Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-03-06
The POcahOntaS Story.

LATEST VERSION BY ONE OF THE SMITHS.
The celebrated Capt. John Smith-the
saving of whose life by Pocahontas is a
historic event ofno little interest, especial
lv to Smith at that time-was the earliest
settler of Virginia Grant being the latest
settler they have had in that state). and
stands at the head of the Smith family in
this country We are informed that there
is John Smith living in one of the west
ern states, but he couldn't be the same
man that settled Virginia, because he would
have been too young at that time (l600
TO settle anything. He couldn't have set
tied for his board even. Captain Smith
founded jamestown, which was totally un-
founded Cike many of the anecdotes about
himl up to that period Besides giving
jamestown start, he started number of
Indian villages, so that they never came
hack again. 1t is said that he could start
village of that description quicker than
anv white man living at that time. He
started so many that the red men hearing
of it through the daily papers tthe Indians
were ,reU red in those days), determined to
check his enterprise.
Smith speculated a good deal in corn.
purchasing it in the interior and shipping
it to jamestown. which was the grain Gen.
ter at that time, Chicago not having vet
been discovered In one of his trips in
search of corn. he trespassed upon the do
minions of King Powhatan, a powerful
chief. who from his intrenchments on the
James had long threatened Washington
Smith, being somewhat overloaded with
corn" fell into an ambuscade. and was
captured BY Powhatan's savages and taken
before their chief After brief hearing
in which no witnesses were examined fol
the defense Smith demanded jury trial
but was rehlsed) he was condemned to die
He was asked if he had ANYTHING to say
/ whv sentence of death should not be pass
ed upon him. He said. nothing in partic
ular. only his death would seriously inter
fere with the settlement of Virginia, ant
5 might retard her admission into the Union
| This had no effect, whatever, and he wa
marched to the place of execution. Their
e was bowlder on which to place his head
4 while a savage painted in the most hideou
e manner, was swinging a stuffed club, ant
a uttering diabolical cries, impatient to mas
e him.
n John gazed upon the preparations undis
r MAYED, for he belonged to one of the frs
e families of Virginia (the second familie
:. had not vet arrived from England), and b
: didn't scare worth a continental. Powha1
i an, with generosity that one would hard
y lv look for in a savage, asked him if ther
:, was anv message he would like to send
t his family. and even offered to take charg
It of any little mementoes he desired to leav
IS for them He Immediately bethought hil
e of an Accident Insurance" policy whic
o would expire about the same time he di,
IS and ticket in gift enterprise, (only 30
o 900 unsold,) both of which he desired I
It have sent to his betrothed. Powhata
d promised to send them by the next stean
e. er. Captain Smith then walked firmly
W the block without the aid of crutches, pla
s, ed his head upon it and bade the mast
= proceed to mash At this moment the fo
est rang with a scream. and beautiful [
al dian maiden darted into the midst of Il
III throng.
t. Raising her parasol to protect the he:
SIS of Smith from the impending club, she e
III claimed
n Hold red men; stay thy hand. IS
n, couldn't stay it herself, because she did,
ed wear any stays.) Slay him and Virgin
us remains h-o-w-l-ing wilderness. (Pl
n longed howls from the savages.) Spa
ne him and ratify the constitutional amen
ly ment, and Virginia resumes her place
r. the Union"