The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1867-02-09
Authentic "Injun HistOry-Pocahon
tas and Captain Jshn Smith.


The celebrated Capt John Smith, the saving
Of whose life by PocahOntas Is historic event
Of no little interest-especialiy to Smith at
that time-Was the earliest settler of Fir-
ginia, 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 settled IN Virginia. because he
would have been too young at that time (I707)
to settle anything lie couldn't have stetled
for his board, even. Capt Smith founded
jamestown, which was totally unfounded
like many of the anecdotes about him) up
to that period Besides giving jamestown
a start he started number Of Indian villa
ges, so that they never come back again. 1t
IS said that he could start a village of that
description quicker than any white man liY-
ing at that sine He started so many that
the red men hearing Of it through the daily
papers, (the Indians we're well read in those
days. determined to check his enterprise.
Smith speculated a good deal in corn pur-
chasing it in the Interior and shipping it to
jamestown, which was the great grain cen
ter at that time, Chicago not having yet been
discovered. In one of his trips in search
of corn, he tresspassed upon the dominion
OF King POwhata, a powerful chef, 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 Powha-
tan's sayages and taken before their cheif
After brief hearing, 10 which no witnesses
were examined for the defense, (Smith de-
manded Jury trial, but it was refused) 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 insparticular, only his death
would seriously interfere with the settlement
of Virginia, and might retard her readmis-
sion into the union This had no effect
whatever, and he was marched to the place
of execution. There was a bowlder on
which to place his head while savage pain
ted in the most hideOus manner, was swing
ing stuffed club, and uttering diabOhcal
cries impatient to smash him.
John gazed upon the preparations undis-
mayed for ne belonged to one of the first
families of Virginia. (the second families
had not arrived from England yeti, and he
didn't scare worth a continental Powhatan
with generosity that one would hardly
look for in a 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. He Immediately bethought him of
an accident insurance policy which
j.
and a ticket IN gift enterprised (oniy 3d.
600, unsOld) both of which he desired to
have sent to his betrOthed. Powhatan prom
ised TO send them by the next steamer
Capt Smith then walked firmly to the block
without the aid Of crutches, placed his head
upon itand babe the masher proceed to mash
At this moment the forest rang with a
! scream and a beautiful Indian maiden dar-
ted into the midst of the throng.
Raising her parasoI to protect the head of
Smith from the impending club, she exclaim-
ed
Hold Red man, stay thy hand (She
couldn't staysit herself because she didn'
wear any stay.) Stay him and Virginia re-
mains h-o-w-Ling wilderness. prolonged
bowls from the savages. Spare him ratify
the constitutional amendment, and Virginia
resumes her place in the union"
Some reconstructed secesh savsges shOu-
/ ted, NeVerr and rushed on Smith with
theirScarving knives, but Powhatan inter
i fered
Spare his life said he, " the Great Spirit
wills it. (This put Smith in great spirits at
/ once. 1 commute his sentence TO the ohio
/ guy of founding the first families of Yir-
GINA Smith, git up and giti
And. Smith got.
He lived to found the first families of Vir
/ ginia, race that is mostly run out, of the
state of Virginia. POcahontas went across
! the water as commissioner to the Paris
exposition, Powhatan run in Injun exhibit
ton for years with great success.