The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1867-02-28
John Smith in Virginia.


Cincinnati Times and Lccturer on
Huu-ki-do-ri, treats his readers to
the following voracious bits of early
history in Virginia
The celebrated Captain John Smith,
the saving of whosc life by Pocahou.
tas is historic event Of no little in
terest--especially to Smith at that
time---was the earliest settler Of Vir-
ginia, Grant being tho latest settler
they have had in that State, and
stands at the head of the Smith fam-
lily in this country We are inform.
ed that there is a John Smith living
in one Of the Western States, but he
couldn't be the same man that settled
in Virginia, because he would have
been too young at that time--lG07--
TO sottle anything. lie couldn't have
settled for his board, even. Captain
Smith founded jamestown, which
was totally Ua-founded dixie many of
the anecdotes about him) up to that
period. Besides giving jamestown. a
start, he started number Of Indian
villages, so that they never came back
again. 1t is said that he could start
village of that description quicker
than any white man living ut that
time. Ho started so many that tho
red men hearing of it through the
daily papers, (the Indians were weil
real in those days determined to
check his enterprise.
Smith speculated a good deal in
corn, purchasing il in the interior
and shipping it to jamestown, which
was the great grain center at that
time, Chicago not having yet been
discovered. In enc of his trips in
search Of corn, he tresspassed upon
the dominions of King Powhatan, a
powerful chief, who, from his en-
trenchments on the James, had long
threatened Washington. Smith be-
ing somewhat overloaded with "corn,'
fell into an ambuscade, and was cap,
tured by Powhatan's savages aud ta--
ken before the chief. After a brief
hearing, in which no witnesses were
examined for the defense, (Smith de-
manded a jury triel, but it was re-
fused, he was condemned to die -
lie was asked if he had anything to
say why senteuce Of death should not
be passed upon him. He said, moth
ing in particular, only his death would
seriously Interfere with the settlement
of Virginia, and might retard her ad
mission into the Union. This had no
effect whatever, and be was marched
to the place of execution. There
was bowlder on which TO lay his
head, while savage, painted in the
me 81 hideous manner, was swinging a
stuffed club, and uttering diabolical
cries. impatient to mash him.
John gazed upon the preparations
undismayed, for he belonged to one
of the First Families Of Virginia,
the sec.nd families had not yet ar
arrived from England, ,-and he didn't
scare worth continental. Powhat-
an, with a generosity that one would
hardly lo1k for in savage, asked him
if there was any message he would
like to send to his family, and even
offered to take charge Of any little
mementoes he desired to leave for
them. lie Immediately bethought
him of an Accident Insurance" Pol
lev which would expire about the
same time he did, and a ticket in a
Gift EnterpriseAonly thirty thous-
aud unsold, both Of which he de-
sired TO have sent to his betrothed.--
Powhalan promised to send them by
the next steamer. Captain Smith
chen walked firmly to the'block with.
lout the aid OF erutches, placed his
Thea upon IL, and bade the masher
pro, sed to mash ! .g7t W
AZ this moment the forest rang
with scrvSm, sud a beautiful Indian
maiden 5arted into tho midst Of the
Etbropg.
J Raising he: he: psrasoi TO protect the