The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-04-07
NORTH CAROLINA
HISTORY.
SOME FIRST aLIMPsES.

SOME FIRST GLlMPSES.
Interesting Facts
By c. Allen in Wilmington Messenger.
Some days after the exchange Of hos
pitality with the natives, an expedition
of exploration was formed. Captain |
Barlowe, with seven companions, was
sent up river (which they call DC
cam" unquestionably meaning some
part of the Albermarle sound, about
twenty miles to the island of Roanoke.
On the northern part Of that island
they came to an Indian village, where
Granganimeo lived, and here they were
royalty entertained by. that chiefs wife,
the same that had been aboard the
English ship few days before.
Captain Barlowe tells how they were
entertained, from which account few
extracts are taken. "When we were
come to the outer room" he continues,
"baving five rooms in her house, she
caused us to sit down by great fire, and
after we took off our clothes and wash
ed them, and dried them again, some
of the women plucked off our stockings
and washed them, some washed our
feet in warm water, and she herself
took great pains to see all things Or
dered in the best manner she could.
making great haste to dress some meat
for us to eat" Our author noticed a
great many things about the mode OF
living among the Indians, their furni-
ture, cooking utensils, and other things.
"Their vessels are earthen pots, very
large, white and sweet, their dishes are
wooden plates of sweet timber"
Thus it was that the first intercourse
between the Indians and white men
was friendly, and the historian of the
expedition says, "a more kind and low
Ing people there cannot be found in
the world, so far as we have hitherto
had trial."
An incident is given that shows the
feelings 81 the natives toward the new
comers. After being entertained at
the house of the Indian chief on the
northern end of the island in various
WAYS, the party were given dinner
that might be denominated a banquet
of the primitive kind. "While we were
at meal" the narrative continues
i"there came in at the gates two or three
men with their bows and arrows from
hunting, whom when we espied. we be
gan to look one towards another, anc
offered to reach our weapons; but a:
soon as she (Granganimeo's wife) es
pied our mistrust, she was very muct
moved. and caused some .of her me1
to run out, and take away their bow
and arrows and break them, and with
al, beat the poor fellows out of th'
gate again"
During the two months stay in ant
> around Roanoke island, these first yoy
]. ayers to our state made many explol
l ing trips to the nsighboring lands. Il
I these they found out many thing
about the country and people, whicl
9 thew told to attentive ears when the
7. returned to England, and which ar
!, included in their formal report to 81
Walter Raleigh.
/ That report was enthusiastic and II
i teresting. They had visited Mort
IS Carolina under the most favorable COZ
II ditlons. The superb summer seaso
q was at it's best. The woods we're swet
II with the smell of flowers. The air W.
n fragrant with the odor OF ripenln
l. fruits. The trees were dense with the
al magnificent foliage. The seas WEI
d smooth with the summers calm. +
Of erything presented scene OF beau'
t) and natural loneliness. A few wor
ID from the report will show somethlr
as of the enthusiasm which marks 1t
er "The soil is the most plentiful, swet
Is fruitful and wholesome OF all Il
IN world there are alone fourteen swe
IL smelling timber trees and tor the me-
TO part their underwood are bays and su
like; they have their oaks that
'r have but far greater and better"
ro Altogether it was description tn
as pleased Sir Walter, who at once to
it to his patron the queen. She '
delighted with the new country,
40 conferred upon it the honor OF nami
1t.
Ono error the explorers fell II
=. must have prolonged laughter In
leigh himself when he found out
- mistake. They reported. the coun
= as being called Wingandocoa by
Indians. Sir Walter, in bis history
L.-o-ld urifton while in prison ms