The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-07-29

Historical Association of the Lost
Colony of Roanoke Island:
We are now standing in the dawn of
the twentieth century, fixed stars are
fading from our view and we grOpe in
uncertain light. But about four centuries
ago on the spot where we now stand,
surrounded by all the many evidences of
civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in
the wind and the wild fox dug his hole
unscared; and here lived and loved an
other race of beings, beneath the same
sun that courses his way in matchless
sky; the Indian hunter pursued the pant
ing deer; gazing on the same moon that
smiles for you, the Indian lover WoOed
his duskv mate.
Here he padded his light canoe across
these sheltered bays; here in the morn
ing hours could be seen the Indian squaw
tilling the soil, and at night their coun-
Gil fires cleaned along our shores.
On they lived through unnumbcre
ages until, as civilization advanced, their
war cry was known only to the west
crn wilds. After ages of petty warfare
among themselves, as the sixteenth CEN
fury drew to a close, they were con-
fronted by men who built ships that
Withstood the oceans storms and who
shook the solid earth with the roar Of
their artillery.
Now only a few descendants Of those
dark-hucd children of the forest still
have their wigwams in North Carolina.
This State, until the year of 1888, had
not been settled by white men, one at
tempt had been made by a brave young
Englishman, Walter Raleigh. but had
C+:IJ L. 49,
tion and courage kept pressing him on
until on the 24th day of July, 1884, the
shores of North Carolina were seen by
a company of men under AmadaS and
BarloWe.
They came close to a sand beach and
finally continued their sail north
ward along the low, rren-barrier of
sand, which divide the waters of the
ocean from those Of Pamlico and CrOatan
sounds-until they came to anchor near
an island.
Across the deso1ate sand ridges were
fair, land-lockcd, waters and great for
ests, and far out to sea f1oated the
odor Of numerous flowers.
These weary toilers were charmed with
the richness of vegetation and the cheer
full songs of the knocking bird.
One morning they beheld in the dis
lance a small canoe, with some Indians
in it. which appeared to be moving to-
ward their vessel. The boatmen came
aboard and were kindly treated by the
whites. The Indians in turn invited their
strange visitors ashore.
Two Indians of important distinction
were Manteo and Wanchese. Mantec
proved to be friendly to the whites, and
f gentlemen of the State Literary and
TI;c3or;ooI hccociotiop j,,ct &c Monfpr
| opened the doors of his wigwam and
treated with courtesy the pale faces, just
so do We, the citizens of Roanoke Island
. open our doors in hearty welcome to you
: We are glad to have you with us, anC
hope that in your considerations you vii
l deem it wise to hold your memorial ser
vices on this historical spot.
Certainly there can be no other place
D within the bounds of the Old NORTH
1 State more fitting for such an enter
prise here where the colony Of JohI
White persisted; here where still linger'
g the mystery of the lost colony; herr
where Virginia Dare, the first white chill,
in America, first saw the light Of day
and here in fact, where the real histor,
e Of North Carolina had it's first be
t ginning.
Thus we feel justified in claiming tina
= l Ut ID III IlC l1ioIS III v sIC oSSo
sion thar this island, beautifully situate
d in the extreme eastern portion of tn
G State, surrounded by sounds aboundin
n in fish and oysters, where one can la
his. body down to rest at night. An
here the swelling pillows of the might
ocean as they throb and beat upon tn
shores, where one can see III HI
J. imagination. Amadas and Barlowe a
they sail along our shores or call t
mind the unfortunate colony of Ralp
Laun, the first governor of this unce1
tain beginning of North Carolina.
s. And through history, we have a ne
vision of Sir Walter Raleigh, after a
d. his exploits had been failures, as he
called before a jealous King and falls a
l. innocent victim to royal hate ar
tyrannical spite. Still there remains
a every loyal North Carolinian, a hea,
full of love and pride for the name
h. Raleigh.
of Well might every North Carolinian r,
ID peat, where Manteo greeted the white
1T, where were laid the first arches of en-
is pire;
TO And freedom looked down from i
ed height.
d. What, though the grim hand of disast
n Swept over the Island and sea,
NJ There's ever a charm in the story,
lg That tells of a Raleigh to me-"
And, gentlemen, there can be no 9th
place more fit for the memorial servi
!. which you intend to hold than histor
w. Roanoke Island.
he Again l would say we bid you WELDON