The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-27
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ment, which has been taken up by others
and like bread cast on the waters, finds
rich fruition in the zeal and enthusiasm
manifested here today. Prof Dawes has
gone to his reward, the reward of the
faithful. This was a good work and the
men who did it, deserve and will receive
the thanks of our people.
Upon the death of Prof Dawes, his
work was taken up by his brother, Maj.
Dawes. AS a result of this movement
the Roanoke Colony Memorial Associa-
ton was Incorporated in Chowan county
in March, 1894, and since then much
work has been done. But | prefer that
you shall have a report of this from a
private letter to me first received from
Major Dawes.
'106 Madison Avenue,
New York, N. Y, July 10, 1902
wv. d. Pruden, Esq, Edenton, N. C.
my Dear Sir: Briefly then
as to what has been accomplished by
our organization. We have purchased
two tracts of land at the northern end
of Roanoke Island, one of about 240
acres, partially cleared, with good land
ings on both Croatan and Roanoke
sounds. There are some delapidated
buildings on it not occupied. This tract
stands in your name as trustee and is
for sale, which as yet, we have been
unable to effect, and we sadly need the
funds its sale would bring, so as to carry
out more fully the purposes of the asso-
station. The other tract, nearly a mile
distant from the first, contains Is acres,
and upon this is the site of Fort Raj
eigh, it's moat and outlines still per-
fectly distinct and now marked at it's
angles with granite blocks. Near the
centre of the front we have placed a
handsome memorial stone Of granite,
whose inscription recites quite fully the
interesting historical events that hap
pened there. The fort site is probably
cleared, is enclosed by a rough rail fence
for protection, and roadway cut to it
from the county road nearby The titles
TO both tracts have been quieted, and
several of the more prominent corners
of both marked with granite blocks. A
granite block has also been placed at
Indian Hole near the fort tract, an i'm
portant corner to which nearly all
grants and deeds Whereabouts have refer
ence. The site of the fort has been care
fully verified, and the whole property
accurately surveyed by very competent
surveyor and maps made of the same,
one copy of which is on file in one of
the books in the Registers office at
Manteo, where all deeds may be seen
also. We were Obliged to buy both tracts
to get the fort side, as the owners. the
same in both cases, would not sell either
without the other. The property is
visited and inspected frequently by my
self. Oftener by an agent. and the fort
enclosure protected by regular raking OF
trash, ETC., as far as possible from forest
fires To prevent trespass and depreda-
tons the lands are posted We own the
lands without incumbrance, have good
titles, have done much to rescue the
historic spots from oblivion, owe no
debts Of any kind, and / have few dol
lars in hand to the credit Of our asso-
citation.
VERY truly your friend,
(Sipnedl GRAHAM Dawes.
This is, perhaps, not much, but it is
something-it is a basis on which we
can build Let US take it up wnere his
hands dropped it.
Visit old Fort Raleigh, see the stone
there erected. Take inspiration from it.
Resolve to do more for the State and It's
history and go away better and more
patriotic North Carolinians.