The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1891-10-08
THE POGAHONTAS TALE.
TRUE VERSION OF THE AMERICAN
HISTORICAL LEGEND.


Life. but Interceded in Behalf of One
OF Eer Lovers. Who Was Doomed to
Die and Whom She Did Sot Marry.
1T is strange and incomprehensible,
nevertheless fact, that raconteurs, from
the time of the first liar down to the
present age of Mulhattons and Mum
chausens, with a wonderful unanimity
persist in falsifying and twisting the
truth into an unrecognizable quantity"
said Colonel George as he gazed at the
woudrous landscape panoramically COM
ing into view
We were speeding over the beautiful
sea green waters of the Chesapeake bay
on the steamer Ariel from Norfolk to
Richmond. L made the acquaintance on
board of the gentleman who gave utter
ance to the above sage remark. When
the colonel spoke the boat was on the
eve of passing historical Jamestown, and
the passengers had grouped themselves
together on The lee side to catch a feet
ing glimpse of the ivy clad front wall of
the old church, standing sentinel-like on
peninsula formed point of land
As we rounded the wide bend of the
river. and the church, the sole remain
ing relic standing ON the scene of the
romance OF Captain Smith and Pocahon-
tas. hove into view, the colonel resumed
his conversation, or rather monologue:
You must have noticed in your life
time how story will grow as it is re-
peated from lip to lip-how the truth
becomes distorted and subjected to in
Vulnerable alterations of fact In illus
tration of this, said the colonel thought
fully, 81 will relate you an Indian legend
recalled to my mind by that old ruin"
pointing to the church wall which the
boat was just then gliding by. "The
story, as heard it. was told me by an
old farmer. well known in the neighbor-
hood. on my last trip up the James
river. just before the war"
PoCAHoNTAs' REAL NAME.
jamestown vanishing from sight, the
colonel and . returned to the cabin,
sought seats away from the crowd of
passengers and settled myself comfort
ably to listen to the tale.
When Captain John Smith made the
first settlement in Virginia, the white
and red man lived on terms of amity
and confidence. began Colonel George.
Caucasian and Indian mingled with
each other and were held in mutual es-
TEEN. Until the outcropping of the
greediness and avariciousness of the
Englishmen became apparent, peace and
prosperity smiled on the hardy settlers.
In the village ruled by Powhatan
there dwelt a lovely Indian maiden. Her
skin was the color of polished copper,
her hair of ravens hue and her ewes
sparkled as the morning star yelled be-
hind a gathering storm cloud Warriors
from far and near sought her hand in
marriage. but her heart remained invul-
nerabie to all vows of love and devotion.
However, when the white man invaded
the habitations of the Indians, among
their number was a youth comely to
look upon, famed for his courage and
manly qualities. Tetehee. in the course
of her many visits to the newly founded
village on the James river, cast her eyes
on handsome Homer Castalwain, and.
10! the little Indiap god of love pierced
her heart with his arrow, and she loved
him with all an Indian maidens fierce
ness.
Now. Chief Opechancanough, one of
Powhatans tributary rulers, had son
who was madly in love with Tetehee,
the Morning Star. BanlSee BLACK Bear)
was cruel and vindictiye Indian, and
when he learned that Tetehee's heart be-
longed to a despised white man he swore
vengeance upon his tomahawk against
Homer Castalwain.
THE TRUE VERSION
In the soft Indian summer with
nature aglow with yariegated colors.
Tetehee, in company with the other
naIdens and squaws of the village, was
gathering the golden ripe maize for win
ter use from the fields of the king.
bo, 10,
raided the cornfields of the powerful
Powhatan. carrying off to his own vii
lage the object of his savage affections.
He meant to coerce Tetehee into mar
riage while in his power. raise war
party. attack the settlement of the white
men and exterminate it.
.Castalwain. upon hearing of the
threatened danger of his lovely Indian
bride-to-be. accompanied by Captain
John Smith. supplicated King Powhatan
for aid to rescue her. This was granted.
So. with war party composed of Indians
and settlers. under the leadership of
Smith. Opechancanough's village was
surprised in the midst of his sons wed
ding festivities. Tetehee rescued and
Bankee captured and carried before King
Powhatsn
uChi Il WstS tHftI LIS lstIe WAS uecreeu
death by beheading. SO to speak. As
Bankee's head lay on the stone. a huge
Indian standing over him. Pocahontas
rushed between the appraised club and
prostrate man and begged her father, the
king, for his iife-not from love, how
ever, but simply through pity and weak
ness of heart
This is the true version of the world
wide famous legend of Captain Smith
and Pocahontas. which poets and his
torians have handed down for genera
tions. 1t is sample of what truth