Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-08-31
Virginia Dare.

Romance and history are equally
blended i'll the story Of Virginia Dare.
History tells us that she was the first
white born child Of English parents in
America. That she first saw the light
IN the little colony of Roanoke, Vir-
ginia-now North Carolina-August 10,
1881 She was the granddaughter Of
John White, who was sent out by Sir
Walter Raleigh as governor Of the col
Ony. There history stops and the
legend and romance take up the tale.
In a quaint old volume, published more
than half Il century ago, a writer pur-
ports to have unearthed some interest
ing data to the fate of this child, who
for more than 800 years has figured
in American colonial history, and for
one day. at least, viii draw the atten-
ton of many Americans and Europeans
to her story.
When John White was appointed
governor of the colony of Roanoke,
Virginia, he was a widower with one
daughter who had married, a year previ-
Gus to the opening of this account,
most eStimable gentleman, George
Dare. In accordance with Il promise
made her mother on her death bed.
that she would always care for her
father, Mrs. Dare decided to accompany
him to the strange new world, when
he received his appointment as gov
ernor. Her husband and father OPP
posed this at first, but seeing her de-
cision, which was endorsed by Sir
Walter Raleigh, they yielded to her
wishes. Her action and the encOur-
agement received from Sir Walter Raj
eigh, induced other Wcmen to accom-
pany their husbands and fathers to
America, SO quite Il little party Of them
left the shores of England on the 26th
of April 1887.
In the early part of July they an
chored at the Isle of Roanoke. The
vegetation of the southern latitude
filled the voyagers with admiration.
The forest trees had not their parallels
in the wolrd; the graceful vines clam
bered up these tall trees forming luXu-
RANT festoons. The forests were filled
with birds, and as they drew near the
land the ndor was as if they had been
in the mil of some delicate garden
Astounding with all kinds of fragrant
flowers" The passengers believed
they had arrived at a perfect Eden,
and with high expectations they set out
for the little settlement, listening every
moment for some sound from the in
habitants. At length emerging from
10 IL, into tln 1DiJ r1nt
scene of desolation presented itself! In
the midst of a group of dilapidated
dwellings, lay the ruins of the fort.
Grass cholled the path to the doors,
and the party were Mortified to find
among the rank weeks the whitening
bones Of some of their country
men. A rustling was heard in the
houses, and soon Il herd of wild deer
rushes out from the doors. 1t was
decided to return to the ships that
night and next day to send out a party
to examine the surrounding country.
Mrs. Dare encoura ged the women Of
the colony to keep up their spirits, and
thus lend courage to their husbands;
and when the exploring party returned
the next evening they were met by the
women's smiling faces and words OF
cheer. The men reported no signs OF
Indians in the vicinity, and thought
that in a few days the houses could be
made habitable. Before two weeks had
passed away they had landed and were
in possession of their new homes.
These were the circumstances that
made the birth of the first white child
a memorable one. Soon rumorS of hos
tility among the Indians reached the
ears of the whites, brought to them by
the natives who had made friendly
oyertures to the coloniSts, and had been
kindly treated in return. Manteo, the
chief of the Hatteras Indians, who by
the order of Sir Walter Raleigh had
been baptized and invested with the
authority of a feudal baron, had warn
ed them to be on their guard against
their willy and treacherous foe. At last
affairs grew so threatening that the
colonists urged Mr.. White to return TO
England and procure more men and
fresh supplies before the winter should
come
Before the day fixed for his departure
had arrived George Dare fell Vlcum
to fever, superinduced by unWonteo
toll and exposure. Gov. Whlte de
sired his daughter to return to England
and make her permanent home there
fearing the hardShips of their new lIe
we're too much for her. Mrs. Dare
Aought her little daughter too delicate
to bear the ocean voyage, and deter
mined to await her fathers return t.
her in their chosen home. On the Sun
day before the departure of the shiI
Mrs. Dare expressed the wish that hel
child might be baptized before it
grandfather sailed, and the quaint ole
chronicle from which this account il
gathered describes the scene as follows
'As the sun was sinking in the ives
the little band of coloniStS assemble
in the hollow square around whic'
their dwellings were built to unite il
worship. With them came Manteo an
some of his tribe who gazed with &C
miration on the devotions of the whit