Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-07-18
Virginia Dare.
THE ROMANTIC STORY OF THE FIRST AMER
ICAN GIRL BABY.

THE ROMANTIC STORY OF THE FIRST AMER
ICAN GIRL BABY.
Roanoke Island was in sight as justice
had been done the baked shad and other
delicacies. and the captain was reminded
that he still had to tell the story of Virginia
Dare, says letter to the New Yord Times.
"That's where the first white child was
born in America" said Capt. Southgate,
pointing to the cresent-shaped, lowlying
island, the Manteo was approaching.
"What was her name, captain ?" inquir-
ed the curious passenger, who had recover
ed from the shock administered to him ear
lier in the day.
"Virginia Dare" was the captains re-
ply. There were loud calls for the story,
and, as there was time, the captain spun it..
Regarding the exact date of Virginia
Dare's birth, the captain admitted he was
in doubt, but it happened so long ago that
it was a matter of minor importance. She
was born cn Roanoke Island, and she grew
into a very lovely blonde. White men
and red men from far and near
heard of the beauty of Virginia Dare,
and came to lay themselves and their pos
sessions at her feet. To all of them she
turned deaf ear Suddenly she disappeared.
Search was made all over Roanoke Island
and the adjoining mainland, but to no pur-
pose; not trace of Virginia Dare could be
discovered. There were many deer on
Roanoke Island, and hunters noticed about
the time Virginia Dare disappeared that
one of the largest herds was always led by
beautiful snow-white doe. Many attempts
were made to shoot this white doe, but with
so little success that it's wonderful sagacity
and 1eetness of foot was soon heralded fol
miles around. Noted hunters visited the
island for the sole purpose of killing the
white doe, but went away disappointed.
One day an old Indian wandered into the
white mems settlement. He had lived al
his life on the island and knew every foot
of it. Had he ever seen the snow-white
doe? A single grunt denoted that he had
Under the influence of frequent and heavy
potations the ancient red man became il
his silent way loquacious. The white doe
could only be killed in one way, and as hi
did not want to see it killed. he refused tt
further explain himself. More fre-watel
brought his secret to the surface. The
white doe could only be killed by the mos
skillful shot and with a silver bullet. Thi.
information was dispatched to jamestown
and the most noted hunter in Virginia came
to Roanoke Island in response. A gran(
hunting party was formed. The grand
hunter loaded his smooth bore with a silve
bullet and took his station at point which
the herd of deer would pass in it's fiigh
from the other party. In good time th'
hunter heard the flying deer approaching
He got ready and as the white doe sho
past him, hundred yards in advance o
the herd, he fired.
The white doe simply increased her pace
and when the rest of the hunting party
reached the spot where the great hunter
stood he was compelled acknowledge hi
failure. He returned to his home bu
promised to return and try again. He wa
good as his word. Again he loaded his gul
with silver bullet and took his station
while the other hunters scattered to dis
cover and drive the game in the proper di
rection. For a second time the great hun
ter took careful aim as the white doe ap
peared leading the herd. AS the sound O
the shot rang Though the woods the whit
doe took tremendous bound and ther
pillowed its head on the moss-coved root
of giant pine. The silver bullet had strucl
it in the heart. The great hunter waited
for his companions. He was possessed O
a strange foreboding. In body the hunt
ing party approached the spot where tn,
owner Of the silver bullet had seen tn,
white doe fall. In its place they found tn
body of Virginia Dare.