missionary-journeys)

Meets Bishop Latour, discusses his conversion to Catholicism, and helps with the case of Magdalena.

### [The Lonely Road to Mora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/ii-the-lonely-road-to-mora)

Rescues Magdalena, becomes a friend to Bishop Latour, and discusses faith and the needs of the people.

### [Book IV: Snake Root](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/book-iv-snake-root)

Hunts deer in the mountains, finds Vaillant ill, brings venison, and helps transport him back to Santa Fe.

### [Stone Lips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/ii-stone-lips)

Helps rescue Vaillant by bringing venison before the storm and later assists in transporting him to Santa Fe.

### [Book V: Padre Martínez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/book-v-padre-mart-nez)

Helped Bishop Latour gather information about conditions in Taos before the visit.

### [The Old Order](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/i-the-old-order)

Mentioned as having helped Bishop Latour understand conditions in Taos; his ranch is visited by the Bishop, though Carson himself is away buying sheep.

### [II: The Miser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/ii-the-miser)

Father Lucero demands that Carson count and record his hidden money after his death.

### [Don Antonio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/i-don-antonio)

Travels from Taos to attend the New Year's party at the Olivares home.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/chapters/vii)

Mentioned as the soldier who subdued the Navajo in Canyon de Chelly.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/characters/kit_carson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/death_comes_for_the_archbishop_se/characters