The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1894-01-11
FIRST WHITE SETTLERS.
PROF. Dawes ADDRESS AT THE
TWIN CITY CLUB,
On Sir Walter Ralefgh's Colony on
Roanoke Island-A Worthy
Undertaking

On Sir Walter Ralefgh's Colony on
Roanoke Island-A Worthy
Undertaking
The audience that assembled JAN
uary at the Twin-City Club was very
fortunate in having gone out to hear
Professor Ell. Graham Dawes deliver
his address on the fist English settle
ment IN America-the colony planted
by Sir Walter Raleigh on Roanoke Is
land, on the North Carolina coast, in
1885. The speaker was introduced by
Hon. Clement Manly, who did so in a
few remarks appropriate to the theme
to be discussed.
The adult auditors were some of
the most prominent people of the two
cities, and in addition there were sew
eral teachers of the higher grades in
the public schools who were each ac-
cOmpanied by body of pupils.
0The beautiful hall of the Twin-City
Club looked at it's best and with
pleasant surroundings an interested
audience, a graceful and ornate
speaker and a most fascinating and
patriotic theme, the occasion could
not but be an eventful one.
Prof. Dawes fine personal presence,
his deep melodious voice and scholar
ly attachments makes him peculiarly
fitted to be at the head of such
praiseworthy project and his efforts
in our North Carolina cities have been
quite successful, considerable inter-
est in the memorial project having
been awakened.
After giving an account OF the ad-
venturous spirits of the early Eng
lish explorers who gave us the first
footing upon the central and north
ern part of North America and were
the progenitors of all that was and is
best in our American civilization, he
described at length the appearance
seen by our forefathers and recorded
by them.
The coming of the Raleigh colonists
under Sir Richard Grenville, their ex-
periences and vicissitudes and their
subsequent complete disappearance
were all graphically pictured by
Prof. Dawes.
He spoke of the baptism of Manteo,
the Indian chief, the birth and chris
tening of the first native North Caro-
linian, Virginia Dare, and of the fort
and other buildings erected.
The address was mainly historical,
but the narrative is enhancing by
reason OF the romance that character
ICES it throughout. Professor Dawes
certainly tells the story well and
while his hearers are deeply interest
ed in the facts presented, they are also
more pleasurably impressed with the
finished and schOlOrly touches with
which he gilds every sentence. His
consecutiveness in detail is admirable,
and from the time he began until he
Anic a1 cn NJ
that each became obliviOus to all else
but the words that were falling so in
terestingly, so instructlvely from the
lips of the speaker. All NO1th Caro-
linIans should have been present and
listened to the history that instructs
us that North Carolina was the cradle
of civilization on this continent, was
the scene of the first white child born
in America, and was where the first
convert to Christianity was made
among the aborigines.
In his address Prof. Dawes pays
particular attention to old "Fort Raj
eigh," the site of the settlement on
Roanoke Island, and he says that the
outlines of this ancient landmark are
still distinct. He appeals to the
state pride of North Carolina to pre-
serve it from destruction, and asks all
patriotic North Carolinians to come
to the relief of those engaged in an
effort to purchase the old fort and
MAINTAIN it in it's present condition.
With this object in view, Professor
Dawes originated plan in Baltimore
to purchase the land where it stands,
but owing to the stringency of the
times very little encouragement along
this line has been received. His heart
was SO set upon the project that he
secured an option on the land, en-
bracing 24O acres, at the purchase
price OF 81, 500. He then organized a
Joint stock company of 100 shares OF
the par value of S25 a share, and hoped
thereby to raise 81, 500, Of which 81 500
would be used to make the purchase
and 81 900 to be held in reserve fol
preserving the fort and improving the
grounds. Only $500 have been raised
so far, but he hopes by his lectures to
be able To raise funds and induce ad-
ditional subscriptio ms to the stock
His option expires in April and it be
hooves all North Carolinians to lend q
helping hand in this matter. The
SENTINEL is pleased to learn that
WinstOn-Salem has subscribed two
shares of s25 each to the stock.
Professor Dawes ambition is t6
make Southern Plymouth Rock OF
Roanoke, and he hopes to interest the
people of the State in the plans HI
has on foot. In his present tour h'
| will deliver his address at the places
named: Charlotte, January 5th
Chapel Hill, January 9Th. TIL
SENTINEL wishes him success in hi