The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-02-29
MisreII1neouS.
Captain John smith.
by THE FAT CoNTR' DUToH.


- Attt $3.50. p 20.
by THE FAT CoNTR' DUToR
The celebrated Captain John Smith, the saw.
ing Of whose life by Pocahontas is q historic
event of no little specially 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 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 man who set
tied Virginia, because he would have been too
young at that time 1900 to settle anything.
He couldn't have settled for his board even
Captain Smith founded jamestown which was
totally unfounded like many of the anecdotes
about him) up to- that period. Besides giving
Jamestown q start, he started number OF IN
dian villages, SO that they never came back again
1t is said that he could start village OF that de-
scription quicker than any white man living at
that time. He started so many, the req men hear
ing of it through the daily papers (the Indians
were soeN red in those days. determined to check
his enterprise < X & OlG&
Smith speculated good deal in corn, purchas-
ing it in the interior and shipping it to James
town, which was the grain center at the time,
Chicago not having yet been discovered. In one
Of his trps in search of corn. he trespassed upon
the dominions of the King Powhatan. power
full chief, who, from his sntrsnchments 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 exam
ined for the defence Smith demanded jury
trial but it was rofused,) he was condemned to
die. He was asked if he had anything to say
why the sentence of death should not be pro-
nounced against him. He said nothing in par.
ticular, only his death would seriously interfere
with the settlement Of Virginia, and might re.
tard her readmission into the Union. This had
nc effect whatever, and he was marched to the
place of execution. There was boulder on
which to place his head, while savage, painted
in the most hideous manner, was swinging
stuffed club, and uttering diabolical cries, impa-
tient to mash him. r.g
John gazed upon the preparations undismay-
cd for he belonged to one Of the FIRST families Of
Virginia, the second families had not arrived
from England YETI and he didn't scare worth
continental. Powhatan, with o generosity one
would hardly look for in a savage, asked him 1t
there was any message he would like to send his
family; and even offered to take charge OF any
little mementoes he desired to leave them. He
Immediately bethought him of an Accident In.
suranco" policy, which would expire about the
same time he did, and a ticket in a gift enter
prise (only 30 1000 unsold, both of which no desir-
cd to have sent to his betrothed. Powhatan
promised to send them by the next steamer.
Captain Smith then walked firmly to the block
without the aid of crutches, placed his head up
ON it, and babe the masher TO mash At this
moment the forest rang with wild scream. and
q beautiful Indian maiden dartod into the midst
Of the throng.
Raising her parasol TO protect the head of
Smith from the impending club she exclaimed:
Hold Red man stay thy hand lShe couldn't
stay it herself, because she didn't wear stays
Stay him. and Virginia remains bowling Wild
erness. Prolonged bowls from the savagesl.
Spare him and ratify the constitutional amend
,nent, and Virginia resumes her place in the
Unionw tg4
Some reconstructed secesh savayes shouted:
"Never" and rushed on Smith with their car
ving-knivos but Powhatan interfered
"Spare his life" said she: "ths Great Spirit
Wills it. This put Smith in great spirit. 1
commute the sentence to the obloquy Of found
ing the first families Of Virginia. Smith git up
and git"
And Smith got.
lie lived to found tho first families of Virginia,
a race that is mostly ran out-of the State of
Virginia. Pocahontas went across the water as
a commissioner to tho Paris Exposition, and
Powhatan run an Indian Exhibition for years
aftor with great success.