The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-03-04
S CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.
BY THE "FAT CONTRIBUTOR

81 fs
BY THE "FAT CONTRIBUTOR
The celebrated Captain John Smith,
the saving of whose life by Pocahon-
tas is "a historical event of no little in
terest-especially to Smith at this time
was the earliest settler. Of Virginia
Grant being the last SETTLER they
have had in that State), and stands at
the head of Smith family in this
country. We are informed that there
ia John Smith living in one of the
Western States, but he couldn't be the
same man that settled Virginia, be-
cause he would have been young at
that time eI7e6l to settle anything. He
couldn't have settled for his board
even. Captain Smith founded James
town, which was totally un-founded
Qike many of the anecdotes about
hinL up to that period. Besides Civ
ing jamestown a start, he started .
number of Indian villages, so that
they never came back again. 1t is
said that he could start q village of
this description quicker than any lnan
living at that time. He started 80
many, the red men, hearing CT it thro'
the daily papers (the Indians were
well red in those days., determined
to check his enterprise.
Smith sspeeulatedMa5 good sdeal in
corn, purchasing in the interior and
shipping to Jamestown, which was the
great grain center at that time, Chi
cago not having yet been discovered.
In one of his trips in search of corn,
he trespassed ON the Cdoninionss Of
King Powhattan, powerful chief,
who, from his eptrenchments on the
James, had long threatened Washing
ton. Smith, being somewhat over
loaded with g corn,1 fell into an am
buscade and was captured by Pow
hattanis savages, and taken before the
chief. After a brief hearing, in which
no witnesses were examined for the
defense (Smith demanded atrial by
jury, lBtitit was refused1, he was con-
demned to die. He was asked if he
had anything to say why the sentence
of death should mot be. passed upon
him. He said nothing in particular,
only his death would seriously inter-
ferel with the settlement of Virginia,
and might retard her re-admission in
to the Union This had no effect
whatever, and he was marched to the
place of execution. There was 8
bow,ider on which to place his head
while savage, painted in the mos
hideous manner, was swinging 4
stuffed club, and uttering diabolical
cries, impatient to "1nash" him.
John gazed upon the preparation
undismay ed, for he belonged to one O
the first families (the second famil,
had not arrived from England yeti
and he didn't scare worth a CONT
mental. Powhatan, with a generosity
that one would hardly look for in I
savage, asked him if there was an!
message he would like to send to hi
family, and even offered to take chang.
of any mementoes he desired to leav,
for them. He Immediately bethough
him Of an "Accident Insurance poll
cy, which would expire about tn
same time he did, ,and aticket in a gif
enterprise eonly $4,000 unsold), botl
of which he desired to have sent t,
his betrothed. Powhattan promised
to send them by the next steamer
Captain Smith then walked firmly t.
the block without the aid of crutchea
placed his head npon it, and Ebade tn
masher to mashI At this moment tn
forest rang with wild scream, and
beautiful Indian maiden darted int,
the midst of the throng. ags ii :
Raising her parasol to protect tn
head of Smith from the impendin
club, she exclaimed: Hl,5;I ftFF
"Holdl Red man! stay, stay th
handl (She couldn't stay It hersel
because,she didn't wear any stays.)-
Slay, him and Virginia remains
h-o-w-w-w-l-i-n-g wilderness. Pre
longed howls from the wigwams. !
Spare him and ratify the constitution,
amendment, and Virginia resumes he
place in the Unioni" - ~ 5.s1
Some reconstructed secesh savage
shouted, "Neyer!" and rushed upo
him. with. their carving knives, ybt
Powhatan interfered. b., 6aa sIes Il
"Spare bis lifes he said, "the Grel
Spirit wills it. This put Smith j
"great spirits, at once.] 7 conrnu1
his sentence to the obloquy of foune
ing the first families of Virginia.
Smith, get up and gift! " ii.f'-s3.s5 r
And Smith got.
And lived to found the fret familit
of Virginia, race, that is mostly RI
out-of the State of Virginia. Poe
hontas went across the waters as con
missioner to the Paris Exposition, an
Powhattan run an Indian Exhibitio
for years afterward with great success