The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-02-08
Authentic .sIDjun" HIstOry-.POca-
hOntas and Captain John smith.A
Pretty good thing.
BY THE FAT CONTRIBUTOR.

The celebrated Capt. John Smith, the
saving of whose life by Pocahontas is
historic event of no little interest-es-
pecially to Smith at that time-was the
earliest settler in Virginia, Grant be-
ing the latest settler they had in that
State and stands at the head of the
Smith family in this country. We are
informed that there is a John Smith
living in one of the Western States, but
he couldn't be the same man that set
tied Virginia, because he would have
been too Young ut that time (l607) to set
tie anything. He couldn't have settled
for his board, even. Capt. Smith found
ed jamestown, which was totally un-
founded (like many of the anecdotes
about him) up to that period Besides
giving jamestown a start, he started a
number of Indian villages, so that they
never came back again. 1t is said that
he could start village of that descrip-
ton quicker than any white man liv-
ing at that time. He started so many
that the red men hearing of it through
the daily papers, (the Idians were ICetL
red in those days. determined to check
his enterprise.
Smith speculated good deal in corn,
purchasing it in the interior and ship
ping it to Jamestown, which was the
great grain center at the time-Chicago
not having as yet been discovered. In
one of his trips in search. of corn, he
trespassed upon the dominions of King
POwhattun, n powerful chief, who, from
his Entertainments on the James, had
long threatened Washington. Smith
being somewhat overloaded with
| corn" fell into an ambuscade, and
was captured by Powhattan's savages,
and taken before their chief. After a
brief hearing, in which no witnesses
were examined for the defense, (Smith
demanded jury trial, but 1t was re-
| fused, he was condemned to die. He
was asked if he had anything to say
why sentence of death should not be
passed upon him. He said nothing, in
particular, only his death would seri-
ously interfere with the settlement Of
| Virginia, and might retard her read
mission into the Union. This had nc
| effect whatever, and he was marched to
| the place of execution. There was q
boulder on which to place his head
while a savage, painted in the most
i hideous manner, was swinging stuffed
club, and uttering diabollcal cries, i'm
patient to mash him.
John gaZed upon the preparations
undismayed, for he belonged to one o
the first families of Virginia, (the sec
| ond families had not arrived from Eng
| land yet, and he didn't scare worth &
continental! Powhattan, with gen
erosity that one would hardly look fol
in a savage, asked him if there was
any message he would like to send tC
| his family, and even offered to take
4 charge OF any little mementoes he de
| sired to leave for them. he lmmedl
ateIy bethought him of an "Acciden
Insurance" policy, which would expire
about the same time he did, and "A ticke
to the Gift Enterprise, tonly $4,000 un
sold. both of which he desired to hav'
sent to his betrothed. Powhattan prom
ised to send them by the next steaIper
Captain Smith then walked firmly K
the block without the aid of crutches
placed his head upon 1t. and bade TIT
masher 10 mashI At this moment tn
forest rang with ii scream, aud beau
i tiful Indian maiden darted into tn
midst of the throng.
Raising her parasol to protect tn
head of Smith from the impending
club, she exclaimed
Hold! Sed man, stay thy hand
(She couldn't stay it herself, becaus
she didn't wear any stays l0Slay hin
and Virginia remains II h-o-w-l-ini
wilderness. prolonged howls iron
the savages.) Spare him and rattfy IN
constitutional amendment, and Vii
ginfa resumes her place in the Union.
Some reconstructed Secesh savage
shouted-"Neverr' ~ and rushed o
, Smith with carving knives, but Pow
haitian interfered.
} "Spare his life,'' said he, "the Grea
Spirit wills it. (This put Smith in greo
SplFlLS at Once.l l cOLlIluhS ms SSL
Ience TO the obioquy of founding til
F. first families OF Virginia. Smith, g
up and git J" 90. .-...... g.. r.
And Smith got.
He lived to found the first families
5 Virginia, race that is mostly run OF
g -of the State of Virginia. Pocahonta
r went across the water as a commits
t sioner to the Paris Exposition, an
e Puwhattan run an Injun Exhibition &c
a years after with great success.