Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-02-06
Authentic "Injun" History.
and Captain John Smith.
BY THE FAT CONTRIBUTOR.


The celebrated Capt. John Smith,
the saving of whose life by Pocahon-
tus is historic event ofn little inter
est-especially to Smith at that TIME
was the earliest settler in Virginia.
(Grant being the latest settler they have
had in that State, and stands at the
head of 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 have been-t
same man that settled Virginia, be-
cause he would have been too Young
at that time (I607) to settle anything.
He couldn't have settled for his board,
even. Capt. Smith founded James
town, which was totally unfounded
like many of the anecdotes about him)
up to that period. Besides giving
jamestown a start, he started a num-
ber of Indian villages, so that they neY-
er came back sgain. 1t is said that he
could start village of that description
quicker than any white man living at
that time.- He started so many that
the red men hearing of it through the
daily papers, (the Indians were ,ceH red
in those days) determined to check
his enterprise.
Smith speculated a good deal in
corn, purchased it in the interior and
shipping it to jamestown. the great
grain center at that time, Chicago not |
having yet been discovered. In one of
his trips in search of corn, he trespass-
ed upon the dominions of King Pow
hatan. 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 cap
tured by PoWhatan's savages and ta-
ken before their chief. After a brief
hearing, in which no witnesses were
examined for the defense, (Smith de-
manded a jury trial, but it was refus-
ed, he was condemned to die. He
was asked if he bad anything to say
why sentence of death should not be
passed upon him. He said pothine, 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 no
effect, whatever, and he was marched
to the place Of execution. There was
q boulder on which to place his head,
while savage, painted in the most
hIdeous manner, was swinging stuff
ed club, and uttering diabolical cries,
impatient to mash him.
John gszed on the preparations I'M
dismsyed, for he belonged to one of
the first families in Virginia, (ths acc
ond families had not arrived from Eng
land yet, and he didn't scare worth a
continental. PoWhatan with O gener-
osity that one would hardly look for
in savage, asked him if there was
any message he would like to send 10
his family, and even offered to take
charge of any little memsntoes he de-
sired to leave for them. He immedi-
ately bethought him of an Accident
Insurance" policy, which would expire
about the same time he did, and =
ticket in q Gift Enterprise, (only 30,0O6
lnsold, both of which he desired to
have sent to his betrothed. PowhatAn
promised to send them by the
next steamer. Captain Smith
hen walked firmly to the block with {
'ut the aid of crutches, placed his $
head upon it, and babe the masher to !
nash! At this moment the forest
,ang with scream and a beautiful In.
liam girl darted into the midst of the
.hrong.
Raising her parasol to protect the !
lead of Smith from the impending
Hub, she exclaimed
Hold Red man, stay thy hand!-l I
She couldn't stay it herself, because
he didn't wear any stays Slay him,
md Virginia remains h-o-w-ling will
lerness, prolonged howls from the a
'avages.) Spare him and ratify the a
amendment, and Vir- I
,inia. a.resumes her place in the Union. Il
Some reconstructed savages shout y
and rushed on Smith :;
nth their carving knives, but PoHhat- .
n interfered.
Spare his life" said he, "the Great
pirit wills it. This put Smith in =
Teat spirits at once.) l commute his :,
sntence to the obloquy of founding 4
be first families in Virginia. Smith, :
it up and git!" !,
And Smith got. d
He lived to found the 6rst families q
q Virginia, race that IS mostly run b
ut-of the State Of Virginia. Poea- 81
ontus went across the water as O com d
Missioner to the Paris Exposition, Il
nd Powhatsn run an Injun Exhibi- fC