West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-09-22
A Romance of Fort George island.

Fort George Island--a winter resort at
the mouth of the st. Johns River,
Florida, which is coming into fashion
is the subject of an enthusiastic writer
in Scribner for September, who relates
the following story:
The young owncrof the island, cult
waiting hundreds of acres and raising
enormous crops of cotton and sugar.
used to build schooners in a ship-yard of
his own, and imported slaves directly
from the African coast, selling To his
neighbors such as he did not want. He
was unmarried. Perhaps no one of the
daughters of the neighboring planters
could hardly have appeared attractive in
any womans eyes; perhaps he preferred
a life of freedom and independence.
However that may have been, he was i'm
the habito of going occasionally 10 Africa
himself, and OF buying his slaves from
the native chiefs, who disposed in this
way of their prisoners of war.
During one of these visits, while en-
gagged in bargaining, ne was struck with
the grace and beauty of the chiefs
young daughter, q child of ten years
old. He proposed TO buy her, but she
was a favorite child and her father could
not part with her Persuasions were for
time unavailing, but at length the
savage father, unable to resist the
glitter of the white mans gold, agreed
TO part with his child upon condition
that she should be treated with con
sidcration and brought up as becomes a
kings daughter The planter promised,
and, strange to say, he kept his word.
She was kindly cared for and well edu-
Gated, and in course of time became the
planters lawful wife. She had, accord
ing to tradition, with the exception of a
dark skin, none Of the usual negro
characteristics. Her handsome features
were regular, her hair smooth, her pres
ence dignified and commanding. Her
husband seems never to have regretted
his unusual course, and her influence over
her captive countrymen was unbOunded.
In addition to her position and superior
| intelligence was the consideration Of her
native rank, which to them at least was
Il source Of unquestioned right
| The establishment was kept up I'M
almost princely style. The sons were sent
| TO England to be educated: for the
daughter French and English govern.
esses were procured, and established i'm
\ separate houses near the mansion; white
artisans Of various kinds we're constantly
/ NAh HAWgNhf hi"hifiE ffAAAt ~ NAIEt .NOlii-
/ munity aside from the hundreds OF
slaves upon the island And over al
this, in her husbands long and frequent
absence, rcigned our dusky princess n.
absolute in her insular domain as hei
savage father in his native wilds She
had strong and powerful mind, and
sympathy as well. One old negro, who
died some time since, 80 old that no one
could remember him a. other than old
used 10 tell how he was brought ovel
when young 10 this island, where he had
lived ever since, and how he and others
sick and exhausted, were ministered 3,
by the "missis'" own hands, and how
they all loved her and always prayed
Lord bless Ma'am Hannah p Every
morning as she stood upon this very spo
the field hands passed in review before
her, each gang with its driver, going I,
their daily work She inspected then
ALL picking out such as we're unfit 70
labor and sending them to the hospita
or to lighter tasks and every night IL
( the same spot she heard a report of th
day, examined into all complaints, an,
with strict justice adjudged each offend
ers punishment; and without he
order not a lash could be given.