The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-02-02
Florida's Pocahontas.

Gov. w. B. Bloxham incidentally
related the following legend in his ad-
dress welcoming the delegates of the
National Fishery Society to Tampa,
Fla. on Thursday, January 90:
"You meet here upon this historic
ground, where the footprints Of some
of SPANS greatest cavaliers and
Americas noblest captains can be
traced. While it is not nay intention
to rccur to their heroic deeds or to Of
fer you a cup filled with the ambrosia
of ancient story, yet there is one ro-
nance, based upon historic fact, as
sociated with this very spot that |
feel you will kindly indulge should
brief reference be made thereto.
';Whercver the history Of America
is read there the story of Pocahontas
is known. The romance is most cap
tivating, and some of Virginias most
honorcd sons trace back Il Image to
this daughter Of the forest. But the
historic fact that similar scene was
enacted on this very spot three-quar-
ters of century before the name of
Pocahontas was ever lisped by Eng
lish lips is unknown to even many
Floridians. 1t was here in 1928,
twelve years before Dc Soto landed on
Tampa Bay, that Juan Ortez, Span
ish youth of eighteen, having been
captured at Clear Water, was brought
before Hirrihugua, the stern Indian
chief, in whose breast was ranking a
vengeance born of the i'll treatment of
his mother By the followers Of the ILL
fated Navarez. Ortez was young and
fair, but the cruel chief had given the
orders, and here was erected grid
iron of poles, and young ortez was
bound and stretched to meet the de-
mands Of human sacrifice. The
torch was being applied. the cracking
flames began to gather strength tor
the human holocaust, when the stern
chief f's daughter threw herself at her
father s feet and interposed in Ortez s
behalf. Her beauty rivaled that OF
the historic dame whose heavenly
charms kept Troy and Greece ten
years in arms. The soft language OF
her soul flowed from her never silent
eyes as she looked up through her
tears Of sympathy, imploring the
life Of the young Spaniard.
"Those tears, the ever-rcady weap-
on of womans weakness, touched the
heart of the savage chief, and Ortcz
was for the time spared.
"But the demon of evil in few
months again took possession OF Hir-
rihugua, and his daughter saw that
even her entreaties would prove un-
availing. She was betrothed to Mu-
coso, the young chief Of a ncighbor-
ing tribe. Their love had been plight
ed, that God-given love that rules the
savage breast.
"Her loving heart told her that Or
tez would be safe in Mucoso's keep
ing. At the dead hour Of night she
accompanied him beyond danger and
placed in his hands such token as Mu-
coso would recognize.
"She acted none too soon. As the
| sun rose over this spot, its rays iell
upon the maddcned chief calling in
vain for the intended victim of his
vengeance. His rage was such that it
dried up the wellsprings of parental
affection and he refused the marriage
| of his daughter unless OrCeZ WAS sul-
rendered. But that Indian girl, al
though it broke the hcartstrings OF
hope, sacrificed her love to humanity,
and Mucoso sacrificed his bride upon
the altar of honor
"Ortez lived to welcome De Soto.
Tell me-aye tell the wcrld-whcrc a
brighter example Of nobler virtue was
ever recorded Where in history DO
you find more genuine and more touch
ing illustration Of love, charity and
forgiveness s'-thc very trinity OF
earthly virtues. and the brightest
Jewels of the Christian heaven?
'.What captivating theme this
Florida Pocahontas should present TO
the pen Of Imagination, picturing this
spot then and to-day associated with
| romance rich in historic love. -'Sa-
ranndh Nems.