The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-07-11

JOHN SMITH.
The historian, Arthur, whose Chron'
iclss can be relied on, says this place Wss
discovered by John Smith shortly before
be discovered PocahOntas, and that the
colonists IS they dropped anchor near its
peaceful shores we're 80 struck BY its calm
and placid sppearancs in comparison With
the wild and warning elements outside
the harbor, that they named It Point Com.
tort in token Of their appreciation Of lie
quiet and restful surroundings. The pre-
lAx Old camo aiterward, just % It's dis,
coyeTeE doubtless got to be called Old
Smith when his adventurous career was
ended and he settled down Ia
bis life work Of founding These
old Virginia families who trace their orr
gin back to the frat settlers. Old General
FLOYD, who used TO be q delegate from
Logan County and carried round 40
ample supply Of anecdotes and ierked
yenison, told your correspondent that his
brother John B., who was in Buchenan's
Cabinet, once got an idea that the Floyd
family came down In q direct line from
Pocahontas and hired Q %genealORist 10
traCe It out, but had to call him of before
his work was ended, Ra his progress
tended morein the direction Of Ethiopian
than Indian ancestry, This was ons Of
the Generals fAterite jokes, which we're
not always founded on fact, but II illus
trates the danger oil too minute inquiry
into Rntecedsnts. AZ Colonel StaTbottle
says in 1.-TWO Men OF Sandy Bar" the
pgst belongs 10 the individual. II he
chooses 10 rIsk an exploration Of 1t In the
Esy OF family history II 10 his own fault
II he fnds the line WAxed Ut the other
end. There are doubtless, however, .
good many oil the residents OF this section
who can establish their claim to
coveted Indian AuCestty, not only by
family records but by their distinctive fea'
inrss transmitted through numerous gen
eTationR. Only yesterday l saw among
the bathera on the beach o daughter Of al
old Virginia family whose face aud 6guFe
suggssted recolleClions OF Mrs, Role and
her gentle history,
HOW TO GIT HERR,
But l began to write about Old Point
and here l am s!rAylDg of into remiuiB'
Cences which are only interesting to the
Smiths and Pocahontsse. The beat way to
get here is To take the B. & o. Railroad 10
Baltimore and come hence by the Bay
Line Of steamers which leave every even
ing and land you at the Point in time ior
breakfast next morning, The Baltimore
road now runs its own sleepers, which are
fully equal to the Pullman cars, and the
ride down the Chesapeake Bay is the
perfection OF summer travel. There Is O
line OF steamers from Washington, but
they are neither 60 Commodious or well
appointed o. the Baltimore steamers and
are sometimes o%verCrowded at this season
with exCursionists. Any route that may
be selected, however, will be found 1
pleasant one Just now, and there are sew
eral included 10 the excursion prospeCtusel
for summer travel.
CREATURE COMFORTS.
There Is only one hotel at Old Poin0
worth mentioning, the Hygeia, which
was named alter the young woman who
ln mythology had charge Of the Health
Department. 1t stretches along the beach
now long enough to make a walk along
its porChes enough for an average pedes
trian and adds several Cubits to lis stature
yearly. 1t 10 kept open Nll the year round,
and being generally well filled, has had
the benefit OF modern improvements, and
with handsome furniture, elevators, cleo,
trio bells, inside baths and other modern
p%araphernalis, 1t has more the appearance
Of metropolitan hostelry than an out-ol.
town resort. Hearness to the Norfolk
markets makes good catering easy and the
best fish, oysters, soft shell crabs, etc, are
taken out OF the water within q stones
throw OF lie doors. For amusements there
are any quantity OF sail boats, from yachts
10 canoes, with each one warranted to be
the fastest in the fleet; fishing
in abundance, with q certainty Of catching
at least q good string Of hog,fsh, spot fab
and sea.trout; dancing in an open pavil.
ion on the beach, TO the music OF q medi,
OGRE orchestra made up from the Fortress
Monroe band driving on the shell roads
that lead to Hampton, Soldiers Home
and the Agricultural College; ptomensd.
ing along the beach or through the shady
ramparts Of the old tort, and last, but moi
least, bathing from dswy morn Until mid.
night 10 the gentle suif that laps the
shore within Q few feet Of the hotel front.
The latter 10 the universal recreation,
several hundred people usually being
found 10 the water OF noon, and smaller
bathing parties being made up at other
hours oil the day.
WAR RRNINlscENCEs.
All The surroundings here recall stirring
Cidents in our late war history. The
boallnen point out where the Merrimac
ateAmad down and plaved havoc With tho