The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-24
ON HISTORIC GROUND
Washington Post on Roanoke
Island Celebration.
Full Text OF Senator Simmons Bill. Senator
Pri.chard's First Deer Hunt Great
Success.
Special to News and Observer

Washington, D. c., Dec 23-The Wash.
nigton Post says;
"Can you tell when and where the
first English speaking people landed with
in the present boundaries of the United
States? If not, Senator Simmons, of
North Carolina, viii tell you all about
it.
THE historic spot is in Senator Sim
mons State. 1t is Roanoke Island N. e.,
and the date was 1884. The people who
settled there had been sent over by Sir
Walter Raleigh and they wrote such
glowing letters home and made such at
tractive maps that in 1885 and 1887 the
colony largely increased 1t was at Roa-
Roke Island in 1857 that Virginia Dare,
the first Anglo-American. as Senator Sim
mons calls her, was born. She ought to
have monument, says Mr.. Simmons and
he wants Congress to appropriate $4,000
for this purpose. Besides that, lie has in
troduced a resolution asking Con-
gress 20 appropriate $4,000 TO aid
the North Carolina people in an exposi-
tion which is to be held next July and
August in celebration of the landing on
Roanoke Island. At this exposition there
is to be remarkable display of an
etc, which will illustrate an almost for
gotten chapter in American histccy."
The story appears in the Washington
Post:
The full text of the bill with reference
to the monument to Virginia Dare and
the celebration ar Roanoke Island, intro
6uced by Senator Simmons, is as follows:
Whereas, the first expedition of English
speaking people VINO effected a settlement
in any Of the original thirteen colonies
landed ON the shores of North Carolina ON
the fourth day Of July (olS style) in the
year of our Lord 1854. and effected a set
tlemen on Roanoke Island. which formed
the base of important expeditions, and
Whereas, this expedition was followed
up by the colonists who settled on said
island in 1885 and 1857 and carried back
and published in Europe the first maps and
surveys and the first particular description
uf part OF the territory and inland waters
of said colony, thereby sowing the seeds of
the ultimate possession and settlement OF
the United Staes by our race, and
Whereas, in August, 1857, was born on
said island Virginia Dare, the first Anglo
American, and it has been for some time
proposed TO erect monument there to com
memoratc the first settlement OF Anglo
SaXons his continent and the splendid
efforts OF Sir Walter Raleigh to possess the
same for his race, and 1t is, now proposed
by the people of North Carolina to cele
hrate in the months of July and August
of 1892. events above enumerated, by pa
geant and appropriate ceremonies and by
AN exposition of colonial and Indian doc
uments, relics, curios, paintings, books,
maps and manuscripts;
BE it enacted by the Senate and House
OF Representatives. of the United States in
Congress assembled
That tie sum OF $25 coo he and the same
Is hereby appropriated out of any money
il the treasury not otherwise appropriated
TO be expended by the governor OF the State
of North Carolina, under the direction for
tie Secretary OF the Treasury for the pur-
pose of erecting the said monument
Section .. That the sum of $4,000 be
and the same is hereby appropriated to be
expended by the governor OF North Carolina,
under the direction of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, for the purpose OF aiding in de,
fraying the expenses which will be incurred
in conducting said celebration.
Senator Pritchards first deer hunt was
a great success. 1t occurred in the beau
tIful mountain region of Western North
Carolina, near Marshall, the Senator's
home. The town of Marshall by the way
il located in the V-shaped valley of the
French Broad where the sides of the
mountain are so steep that there is only
room for one street; but that has nothing
to do with the story.
1t was a ne winter morning when
Senator Pritchard joined the party Of
deer hunters. They were hardy noun
taineers and they possessed keen sense
of humor They knew that it was Prtch-
ards first experience-that he had never
shot at a deer, much less killed one-and
they were prepared to laugh at his ex-
pense. They stationed him on the drive,
gave him a gun, and then went off laugh
ing in their sleeves. Mr.. Pritchard. not
the least bit nervous, awaited develop
ments.
Presently the hounds gave cry and
down the mountain side came fine
buck. The animal scented the waiting
Senator and started to make detour
When he again appeared, only a glimpse
of his hack was visible through an open
ing in the thicket. Senator Pritchard,
who had his gun at his shoulder, pulled
the trigger and the deer fell dead. With
pardonabe pride he went over to the deer
and there he awaited the return of his
friends.
Didn't you have the buck ague?'
they asked, in astonishment.
Not DIT of it. said Senator Pritch-
ard. My nerves were never steadier in
my life. +"
new postofice has been established at
kellum Onslow county, with BENZ. l.
Parker as postmaster.